December 2020

Dried citrus slices have many uses.  I have seen numerous crafts on Pinterest using dried citrus slices in Christmas ornaments, potpourri, garland and more.  My favorite use for dried citrus slices is to garnish cocktails.  Other food uses includes adding them to a charcuterie or dipping the dried fruit into chocolate. Dried citrus slices are […]

While a traditional Moscow Mule is wonderfully delicious, there are so many lovely fruits, herbs and mixers than can be added to elevate the classic cocktail.  This versatility inspired my Cranberry Orange Moscow Mule recipe. Prior to making this cocktail, you will need to make a batch of my Cranberry Simple Syrup.  Click here for […]

This Cranberry Orange Margarita is the perfect festive combination of sweet and tart.  Prior to making this cocktail, you will need to make a batch of my Cranberry Simple Syrup.  The mixer will prove to be quite versatile and can also be used in other cocktails like my recipe for a Cranberry Caipirinha. If you […]

Before you scroll down to the recipe for this refreshing Agua de Melon, read the next paragraph for a couple tips on how to pick a ripe cantaloupe. How to Choose the Best Cantaloupe Melon: The cantaloupe is the only fruit that will be used in this recipe.  That said, it is important that you […]

If you are not familiar with H-E-B, it is a Texas grocery store chain with more than 340 store locations in Texas and northeast Mexico.  While H-E-B grocery stores vary by region, the stores located in the Rio Grande Valley are curated with an array of Mexican products.  Select Rio Grande Valley H-E-B’s are beloved […]

I have mentioned in previous blog posts that aguas frescas are not only made with fruits, flowers or herbs, but also seeds and nuts like rice and almonds.  While rice and almonds seem like an unlikely pairing, when combined with water, sweetener, milk and cinnamon, the end result is Agua de Horchata.  If you have […]

Pork Belly Confit Miso Ramen Zanyu Asian Noodles is a fast-casual restaurant offering authentic Asian noodles with influences from Thailand, Malaysia, and other Asian cuisines.  The restaurant, which recently celebrated its first anniversary, is located in Raleigh’s Lafayette Village on 8450 Honeycutt Rd. Chef Michael Bongiorno Career Chef and Zanyu owner, Michael Bongiorno, has played […]

If you have traveled to the state of Jalisco, you may have visited Tlaquepaque.  The charming city lies six miles southeast of Guadalajara, Mexico’s second largest metropolitan area.  Tlaquepaque is derived from Nahuatl and means “place above clay land”.  That said, it is no surprise that Tlaquepaue is famous for its pottery.  The Citrus Tequila […]

In preparation for Thanksgiving dinner, I purposely bought an excess of fresh cranberries.  I wanted to incorporate the deliciously tart fruit into more holiday recipes.  Not only do I use fresh cranberries to make a homemade cranberry chutney, but I also use them to make a simple syrup.  The following recipe may seem untraditional, but […]

Similar to the dessert’s signature liquid mixture, this rich and creamy hot coffee drink incorporates three milks in the recipe.  Whole Milk, Sweetened Condensed Milk and Evaporated Milk come together, along with a few other key ingredients, to create the Tres Leches Coffee. Yes, the hot coffee elixir is sinful!  However, it is both a worthy […]

The apéritif is one of my favorite pre-dinner cocktails.  It is also an impressive and easy cocktail that any host can make for their next party.  My recipe not only offers how to make large blood orange ice cubes, but also instructs how to prepare the beverage that serves approximately 10-12 servings.  If you have […]

If you have not visited Sassool Mediterranean Cafe for lunch or dinner, you will find that they have an assortment of Mediterranean delights that include platters of lamb, kafta, beef & chicken kabobs, various side salads and dishes like my favorites, fatoush, grape leaves, tzatziki, jalapeno cilantro hummus and more.  Their desserts are also dynamite!  […]

I am closing out 2017 with a memorable food, drink and travel experience in Hendersonville, North Carolina that I will share in two separate blog posts.  My goal for 2018 is to develop this series and highlight other wonderful towns in North Carolina and beyond that have great culinary scenes, but that do not have […]