Potato Leek Soup

The perfect hearty creamy soup for a chilly fall day. I love the garnishes for this soup. In addition to bacon, green onions and cheddar cheese, you can top your soup with croutons (made with brioche) and a dollop of sour cream. And if you like a little spice, sprinkle lightly with cayenne pepper or […]
Jalapeno Lime Roasted Corn Salsa

I love fresh corn on (or off) the cob. Add it to fresh tomato salsa and I am over the moon happy! Here’s my recipe for my favorite fresh salsa. The heat is added with jalapeno lime olive oil and green chile infused olive oil. Olivelle infused olive oils and aged balsamic vinegars are available […]
Pistachios & Michigan Dried Cherries – fun snack!

I love simple fun snacks. Pistachios & Michigan Dried Cherries are the perfect combination of salty, tart and sweet. Make sure you pick up a bag of the regular dried cherries – not the “no sugar added” dried cherries because the “no sugar added” are SUPER tart. I like the Montmorency US Grown Dried Cherries […]
Green Goddess Dressing

One of my favorite salad dressings (sandwich spread, roasted chicken sauce) is Green Goddess. It is full of herb, lemon and garlic flavors. I make my Green Goddess Dressing in the blender – super easy – and store it in a mason jar in the refrigerator so it’s always ready to top a green salad, […]
Mary Pickford Cocktail

The Mary Pickford Cocktail is a sweet and fruity cocktail that originated in Cuba in the 1920’s. The cocktail is named after the Canadian-American silent film star Mary Pickford who was visiting Havana with her husband, actor Douglas Fairbanks, while filming a movie there. The most popular story is that the cocktail was created for […]
Mediterranean Couscous Salad

Summers in Virginia can be super hot. That’s when it’s just to hot to cook and I look for easy breezy recipes that do not require turning on my oven. One of my favorite “cool” recipes is Mediterranean Couscous Salad.
Cherry Tomato Gazpacho with Brioche Croutons

Gazpacho is one of my favorite dishes to serve during the hot summer months. I have three criteria for my gazpacho: it must be served very cold, in shallow chilled soup dishes; it must be made with brioche (to add a touch of sweetness to the soup) and it must be served with brioche croutons […]
Cucumber Salad with Sour Cream Dill Dressing

The perfect summer salad. Crisp English cucumber with red onion and French radishes. If you cannot find French radishes at your local farmers market, you can substitute traditional radishes sliced thinly on a mandoline.
Fried Smashed Okra with Comeback Sauce

Perfectly crispy okra served with a dipping sauce – chili sauce, mayonnaise, lemon juice – that will have you comin’ back for more!
Cantaloupe Prosciutto Salad with Vine-ripened Raspberry Balsamic Glaze

Enjoy this refreshing flavorful salad when melon and peaches are in their peak season. The melon and peaches have fresh fruity flavor while the prosciutto adds a touch of salt along with a bit of sweetness from the balsamic vinegar. The raspberry balsamic glaze is much lighter than the heavy traditional balsamic glaze and it’s […]