food detective
My husband’s and my travel schedules have been… crazy! We’ve literally flown over one another. Think of planes, trains and cars passing in the night. Last Wednesday was the only date that could possibly resemble a date. I wanted to slow down, set the table, and make him something special to show him how much I’ve missed him. But with suitcases that
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ripped from the headlines
Readers of this blog know I am a huge fan of the recipes I find in my inbox from Bon Apétit, Martha Stewart, and the New York Times. They offer amazing distraction from what I should probably be doing at my desk. Along with an influx of news items, I receive not only recipes but links to articles on home improvement, travel, flower arranging, wine
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food detective
Here’s some real news you can sink your teeth into. Melissa Clark, a food reporter from the New York Times, has created a digital series on the essentials of French cuisine. She takes readers through ten quintessential recipes- from mastering a basic omelet to serving up a soufflé with aplomb. She walks you through why should master the recipe
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entertaining with style- making it work for you
The past few months I’ve been on the flower show circuit as a photography judge. Walking through the floral design entries I’m continually blown away by their sheer beauty, creativity and inventiveness. Flower shows for me are what five-star restaurants are to others. I’d love to try to replicate what I see at home but I’m confident it’s most likel
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Lately my husband has been such a sweetheart I thought I’d bake him a pie. Wait a minute- me make a homemade pie? Those of you who know me know that I’m not very skilled when it comes to baking. But just because I’m not terribly accomplished at something doesn’t mean I shouldn’t give it a try. Now I’m not suggesting I’ll go hog wild into
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Need a fresh app in a flash? Try this spin-off of grilled flatbread with lightly seasoned cucumber, creamy burrata, and slivered basil. Forego the grill by picking up a box of amazing pita crackers. In less than five minutes you’ll have a crispy, creamy, bright and fresh appetizer that will wow your guests in no time flat.
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
The inn is full for Easter! With hikers, bikers, sun seekers, and sleepers- breakfast for a crew can be a challenge. Out in California “toast” continues to reign. So I figured I would hop on that train and make it the centerpiece of my Saturday breakfast/brunch/lunch. A grab-and-go affair that should please all palettes and fit every timetable.
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
One of the best parts of throwing a party is in the planning. I get a certain thrill when all the components begin to come together. From the menu to the seating chart, it’s a culinary “words with friends”. I knew I wanted to do something a little different for a business dinner my husband and I were hosting. The challenge was creating something
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Want to whip up something extraordinary in no time flat? Simply toss some out of the ordinary ingredients together to create a dish that is sure to impress. If you’ve never tried Israeli couscous you are missing out. Sometimes called pearl couscous or ptitm, these small, round, pasta-like granules are made from semolina and wheat flour. Unlike
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Want to elevate your next dinner party? Simply add a course. Easy to do when you offer a salad of mixed greens and an array of cheeses after the main. Notably French, a salad and cheese course is a wonderful way to extend the festivity, savor that last bit of red and a great tactic to appease a still hungry guest without breaking the bank on
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Wherever I find myself, I’m happiest with a full dining room table. As a former professional chef and caterer I want to share what I’ve learned over the past three decades of entertaining. On this site you’ll find tricks of the trade to help even the most harried of you pull off a seemingly seamless fête. Come join the conversation! read more →