Bacon & Blue Dip

One of the ways I make entertaining look effortless is to always serve an easy and simple appetizer. It helps to keep my guests focused and entertained while I put the finishing touches on the meal. Best of all, appetizers keep my guests out of the kitchen and away from view should a mistake bubble [...]

Tips for Creating the Perfect Antipasti Platter

What Tuscan meal would be complete without a platter of meats, cheeses and roasted vegetables? There was no set recipe when it came to creating a perfect antipasti platter for my Party on the Porch. It just took a little creativity, a flair for styling and a love of great flavor. Here are a few [...]

Grilled Summer Vegetable & Chicken Kabobs

I could hear my dress shoes tap along the pavement as I bounced between the booths piled high with fresh picked vegetables. Every Monday, I stop by my local farmers market after work to take advantage of the season’s best flavors for my week of meals. The market was full of all of its bounty [...]

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, [...]

Savory Couscous

This was also a side dish for my Saturday Dinner Party. I work in a completely beige, windowless, office with giant Post-it sheets covering every square inch of my tiny space.  I have three mismatched chairs for visitors, my filing cabinet sticks when I open it, and my tired old desk is piled with my [...]