Leftover Crab Dip Melts
If decided to try out my Chesapeake Bay Crab Party menu and you have some leftover crab dip, then you’re going to be really happy the day after the party, because using up the leftovers with these Leftover Crab Dip Melts might be even better than the dip itself. But I’m not really sure, so... Read More→
Key Lime Pie, two ways
I blame my friend Erica, for this post: Key Lime Pie, two ways. Or I’m grateful to her, but I hold her personally responsible for the many hours that went into it? It’s been years in the making. It started in Key West with a quest for the best pie key lime pie. See, Erica... Read More→
Crab Boil Chesapeake Style
If you’re doing a mini-break on the Chesapeake Bay, like we did, or spending some time down the shore this Summer, at least one of your dinners needs to focus on Maryland crabs à la this Crab Boil Chesapeake Style. Since our house included a very cool outdoor range as part of our gas grill... Read More→
Snappy Green Salad: beyond leafy greens
My Snappy Green Salad: beyond leafy greens was perfect for our Summer Kick-Off, Chesapeake Bay Adventure. The old-fashioned fun of board and yard games made me nostalgic for all things Summer, and the Snappy Green Salad fit the theme perfectly by requiring a little bean snapping. Both bean snapping and corn husking are romantically nostalgic... Read More→
Chesapeake Bay Breeze
When the weather’s still a little chilly (pre- G&T weather) but you’re at the beach anyway, and your compatriots are bourbon drinkers, it’s time to get creative and make my Chesapeake Bay Breeze. It’s the perfect cocktail to get people in the Crab Boil spirit. The Chesapeake Bay Breeze is a clever twist on the classic... Read More→
Let’s Fix it: Stale Chips and Crackers
Remember the trek across town to buy the super fancy blue corn chips that are hand fried by the Mexican grocery store? You still have some left, but the chips are stale. Or remember the gorgeous cheese plate you assembled only to realized the only crackers left in the house are a little softer than... Read More→
Chesapeake Bay Crab Dip
My Chesapeake Bay Crab Dip recipe is super fresh; almost as fresh as the crabs themselves. Last weekend, some friends and I decided to open up beach season early with a rental house on the Chesapeake Bay. We lucked out weather-wise and it was an amazing weekend of hot tubs, lawn games, exploring Maryland and... Read More→
Rhubarb Mint Juleps
Rhubarb Mint Juleps are just the ticket to take advantage of the fresh rhubarb that’s in abundance during the spring as well as take cocktail hour to the next level at the Kentucky Derby Party. I have to admit, there’s absolutely nothing traditional about this combination, and rhubarb is not a southern thing at all,... Read More→
Millinery Lesson: Pink Roses Derby Hat
As a seasoned Kentucky Derby and Derby Party goer, over the years I’ve had need for a lot of hats. I bought my first real hat from Linda Campisano in Evanston, IL and I still love it. However, real hats are really expensive. And they’re big, with big hat boxes that require lots of storage.... Read More→
Crowded House Margaritas
Crowded House Margaritas are perfect for that big party you’re throwing. You’re expecting a crowd and hand-squeezed lime margaritas would require a truckload of limes, a dedicated lime squeezer, and more money than you’ve got in your pocket for cointreau and patron tequila. You know the party; everyone is there, and the while the party... Read More→
Honey Tea au Lait with Lavender
People often ask me where inspiration comes from and it’s often hard for me to pinpoint a source, but that’s not the case with this lovely breakfast or afternoon treat of Honey Tea au Lait with Lavender. Last week, I had a version of this at Terrain in the Philadelphia suburbs and it was so... Read More→
House Pizza: Hawaiian
If I ask Marc what he wants for dinner, there are a couple of likely responses: 1. Spaghetti. 2. Shrimp Pineapple Curry. 3. Pizza. When Marc asks for pizza, I know he means our House Pizza: Hawaiian. You may have notice that two of the three involve pineapple. Pineapple is one of the few things... Read More→
Happy Easter!
Happy Easter!
Pantry Tips: How to Cut a Pineapple
Do some fruits intimidate you? Perhaps the fierce looking pineapple? Since we’re about to make a Hawaiian Pizza with leftover Easter Ham, we’re going to make sure we’re confident in our pineapple butchering skills. A few simple secrets make it fast and easy. Aside from a pineapple, you’ll need a cutting board and a sharp... Read More→
Spring Pussy Willow Wreathe
I’ve got one more Spring decoration idea for you. When I bought pussy willows for my Easter Decorations, they were about four feet long, and I cut them down to fit into my small centerpieces. That left me with lots of extra branches. I took eight branches of about equal length and formed a rectangle... Read More→
Kitchen Sink Black Bean and Ham Soup
When it comes to using up leftover Easter Ham, it doesn’t get much better, or much easier than Kitchen Sink Black Bean and Ham Soup. And I got to run down some of the odds and ends I’d stashed in my freezer. That’s not to say that this improvised cooking project didn’t require a little... Read More→
Monte Cristo Sandwich
Need further incentive to make a ham for Easter Brunch? For me it’s all in the name of the Monte Cristo Sandwich and other Hamitarian Week recipes. Gotta love leftovers… For Hamitarian Week, I’m starting off with the Monte Cristo Sandwich, because just thinking about this sandwich inspires me to buy the giant ham in... Read More→
Basil Brûléed Grapefruit
Basil Brûléed Grapefruit is as stunningly beautiful as it is quick and easy. It’s perfect in the instance that you’re looking for a healthy, but exciting dessert for Brunch, breakfast, dessert, even an after school snack. Of course you can switch up the herbs depending on the meal; it’s great with cilantro, tarragon, sage, even... Read More→
Chocolate Hazelnut Crêpes Cake
Easter candy is all about chocolate: chocolate bunnies, chocolate eggs, and whatever else you can get your paws on- pun intended. Just because you’re a grown up doesn’t mean you don’t wish to get in on all the chocolate decadence. This Chocolate Hazelnut Crêpes Cake won’t disappoint in that department. It’s really rich and dense... Read More→
Sweet and Spicy Jalapeño Glazed Baked Ham
What’s so great about this Sweet and Spicy Jalapeño Glazed Baked Ham? My brother likes to make ham, and over the years, he’s introduced me to coca cola glazes, pineapple glazes, coffee glazes, and a few more I can’t recall at the moment. For some reason he was often in charge of Easter. One thing... Read More→