Parmesan Zucchini Fries
I love fried zucchini, but don’t like the mess from frying zucchini in a pan. These Parmesan Zucchini Fries, fried in the oven, are easy to make, a bit less…
Easy Brie & Pepper Jelly Bites
Looking for a last minute appetizer, but don’t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen? These Easy Brie & Pepper Jelly Bites are simple to make, festive,…
Green Chile Pork Nachos
These Green Chile Pork Nachos are a nice break from traditional beef or chicken nachos, and it does not hurt that they are easy to make. Just take a batch…
Candied Bacon Lollipops
Sweet and tangy bacon, caramelized with a tangy brown sugar-dijon mustard glaze, spiked with bourbon, on lollipop sticks for easy snacking.
Jalapeño Spinach Balls
Jalapeño Spinach Balls are a savory little appetizer with a nice kick of jalapeño. Don’t let the word spinach stop you–these little bites of goodness are so tasty, you…
14 Ultimate Super Bowl Snack Ideas
Need a few easy-to-make/appetizing-to-eat main dish Super Bowl snack ideas? How about 14 Ultimate Super Bowl Snack Ideas ? There is a little bit of everything here from dips…
Roasted Pepper Guacamole
This guacamole recipe incorporates the sweet smoky taste of roasted red peppers, with a spicy kick from Poblano chili pepper. Did you know that guacamole comes from the Aztecs, who…
Bacon Apple Brie Bites
You can make this as an appetizer, chock fill of bacon, apple, and brie, or as a popover-like side dish. I intended the recipe to come out as a mini…
Best Queso Blanco Dip (White Cheese)
This Queso Blanco dip recipe was adapted from the famous restaurant-style white cheese queso dip served at Miguel’s Cocina Restaurant in San Diego, California. Creamy and zesty, with just the…
Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
These Bacon Wrapped Asparagus make a great appetizer when you are short on time, but want something delish! Bacon Wrapped Asparagus 1/2 pound Bacon (Applewood smoked has the best flavor)…
Easy Wor Wonton Soup
{This post is sponsored by Ling Ling. All opinions expressed in this post are my own.} The 2018 Chinese Lunar New Year festivities have officially begun! Also called Spring festival,…
Orange Ginger Beef Ribs & Chinese New Year
This post is sponsored by Ling Ling. The opinions expressed in my post are my own. Are you ready to celebrate the Lunar New Year on February 16th? I like…
Cool Summer Cooking With Ling Ling Fried Rice
When summer hits, I try to keep the kitchen as cool as possible, creating quick summer meals that can be made on the stovetop or in the slow cooker. Because…
Chicken Pineapple Fried Rice
Thank you SAFEWAY, ALBERTSONS, & VONS for sponsoring this post. Check out the new Signature family of brands from SAFEWAY, ALBERTSONS, & VONS with more than 4,000 Signature products available…
Good Fortune Cocktail for The Chinese New Year
{Disclosure: I received a sample of the Below Deck Ginger Rum. My opinions and this recipe are 100% my own.} This Good Fortune cocktail, Zàohuà, means “good fortune” or…
Joyce Chen’s Chinese Beef and Broccoli
My mom was a terrific cook. Put a cookbook in front of her and she would have it memorized the first time she read it, then make wonderful meals. One…
Cream Cheese Wontons
Who’s in the mood for Chinese? How does gingery Beef and Broccoli, with carrots, baby corn, and mushrooms, over a bed of steaming jasmine rice sound? Maybe with a side…
Slow Cooker Short Rib Sloppy Joes
With my son away at college, I have been experimenting more in the kitchen, making dishes my somewhat finisky son would not usually eat, such as this Slow Cooker Short…
Orange Ginger Beef Ribs & Chinese New Year
This post is sponsored by Ling Ling. The opinions expressed in my post are my own. Are you ready to celebrate the Lunar New Year on February 16th? I like…
Slow Cooker Sauerbraten + Gingersnap Gravy
Growing up, I had one set of German grandparents and one set of Polish grandparents. My German grandmother did not cook much, but she did introduce me to her German…
Port Braised Short Ribs
Delicious beef short ribs, pan fried then slow roasted in a rich port wine sauce.
Game Day Chili
Football season is fast approaching and it’s time to get your (kitchen) game face on and make this yummy treat for your family during football season. This Game Day…
Santa Maria Tri Tip Barbecue
It is time to fire up the grill and make some tasty barbecue! What is your favorite? Most people are familiar with tangy North Carolina-style barbecue, saucy St. Louis-style barbecue,…
Quick Beef Bourguignon
This Quick Beef Bourguignon a faster, less fattening version of Julia Child’s recipe, perfect for a week night meal. My family loves this dish so much, they use a spoon…
Joyce Chen’s Chinese Beef and Broccoli
My mom was a terrific cook. Put a cookbook in front of her and she would have it memorized the first time she read it, then make wonderful meals. One…
Pumpkin Spice Latte Scones
It’s that time of year, the moment when every blog in the United States and Canada celebrates the goodness that is pumpkin with an overload of pumpkin recipes! I know, I…
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread
It’s officially fall, which means it’s chocolate chip pumpkin bread time! I know what you are thinking…there are so many pumpkin bread recipes on the internet (so so many), but…
Buttermilk Apple Cider Donuts
The best place (in the whole world) to be in the fall is in upstate New York. Chilly mornings blossom into warm golden afternoons. A kaleidoscope of leaves drift aimlessly…
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Donuts
It’s that time of year again, when pumpkin flavor pops up all over the place, even in our coffee. Fluffy Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Donuts are a delicious mix of…
Tiramisu Cinnamon Rolls
When I woke this morning, I had a craving for cinnamon rolls, but not just any cinnamon roll—I wanted homemade, and I wanted to make a unique flavor combination. After…
Chocolate Strawberry Croissant Hearts
Nothing says Valentine’s Day like hearts and chocolate and these Chocolate Strawberry Croissant Hearts are a sweet combination of both! Light and airy puff pastries with a secret treasure of…
Monkey Bread French Toast
This Monkey Bread French Toast is a delicious make-ahead french toast casserole, oozing with cinnamon and buttery caramel–OMG! Most people love fresh cinnamon rolls with brunch, but they can be…
Pumpkin Spice Latte Scones
It’s that time of year, the moment when every blog in the United States and Canada celebrates the goodness that is pumpkin with an overload of pumpkin recipes! I know, I…
Tropical Yogurt Parfait
It’s funny. As a mom, I thought I would be running around more when my son was younger, but now that he is a older, I am always on the…
Bruschetta Eggs Benedict
Eggs Benedict is a favorite in our house, but we usually only have it one or two times a year, on Christmas morning and sometimes on Mother’s or Father’s Day,…
Pumpkin Spice Latte Granola
Fall is just around the corner, when the leaves fall, pumpkins are ready for picking, the crisp, cool smell of fall is in the air, and pumpkin spice is everywhere…
Easter Brunch Ideas
Do you have company coming for Easter? These Easter Brunch Ideas will take your brunch from breakfast to elegant get-together, helping your guests to feel comfortable and pampered. Easter Brunch…
Tiramisu Cinnamon Rolls
When I woke this morning, I had a craving for cinnamon rolls, but not just any cinnamon roll—I wanted homemade, and I wanted to make a unique flavor combination. After…
Strawberry Orange Stuffed French Toast
Kids love breakfast for dinner, so this Strawberry Orange Stuffed French Toast makes a great weeknight dinner, or weekend breakfast. This also makes a great Lenten dinner meal. The secret…
Monkey Bread French Toast
This Monkey Bread French Toast is a delicious make-ahead french toast casserole, oozing with cinnamon and buttery caramel–OMG! Most people love fresh cinnamon rolls with brunch, but they can be…
Holiday Mint Chocolate Truffles
You know that phrase, “when life hands you lemons…” Well….life handed me mushy fudge, so I made truffles. I have never been able to make fudge…ever! Year after year I…
Caramelized Pear Cranberry Baked Brie
One of the nicest things about this time of year is that people get together with friends and family for holiday parties. If you are anything like me, you are…
Ratatouille Chicken
I’ve never met a vegetable I didn’t like, especially ratatouille because it is chock full of all the best veggies. My husband on the other hand? Not so much, he…
Ten Cranberry Recipes for Thanksgiving
Who loves cranberries? I do! Cranberries are sweet and tangy little pops of joy in every mouthful! Are you looking for a few recipes with cranberry to jazz up your…
Alexia Veggie Sides + Herb Roasted Chicken
They say a way to a mans heart is through his stomach, and I’ve found this to be especially true with my husband. I like to joke that I won…
Black Bean Chicken Chile Enchiladas
It’s finally getting a bit cooler here in Arizona, which means I can start using my oven again without melting. It also happens to be Hatch Chile season, so I…
Lemon Chicken Scampi
This is a deliciously easy lemon chicken scampi recipe, rich with the tangy flavor of fresh Parmesan cheese and garlic. Serve over pasta or with rice, and make a little…
Chicken with Mushroom Tarragon Cream Sauce
Stop what you are doing right now and make sure you have heavy cream (or half & half), chicken, mushrooms, garlic, and tarragon in the house. You do? Awesome…now you…
Asparagus Pesto Chicken, Ricotta, & Blistered Tomatoes
Spring is coming and with it one of my favorite spring vegetables, asparagus. Though available year-round, asparagus is at it’s most tender and sweet in the springtime. This recipe for…
Thai Noodle Salad
The older your kids get, the more difficult it is to make a school lunch your kids will be happy with. Now that my son is a senior, he is…
Country Roast Chicken
Country Roast Chicken is such a simple dinner to make, but oh so good! You start with farm fresh carrots, green onions, string beans, butternut squash, and celery, then add…
Chicken with Apple Brandy Sauce
This is a eastern European-inspired dish, with roast chicken, apples, and a brandy sauce. Chicken with Apple Brandy sauce is a perfect fall entree, delightful with potato pancakes, pirogi, or…
Mom’s Chicken Cacciatore
Mom is a great cook, but she lives far away, so we do not get to have her cooking often. Whenever my family gets together with her, we all request…
Cornell-Brooks BBQ Chicken {An Upstate NY Favorite}
This Cornell-Brooks BBQ Chicken recipe is an upstate New York favorite and will quickly become your favorite too…no matter where you live! The chicken is soaked in a zesty vinegar-based…
Peanut Butter Snickerdoodle Chocolate Chip Cookies
These Peanut Butter Snickerdoodle Chocolate Chip Cookies are three different incredible cookies all rolled into one. Light and airy, with a hint of cinnamon sugar and a kiss of…
Irish Whiskey Mocha
This Irish Whiskey Mocha is a fun and easy twist on the traditional Irish Coffee, with the addition of espresso instead of regular coffee, as well as velvety rich hot…
Last Minute Holiday Gourmet Gift Ideas
Sharing love and joy with others is the true meaning of Christmas, and personalized holiday gift giving is one way to show your family and friends how much you care. …
Mocha Mousse Recipe
The love affair between chocolate and coffee is passionate and intense, an ethereal dance of flavors. Bitter sweet + earthy fragrant = OMG! A twist on the traditional chocolate mousse,…
Chocolate Strawberry Croissant Hearts
Nothing says Valentine’s Day like hearts and chocolate and these Chocolate Strawberry Croissant Hearts are a sweet combination of both! Light and airy puff pastries with a secret treasure of…
Irish Whiskey Mocha
This Irish Whiskey Mocha is a fun and easy twist on the traditional Irish Coffee, with the addition of espresso instead of regular coffee, as well as velvety rich hot…
Pumpkin Spice Latte Scones
It’s that time of year, the moment when every blog in the United States and Canada celebrates the goodness that is pumpkin with an overload of pumpkin recipes! I know, I…
Five Favorite Coffee Houses in Oregon
My family are big time coffee drinkers, so when we travel, we like to try out the local coffee shop scene at our destinations. On our recent trip for the…
Mocha Mousse Recipe
The love affair between chocolate and coffee is passionate and intense, an ethereal dance of flavors. Bitter sweet + earthy fragrant = OMG! A twist on the traditional chocolate mousse,…
Marshmallow Mocha & A Ninja Coffee Bar®
{This post was created in partnership with Ninja Coffee Bar® System. I received complimentary products and compensation to facilitate my review but all opinions within are my own.} During the…
Carta Coffee Merchants – A Different Cup of Coffee
What happens when you take a guy with a twenty-year background in wine making and set him loose on a small coffee farm in Kona, Hawaii? You get an incredible…
Stir Coffee Bar at Four Seasons Westlake Village
When you travel, do you find it difficult to get a decent cup of coffee at the hotel you are staying at? Most hotels have in-room coffee makers that…
Coffee Affogato Martini
{I was sent a sample but this recipe and opinions are 100% my own.} Are you familiar with the Italian delicacy known as the affogato? Part dessert, part coffee…
Hearty Ham Split Pea Soup
Easter is coming, and like many families, we enjoy spiral ham for our Easter dinner. My mom always taught me to save the ham bone for soup, and like a…
Slow Cooker Sauerbraten + Gingersnap Gravy
Growing up, I had one set of German grandparents and one set of Polish grandparents. My German grandmother did not cook much, but she did introduce me to her German…
Creamy Macaroni and Cheese
Cold/rainy/blustery weather = Nesting and Nesting = Comfort food. Even here in Arizona, we get chilly weather in the wintertime, and this extra rich and creamy macaroni and…
Crack Meatloaf
This Crack Meatloaf recipe is named because it is so good, it is addictive. It will quickly become a family favorite, just as it is with mine. Seriously. Who can…
Country Roast Chicken
Country Roast Chicken is such a simple dinner to make, but oh so good! You start with farm fresh carrots, green onions, string beans, butternut squash, and celery, then add…
Game Day Chili
Football season is fast approaching and it’s time to get your (kitchen) game face on and make this yummy treat for your family during football season. This Game Day…
Quick Beef Bourguignon
This Quick Beef Bourguignon a faster, less fattening version of Julia Child’s recipe, perfect for a week night meal. My family loves this dish so much, they use a spoon…
Peanut Butter Snickerdoodle Chocolate Chip Cookies
These Peanut Butter Snickerdoodle Chocolate Chip Cookies are three different incredible cookies all rolled into one. Light and airy, with a hint of cinnamon sugar and a kiss of…
Soft & Chewy Carrot Cookies
Every time we visit upstate New York, we always make time to stop at one of our favorite local farm stand stores, The Carrot Barn. The Carrot Barn is well…
Fifteen Favorite Christmas Cookie Recipes
Looking for a few cookie recipes for home baking, gifts, or your next cookie exchange? How do homemade sugar, peppermint, and ginger cookies sound? Here are Fifteen Favorite Christmas Cookie…
Chocolate Chip-Toffee Pumpkin Bars
Now that fall is here (hey, it’s in the 80’s here in AZ…that is fall), it is time to start baking again. I baked a little over the summer, but…
Pumpkin Toll House Bars
My family has been obsessed with Toll House bars lately, but I decided to mix up the recipe a little bit to make it more nutritious. Did you know that…
Salted Caramel Apple Bars
These Salted Caramel Apple Bars are a light, fluffy dessert for fall. If you want to be really decadent, serve it warm with some butter pecan ice cream! Salted…
Dottie’s Chocolate Jumbles Cookies
Chocolate Jumbles cookies are a treasured favorite in the Schoharie Valley area of upstate New York, where my husband grew up. (Shout out to our extended family in Cobleskill.) In…
Cinnamon Apple Cobbler
Growing up in upstate New York, it was a tradition every fall to go to the apple orchards and pick a basket of fresh juicy apples. Now that I live…
Kentucky Derby Pie
The first Saturday in May every year one of the greatest horse races, the Kentucky Derby, takes place at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Called the “Run for the Roses”…
Peanut Butter Snickerdoodle Chocolate Chip Cookies
These Peanut Butter Snickerdoodle Chocolate Chip Cookies are three different incredible cookies all rolled into one. Light and airy, with a hint of cinnamon sugar and a kiss of…
Swedish Meringue Cake with Fresh Berries
This Swedish Meringue Cake is sponsored by Handsome Brook Farm. All opinions and this recipe are my own. Phoenix is known for its scorching hot summers, but this summer has been…
Wicked Chocolate Bundt Cake
Hey chocolate lovers! This wicked delicious chocolate bundt cake recipe with rich dark chocolate ganache frosting is so deliciously rich and easy to make, it’s sinful! It’s not a box…
Grilled Honey Balsamic Strawberry Sundaes
Ice Cream, you scream, we all scream for…Grilled Honey Balsamic Strawberry Sundaes? Who wants to spend a lot of time of time in the kitchen preparing dessert when it is…
Bourbon Sweet Potato Pie
Ten years ago, my family was moving from California back to Arizona, and we were supposed to spend Thanksgiving with friends…but I got shingles. Our friends had a new grand…
Ten Cranberry Recipes for Thanksgiving
Who loves cranberries? I do! Cranberries are sweet and tangy little pops of joy in every mouthful! Are you looking for a few recipes with cranberry to jazz up your…
Cranberry Pear Clafoutis
The holiday season includes lots of holiday parties and entertaining, with lots (and lots) of food. When you have a lot of appetizers and main dishes, you should always have…
Red, White, & Blueberry Cream Cheese Tarts
Red, White, & Blueberry Cream Cheese Tarts are so easy to make and make the perfect summer sweet treat! This bite-sized dessert is similar to a cheesecake, but lighter and…
Soft & Chewy Carrot Cookies
Every time we visit upstate New York, we always make time to stop at one of our favorite local farm stand stores, The Carrot Barn. The Carrot Barn is well…
Easter Basket Cupcakes
Easter Basket Cupcakes are a fun and easy dessert recipe to celebrate the Easter season with your family. The base is a homemade vanilla cake recipe I got from my…
Mocha Mousse Recipe
The love affair between chocolate and coffee is passionate and intense, an ethereal dance of flavors. Bitter sweet + earthy fragrant = OMG! A twist on the traditional chocolate mousse,…
Cranberry Apple Strudel
It is just over a month until the big day and I am getting excited…and by big day, I mean Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is like my Super Bowl. I don’t want…
Buttermilk Apple Cider Donuts
The best place (in the whole world) to be in the fall is in upstate New York. Chilly mornings blossom into warm golden afternoons. A kaleidoscope of leaves drift aimlessly…
Ginger Snap Coconut Cream Pie
I have been making this Ginger Snap Coconut Cream Pie for years, adapting it from a recipe on a Jello pudding mix box. The great thing about this recipe is…
Fifteen Favorite Christmas Cookie Recipes
Looking for a few cookie recipes for home baking, gifts, or your next cookie exchange? How do homemade sugar, peppermint, and ginger cookies sound? Here are Fifteen Favorite Christmas Cookie…
Chocolate Chip-Toffee Pumpkin Bars
Now that fall is here (hey, it’s in the 80’s here in AZ…that is fall), it is time to start baking again. I baked a little over the summer, but…
Crock Pot Cranberry Orange Rice Pudding
Pumpkin and apple pie are two Thanksgiving dessert staples, yet not everyone likes pie. (I know…shocking, right?!) Creamy and lightly sweetened with the tang of orange and cranberry, this Crock…
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Donuts
It’s that time of year again, when pumpkin flavor pops up all over the place, even in our coffee. Fluffy Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Donuts are a delicious mix of…
Strawberry Blueberry Clafoutis
It’s summer, so I wanted to take advantage of the abundance of fresh (and colorful) strawberries and blueberries, but wanted to make something different from a traditional shortcake. Clafoutis,…
Mile High Chocolate Cream Pie
There is nothing better than a good piece of pie. I like cake just fine, but pie is my sweet indulgence–cherry, apple, pumpkin, you name it, I love it. I…
Pumpkin Toll House Bars
My family has been obsessed with Toll House bars lately, but I decided to mix up the recipe a little bit to make it more nutritious. Did you know that…
Chocolate Strawberry Croissant Hearts
Nothing says Valentine’s Day like hearts and chocolate and these Chocolate Strawberry Croissant Hearts are a sweet combination of both! Light and airy puff pastries with a secret treasure of…
Salted Caramel Apple Bars
These Salted Caramel Apple Bars are a light, fluffy dessert for fall. If you want to be really decadent, serve it warm with some butter pecan ice cream! Salted…
World’s Best Chocolate Cake (Wacky Cake)
I know I know. Proclaiming this as the world’s best chocolate cake is a bit presumptuous, but I’ve had many a piece of this chocolate cake over the years and…
Ancho Chili Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe
There are plenty of Cinco de Mayo recipes for appetizers, entrees, and even cocktails, but Cinco de Mayo desserts often get overlooked. This recipe for Ancho Chili Chocolate Lava Cake…
Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes
Remember those creamsicle ice cream pops that you savored as a kid? These orange creamsicle cupcakes are exactly the same thing but in cupcake form. Light and airy, with a…
Cinnamon Sugar Crepes
My son and his friends love when I whip up a batch of crepes, especially these Cinnamon Sugar Crepes. Most people think crepes are hard to make, but just…
Dottie’s Chocolate Jumbles Cookies
Chocolate Jumbles cookies are a treasured favorite in the Schoharie Valley area of upstate New York, where my husband grew up. (Shout out to our extended family in Cobleskill.) In…
Baklava
My son is in a Latin Club at school (they also study ancient Greek culture). This morning, on our half hour drive to school, he advised me that they were…
Basil Buttermilk Blue Cheese Dressing
I’m not going to lie…deliciously flavorful blue cheese dressing is not easy to make. To be clear, it IS effortless to mix together a blue cheese dressing recipe with a…
Blood Orange Cilantro Vinaigrette
This tangy Blood Orange Cilantro Vinaigrette is delicious on many salads, but especially drizzled over my Grilled Salmon Salad with the Avocado Corn Salsa. Blood oranges have more intense flavor than regular oranges,…
Swedish Meringue Cake with Fresh Berries
This Swedish Meringue Cake is sponsored by Handsome Brook Farm. All opinions and this recipe are my own. Phoenix is known for its scorching hot summers, but this summer has been…
Bruschetta Eggs Benedict
Eggs Benedict is a favorite in our house, but we usually only have it one or two times a year, on Christmas morning and sometimes on Mother’s or Father’s Day,…
Spicy Deviled Eggs
These Spicy Deviled Eggs recipe are a throw-back to the 1950’s. Eggs were rationed in the 1940’s during World War II, but after the war they were readily available and…