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 […]

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 […]

Olivio Brownie Bites

I’ve been making these Brownie Bites all summer using my Mom’s company-pleasing Virginia Belle’s Brownie Recipe and substituting Olivio Spreadable Butter for the Sweet Cream Butter.  Typically, this recipe is made in an 8×8 ceramic baker but I found a silcone baking form at TJMaxx a couple months ago that yields these adorable “bites”.  In fact, […]

Blueberry Avocado Detox Smoothie

AJ and I are lovin’ our morning smoothies.  This Blueberry Avocado Smoothie has become another one of our regular favorites.  I can’t wait to pick and freeze my own berries this summer!  The avocado adds a beautiful creamy texture and the mint makes this a refreshing *spa~like*  way to start the day:)  Surely summer will […]

Green Mango Tahini Smoothie

AJ and I are detoxing!  As if there is any question, I love to eat:)  I’m not one to “diet”, I don’t like feeling deprived and, while no saint, I keep a balanced nutritious diet.   However, a couple weeks ago, I woke up groggy and realized the “moving parts” in our lives were starting […]

Panko Crusted Sicilian Olives with Herbed Goat Cheese

Hot olives, creamy goat cheese and a crisp panko crust?  Yes, I’m in love.  Go beyond the cheese board and crudite- think hot, toasty amuse bouche and give your guests an extra bite that says you were expecting them.   We all know the kitchen (no matter the size) is the favorite hang out in […]

Grapefruit Rosemary Sugar Scrub

My friend Kirstie posted on January 1st a fantastic summation of 2012 come 2013, “Last year my good friend Molly proclaimed 2012 the year of doing…and we did. We did many things. But it was more like the year of building the scenery. Setting the score. Building the foundation. So let 2013 be the year of accomplishment. This year […]

Turkey Sage Meatballs with Cranberry Glaze

This app is a shout out to the Queen Bird and her favorite Berry.  As AJ and I will be heading down to Connecticut to celebrate with the in-laws this year, we wanted to have a little get-together with some friends up in Boston.  Pavlov got it right…there is something about the flavors of the […]

Chilled Cucumber Avocado Soup with Lime Roasted Black Tiger Prawns

Cool and creamy soup with a snappy bite of citrus-spicy shrimp…sink your teeth into the last week of summer.  This soup is a mood and complexion booster thanks to the cukes and avacodo.  Serve it as a satisfying starter or as an appetite whetting amuse bouche in a shot glass or demitasse…great for passing as […]

Raw Summer Squash and Cucumber Salad with Shaved Fennel and Mint

Sometimes the best souvenirs come  in the most delicate of bites.  Last weekend, AJ and I ventured seven hours north by car, then by ferry to Vinalhaven, Maine for our friends, Katie and Peter’s, wedding.   Vinalhaven feels genuine and authentic and the wedding was a reflection of the close knit community that Katie’s family […]

Cocoa -Figgy Scone Rolls

This is an adaptation of my Oma’s Basic Scone recipe.  Just for fun, I rolled the dough like a jelly roll loaded with some yummy Ficoco spread slathered inside.  I loved the sweet treat but could also see going savory with cheese and herbs.  So fun to twist it up every now and then and […]

Lime Infused Watermelon Cubes with Minted Feta

Guilty pleasure confession: I love to sit with an entire, chilled watermelon half on my lap and chow.  Give me a spoon and 15 minutes and there will be nothing but rind and one happy soul left over.  However, that’s when I’m alone, without a witness, as it looks like I am about 7 months […]

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) […]

Cherriette Radishes with Anchovy Butter and Fluer de Sel

I am in Farm Share heaven right now, thanks to Siena Farms.  I just picked up this weeks CSA box and am blown away by everything that is pristine and thriving right now in New England.  First out of the box were gorgeous Cherriette Radishes.  The sophistication of this “amuse bouche” comes in it’s simplicity: […]

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 […]

Little Apron, Big (Chocolate) Bark

Tis the season for holiday parties… and Hostess Gifting.  Who doesn’t love chocolate?!  This bark recipe is quick and easy.  The cooling time can even be expedited in the fridge.  I picked up a variety of great looking gift packaging options at Michaels Craft Store that I keep in a kitchen drawer to help make […]

Goat Cheese Pomodoro with Olive Tapenade on Focaccia and Arugula

So far, Barbara is batting 1,000 in our kitchen.  Here is another inspiration from STIR: This dish was soooo amazing (like, bread soppin’, spoon lickin’ amazing) and literally took me only 30 minutes from the time I started, until it landed on the table.  AJ and I enjoyed this as our dinner last night but […]