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 I like the subtle grassy note that makes me think of an orange tree when paired with the zest and Cointreau.  Olivio Olive Oil is the secret to this uber moi

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 for:) Spoon this bread directly from the baker to your plate for a delicious Thanksgiving side that will belly up beautifully to your t

A better Brownie substituting butter for Olivio Spreadable Butter with Olive Oil 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, they remind me of Thomas Keller’s signature Chocola

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 be here soon! INGREDIENTS: (yields 1x 12 oz smoothie) 1 cup organic blueberries, frozen (packed with antioxidants, reduce belly fat, urinary tract health, vi

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 to swallow me, leaving me fatigued, moody and *gasp* staring at a dull and pimpled complexion in the mirror. ACTION TIME:  The objective of our detox is to increase our energy, sleep more soundl

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 any house.   If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.  Stay a step ahead and have these sitting up on the kitchen island ready for guests arrival.  My favorite thing about these bites is that they

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 we put on the play.” My resolutions goals for 2013 are, well, dense.   I hit the ground hard on January 2nd, rolling off a red eye from Seattle, in a

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 Thanksgiving spread that can help set a tone for a evening of gratitude and cheer.  Without having the time to commit to a full Turkey before we

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 a small bite at a cocktail party. INGREDIENTS: (Serves 4-6) For the soup~ 4 cups Cucumber, peeled and d

Raw Summer Squash and Cucumber Salad with Shaved Fennel and Mint Bride behind the wheel in the “Water Taxi from Vinalhaven to North Haven 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 has been apart

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 it comes together in minutes! INGREDIENTS: (Yields 12 Scones) 2 cups All-Purpose Flour, I like King Arthurs 1 Tbs Baking Powder 1/2 tsp Salt 1/3 cup Sugar 1 tsp Cinnamo

Lime Infused Watermelon 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 pregnant after I finish.  Here is a refined twist on this summer staple.  A simple marinade of lime zest and juice, olive oil and sea salt bring out th

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 during strawberry season, anyway.  It is a simple dessert, consisting of stewed red berries (traditionally strawberries), a little sugar, cornstarch and touch of lemon with a spl

Molten Lava Cake with Brandied Cherry 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) so plan your next dinner party or hot date accordingly!  Also, the tastiness of this treat will entirely depend on the quali

Baby Beet and Goat Cheese Pizza with Dill and Roasted Walnuts In the heat of summer, I like to use my oven and cooktop as little as possible.  I love using flash baked pizza dough as a foundation for a fresh and hearty summer salad.   Baby beets + goat cheese are ever a winning combo in my book.  Lucky for us, a beautiful bushel of organic beets just arrived in our weekly box from Siena Farms, along with a spicy mix of salad greens and dill.  Even AJ fell in love (talk about

Kohlrabi from Siena Farms in Sudbury, MA Kohlrabi is another new favorite of mine.  Based on appearance, when it arrived in my CSA box, it could have easily been confused with cabbage.  Instead, it reminds me of a cross between radish and potato.  This great textured vegetable is extremely versatile- whether you shave it raw for a salad, puree it for a beautiful side with meat or grate it for a latke alternative (as recommended by Ana Sortun at Oleana in Cambridge).  Last nig

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: radish+premium butter+anchovy+fleur de sel.  It is also gorgeous and full of color and texture which make plating fun.  Grab a bottle of rose and let’s munch! INGREDIENT

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 recipe…as if it’s from an isolated island in the Florida Keys with li

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 a hostess gift come together easily and look special.  Num Num!!! INGREDIENTS: 16 oz good chocolate bar, finely chopped (I used Belgium Milk Chocolate in this batch- i.e

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 I would also serve this as an app for company or on a holiday buffet spread.  The recipe calls for everyday ingredients that, when prepared simply, result in an impressive W