Easy Dipping Oil

Go to any fancy Italian restaurant and you are sure to be greeted with a basket of crusty bread and fruity olive oil. You don’t have to put on your Sunday best to experience the same pleasure of tearing chunks of bread and plunging them deep into a shallow bowl of goodness.
I wasn’t planning on [...]

Baked Goat Cheese Marinara

Isn’t it amazing how something so simple can look so good in a photo? I posted this to my Facebook Fan Page a couple of days ago because I was that excited to share it before the blog post went live. I figured why should I deny my fans from such tasty beauty? (insert gleeful [...]

Caramelized Onion Dip

I love potluck parties because it gives me a chance to sample new recipe ideas beyond reading a typical blog, magazine or cookbook. My office recently decided to host a potluck party to celebrate the ending of another strong year. Of course, this couldn’t be just any party; all the participants had to bring an [...]

Prosciutto Wrapped Stuffed Baby Bell Peppers

Have you ever hunted for the perfect ingredient to make all your dinner party dreams come true? Only to crash and burn like a forgotten soufflé when it is nowhere to be found? But alas, you are saved from total destruction when you discover a completely new ingredient that evokes new thoughts of culinary greatness.
I [...]

Ile de France Camembert Cheese

The kitchen was filled with a nutty aroma as a circle of soft cheese gently warmed in the oven. Thanks to Ile de France, I had the opportunity to receive a wheel of their camembert cheese to sample and share with friends. Similar to brie, this cheese is rich, creamy and nutty in flavor. It [...]

Impromptu Guacamole

All I wanted to do this evening was hear the sizzle of a juicy steak on the grill, wrapped it in a tortilla, with a delicious pile of fresh guacamole. I planned to eat my meaty dinner flopped on the couch while watching a little mind numbing TV. Ahh…a perfect evening after a long day [...]

Grilled Caprese Pizza with Balsamic Reduction

Summer is quickly coming to an end, but there are still a few more weekends to take advantage of outdoor grilling. Sure your neighbors might be satisfied with a classic combination of burgers and hot dogs. They even may be ok with a tub of potato salad mush from the grocery store. You, on the [...]

Tips for Creating the Perfect Antipasti Platter

What Tuscan meal would be complete without a platter of meats, cheeses and roasted vegetables? There was no set recipe when it came to creating a perfect antipasti platter for my Party on the Porch. It just took a little creativity, a flair for styling and a love of great flavor. Here are a few [...]

Marinated Artichokes

This recipe was a classic example of having to improvise to ensure I stick to the plan. I was originally intending to make roasted artichokes for my Party on the Porch. But, what seemed like a simple visit to the store, turned into an adventure around Pittsburgh to find them. The only place that had [...]

Roasted Tomatillo Salsa

I remember the exact moment when I read about this recipe on Jersey Girl Cooks. I was sitting in my windowless office, procrastinating on a project to make an odd technology sound sexy. Rather than diving into the fabulous world of work, I opted for a much more enjoyable hour of blog reading.
The simple combination [...]

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