'Tis the Season to be Baking

I find that at this time of year, if you really want to get into the spirit, bake! Along with Christmas carols and holiday shopping, Christmas cookie baking seems to bring with it lots of holiday cheer. Most people seem to have, at least, that one cookie recipe that has become their annual Christmas tradition. You make them at this time of year, and this time of year only…but that’s what makes them special.


So what better way to pass on one’s holiday baking tradition then by hosting a cookie bake-off? Here are the rules (per my colleague and friend, Christine):

1.You will need one contact person to run the bake-off

2. Have friends/family bake their most famous holiday cookie

3. Cookies are submitted to contact person who will assign a random number to each cookie in order to keep baker’s identity confidential

4. All cookies should also be plated the same, again, to promote baking confidentiality

5. When displaying cookies, a voting bag or cup should be placed alongside the cookie with an image and description of the cookie

6. Each cookie taster will receive 2 ballots to vote as they please for their favorite cookies

7. And lastly, at the end of the event, votes are to be counted and the winner announced

As a great take home gift for all involved, gather all the cookie recipes before the bake-off and assemble them into a cookie cookbook. This is a great excuse to enjoy some great holiday treats, to showcase your baking talents, and last but certainly not least, to bring together friends and family

Tis the season! And Happy Holidays everyone! (Stay tuned for my holiday cookie recipe)

Take the "Thyme" to Enjoy!

Normally Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. A whole holiday centered purely on good food…how can you go wrong? But this year’s Thanksgiving was unlike any that I have experienced before, and not in the best of ways.

Every year my mom hosts Thanksgiving, and trust me when I say this, she is a pro! She has the table set about 2 weeks ahead of time. She labels each serving dish with its corresponding food item so on the day of, she knows exactly which dish goes with which serving bowl, plate, etc. She makes homemade chicken soup which is usually made in October and then frozen until November. And she is able to pull the rest of the meal off with perfect precision and excellence throughout the entire week before the holiday, right up to the day of the blessed event.

And the menu…well it’s fantastic. To start we have soup, and this year we also began with a garlic and white wine artichoke dip. Then we moved on to the main meal. Turkey of course, which is accompanied with the traditional stuffing, sweet potatoes, stuffed mushrooms, bread sticks, gravy, and cranberry sauce (and cranberry jelly). As an added bonus this year, we brought in 2 new menu items, a corn bread stuffing (courtesy of my sister-in-law) made with corn, white bread, cheese, and scallions (Yum!) and teriyaki honey glazed green beans, made with bacon, red bell peppers, onions, and cashews (courtesy of yours truly). And last but certainly not least, dessert! Pumpkin pie, pecan pie, cinnamon coffee cake, cheesecake, all of which can be topped off with a dollop of homemade whipped cream. Again, one of my favorite holidays!

So why, do you ask, was this year so “unappetizing”? The guests at our table consisted of some older relatives who don’t seem to understand how important it is to not rush through a meal like this. We started eating at 3 in the afternoon and by 6:30, we were done with dessert, and the table was free and clear of any and all remnants of a Thanksgiving dinner. I have never eaten so fast, and had so little time to enjoy the wonderful flavors of our Thanksgiving dinner.

So this post is really a message that I am sending out to the masses…Please take the time to enjoy your food, because the longer you sit and enjoy what you’re eating, the longer you can sit and enjoy the people you are surrounded by at this festive time of year.

What’s your favorite cookie?

I think it’s pretty safe to say that everyone loves cookies, or at least some kind of cookie. How could you not? The varieties are endless so, no matter who you are, you are more likely than not to find a cookie that you love and adore.

My personal favorite is a cookie that I think gets overlooked. Most people tend to stick with the classics, chocolate chip, peanut butter, oatmeal raisin, etc. But for me, nothing beats the black & white cookie! Hopefully you have all seen the Seinfeld episode about this fantastic cookie…in his infinite wisdom Jerry brought the beauty of this cookie to the forefront of social awareness (of course his views on the black & white cookie are a tad more political than mine). But it is truly an amazing cookie. It takes the texture of a vanilla flavored cake and compresses it down to form the base for cookie. Then half dipped in black (chocolate) icing and half dipped in white (vanilla) icing, the combination of the cake-like cookie and the smooth, decadent icing tantalize your tongue. And depending on your plan of attack when eating it, the icing can be enjoyed separately or together.

So what does this say about me? That’s a good question. Maybe I like harmony so the symbolic representation found in the equally balanced icing represents balance? Maybe I’m indecisive, so the idea of having more than one icing flavor puts me at ease because then I don’t have to decide between chocolate and vanilla? Nah, I don’t think it’s either of those. It’s just a wonderful cookie that I love and adore, and like to treat myself to every now and then.

So I ask you, what is your favorite cookie?

Then go out and treat yourself…I’m sure you deserve it!

"Scents" of Accomplishment

One of the many things that I love about cooking is the sense of accomplishment you can get from combining random ingredients and making a fantastic meal. Cooking allows for creativity, and when ingredients are scarce or recipes don’t exist, you can unleash your cooking skills and create something that not only pleasures your palate but also your sense of ingenuity and adventure.

Last week, on a whim, I decided to stop at the food store to buy some things so that I could make myself something for dinner. There was no strategy involved, no recipe to follow, just the vague notion of what I felt like eating. I wanted a meal that was healthy, full of veggies, satisfying and somewhat simple to make. I walked around the food store, primarily sticking to the produce section, and ended up purchasing tomatoes, peppers, and mushrooms. That was it. With only three ingredients and my home pantry ingredients it was time to get the creative juices flowing.

Here is my recipe for all of you to enjoy. It may seem simple and somewhat novice to the eye, but in actuality the success of the meal was mainly due to the skills and techniques I have learned over the years from watching hours upon hours of The Food Network. So, please enjoy this meal so that you too can feel your own “scents” of accomplishment!

2 Roma Tomatoes (seeded and chopped)
1 Green Pepper (chopped)
1 Medium Onion (thinly sliced)
¼ Cup of Baby Portobello Mushrooms (thinly sliced)
½ Cup of Whole Wheat Pasta of your choice
¼ Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
½ Teaspoon Garlic Powder
2 Teaspoons Canola Oil
2 Teaspoons Parmesan Cheese
Non-stick Cooking Spray
Salt, Pepper
Pasta Water (about 4 Tablespoons)

In pot of boiling, salted water cook pasta as directed on package. Once pasta is cooked drain most of the pasta water, reserving some to help create a sauce.
Next, coat a sauté pan with non-stick cooking spray and canola oil. Once oil is warm, add onions and mushrooms. Salt and pepper. Sauté together for 5-7 minutes, until onions are translucent and mushrooms begin to shrink in size. Then add pepper. Let pepper sauté with onions and mushrooms for an additional 5 minutes. Then add garlic power and red pepper flakes. Lastly add the tomatoes and cook for an additional 2 minutes.

Once all veggies are cooked, add cooked pasta and pasta water to sauté pan. Let this cook and combine for about a minute. Then add the parmesan cheese. Salt and pepper to desired taste and enjoy!

The Flavors of Fall

Well it’s that time of year again. It’s time to turn in the shorts and tank tops for jeans and sweaters. The time of year where that slight chill in the air makes for the perfect sleeping weather. When days get shorter and nights get longer. Yes, it’s safe to say that fall has officially arrived!

This weekend my family and I traveled up to Massachusetts to visit my brother and sister-in-law. As we traveled through the various areas of New England, you can’t help but notice that fall is in full bloom. Out the window, the road is lined with golden yellow, burnt orange and chardonnay red leaves that create this beautifully picturesque fall landscape. The local fruit stands that were selling blueberries and corn are now selling apples. And the quaint, Cap Cod homes of Massachusetts are now decorated with mums and pumpkins, replacing the tulips and roses that once lined the landscape.

But one of the best ways to officially mark fall’s arrival is not with the changing of the leaves, but with the changing of the flavors. The cool fall brings with it the warmth of delicious desserts like apple pie and gingerbread and the comfort of meals like pot roast and butternut squash soup. Pumpkin spice and cinnamon invigorate your senses and sweet cranberries bring a burst of freshness to the crisp air. Hot cocoa and warm apple cider soothe the soul and childhood favorites like s’mores and candy apples make you want to jump into a big pile of leaves. These are the flavors of fall that draw us all in from the cold, to the warm dinner table or the cozy fire.

So no matter where you are at this time of year, make sure you take a moment to enjoy all the wonderful flavors of fall, and of course, make sure you share them with the people you love.

Who doesn’t love a cupcake?

Now I don’t know about you, but I LOVE cupcakes. In fact the other day I was making a batch of pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and as I was frosting them, all I could think was how happy I would be if, for the rest of my life, all I did was make cupcakes.

There is something so special and magical about these little cakes. It’s hard for me to even put into words how wonderful cupcakes really are, but I know you all know what I mean when I talk about the goodness they bring to any and all occasions. There’s that tinge of excitement that overcomes you as your eyes first hone in on the frosting of these individually-sized cakes. Cupcake sized mounds of vanilla, chocolate, or cream cheese frosting (to name a few), decorated to compliment the occasion. Fun and festive or intricate and elegant, with or without sprinkles, perfectly piped on or casually smeared on, piled high or simply covering…the frosting, at first, is the obvious star. But then you pull off the wrapper, and unveil that light and fluffy cake that lies below the frosted surface, and that initial tinge of excitement turns into a full body burst of exhilaration. Then you take a bite, and then another, and then another. And for those few moments, it’s as if all your troubles go away, and life becomes as light and sweet and fun as a cupcake.

So in having a full appreciation for the joy that we all get from eating cupcakes, it makes baking them even more special. With that, I would like to share with you a red velvet cupcake recipe that has become a favorite among my family and friends. But please note there is one ingredient missing that makes these, and any cupcake complete…LOVE.

Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients for the cupcakes:


15 1/2 ounces all-purpose flour

1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda

1 1/4 teaspoons salt

1 1/4 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1 1/2 cups vegetable oil

13 ounces granulated sugar

1 1/4 cups buttermilk

3 eggs

2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons red food coloring

1 1/4 teaspoons vinegar (white or apple cider can both work)

1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/8 cup water


For the cream cheese frosting :

1 1/2 pounds cream cheese , room temperature

1 pound butter, room temperature

2 pounds powdered sugar, sifted

1 tablespoon vanilla extract


For the cupcakes:


Preheat oven 350 degrees F.


Sift together flour, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder into a bowl and set aside.


In a mixer fitted with paddle attachment, mix oil, sugar, and buttermilk until combined. Add eggs, food coloring, vinegar, vanilla and water and mix well. Add the dry ingredients a little bit at a time and mix on low, scraping down sides occasionally, and mix until just combined. Be sure not to over mix, or the batter will come out tough.


Line a 16-cup cupcake pan with paper liners, scoop the batter into the liners and bake at 350 degrees F for 20 to 30 minutes or until the toothpick comes out clean. Let cool.


For the cream cheese frosting:


Whip the butter and cream cheese together in a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment until creamed. Gradually add powdered sugar to the mixture and scrape down the bowl as needed. Add the vanilla and mix until combined.


The frosting can be used right away, or stored in the refrigerator up to a week.


Frost cooled cupcakes with the cream cheese frosting.

Love those Perfect Pairings

It seems that in life, we are constantly searching to find the perfect pair. For most of us, this search mainly consists of trying to find the person with whom you can spend the rest of your life with. It’s a search that varies from person to person. Some find it right away; some have to search a little bit longer. There is no secret formula, no map or path laid out before you, it’s just something that falls into your lap, and when it does, the magic that can occur is unlike any other. Two beings, brought together, who once they find each other, can only be seen as one.


On a personal note, I happen to be one of those people whose search is taking a little longer. Now you may be thinking, how is it that I can even talk about this when I am still searching for that person, my perfect pairing if you will? Well even though I am still on the lookout, it doesn’t mean that I can’t appreciate when others’ discover their other half. Over the past few years, many of my dear friends and family have had this wonderful experience, and along the way I have had a front row seat to all of it. Not to mention the privilege I have had in getting to admire the relationships of my parents and grandparents who have all been shining example of how two become one.

So in honor of these perfect unions, I thought I would take a moment to pay homage to foods’ perfect pairings. There are certain foods that come together like a beautiful symphony, creating that perfect combination of flavors, bringing nothing but joy to our taste buds. In fact they are so good together, that they can only be seen as food soul mates.

Here are a few of the classics (both sweet and savory) for your viewing pleasure:

Strawberries and Cream                                   
Salt and Pepper
Peanut Butter and Jelly                                      
Peppers and Onions
Macaroni and Cheese                                       
Potato Chips and Dip
Chocolate and Peanut Butter                             
Prosciutto and Melon
Apples and Cinnamon                                     
Milk and Cookies
Bacon and Eggs
Lamb and Mint
Cookies and Cream
Blueberries and Pancakes
Rice and Beans
Lemon and Lime
Bread and Butter
Hummus and Pitas
Fish and Chips
Oil and Vinegar
Cheese and Crackers
Peas and Carrots
Corn beef and Cabbage
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Tomato and Basil
Mashed Potatoes and Gravy


Please take this moment with me, to appreciate the power of two!

Live in Jersey, Love Diners!

All my life I have lived in New Jersey, and I must say, I love it! I have been to other states, Massachusetts, Vermont, Colorado, Florida, New York, California and no matter what, none of them compare to New Jersey. I mean how can you not love a place where you can get to New York City and the shore in less than an hour? Not to mention the fact that places like Philly, DC, Baltimore and Atlantic City are all just a few sweet hours away. Don’t get me wrong, New Jersey has it’s sore spots…Newark and Camden aren’t exactly hot vacation spots…But places like Bernardsville, New Hope and Hillsborough overshadow the bad with their beauty and rural elegance.


New Jersey has lots of other great attributes as well. Bon Jovi, Bruce “The Boss” Springsteen, Whitney Houston, Derek Jeter, Artie Lang, Frank Sinatra, Meryl Streep…all proud decedents of the garden state. And as a nod to those “You know you’re from Jersey if…” emails that you get, anyone who loves Jersey knows that when someone is talking about Oranges, they’re not referring to fruit, you know what a jughandle is, you’ve never pumped your own gas (another thing I love about NJ), you know at least three kids in your class named Tony, and last but certainly not least…

You don't understand why there aren't 24-hour diners elsewhere in the country.

Ah diners, how I love you so! How can you not love a good diner? There is nothing better than being out late on a Friday night, after having a few beers, going to the diner and ordering a plate of disco fries. Or how about waking up on a Sunday morning, rolling out of bed, going to the diner and ordering your favorite omelet served with home fries and toast!

But the true beauty of the diner can be found in the array of menu items that are available at any time of the day. I’ll never forget this one trip to the diner with my best friend, Kristine. It was our senior year of college. We woke up on a Sunday morning, and decided that we needed to indulge a little and hit up the diner. When we got there and started looking at the menu, it no longer became a matter of what we wanted to eat, but more so what DIDN’T we want to eat. But I must say, Kristine was the one who did it up right. At first her order seemed like the norm, coffee, an egg omelet with hash browns, and toast. Nothing less than a typical diner order on a Sunday morning I’m sure. But that wasn’t the end. She then proceeded to order a side of chili and pizza fries. And at that moment I remember thinking, “that’s my girl!”

But the most surprising part of the story is this…after Kristine ordered all that food, the waitress gave her a funny look and asked, “Are you sure you want to order all that? That seems like an odd combination of food.” Kristine and I were shocked. Who was this waitress? Did she not get the memo on the greatness of the plethora of food that can be ordered at the diner? Kristine got it (and she’s originally from California). But it was in that moment that I realized three things. 1.) Kristine was being a Jersey girl 2.) That I truly love diners and 3.) As an extension, New Jersey.

I live to love, and I love to eat

For most of my adult life, people have been telling me that I should be doing something that has to do with food. The more people said it, the more I started to wonder what I could do with my life that would incorporate one of my many loves, food.


I mean I know you understand the passion that one can form for all the taste tantalizing goodness that food can bring…there’s the feeling of warmth and comfort that a bowl of beef stew brings, the sweet, creamy chill that hits your tongue when you take that first lick off of a vanilla ice cream cone, or the salty crunch that you get when you bite into a perfectly cooked French fry. And that’s just the tip of the “wonder that is food” iceberg. But I’ll come back to actual food talk soon enough…


My love for food started at a young age. Of course when I was younger my palate wasn’t that refined. Some of the greatest meals consisted of a McDonald’s Happy Meal or White Castle hamburgers. Not that McDonalds or White Castle aren’t the grease gods of yummy food goodness, but let’s face it anyone who is really into food knows that this is not the best of cuisine. But the true source of my love for food came from something that I love even more, my family. Being Italian, every single member of my family has had a deep appreciation for food. Meals don’t get planned around events, events get planned around meals. And no matter what, there has never been such a thing as having too much food. So no matter how you look at it food has played a major role in my life since, well, the womb.


So why not pay homage to food and the different ways it has affected my life? Why not write about the various meals I have had, or items I have baked, or restaurants I have been to that have all been the silent character in this story, which is my life? So that’s what I intend to share. Charles Schultz (yes the guy who created Snoopy) once said “My life has no purpose, no direction, no aim, no meaning, and yet I'm happy. I can't figure it out. What am I doing right?” Well for me, I think I may have figured it out…I live to love, and I love to eat, therefore I am happy. And you can quote me on that!