Appetizers

The Orange Bee presents “HONEY CAN COOK” I am finally ready to schedule cooking classes, right in the comfort of your own kitchen. This is a project I have been working on for quite a while. The tech part of it is what stumped me. Now that seems to be in order, I’m open for […]

The credit for this Tomato Tart goes to Jose Andres. I’ve been following Andres, founder of World Central Kitchen, for quite some time now. He is not paying me to write this or share his recipe. But – hey, “Jose…..wanna collaborate?” In 2019 he published his latest cookbook titled “Vegetables Unleashed”. This recipe is from […]

Meet the “#1 Chef of Cuba”, Alexis Alvarez Armas. Triple AAA – I wonder if his lovely mother chose his name with that in mind? I’ll begin by telling you how I found Alexis. Then I’ll share my experience at his home as he prepared an 18 dish dinner for that blew my socks off. […]

Last year I attended Community Table 2018, Triad Local First’s fund-raiser, as a behind the scenes blogger. This year I am co-charing the event. Without a doubt last year was a fantastic time with local chefs, breweries, farms, distilleries and foodies buzzing about like hungry bees. This year will be an over the top event […]

A challenge I notice through my involvement with “food” is the mispronunciations of food words. Working in the spice shop I hear customers doing their best to pronounce food words they aren’t familiar with. Many times they preface their mispronunciation with a comment like,” I’m not sure I’m saying this right”. I’ve been checking to […]

Oh my goodness this French Onion and Bacon Tart is ahhhhh-mazing! Since I made the decision to bake my way through the Cook’s Illustrated Baking Book it quickly became crystal clear that I’d need to bake some of the savory recipes not always the sweet, sugary items. But those are my favorites! By the way, […]

A pleasant early fall evening set the stage for Triad Local First’s Community Table, a gathering of local businesses, chef’s, distillers, breweries and community members. Community Table is a yearly fundraiser for the promotion and support of local businesses. I had the privilege of documenting what goes on behind the scenes as a select group of […]

The 5 restaurants you shouldn’t miss when visiting Quebec City and Montreal may or may not be ones you’ve heard of. I am a foodie and aren’t we all to some degree? My goal is to always eat the best food. One thing that is certain, in the time we spent in both cities there […]

Today I am saddened by the devastation to Signorello due to the raging fires in Napa and Sonoma. I am reposting – not to forget what a wonderful experience I had there! Prayers are with everyone from Signorello! I recently visited Signorello Estate in Napa for a bit of food and wine pairing. Delicious cheeses, […]

Here is yet another zucchini recipe – Zucchini Fritters. I have not finished using all the zucchini we brought home from the coast. I think if the zucchinis were normal size I might’ve finished cooking with them but they are so big that one makes enough for two recipes! Seriously y’all some of them are […]

Recently I learned to make Maneesh, a Middle Eastern Flatbread that makes a perfect edible spoon for dips such as hummus, baba ganoush, tabouleh or for soaking up juices from meats and sauces. I’ve long been intrigued with the spice blend called Za’Atar. Now I know precisely how I like it best! One bonus of […]

The Yountville Food Tour took me to an establishment I’ve fancied going to for quite some time. Ever been to the French Laundry? I have a great story about the wine from Thomas Keller’s 3*** Michelin restaurant in Yountville, California. It’s about that time when someone stole 76 bottles of wine – valued at around 3-5 […]

When my daughter LuLu and I stumbled upon Main Street Kitchen in Walnut Creek this past Saturday something drew us in. It wasn’t just the delicious aroma drifting out to the adjacent sidewalk, or the bright blue umbrellas inviting al fresco dining. It wasn’t the warm ambient light glowing inside or the blackboard touting brunch. I am […]

Fresh and dried herbs are swell additions to many foods, recipes and dishes. How to use herbs is something many of us are familiar with. Some of you may use herbs everyday and many of you may be uncertain how to incorporate them into your meals. If you grow herbs you are more than likely […]

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SpreadTheHeat #CollectiveBias It’s no secret I am crazy about honey….mix it with succulent, juicy strawberries and I’m pretty much in heaven. When I swung by Walmart to pick up paper goods recently I noticed this new Smucker’s Fruit & Honey […]

OIL & HONEY EDITION Today I am sharing some honey facts with you! You may be surprised at the many benefits of honey. I’m not referring to a bottle or jar of honey you purchase in a big box store…no, no, NO! To be certain you are eating or using pure honey you should purchase […]

Coctel de Camarones -this is without a doubt one of my absolute favorite dishes. As the weather is heating up here in North Carolina I’m dreaming of digging into one of these. When I take a bite and close my eyes I am transformed to a gorgeous ocean view with sea breezes blowing through my […]

It’s the little things……“It has long been an axiom of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important.” ― Arthur Conan Doyle, The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes. Don’t misunderstand me The Food and Wine Conference, that will take place in Orlando May 13-15 is anything but little! I am super excited to be attending […]

The big game is lurking….I am super excited because the Carolina Panthers are playing in this Super Bowl. Since we moved to North Carolina a little over 2 years ago, I’ve been attempting to turn my man Dan into a Panthers fan. This year I figure he’s finally on board. He was lucky enough to be […]

When it comes to the holidays I want the picture perfect setting. Visions of sugarplums dance in my head and I dream of scrumptious meals abundantly spread on a well appointed, gorgeously decorated table, friends and family gaily gathered near a crackling fire, a giant, twinkling tree, and snow flakes gently falling. Wouldn’t it be fantastic […]