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 [...]

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 [...]

All Play & A Little Work Too

The rising sun shined through the New York City skyline as my early morning flight began to land. At the beginning of this week, I traveled to the Big Apple for work. I knew the trip was going to be busy, even before I boarded the plane. So, as I pressed my face against the [...]

Pesto Pea Pasta Salad

I totally enjoy reading and making Ina Garten’s recipes. Even as I write this post, I’ve finished watching an episode of her popular Barefoot Contessa television show on the Food Network. Her food has great flavor, beautiful visually, and extremely easy to prepare. But there are times when I feel like her food tends to [...]

Roasted Rosemary Lemon Cornish Game Hen and Vegetables

This was the entrée and vegetable side dish for my Saturday Dinner Party.
The aroma was intoxicating as I placed the large pan of golden game hens on the table.  I watched as he took a bite of the crispy skin and moist flesh.  He closed his eyes, chewed for a moment and swallowed.  Then, quick [...]

Happy Birthday Chocolate Cake

Happy Birthday to me!  March 2nd is my birthday, and to celebrate, I decided to make a luscious two-tiered chocolate cake.  Now, don’t be fooled by the pictures.  This cake is quite intense, but not overly sweet.  That’s how I like it.  The combination of ingredients are designed to bring out the flavor of the [...]

Gorgonzola Sauce

One of the simplest and easiest ways to dress up a juicy steak is by adding a flavorful sauce.  This sauce is so rich and creamy; your guests will flip over backwards for more.  At least that’s what my guests did when I served it on a London Broil.
I’ve been making this recipe for a [...]

I met Ina Garten…well, sort of

The mall was alive with excitement as hundreds of stroller pushing and job skipping people gathered in line around the small store.  They weren’t trying to take advantage of preholiday sales.  Or even clamoring buy the latest release of yet another “finger licking good” gizmo by Apple.  This mass mayhem was for the launch and [...]

Grilled Chicken with Thai Peanut Sauce

One of my most favorite sauces for grilled chicken is Thai Peanut Sauce.  This versatile sauce is full of peanut flavor with a wonderful hint of heat from the Asian chili.  It also goes great with pasta, rice and steamed veggies.  For a couple of years, I have used a modified version of a peanut-dressing [...]