White Pumpkin Cocktail

I'm not even going to pretend I don't love Halloween candy but I also want a grownup treat. Cool weather and fall flavors mean a combination of warming bourbon, pumpkin and spices.

Pumpkin Loaf with Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting

Is my house in full pumpkin mode all through autumn? Yup, it sure is. Not only do I love decorating with them but it's a full pumpkin-fest of cooking as well. I love it both sweet and savory and there's no end to my desire for a loaf of pumpkin bread as a snack.

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Banana Bread

Happy first day of autumn! It's my favorite season and I wish I could say the weather was autumnal but, if we bake like it is then perhaps it will come.

Crispy Greek Meatballs with Tzatziki and Feta

Sometimes a single ingredient in my fridge or pantry inspires an entire meal. And that's exactly how this dinner of Mediterranean flavors came together. What was the ingredient this time? Some leftover feta cheese from another recipe.

Honey Cake with Tahini Cream Cheese Frosting

You can eat honey cake to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year. Or you can eat it just because it's delicious. I vote for doing both. and definitely doing the latter often.

Breaded Veal Cutlet Sandwich

This is my summer of awesome sandwiches. It started with a new gourmet sandwich place in my neighborhood and now I'm addicted to creating fun sammies of my own.

Maple Cream Scones with Candied Pecans

I got my love of scones from my mom, back when they were not nearly as popular. These days they're a staple offering at fancy coffee shops but they're also one of the easiest pastries to make at home.

Grape Bourbon Smash

Normally when we think about grapes and alcohol, we think wine. But fresh grapes taste completely different than fermented ones and actually make a great fruity addition to cocktails.

Strawberries and Cream Popsicles

It's hot and I want ice cream. Sometimes in a dish, sometimes in a waffle cone and sometimes in the form of an easy to grab popsicle. I don't discriminate when it comes to ice cream.

Loaded Pastrami and Swiss Sandwich

There's a fairly new gourmet market in my neighborhood and they specialize in beautiful, over-stuffed sandwiches. The menu is long and it's so hard to choose. But, you actually have plenty of time to make your choice because the line snakes around the block. Sigh.

Watermelon Frosé

Frosé became popular a few years ago when lots of restaurants and bars set up machines to turn out these slushy drinks all day. What is it exactly? Just rosé wine, maybe some fruit, maybe a little extra sweetness and citrus, all blended up with ice until slushy. It's delicious!

Cherry Cobbler with Cream Cheese Biscuits

It's the middle of June and, shockingly, these were the first cherries of the season that I bought. Normally I scoop them up the second I see them but somehow I didn't get to it the past couple of weeks. But, they're here now!

Deep Dish Broccoli Cheddar Quiche

There's a new French bakery in my neighborhood. In addition to croissants and delicate fruit tarts, they also sell slices of their fresh baked quiche. It's hard to walk past the place without immediately getting hungry. So far the only thing that's saved me from buying them out has been the fact that the line to get in goes around the block.

Peanut Butter Milkshake with Chocolate Doughnuts

Last week we had our first mini heatwave. It's not usually in the 90's in New York in May but it happened and we all got an unexpected chance to see if our air conditioners were still working. Apart from being in need of a cleaning, mine seem to be OK.

Cheeseburger Hand Pies

I have a hard time resisting anything in a crust, sweet or savory. So, when I'm developing recipes, I frequently ask myself - would this be good inside a crust of some kind? Truth.

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Do you have a "buy nothing" group in your neighborhood? They've become super popular around here and I love my local one. Lots of generous folks and community spirit. So much so that a lovely woman was giving away slices of her homemade banana bread. I didn't have time to grab one but it did start a wicked craving.

S'mores Cupcakes

A couple of weeks ago I had a wicked craving for a cupcake. Sadly the best cupcake bakery (cupcakery?) in my neighborhood is closed for renovation. So I bought one at another place, not really known for them but, hey, you never know. Yes, yes you do. It did not hit the spot.

Pink Salty Dog Cocktail

We're kind of in that shoulder season between all the good winter citrus and all spring fruit. Coming home from the market with a load of beautiful pink grapefruit, I stopped to admire the first flowering tree on my block. A perfect example of where we are right now.

Potato and Caramelized Onion Bourekas (Turnovers)

We may call them turnovers here but, in the Middle East, these filled puffs of dough are called bourekas. Popular in Israel, they usually contain a savory filling stuffed inside puff pastry.

Cocktail 101 for the Home Bartender

Starting a home bar doesn't have to be fussy or expensive if you begin with some basics and then add to your collection over time. Unlike some guides that feel strongly about spirits brands, appropriate glassware and what type of shaker you use, this is going to be a judgement-free zone. Because making cocktails at home should be fun! Below is a guide for building your home bar including items I think you should buy now, items you don't need immediately but are fun and inexpensive and those things you will add over time. Even a small collection will allow you to make a great many types of cocktails. Once you have the basics, it's fun to add a specialty liquor from time to time. And because those tend to be used more sparingly than the base spirit, they'll last much longer.

Sparkling Cotton Candy Cosmopolitan

The Cosmo cocktail came into fashion when Sex and the City was airing but it's never left. For that matter, Sex and the City never really left because I'm sure I can find reruns of it daily. But that combination of vodka, cranberry, orange liqueur and lime definitely has staying power.

Tangerine Mint Whiskey Slush

March is acting true to form - coming in like a lion with snow and freezing temperatures but quickly becoming a lamb. We'll still have some very cold days before spring but we're starting to get a taste of warmth and sunshine.

S'mores Hot Cocoa Bombs

OK, I seem to be a little obsessed and can't stop creating hot cocoa bombs. It can appear a little daunting at first. You have to buy a mold and make a chocolate sphere and that seems like fancy chocolate shop work. Fortunately, it's really easy. And once you make your first batch, you'll find yourself wanting to make more.

Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie with Tahini Swirl

Is there anything more comforting than tucking into a warm skillet cookie with ice cream melting into the gooey chocolate? Yes, when you add a swirl of peanut butter or, in this case, a dollop of sweet tahini. The nutty taste of the sesame seeds blends with the sweetness of the cookie but adds an additional layer of flavor.

Savory Dutch Babies (German Pancakes)

The first time I tried cooking these puffy pancakes, I was not expecting them to rise as much as they did. Some kind of photography/food styling trick, I thought. Nope. I've made them several times since that first time and they puff big!

Boozy Chocolate and Peanut Butter Hot Cocoa Bombs

You've probably been seeing hot cocoa bombs everywhere on the internet for the past few months. Costco now makes them and sells them in multi-flavor packs. Even smaller producers are offering them on Etsy. And while I don't normally jump on trends, I've made a few of these for clients and, well, they're just so cute and fun.

Satsuma Mandarin Orange Scones

There's very little that I like about winter but those first couple of months of the new year do have one high note and that is the abundance of winter citrus. It's always been strange to me that fresh fruit is in peak season when my city is blanketed in frozen snow.

Cheesy Rice and Vegetable Bake

I totally understand wanting a healthy food reset in the new year. But, there's a strong argument to be made for comfort food in January because it's cold and it gets dark ridiculously early and it's a little depressing when the holidays are over. We can compromise between the two, though.

Dark Streets and Lighted Windows

All you Rear Window fans will understand why I love looking at windows. James Stewart's character watched his neighbors' lives through their windows while he sat in front of his, nursing a broken leg. But, most of the time, when I look out my own window or walk around in New York City, I can't see inside the windows. They're too high up or too far away or the shades are drawn. But they fascinate me for different reasons. I wonder, when I see a lighted window, who lives there and what their life is like.

Charcuterie Board (and a Cocktail) for One

For most of the past decade that I've been writing this blog, I've ended the year with a round-up of the recipes you all liked best but, this year, I feel the need to write more personally. Oh, if you really are curious, the Vegetarian Salisbury Steak was the single most popular recipe followed closely by the Peanut Butter Cream Filled Doughnuts. That means that you like a healthy entree followed by a decadent dessert. You are SO my people! And yes, this post includes the recipe for an awesome champagne cocktail and charcuterie board for one because food is still my business and my passion. But now, let's chat.

Chocolate Caramel Manhattan

I am definitely a bourbon and whiskey lover, both for sipping and for mixing. So, when I hear about flavored whiskeys, my ears perk up. And when that particular flavor is chocolate, I'm all attention.

Brown Butter Shortbread Cookies

Shortbread is already a buttery cookie but browning the butter makes it go from good to wow. You'll know how delicious it will taste just from the aroma while you're mixing the dough. The nutty, richness of the brown butter will make your whole kitchen smell amazing before you've even begun to bake. 

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies with Peanut Butter Chips

If soft, fudgy centered cookies are what you like then crinkles are for you. They're easy to make and bake up soft with a gooey chocolate center. This cookie is just begging for a glass of cold milk.

Baked Potato and Cheese Croquettes

These crispy little balls of cheesy, potato goodness are a great way to use up leftover mashed potatoes. Normally there aren't a lot of those left over in my house but, on Thanksgiving, it's the stuffing that everyone goes for first so I've got a shot at some extra spuds.

The Pack on Amazon Prime!

This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx on behalf of Amazon Prime Video

We're all watching a lot of Prime and cuddling our pups these days, right. I know Hadley is getting the stuffing hugged out of her daily. And, since I'm a sucker for doggie content, this coming weekend, I'll be watching The Pack, a new series that's premiering on Amazon Prime Video November 20th. I'm pretty sure it's going to be must-see TV around here.

Caramelized Onion and Gruyere Mini Galettes

Let's talk about holiday appetizers. Sure, gatherings may be small this year. But even if it's just family, you still want to serve something special. That doesn't mean you want to fuss in the kitchen for hours, though, right? I've got the perfect solution.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Snack Cakes and Hot Cocoa

I made these snack cakes to go with an amazing cup of hot cocoa. The cakes have a bit of pumpkin, a touch of spice and a whole lot of chocolate chips. The cocoa is even more special.

Gingerbread Cake with Pears and Caramel

It's not too early in the season for gingerbread, right? Especially when it's a gingerbread cake that's covered in a layer of baked pears and has homemade caramel sauce poured all over it. Surely it's not too soon for that.

Pasta Bake with Beef and Pumpkin

Not only is it officially autumn but I was toying with the idea of turning on the heat the other day. I held out, for the time being, but that means it's also now hot cheesy pasta bake season.

Poison Apple Manhattan Cocktail

The kids can load up on candy at Halloween but the adults should get a treat as well. OK, this adult also eats all the peanut butter cups. But that doesn't diminish my love for a well made cocktail.

Pumpkin Yogurt Parfait with Pumpkin Seed Granola

Are you a fan of pumpkin or is it just a seasonal flavor you're happy to see the back of quickly? Personally, I love it. I love all squash, not just pumpkin. But definitely pumpkin, whether sweet or savory.

Fig Cheesecake Tart

Let's talk about figs. Also let's talk about cheesecake. Figs are such a short-lived treat and we only get them for a few short weeks in late summer and early fall. But it's worth savoring every day they're here.

Steak and Couscous Salad

One surefire way to make everyone happy at dinnertime in my house is to serve steak. It actually makes most of my guests happy as well. Obviously it's amazing to just eat steak on its own but I love serving it as part of a salad. The ideal one dish meal.

Crumb Topped Baked Apples

My mom used to bake apples sometimes, when I was a kid. The house would smell wonderful with that aroma of cooked apples and cinnamon. All the promise of pie but none of the satisfaction. Am I the only one who found baked apples a little disappointing?

Cracker Jack Cocktail

Last month, a couple of my friends took me out for a birthday dinner. It's still outdoor dining only in New York City but it was a lovely evening at an excellent restaurant and what could be nicer than eating outside with a summer breeze.

Shredded Chicken Tortilla Pie

Normally, the post Labor Day, back-to-school, back to busy life is my favorite time. And it may look a little different this year. But one thing never changes which is that we need quick and easy dinner ideas for busy folks.

Champagne Grape Loaf Cake

I'm a sucker for pretty fruit and champagne grapes definitely qualify. These mini dark purple grapes are little bursts of sweet and sour in your mouth. Plus their gorgeous on a cheese board. But they also bake up really well in a cake.

Smoked Gouda Whole Egg Souffle

Souffles are always so tempting on restaurant menus, right? But making them at home seems daunting. It's actually a simple recipe but still, the thought of it puts most of us off. I've got a solution for that.

Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich

I've been craving a fried chicken sandwich for weeks now. Not even kidding. But every time I look at take out menus I can't decide which to get. Some are just served on plain buns, some have no toppings, others don't come with coleslaw. I legit couldn't commit to a sandwich.

Spiked Frozen Mango Lassi

Mangoes are definitely one of my summer treats and they're usually destined for a yogurt smoothie. Although some of them invariably end up in cocktails as well.