Savory Pecorino Thyme Shortbread

This is another easy and delicious recipe that is great to have on hand, ready to go in the fridge. The dough keeps nicely for over a week making it ideal to bake on demand when friends swing by for cocktails.  I also love recipes, like the Baked Eggs, that give you the basic “structure” […]

Pret-a-fete #1

One of my favorite things about the holiday season is an impromptu get-together with good friends!  Now that our halls are decked, I loaded up the fridge and pantry with a few fun nibbles that keep well and are a deluxe treat, not to mention- EASY to whip out when the doorbell rings! My first […]

Pumpkin Cheesecake with Walnuts and Gingersnap Crust- Grab your fork!

OK, no sooner did I get off the phone with my mother-in-law to confirm the dishes I will bring down for Thanksgiving this year (PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE at the top of the list!) did I find out that my 3 adorable nephews and niece are each making their own pie for the family.  Soooo cute-  how […]

Creamy Butternut Squash Lasagna with Basil Bechamel

This “Giada Gem” was introduced over 8 years ago to my family’s Thanksgiving table by my Aunt Becky.  Since then, I dust off the recipe every year and puree my butternut squash heart out.  Even though I will be celebrating Thanksgiving this year with my in-laws, this will serve as a little reminder of home, […]

Baked Eggs

This is one of my favorite weekend breakfasts!  Every time I sink my spoon into this dish, I can’t believe how quick and easy it is to achieve such an elegant, rich flavor.  The other thing I love about Baked Eggs is that there are so many opportunities to be creative and use what you […]

Beer Me…Honey!

For all you Bostonians, check out Great Pumpkin Ale at Cambridge Brewing Co. (1 Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA).  Pumpkin Ale is flowing on tap and can be purchased by the bottle now until Thanksgiving.  I love that CBC sources organic sugar pumpkins from Wilson Farms in Lexington.  Dip the rim in local honey and you […]

T – 39 hours and counting ’til MASTER CHEF BOSTON!!!

Mediterranean Harvest Salad

I love butternut squash.  That’s why I was thrilled when my friend Jess shared a recipe she uncovered in a vintage Bon Appetit magazine that celebrates butternut squash in a harvest salad that is packed with mediterranean flavor!  Typically, I roast butternut squash simply with sea salt and fresh ground pepper, but  Bon Appetit’s recommendation […]

Fall gets tipsy with the Maple Flirt!

This adorable outfit at J.McLaughlin on Charles Street in Beacon Hill, Boston caught my eye.  Not only did this get-up strike visuals of leaf peeping in fur and flannel but it also whet my appetite for a fall elixir that would set a precedent for all things fun, fall and fab!  And thus…the Maple Flirt […]

Joe Gets Sloppy….and Stays Slim!

With snow in the forecast and a long week under our belts, I thought I would try a lean take on a classic comfort food dish- the Sloppy Joe!  This recipe is inspired by Cooking Light but I made a few changes.  I added extra veggies (which are coming out of my ears thanks to […]

PUMPKIN! I love you…

Brave goes Barefoot and celebrates Fall with Ina Garten’s  Pumpkin Cupcakes with Maple Frosting and Toffee Crunch! Yields 10 Cupcakes Pumpkin Cupcakes 1 cup all purpose flour 1 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp kosher salt 2 tsp Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Pie Spice (or 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ginger, 1/2 tsp […]