Cranberry-stuffed Pork Chops

I know Thanksgiving is considered the big cranberry holiday, but who says it has to stop there? Who says once Thanksgiving is over you have to put the cranberries away until next year? I mean, plenty of people still have turkey year round. So, why can’t you have cranberries in the spring or summer? You… Continue reading Cranberry-stuffed Pork Chops

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Categorized as Entrees

Cheese and Herb Potato Gratin

I wanted to get one more Thanksgiving recipe up before turkey day tomorrow. And since you probably want something easy, that won’t take too long to make, I’m going with this amazing potato dish from Tara Bench. I discovered Bench and this dish, thanks to Melissa’s Produce. Melissa’s hosted a virtual event with Bench where… Continue reading Cheese and Herb Potato Gratin

Holiday Smoke

As you all know when the weather gets cold I switch my liquor gears from gin and vodka to bourbon and brandy. I just think the darker liquors work well during the darker, dreary months of winter. But just because that’s my preference doesn’t mean that’s all I drink. While the gin and vodka may… Continue reading Holiday Smoke

Pumpkin Maple Trifle

Every year my family tries to come up with something new and exciting for Thanksgiving. I mean, how many times can you have the same pumpkin pie and cranberry sauce? Okay, I know there are traditions and family recipes that are used year in and year out. But we don’t do that in my family.… Continue reading Pumpkin Maple Trifle

Lemon & Herb Roasted Turkey Breast

Every year I’m in one of two places for Thanksgiving. I’m either here in Redondo Beach hosting the holiday, or I’m up in Marin helping my mother while she hosts. Either way, one thing always remains the same: we order a big turkey.  I don’t mean some littler Butterball I pick up at the grocery… Continue reading Lemon & Herb Roasted Turkey Breast

Corpse Reviver #3

Since tomorrow is Halloween I wanted to get at least one spooky cocktail up before the holiday. Unfortunately I’ve done almost all the classic Halloween cocktails from the Bloody Mary to the Zombie. So, trying to find another classic drink for the ghoulish holiday has become something of a chore. But you know me, when… Continue reading Corpse Reviver #3

Apple Pie/Cake

Now that autumn is in full swing, I’m starting to see fruits and vegetables change at the farmer’s market. Where the stands used to be piled high with peaches, plums and tomatoes, now there’s squash, citrus and apples. While I love the produce of the spring and summer, I also adore the produce of the… Continue reading Apple Pie/Cake

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Categorized as Desserts

Velvet Fog

The weather here in the South Bay (and all over California for that matter) has been cray, cray. One week it’s in the triple digits and the next it’s foggy and in the low 70’s. There’s no rhyme or reason to this weather pattern. One thing doesn’t change though, no matter what the thermometer reads,… Continue reading Velvet Fog

Dill and Feta Orzo Salad with Lemon Chicken

One of the perks of working in the food and cocktail industry is that I get to attend events at produce companies, bars, distilleries… you name it. If it has something to do with food, odds are I’ve been there. But these days I haven’t been much of anywhere. These days, I get a delivery… Continue reading Dill and Feta Orzo Salad with Lemon Chicken