Corn and Orange Pepper Salad

Fresh herbs are one of my favorite ways to add a boost of flavor to a dish. This time last year, I planted an herb garden near my front entryway. The location is a wonderful conversation starter for arriving guests – particularly those who can’t resist running their hand over the plants as they walk [...]

Iced Cranberry Mint Green Tea

The weather reached well into the 80s this week in Pittsburgh. It certainly was not a good time for my central air conditioning to stop running. Especially considering it’s only two years old and we just made the last payment. In a desperate attempt to stay cool, I found solace in this refreshing beverage. I [...]

Snickerdoodle Bars

While waiting in line at the checkout counter at my local grocery store, my eyes scanned the magazine rack. I flipped through several before impulsively purchasing a pamphlet-sized beauty published under the Betty Crocker brand. That was nearly two years ago. I found the magazine while organizing my bookshelves recently and decided to give this [...]

Panko & White Cheddar Stuffed Mushrooms

Like most large families focused on stretching their food budget, I grew up thinking mushrooms always came sliced in a can. You know what I’m talking about – the clank of the can opener finishing its rotation around the rim and juices expelled into the sink using the lid to hold back the can’s contents. [...]

Sugar Coated Cashews

While typically reserved for holidays and special occasions, sugar coated cashews are the perfect everyday treat. This recipe serves two purposes in my life. The first is it offers a tasty sweet snack with a crunch that can go on for hours. Second, the house smells amazing afterward. Think of all the money I’m saving [...]

Mini Cinnamon Rolls

My sister Rosita was the first person to introduce me to Pinterest nearly six months ago. And I have been hooked ever since. It is the latest online darling to hit the social media scene that is quickly earning its place next to Facebook and Twitter. For me, the site is a wonderful way to [...]

Baked Egg Nog French Toast

I’ve come to realize there are two reasons why my mom enjoys my visits to northern Michigan. The first is to provide the opportunity to see her ridiculously clumsy son do something that’s uncontrollably laughable. Like the time I collided into a tree that mysteriously jumped in front of me while walking on the sidewalk. [...]

Arugula Salad with Blue Cheese & Apples

Living on potato chips and Red Bull for the past two weeks was a real challenge. Balanced between my usual hectic holiday activities, I worked hard, and well into the late night hours, to finish projects for three graduate classes this semester. Now that everything is completed and grades are officially posted, preparing real food [...]

Friendsgiving Blessings

Off I go…over the river and through the woods with a picnic basket in tow. With our families scattered throughout the country, a small group of friends decided to host our own Friendsgiving festivities this year. The menu reads like a who’s who list of traditional Thanksgiving fare with each friend contributing a dish or [...]

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 [...]

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