Little Devil Cocktail

I wait for October all year, then as soon as the calendar hits October 1st, the decorations are out! I know some people start decorating for Halloween in the middle of September, but that never felt right to me. Kind of like Christmas decorations in October. Christmas decorations should never be seen before at least… Continue reading Little Devil Cocktail

Devil’s Cocktail

It’s October and while that means there’s a chill in the air and the trees have started to shed their leaves, it also means that Halloween is right around the corner. This is the time of year when you start seeing green and orange cocktails or drinks that are smoking thanks to a little dry… Continue reading Devil’s Cocktail

Sweet Challah Rolls with Apple Raisin Filling

We’re right in the middle of High Holidays. Last Tuesday was Rosh Hashana and today and Thursday are Kol Nidre and Yom Kippur. It’s a time of celebration and atonement. A time to reflect on the past year, what we’ve achieved and what we hope to accomplish in the coming year. It’s a time when… Continue reading Sweet Challah Rolls with Apple Raisin Filling

4th of July Stuffed Strawberries

Block parties are back, baby! Okay, let me backtrack a bit. For over a decade, my street has been having a block party every year on the 4th of July. What started as a small get together with just a few neighbors has turned into a serious party with a DJ, a chili cookoff and… Continue reading 4th of July Stuffed Strawberries

Blood Orange Olive Oil Cake

I love citrus season! It’s that great time of year, smack dab in the dead of winter, when all the bright, sweet citrus bombard farmers markets everywhere. It’s when you are no longer limited to Eureka lemons or Navel oranges. Instead you can grab some Meyer lemons or Cara Cara oranges. There are also Satsuma… Continue reading Blood Orange Olive Oil Cake

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

Apples & Honey Mustard Chicken

While it may not feel like it here on the West Coast, believe it or not, we’ve hit fall season. Apples and citrus are starting to line produce shelves and pumpkin spice seems to be everywhere. Once those flavors start showing up, that can only mean one thing: Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur aren’t far… Continue reading Apples & Honey Mustard Chicken

Blueberry Lemon Upside-down Cake

So, we’re going on week three of “safer at home”. How are  you doing?  Have you figured out what it is that keeps you sane or have you found a show that you’re binging? If so, please let me know. I would love a new show to watch. Hubs and I have finally figured out… Continue reading Blueberry Lemon Upside-down Cake

Castro’s Christmas Nightcap

Last week was Thanksgiving and now we’re deep into the holiday season. That means that this weekend is the first official weekend of holiday parties. I know because we always have one. See, we don’t want to compete with office parties which always seem to be in the middle of the month, so we have… Continue reading Castro’s Christmas Nightcap