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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Macarons~ An Autumn Trio

Let’s face it, macarons are chic little buggers.  How can we even think of calories when something is this adorable and well dressed?  With a few basic tools and a little finesse, macarons are simple to execute.  Below is the my Basic Macaron Recipe.  The recipe provides a solid base structure to customize anyway you […]

Red Porridge with Cream (Rød Grød med Fløde)

When I was 16, I lived in Denmark for 6 months.  Some of my nearest and dearest friends are Danish and I grew up with special Scandinavian traditions and specialities mixed into my life back on Bainbridge.  I think “rød grød med fløde” or Red Porridge with Cream is the prize of Denmark…well, at least […]

Anna’s Molten Lava Cake…approved by Joe Bastianich

Pressure test? psssh! This dessert will wow🙂  My recipe is quick and easy.  The trick is to measure and prep every ingredients so you can quickly combine once you get moving.  This chocolate heaven is best served immediately out of the oven…(as you will appreciate if you watched episode 7 of season 3 of MasterChef) […]

Key Lime Pie with Coco-Macadamia Nut Crust and Greek Yogurt

This is one of my favorite summer desserts.  There is nothing like chilled custard-y lime flavors to refreshen the palate on these hot summer nights.  This recipe is extremely quick and easy.  The texture tastes like a delicious egg-based custard, however, the creamy consistency is achieved with sweetened condensed milk.  I like to romanticize this […]

Pies, Pies, Pies! From Berries to Stone Fruit, Happy Summer!

Berries and stone fruit are on sale right now in New England!  AJ and I are talkin’ pies tomorrow AM on FOX 25 Boston.  Try this 5 minute pie crust as your foundation for celebrating summer in New England! Tomorrow we will be featuring: Strawberry Rhubarb Pie with Thyme and Cointreau Rainier Cherry and Habanero Crostata […]

Banana Muffins

This recipe is another one of my mom’s that I remember from when I was little.  She used to make the most delicious Banana Coconut Tea Bread that she would serve when friends would come for an afternoon visit.  Traditionally, her recipe is made with toasted coconut and coarsely chopped walnuts and is lovely sliced. […]

Virginia Belle’s Brownies

My folks were out here this past week to celebrate the MasterChef premiere with AJ and me.  I didn’t waste a minute asking them to whip up a few of the dishes that remind me of my childhood.  I have lived over 3,000 miles away from them for over 10 years, so recipes are how […]

5 Minute Pie Crust: I’ll bring the butter, you grab the berries

This spring, I took an amazing pastry class out in LA from Pastry Chef, Clemence Gossett.  So while Pillsbury may have a place in my freezer, this 5 Minute Pie Crust has become a fantastic addition to my culinary arsenal when the ingredients are too perfect not too dote on just a little extra!  Yesterday […]

Rhubarb Thyme Cakettes with Lemon Zest Crumble

Rhubarb Thyme Cakette with Lemon Zest Crumble

Our friend Rick lives just north of Boston on a beautiful farm and keeps our fridge stocked with fresh chicken eggs.  Friday, we got an extra bonus when he brought us nearly 5lbs of RHUBARB. ‘Tis the season for all things rhubarb!  This Cakette is kind of like an upside down lemon pound cake “topped” […]

Mammy Two-Foot’s Chocolate Chip Cookies

Mammy Two-Foots Chocolate Chip Cookies

Mammy Two-Foot’s Chocolate Chip Cookies The Chocolate Chip Cookie certainly must be the most time honored and celebrated American Sweet Treat of our time.  And while there is an abundance of fantastic, indulgent, ultimate recipes out there, this one is mine. In honor of Mother’s Day this Sunday, I want to thank my Mom for baking […]

Tequila My Mango

CHILLED MANGO WITH TEQUILA & LIME – part cocktail, part irresistible dessert There is a heat wave sweeping across New England and nothing screams summer louder than top shelf tequila and lime…am I right?  This dish has all of the components that I love about a dessert; the ripe mango is sweet and creamy, the […]

Smile…I Made You a Trifle

Is it just me, or does everything taste more exciting when you eat or drink it from a jar?!  Here, the beloved trifle made its way into a glass packed with country charm – perfect for a treat on the porch at a low key *yet swank* gathering.  The best part is that the screw […]