Blueberry Basil Cocktail

The whole idea for this beverage started when I was standing over my two basil plants. I hovered over them in awe at how well they are growing this summer. It seemed like every time I clip, the bushier they grow. I couldn’t fathom the idea of making anymore pesto. So I clipped a few [...]

Red Sangria

The first time I had sangria was many years ago on New Year’s Day. A group of friends decided to go to a local tapas restaurant that was running a special brunch that day. We showed up in our pajamas to receive half-off sangrias and a gift card toward a future purchase. It was actually [...]

Homemade Mozzarella Pinwheels with Sundried Tomatoes & Fresh Basil

It was nearly a year ago when I was hovering over a stove with 10 other students. We all had one goal in mind…to learn the art of fresh mozzarella making. Ever since that faithful day, I’ve enjoyed serving the glorious white cheese for dinner parties. Explaining the preparation process is a wonderful conversation starter. [...]

Foodbuzz 24X24: An Intimate Celebration of Italian Flavor

Pittsburgh’s historic Strip District Market was alive with the energy of spring as I wove between the hoards of strollers and walkers to reach my favorite shops. I was a man on a mission to find the best ingredients for a dinner party I was hosting later in the evening. The clock was ticking and [...]

Pear Vodka Cocktail

When it comes to cocktail recipes, I like to keep things simple. While my favorite celebratory drink is a Lemon Drop Martini, this classic go-to beverage was a perfect way to ring in the New Year. Crisp and lightly fruity, this cocktail was a perfect drink to sip while watching the ball drop with a [...]

The End Has Arrived: And the Winner is…

When I agreed to host a Tassimo Brewbot giveaway on this site, I never would have imagined the level of response that occurred throughout the week. It was so much fun reading through the names people would give their cute little machine. Some of my favorites included Brewster, T-Bot, Tasselah and Nathan’s Little Helper. Also, [...]

Excitement is Still Brewing: Giveaway Ending Soon

Hey Everyone, It’s been a blast reading all of the awesome entries for my Tassimo Brewbot giveaway. I give much kudos to all the creative ideas people would choose to name their very own machine. This quick post is a friendly reminder for anyone who still wants add their entry to the virtual hat. All [...]

My New Tassimo Brewbot & Giveaway

It’s hard to bring myself to brew an entire pot of coffee because the dark rich liquid ends up getting cold by the time I reach the bottom of the pot. Plus, I like to shake things up a bit by interchanging between Chai Latte, Green Tea and rich Hot Chocolate choices on occasion. Recently, [...]

4 Tips for the Perfect Dinner Party Wine

You’re invited to a dinner party and you want to bring a nice bottle of wine. A quick trip to the wine store and you become overwhelmed by the racks upon racks of bottles. What to choose? That is the question of the moment. Should you pick a red, a white or a lovely forbidden [...]

Impromptu Dinner Party: Brent & Ty Take Over

After returning home from a wonderful trip in Toronto, the last thing I wanted to do was eat in yet another restaurant.  I craved a home cooked meal and the comfort of relaxing in the backyard, without the annoyance of servers asking us if we were American based on what we ordered.  While trying to [...]