January 2021

Ever since I started cooking Thanksgiving dinner, I have only used whole cranberries to make homemade cranberry sauces and chutneys.  This year, I fell down a creative rabbit hole and came up with two fabulous recipes for Cranberry Simple Syrup and Candied Cranberries.  After that, I could not stop my creative juices from flowing.  As […]

If you have read my bio, you know that a Paloma is one of my favorite cocktails.   While a classic Paloma cocktail incorporates tequila and grapefruit, my Spicy Thai Chile Paloma recipe has a couple of unexpected twists.  In addition to fresh grapefruit, I also add one ounce of my Homemade Grapefruit Simple Syrup in the […]

This lovely syrup has countless delicious uses! 4-5 grapefruits 2 cups sugar Juice 4-5 grapefruits. Each grapefruit will yield approximately ½ a cup of grapefruit juice. Sometimes grapefruits will have tiny seeds. That said, use a fine mesh strainer to filter the seeds. If you prefer, you can also remove the pulp. Personally, I like […]

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 […]

As an adult, I realized that I was under utilizing mint.  Growing up, I was quite familiar with this herb as my grandmother had several bushels of spearmint in her garden.  It wasn’t unusual for her to make spearmint tea during the winter or when one of her grandchildren wasn’t feeling quite well.  A hot […]

Diane Villa, the North Carolina Zoo’s Director of Communications and Marketing, refers to The Heart of North Carolina as “The best kept secret that does not want to be secret”.  Even if the beaches and mountains of North Carolina get the most fanfare,  The Heart of North Carolina boasts a provincial romantic beauty and intrigue […]

Summer time is just around the corner and so is the scorching heat.   One of my favorite past times during the warmer weather is sitting by the patio or pool while sipping on a Tamarind Margarita.  This Margarita is hands down my favorite cocktail of all time.  It’s not only delicious, but it is also […]

In light of back-to-school season, parents today have new challenges to face this year.  Although some parents no longer have to organize a car pool or drive their children to school, the responsibilities that come with virtual learning have impacted many.  I understand that not all parents have the time to make a made-from-scratch meal […]

Nestled within the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina lies the charming Chetola Resort.  The mountain resort is home to 78 acres of lush property and is adjacent to the 3,600 acre Moses H. Cone Memorial Park.  After several months of uncertainly and turmoil, a visit to Chetola Resort was the much needed […]

This Spicy Orange Popcorn Shrimp Recipe is a simple lunch or dinner dish that is quick and easy to make.  The entire dish takes less than 30 minutes to prepare and can be served as an appetizer or placed a top a bed of sticky rice or fresh greens to serve as an entrée.  Gorton’s […]

Occasionally, I like to reduce the balsamic vinegar to create a beautifully thick Balsamic Glaze.  Aside from the thickness, the glaze has a lovely depth that pairs well with a Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad, Tomato Basil Mozzarella Salad or a Watermelon Basil Salad. As a recipe and food blogger, I do all that I can […]

There is no other local fruit that I find as juicy and refreshing on a hot summer day like a watermelon.  While the fruit is perfect on its own,  I have incorporated the summer watermelon into both sweet and savory dishes.  The crisp sweetness of a watermelon is a perfect accompaniment for sharp cheeses, salty […]

I have always found Frosé to be synonymous with summer and rooftop bars. While I typically enjoy sampling different variations of frozen Rosé at restaurants and bars, I have been practicing physical distancing at home since March 2020. I have used this time at home to work on some new recipes and improve my cocktail […]