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 […]

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 […]