Savoring the Seasons: Sticky Toffee Date Cake with Bourbon Glaze

"Dear Self, this going to be your year. So dust off your sh*tkickers and let's get started" ~ All my love, Me We are not big fans of the New Year's Eve hype and I don't know about you, but I certainly don't feel renewed on the first of January.  Still January 1 is the …

Savoring the Season: Spicy Watermelon Margaritas

The sun is blazing, and its late afternoon on a Sunday.  We retreat to our patio to escape the sweltering heat.  The ceiling fans are humming overhead, and the wind down begins.  Warm weather appetizers are a must and we start with crispy polenta rounds, with creamy burrata, sliced watermelon wedges, and a arugula tossed …

Huevos Rotos: Spanish Broken Eggs

"If  I'm an advocate for anything, it's to move, as far as you can, across the ocean, or simply across the river.  Walk in someone's else's shoes or at least eat their food.  It's a plus for everybody"~Anthony Bourdain 1956-2018Traveling both inspires me and engages me in a way that can be difficult to explain. …

Mascarpone Tart with honey, oranges and pistachios

Our Supper Club gathered recently to enjoy a good meal, friendship, plenty of laughter, and of course, good wine.  We are a diverse group of friends with varying backgrounds that move across the personal, religious and, political spectrum which makes for spirited conversations, while breaking bread.  If only we could all solve our differences while …

Scenes from My Pantry: Turkey Lentil Sloppy Joes

Loved "sloppy Joes" as a kid.  Messy by design and delicious.  These days the aim is still delicious but, lighter more healthy choices.Using lean ground turkey and the hearty lentil beans, is a great alternative to preparing this traditional meat-centric meal that still feels substantial and comforting without sacrificing the flavor.This recipe makes enough for …

When you are serious about your cocktail…. A Maiden’s Prayer

The Maiden Prayer has all the elements which allows you to create this cocktail anyplace, anywhere with a few quality ingredients  which include gin, orange liqueur, and fresh orange and lemon juices.A slightly sour but refreshing palate opener. A perfect lead to a good meal anytime of year.A Maiden's Prayer CocktailMakes two 4-1/4-ounce drinksAdapted from …

Wicked Buttermilk Cornbread

Rumor has it, southerners make the best cornbread.  Now, not being a true southerner does not mean it's not possible to deliver a wicked cornbread recipe.  Don't raise your eyebrow my southern friends when honey is mentioned in the recipe, and whole kernel corn too.  Bacon drippings and lard are divine but honey and buttermilk …

Pura Vida….Travel Journey to Costa Rica and Green Plantain Ceviche

Nestled between Nicaragua to its north, and Panama to the southeast, and sharing two coastlines with the Pacific and the Caribbean lies the Republic of Costa Rica.   With a 3-hour car ride from the Liberia airport to our first adventure in the Arenal region there was plenty of time to soak up the scenic …

Rural America….Southern Hospitality and Chicken Pot Pie

Life invariably provides twists and turns.  There is no avoiding them.   Through this bittersweet symphony of life we are usually in the midst of counting our blessings, and balancing our challenges.My parents moved to a rural small town about 10 years ago.  Southern roots run deep in this town and weddings, new babies, and …

Cucumber Mint Martini

Autumn approaches slowly in north Florida with heat and humidity continuing to hang in the air like a wet blanket.This in-between time is a perfect for a late summer cocktail.  All good cocktail starts with quality ingredients-No exceptions.  We scored an artisan gin from Austin, Texas called austin reserve from our older son.  A gin …