Crab Cakes with Old Bay Dressing

Crab Cakes with Old Bay Dressing

Marcus Samuelsson is probably most well-known for having been the guest chef at President Obama’s first state dinner. However, the more I learn about Samuelsson, the more interested I am. Samuelsson was born in Ethiopia but was adopted at a young age by a Swedish 

Jamaican Jerk Ribs with Pineapple-Mango Salsa

Jamaican Jerk Ribs with Pineapple-Mango Salsa

I went to Jamaica on my honeymoon. I expected to enjoy the ocean, swim up bar, and that blissful feeling of relaxation that comes in an all-inclusive resort. However, I was surprised to discover how delicious the food was. Jamaican patties are the perfect hand-held 

Fried Chicken

Fried Chicken

Edna Lewis was a legendary chef and cookbook author who in large part contributed to the view of Southern food and cooking that is popular today. When she wrote her famous cookbook “The Taste of Country Cooking” in 1976, Southern food was not the prolific 

Steak House Steaks (and Why Reverse Searing Reigns Supreme)

Steak House Steaks (and Why Reverse Searing Reigns Supreme)

There are few date-night classics that can’t be perfected at home. That’s good because finding a babysitter on Valentine’s Day, trying to remember to make a reservation in advance, and piling into an over-crowded restaurant to consumer over-priced entrees, can make one feel less than 

Braised Lamb Shanks in Red Wine

Braised Lamb Shanks in Red Wine

To me, there is something particularly satisfying in serving individual sections of an animal to guests. While a Cornish hen tastes remarkably similar to slices of regular Sunday chicken- placing half of a bird on your plate really sends the message that this meal is 

Prime Rib

Prime Rib

I recently attended a work Christmas party that took place at a “Wassail” dinner at a local country club. Apparently a wassail is an old English tradition of drinking out of a giant pot of mulled cider/wine. In this case, it was drinking egg nog 

Shepherd’s Pie

Shepherd’s Pie

My sweet and playful son turned 3 years old this week. His birthday dinner request? Shepherd’s Pie. Not pizza or chicken nuggets like most kids. This little munchkin is oddly obsessed with Shepherd’s pie. Ask him what he wants for dinner on any given day 

Lemon Arugula Cacio e Pepe

Lemon Arugula Cacio e Pepe

Cacio e Pepe, the ever increasingly popular pasta dish which is really a grown up version of mac ‘n cheese, is perfect in its simplicity. It has only 3 ingredients, 4 if you count the pasta cooking water. It is the embodiment of minimalist. This 

Ceviche

Ceviche

This August my husband and I celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary. My parents gave us the best gift possible- they watched our children for an entire week and we went away on vacation just the two of for the first time in five years. 

General Tso’s Chicken

General Tso’s Chicken

I have written at some length before about my obsession with making my favourite take-out dishes at home. At first this was prompted by a lack of decent Chinese food that delivers to my house. It has become something of an obsession. General Tso’s Chicken,