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 [...]

Make-Your-Own Wedge Salad

If anyone ever says you can’t have guests over for dinner on a weeknight, then I say they are crazy. My secret to success for a fun impromptu weeknight dinner party is to take something classic and display it in an interesting way.
I recently invited a friend over to be my taste tester a French [...]

8 Football Game Day Recipe Ideas

The trees bordering my backyard have turned from deep greens to rich shades of fiery red, yellow, and gold. Clearly fall is upon us in Pittsburgh and I’m trying to take advantage of the last droplets of sunshine by writing on my back patio. Sophie is following my lead by doing laps and getting dirty [...]

Lemon Bars

The other day I was reviewing my calendar when I realized November was just around the corner. Which means I become a baking machine to test new recipe ideas in time for the fast approaching holiday season.
My goal this year is to come up with even more original recipes that not only satisfy the taste [...]

An Elegant Challenge: Catering for a Cause

I’m always trying to push the boundaries of my talents to their furthest possible limits by embracing new challenges with open arms. This weekend was no exception as I chopped, sliced and diced my way through catering a fundraising event for 35 people.
Hosting dinner parties for a small gathering of friends is a very different [...]

Smirnoff Summer Entertaining Extravaganza: Party on the Porch

When life gives you lemons, I recommend throwing in ice and serving Smirnoff Tuscan Lemonade. I was recently selected as 1 of only 10 proposals to receive a stipend by Smirnoff and Foodbuzz to host a summer extravaganza. The theme could be any of my choosing, as long as the delicious Smirnoff beverage was the [...]

Ode to Summer Vegetable Trays

It’s a must have compliment to a menu of grilled deliciousness at any summer dinner party. No matter where you find comfort in an outdoor meal, always know the classic summer vegetable tray will be there with its bounty of flavors.
I found myself not wanting to “cook” for a recent dinner party. It was not [...]

Chocolate Pancakes

Are these pancakes for breakfast or for dessert?  How about both?  Hard to decide isn’t it?
The idea of making chocolate pancakes was actually inspired by an outlet shopping trip just outside of the Pittsburgh area.  I was sifting through a kitchen gadget store looking for anything I haven’t purchased yet when Brent found a box [...]

Rustic Blackberry Pie

My friend Jimmy has begged me to make him a blackberry pie for years.  Instead of giving into his wishes, he has received recipe variations that contained blackberries, but never a full pie.  My most classic example was when he begged and begged for a blackberry pie, and I decided Goat Cheese, Blackberry and Pear [...]

Impromptu Dinner Party: Appetizer & Place Settings

This was the appetizer and casual setting for my Impromptu Dinner Party.
When it comes to dinner parties, I am a firm believer in serving some sort of appetizer with drinks before the full meal.  It doesn’t have to be fancy, overly complicated or a huge portion.  It just needs to be something for your guests [...]

Next Page »