There are probably as many versions of Classic Shrimp Cocktail as there are people who love it. For me, growing up in the marvelous Midwest, classic shrimp cocktail came frozen in round plastic grocery store platters with tiny cups of cocktail sauce. The only prep involved was allowing them to thaw, and voile! – ready-made, “fresh” party food at your…
Read More
I may have been one of the few kids in the world who liked going to restaurants with salad bars. Actually, I loved it. While a light, tangy, delicately boozy Lemon Ginger Vodka Vinaigrette probably wouldn’t have been my first choice of dressings when I was a kid, I loved building a “pretty plate” to suit my mood then as…
Read More
It can get a little warm on the boat, so we came up with another easy-breezy bevvie over the 4th of July… We’re calling it the Berry Citrus Fizz Cocktail. It’s super light and refreshing, and it looks amazing in our new “Fizzy” unbreakable tumblers from Target – don’t you think? 5 Vodka Cranberry Orange Liqueur, caused quite a “stir”…
Read More
Every summer, I go on a hunt for a new beverage to enjoy when the temps reach their peaks. My husband and I spend a lot of time on our boat during the summer months, so we favor beverages that are more refreshing as opposed to heavy and overly boozy. We often entertain onboard, so we also like cocktails that…
Read More
If you’ve ever wished for a “party dish” that you could make well in advance and transport easily, these cocktail cubes are it! (Yes, I realize that the word “dish” is a bit of a stretch here, but bear with me… ) My summer-long love affair with 5 Vodka – and the Lemon Ginger Cocktail kick that followed – lead…
Read More
When you discover something that you love, you want to shout about it from the mountaintops. Well, maybe you don’t, but I do. 5 Vodka Lemon Ginger and Cranberry Orange Liqueurs are a couple of my newest Loves. And Bacon Fatte is my mountaintop, so here’s a major “product crush” that I’m very happy to share with you: My husband and I tasted…
Read More
You know when you see something, and it seems too good too good to be true… But then you can’t stop thinking about it. So you finally try it, and it’s amazing. Yep, these beautiful little summer toasts were one of those things for me. I saw them on Sweet Paul last summer, and couldn’t believe how good they looked….
Read More
There’s something about making sure each layer of a dish has your flavor signature on it. Knowing every ingredient that went into making the magic you’re serving makes all the difference. This ingredient is just such magic. My mother told me about this olive oil recipe several years ago. She saw it on a cooking show, and it’s been a…
Read More
I like cool kitchen tips that make life easier just as much as the next person. This one has been around the internet block a time or two hundred so I take no absolutely no credit for the concept, but it’s one of my favorites. Tomato paste is one of the best ways to add flavor to just about anything,…
Read More
I love tradition as much as anyone, but I also have a need for things that are new and different – even if it’s something as simple as potato salad. With no disrespect intended to all the classic, wonderfully mustard-y versions out there, this potato salad is refreshingly “different” and absolutely delicious on so many levels. This recipe has made…
Read More
Grilled Fish with Sweet Roasted Red Pepper Puree and Sauteed Cabbage Use any kind of grilled fish and adjust this easy recipe any way you like. Enjoy with other kinds of vegetables, rice or noodles. It so easy, and so good! This recipe was inspired by nothing more than a big, beautiful piece of fresh sea bass, and a craving…
Read More
Sweet and Spicy Pineapple Chili Chicken This Sweet and Spicy Pineapple Chili Chicken has become a go-to recipe in our house. It doesn’t require a lot of work, and it’s really delicious. It also goes with just about anything – from rice dishes to grilled or steamed veggies to noodles and stir fry. We usually grill the chicken because we…
Read More
Spicy Red Chili Shrimp Sauté with Asian Veg and Rice Noodles I love it when a trip to the grocery store turns into a date night adventure (and, yes, that seems to happen often for my husband, Rick, and me). I also love it when said adventures result in something as delicious as this Spicy Red Chili Shrimp Sauté with…
Read More
