Pear Lettuce Salad with Maple Dijon Vinaigrette

This was the salad for my Saturday Dinner Party. Ok, I’ll admit it.  There have been very few restaurants in Pittsburgh that have inspired me to recreate a dish I have ordered.  I can see the hate mail filling my inbox now.  You see.  It’s not that I think Pittsburgh restaurants are bad…I just haven’t [...]

Pesto Goat Cheese Stuffed Tomatoes

This was the appetizer for my Saturday Dinner Party After a brief tour of the house, our guests gathered in the dining room where white wine was chilling and the red was breathing in an elegantly shaped decanter.  The aroma of lemon and rosemary danced above me as I emerged from the kitchen with a [...]

Honey, Pear and Gorgonzola Crostini

Remember when I said in my Whole Grain Pasta Salad post that spring was in the air?  Well, I must have been seriously day dreaming.  Even as I write this, large fluffy flakes of snow are falling out my front window.  The walkway already looks like it had never been cleared, and the snow is [...]

Sun-Dried Tomato Dip

The bar was alive with a wide selection of movers and shakers ready to start the weekend off right.  I turned to my freshly poured beverage when I noticed a tiny droplet of water trickling down the side of my glass.  The music bumped in the background as I slowly brought the cold liquid to [...]

Shrimp Cocktail Shots

I was involved in the world of catering throughout most of my college career.  After serving what seemed like thousands of events those long four years, I learned a simple philosophy that still works today.  Sometimes, it’s not about what you cook, but how you present it.  Don’t get me wrong, I love spending hours [...]

Sweet BBQ Meatballs

I live in Pittsburgh where the Steelers play.  Having only lived in the city for a few months and not much of a football fan, I still find it humorous how much black and yellow gets spread across the city this time of year. Brent and I were at the grocery store the other day [...]

Polynesian Glazed Wings

Have you ever received one of those gifts that you knew had good intentions, but secretly wondered the real meaning behind them? Like the time you received a big basket of hair care products for dry and damaged hair. Or the time a distant relative spent months knitting you a special sweater. Only to find [...]

Artichoke and Spinach Dip

I love artichoke and spinach dip.  But most recipes I have found contain at least 15 lbs. of cream cheese and 5 gallons of mayonnaise.  Such ingredients will almost always guarantee a heavenly experience.  I, on the other hand, like to save some of my appetizer calories for dessert. So when Stacey from Stacey Snacks [...]

Tomato and Mozzarella Rolls

One of the things I like about my new neighborhood in Pittsburgh is the accessibility.  Within a five block radius of my house is a Whole Foods, Borders, Williams & Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Apple Store and a ton of independent shops for me to enjoy.  Of course, a plethora of great restaurants makes the area [...]

Herb Goat Cheese and Balsamic Tomato Crostini

While I was exercising, I started to brainstorm new appetizer recipe ideas for an upcoming dinner party.  Wow, what a surprise…I was thinking about food while I was EXCERCISING (aka. inducing pain). I needed something that was simple and easy to make.  The favors needed to be bold and appetizing, while being universal enough for [...]