6 ways to stay cool during summer entertaining

The thermometer is on the rise but hosts stay as cool as can be when entertaining friends and family. The secret? Planning ahead to deliver easy ambiance, crowd-pleasing food and plenty of fun. Start with versatile foods, such as fresh California grapes, that can both stand alone and serve as recipe-enhancing ingredients to help keep summertime hosting stress-free. Continue reading 6 ways to stay cool during summer entertaining

Cooking essentials: A peek inside a professional chef’s kitchen

(BPT) – From spices and oils to gadgets and gizmos, it seems like there are always new, trendy items that you should add to your kitchen. Trying to separate the handy from the hype, however, can be a time-consuming and expensive process. Professional chefs know not everything is worthy of space in their kitchens, but it’s not always easy for home cooks to figure out … Continue reading Cooking essentials: A peek inside a professional chef’s kitchen

Tips to Create Your Quiet Zone

The late, legendary Bob Marley so eloquently sang, “So much trouble in the world.” And, today it seems that troubles are plaguing every end of the earth. We’re bombarded daily with news of movements for racial and social justice, terrorist attacks, and political boxing matches — it never ends! An over-consumption of this sensationalism isn’t healthy. While we may not have control over what happens … Continue reading Tips to Create Your Quiet Zone

Sunday Dinner Series: Eggplant & Spinach Parmesan

If you’ve ever made eggplant parmesan before, you know that it’s a time-consuming dish to prepare. It’s not a meal that you want to prepare, if you don’t have a lot of time on hand. In making this dish, you definitely need a system in place for each step in the process — even before you get the food in the oven. To speed up … Continue reading Sunday Dinner Series: Eggplant & Spinach Parmesan

Sunday Dinner Series: Moroccan Lentil Soup

There are two things in life that I enjoy: Middle-Eastern dishes and one-pot meals. And, what better way to enjoy these simple, life pleasures together, than in a Moroccan Lentil Soup! What I love most about Middle-Eastern dishes are the aromatic spices that seem to transport you to a faraway place, with every bite. I will admit that I don’t cook regularly with many of … Continue reading Sunday Dinner Series: Moroccan Lentil Soup