November 2020

Over the past couple of years I have not only grown fond of Fayetteville, but I have also become acquainted with its International Cuisine Trail, Antiquing Trail and more.  Even if I have not yet fully explored the city, I always walk away impressed with each visit.  This particular trip surprised me in a couple […]

My Poblano Pepper Crema is the Ultimate Poblano Cheese Dip Recipe.  Unlike other Queso Dips, this poblano cheese dip is served chilled.  The sauce’s beautiful green hue comes from the use of three items: cilantro, poblano peppers, and jalapeño peppers.  While the poblano peppers provide an earthy flavor, the jalapeño peppers pack a fierce and spicy-heat […]

Mole is a traditional Mexican sauce that generally consists of a combination of chile peppers, nuts, seeds, black pepper, cinnamon, cumin, and a myriad of other ingredients.  Although many people consider mole a “chocolate sauce”, not all mole sauces contain chocolate as an ingredient.  Event though Mole Poblano is possibly the most popular mole sauce […]

This past April, the Morehead City Waterfront hosted the 7th Annual Bites and Blues Festival.  The food and music fest is one of the first events that leads up to October’s 33rd Annual North Carolina Seafood Festival. Bites and Blues Festival: a Preview to the North Carolina Seafood Festival North Carolina Seafood Festival Commemorative Poster Artist […]

As a child, one of my favorite candies were dulces de tamarindo (tamarind candies).  These Mexican candies come in various forms such as a pulp, hard candy, and lollipops.  If you are not familiar with tamarind, it is a brown pod-like fruit that grows on leguminous trees.  Although I grew up eating tamarind in sweets, […]

All of the items shared in this holiday gift guide include products and experiences that I have sampled, purchased or have been gifted this past year.  While there are many more fantastic NC products and experiences that are not on this list, I highly encourage you to shop and gift local.  Keep on reading for […]

Little did I know that a 75 minute drive to Warrenton would give me a taste of the English experience.  Not too far from the Eastern NC town are wineries, fine dining and delicious treats sold in small mom and pop gas stations and grocery stores.  Warrenton proved to be not only a perfect day-trip, […]

Hawaiian shave ice is an ice-based dessert made by shaving a block of ice to achieve a light and fluffy snow-like texture.  It is important to note that the frozen treat is called “shave ice” and not “shaved ice”.  The ice is soaked with syrups that can range from lush tropical fruit flavors like passion fruit, […]

It’s the time of year where many look forward to cooler weather, long cable sweaters, leather boots and, yes, Pumpkin Spice Lattes.  Love it or hate it, the PSL and other seasonal foods have many fans.  In addition to a lovely fall coffee drink, I also have a great round-up of autumn inspired food and […]

This Sunday morning, I made my first batch of homemade granola.  It was crazy easy and after I tell you what it took to make it,  you will not want to buy it at the grocery store ever again. This is what you will need for cashew coconut granola: Ingredients: 2 cups of gluten-free oats 1/4 […]