Lager Pulled Pork with Herby Olivio Biscuits

Winter is here and that means it is time to cook up some comfort! With a polar vortex looming around New England this week, pulled pork and herby biscuits are calling our name.  This slow cooked, bone-in pork butt is loaded with flavor thanks to a tasty rub and a bottle of our good friend Sam Adams. […]

Winter Rinktum Ditty

Whether you are staying close to the fire this New Year’s Eve or planning your next Game Day Menu, this heritage dish speaks Winter Comfort all the way.  This is an early New England dish with a name the kids will love to say.  “Come on Kids!  Get your Rinktum Ditty!” I mean, I love it […]

A Better Benedict

Eggs Benedict is synonymous with “Today is Special”!  It is always my birthday breakfast of choice and what I lean to on the big holidays and special occasions.  No surprise, it is on the menu this Christmas Morning (along with my favorite Stickiest Brioche Pecan Rolls)!  But this year, in the interest of closing out 2014 […]

The Santa Sampler and Cardamom Almond Snow Balls

    In the spirit of recipe development, Santa’s plate is loaded this year.  I have always loved Russian Tea Cookies.  Oh, how the buttery pecan balls imploding a burst of powdered sugar in my mouth pleases me so!  Our Cardamom Almond Snow Balls are a variation of this Holiday favorite.  Ground almond flour replaces […]

Fleur de l’Orange Christmas Cakes

Citrus is such a wonderful flavor to celebrate during the winter months.  I call this cake Fleur de l’Orange because of the layers of orange flavor.  The orange juice and Cointreau are forefront and the zest and Olivio Extra Virgin Olive Oil add fragrance, spice and a story.  I chose to use extra virgin olive oil because […]

Iva’s Apricot Nut Bread

AJ’s Mom is pulling out all the stops this year for Thanksgiving.  As she is a master of the bird and the sides, I thought this year I would mix things up and bring some breakfast treats to keep us going as we baste and braise.  This Apricot Nut Bread was one of my Great Grandmother […]

Candy Apple “Nachos” for your Little Turkeys

Candy Apples are a favorite treat for us this time time of year.  While these Candy Apple “Nachos” are still finger lickin’ good, we have taken some of the commitment out of biting into a whole apple by serving these as wedges with all of you favorite fixings.  We made Olivio’s Salted Caramel for a […]

Buttermilk Chive Spoon Bread aka Pilgrim Soufflé

Part savory custard,  part polenta, think of this as “Soufflé Americana”.  Delicious and hearty, the corn meal is wonderful staple of the season.  The chives and buttermilk brighten this nostalgic side and the goodness of Mediterranean Olive Oil in the Olivio Buttery Spread keep your heart health in mind.  Now that is something to be thankful […]

3 Compound Buttery Spread Ideas for the Holiday

Note: “Compound” does not mean “complicated”.  Infact, these delicious additions to your Holiday spread are anything but… Easy and packed with flavor and the goodness of Mediterranean Olive Oil, we made our Holiday assortment of compound butters this year using Olivio Buttery Spread.  Whip with a variety of herbs, fruits and spices, reshape  into logs […]

Ghosts, Goblins and Spookalicious Wings

We love having friends and neighbors back to our place to warm up after a chilly night of Trick or Treating in the neighborhood.  These Spookalicious Wings make for the perfect casual snack that will certainly please the kid in all of us.  Sweet, sour and packed with a little heat, these are made with […]

Pumpkin Bread…From My Kitchen to Yours

There is something so warm about gifting a loaf of bread.  For the holidays, we constantly have Pumpkin Bread batter in the mixer and loaves in the oven.  This recipe comes from a long time family friend, Ilsa from Bainbridge Island.  A gracious entertainer and wonderful cook, Ilsa’s recipe will yield enough for you and […]

Cider Glazed Pork Chops with Mascarpone Polenta, Onions and Apples

We celebrated Max’s 1st birthday in the heart of October with this quintessential fall dish!  Creamy mascarpone polenta warms you from the inside out and pork chops are such a fantastic tribute to Harvest Season.  Sauteed onions and apples are luxuriously humble and the cider glaze brings us home.  Wishful thinking as a mother that I have […]

Mulled Cider Duffins for the People

DUFFIN: noun, a breakfast treat (or any time you need a pick-me-up snack) made with the ingredients and flavor of a donut, prepared with the technique of a muffin; fabulous and better for you! Baked, not fried and basted with Olivio and cinnamon sugar, these Mulled Cider Duffins satisfy any Leaf Peepers craving 🙂  Mini […]

Fall Heaven Cupcakes have arrived!

Pure Olivio olive oil and organic pumpkin puree are the secret to a dream like moist density in this fall spice cake. Topped with a to-die-for Maple Cream Cheese frosting and a little Heath Bar Crunch? Well yes, these are called Fall Heaven Cupcakes for a reason! Tip: I always substitute Pure Olive Oil when […]

Mediterranean Harvest Salad & Homemade Focaccia

This hearty salad is a nod to fall, from here in New England to travels along the Mediterranean.  The creamy butternut squash is roasted with aromatic cumin, sweet paprika and the goodness of Olivio’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil then tossed with hearty lentils, refreshing mint and an earthy goat cheese which balances out the exotic.  Toasted almonds […]

Bubbling Black Plum Crisp

Crisp Autumn air is a call to the kitchen for me.  The delightful yet chaotic summer schedule is replaced by a welcomed structure and my little family finds a fresh routine.  My orange clove candles are lit, cider is mulling, the millet is planted at the front door and I’m diggin’ harvest season!   Living on the […]

Simple Summer Steak and Potatoes ~ Fire up the Grill!

I love simple food with big flavor!  Grilling wins my heart every time with its ability to elevate great ingredients and limit the time I spend in the kitchen.  AJ and I really stepped up our grill-game in collaboration with Fire Magic Grill.  If you are in the market for a state-of-the-art grill, this beauty is a work […]

Watermelon Mojitos …for the ‘Rents

AJ shook up this rockin’ Mojito at the peak of summer last year.  At the time, I was 28 weeks pregnant. (By omitting the rum, this drink makes a fantastic MOCK-tail that certainly delighted this Baby Mama!)  Back by popular demand, and with rum in-tow this summer, we are ready to toast the sun, the […]

Master Your Holiday Meal!

‘Tis the season for big family dinners and holiday entertaining!  Are  you hosting this year?  If you are looking for some last minute inspiration for your holiday meals, check out the Master Your Holiday Meals web cooking series that Brian Dunn, Corporate Development Chef at Roche Bros and I put together with 5 home cooks across Massachusetts! […]

September Roasted Peach Cake

I’m 34 weeks pregnant and love the extra 300+/day calories the pregnancy books all agree I should be consuming!  It’s September in New England and peaches are ready for  pickin’.  This Peach Cake is a dense and moist homage to the dog days.   The majority of the peaches are roasted off in the oven […]