maximios

Strawberry season is officially one of my favorite seasons.   Not only do I love the fruit, but the season is synonymous with spring for me.  After a long chilly winter, I look forward to adding the fruit in salads, cocktails and desserts.  Every year, I try to create at least one strawberry recipe to share […]

Spring is right around the corner and I definitely have the fever!  The warm weather has me reaching for my sundresses, flip flops and chilled beverages.  Along with the recent weather, this Sauvignon Blanc Slushie Recipe was inspired by my Strawberry Frosé Recipe.   I wanted to create a similar frozen cocktail that infused the beautiful […]

I first started eating kumquats when I was ten.  I was fascinated by the “little oranges” and how I could eat both the flesh and the skin.  The kumquat variety that I remember eating as a child had depths of sweetness which made them perfect for eating fresh.  Recently, I came across kumquats at my […]

I love using Boston bibb lettuce to wrap these beautiful crunchy fish glazed with a spicy orange sauce.  Gorton’s Crunchy Breaded Fish is ideal for this recipe since it is covered in a golden crispy panko breading.  Cooking with Gorton’s makes adding seafood to your diet a little easier and more delicious!  Simply cook the […]

Have you visited Cary Towne Center lately?  Although it maybe smaller than the more popular Triad malls, like Raleigh’s Crabtree Valley Mall or Durham’s The Streets at Southpoint, it does have a couple anchor’s you will not find elsewhere in the Triangle, like Dillard’s and Dave and Buster’s.  If you are a popcorn fanatic or […]

Last week, I shared one of my recent adventures and most memorable culinary experiences of 2017 in Hendersonville, NC.  My morning included a tour of Underground Baking Company and Independent Beans Roasters with co-owners Matthew Hickman and Lisa Hoffman, a tour and beer tasting at Sanctuary Brewing Company and cocktails, dinner and dessert at Chef Jesse Roque’s […]

Looking for a Girl’s Night Out or a Date Night with your better-half?  Mark your calendars for a special night of Dessert & Wine with a Preview Screening of Men Always Leave-Limited Series hosted by Royal Cheesecakes and Varieties Bakery in Brier Creek Commons, Thursday December 14, 2017 from 7pm-9pm.  Tickets are $15.00 per person and include: light […]

BUILT [Custom Burgers] is the new addition to Alston Town Center located on 5033 Arco Street in Cary, NC.  It joins the recently opened Whole Foods and existing businesses like CYCLEBAR and MOE’S Southwest Grill.  BUILT Custom Burgers is a fast-casual version of The Counter restaurant chain and debuts its first stand alone location in North Carolina. […]

I am not a doctor, however, anytime I am sick, I will supplement medication with teas and soups to help soothe a sore throat, cough or congestion.  First hand medical attention from a physician to properly diagnose a cold, flu or other ailment is always key.  However, I find comfort in some old-fashioned remedies using […]

Cauliflower is quite a versatile vegetable.  I have fried it, roasted it, sautéed it and now I have puréed it to create a Roasted Cauliflower Parsnip Za’atar Soup.  I admit that I was not sure what the end result would produce.  However, I really enjoyed the cauliflower, parsnip and Za’atar combination.  All items are elevated […]

In the fall of last year, I collaborated with Tonbo Ramen and TOPO Distillery to Host a “Paloma Battle” to Benefit A Place at the Table.  The month-long “Paloma Battle” featured three individual versions of a paloma, including my creation, La Paloma Viajera. While I am not a mixologist, I use my passion for creating […]

Are you surprised that I managed to squeeze in Aperol into a traditional Mexican cocktail?  I am not!  The apéritif is one of my favorite pre-dinner cocktails.  Aperol’s zesty orange notes complements the fresh squeezed grapefruit juice and lime juice in this recipe. Adding complexity to this cocktail is my recent fascination with Thai chiles.  […]

For a while now, I have been wanting to place a spicy spin on my classic macaroni & cheese recipe.  Specifically, I wanted to add some flavors found in Indian cuisine that I have tasted in the Morrisville and Cary area in North Carolina.  These NC cities are home to beautiful and diverse international eateries.  […]

None of our family BBQs are complete without a bowl of avocado salsa, better know as guacamole.  While my traditional avocado salsa is a fan favorite, I love playing around with flavors and introducing unlikely elements into my recipes.  Although the end of pomegranate season is fast approaching, I thought the delicious sweet and tart […]