Every fall, I get really excited to bake pies for the holidays. I start planning months in advance, reading articles, picking out recipes, and even doing test runs. But somehow, once it’s game time, disaster strikes. The food processor breaks, I burn myself or the crust burns and shrinks You name it and it’s happened.
El Diablo Spicy Guacamole
When someone finds out I cook for a living, one of their first questions is usually “What’s your favorite thing to cook?” and until recently I’ve never had a good answer. But I think I’ve finally figured it out. I like to cook food that has a story or reminds me of a special memory or
Chocolate & Peanut Butter Mousse Cupcakes
Just a little glimpse into my weekend baking. I made these Chocolate & Peanut Butter Mousse Cupcakes for my friend Michelle’s bridal shower today. They were a big hit with all of the guests. They were inspired by my co-worker Tasha who made a similar version a few weeks ago using chocolate pearls and more
How To: Iced Coffee at Home
It’s August and in Ohio that means some of the hottest days of summer. These are the days where you barely want to leave your house, let alone walk to a coffee shop or brave the sweltering car. Get prepared by learning to make iced coffee at home so you can have a pitcher ready in your
9 Best Restaurants at Disney’s Magic Kingdom
My love affair with Disney started with my first trip to Walt Disney World in 1993 and I’ve been back over 15 times since, along with 3 trips to Disneyland (Anaheim, California), visits to Hong Kong Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawaii, and a Disney Cruise. It’s on the Disney Cruise that I first
Weekend In Chicago
Annie and I met at freshman orientation at The University of Cincinnati, became fast friends, and started doing pretty much everything together. Joining the same sorority, living together, and studying abroad together twice earned us the collective nickname “Jannie” and the award for “Best Friends” at our college graduation superlative ceremony. Two weeks ago, our paths led in
Quick & Easy Travel Tip: International Travel Prep
I’ve been fortunate enough to travel quite a bit over the past few years. While spending extended amounts of time in both Europe and Asia, I’ve learned many international travel tips that have made my life abroad much easier. And as much as I live for the actual travel, I think the planning process is
Jalapeño Vanilla Peaches with Buttermilk Cheese
Jalapeño Vanilla Peaches with Buttermilk Cheese may sound like a strange combination but this dish actually taught me an important lesson about seasonal cooking: less is more. Chefs often talk about “letting the ingredients shine” and I didn’t really know what that meant until I tasted the Jalapeño Vanilla Peaches at Zingerman’s in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Cook Perfect Bacon in the Oven
Forget the skillet. The best way to cook bacon is in the oven. Here’s why: 1. No grease splatters on you or all over your kitchen. 2. Easier clean up – just wash the sheet pan. 3. Free space on your stovetop that can be used for eggs, pancakes, whatever. 4. Hands-off cooking. Throw the bacon
Chris’s Ten Minute Pineapple Cake
My neighbor, Chris, has been making this cake for a long as I can remember and it’s everything I want in a cake: delicious, quick, and foolproof. Pineapple cake was the star of my high school graduation party, a huge hit at my grandparents 50th wedding anniversary (it was 5 years ago and people are