side dish
Sesame Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe

Sesame Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe

I have been making Sesame Chicken Pasta Salad for years and years now.  It is so easy to make and always a hit at parties.  The recipe came from my cousin Vicky’s recipe collection and I have only made one change to it.  I sauté the chicken in olive oil and then cook it in...

Prosciutto Asparagus Appetizer

While planning an epic dinner party this summer I found a new favorite dish to make, a Prosciutto Asparagus appetizer.  The Prosciutto Asparagus appetizer was incredibly easy to put together.  The biggest downside is that they disappear in less time than it takes to cook them!  Everyone scarfed them up at every party I have...
Easter Bunny Fruit Salad

Easter Bunny Fruit Salad

I love getting my kids involved in the kitchen, especially when it comes time for a party, then it’s even more helpful to have an extra set of hands on deck to help prepare foods.  I also encourage my kids to be creative at all times, even in the kitchen.  Ella and I found a...
Five Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipes

Five Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipes

I have many many wonderful memories of my Nana, but one that stands out in my mind is her teaching me over the phone how to make her Thanksgiving Stuffing.  For some reason that year she wasn’t able to bring her famous stuffing for Thanksgiving dinner so I took it upon myself to figure out how...
Five Fabulous Truffle Oil Recipes

Five Fabulous Truffle Oil Recipes

Ever since I had my first helping of Truffle Fries at a restaurant I’ve been in love with all things truffle.  Since our budget doesn’t allow for us to eat out every night I bought myself a bottle of White Truffle Oil from The Flying Olive (located at the Friendly Market and at Jungle Jim’s Eastgate)....
Easy Pesto Pasta Salad

Easy Pesto Pasta Salad

Often times when I need to bring a side dish to a party I turn to one of my favorite tried and true recipes, Pesto Pasta Salad.  It’s my go-to because I can make it in a jiffy and it’s delicious.  Sometimes I make this pasta salad just to have in the fridge as a...
Ten Perfect Pool Dinners

Ten Perfect Pool Dinners

It’s pool season – my family’s favorite time of year!  We love to have dinner at the pool and I have put together a list of ten perfect pool dinners that we have in our meal rotation. We have passes to our local swim club, so we spend a lot of time at the pool...
Fiesta Macaroni and Cheese

Fiesta Macaroni and Cheese

This past weekend we went to a Fiesta themed baby shower for my cousin and I was asked to bring a side dish.  It was suggested that Mexican Fiesta Macaroni and Cheese would be a tasty addition to the Taco Bar the hostesses had planned for lunch.  I started with my favorite homemade Mac and...
Sugar Snap Pea Stir-Fry Recipe

Sugar Snap Pea Stir-Fry Recipe

For my family the arrival of summer also means the arrival of fresh, organic produce from our CSA.  One of my favorite veggies in the produce shares over the summer is Sugar Snap Peas.  They are so delicious!  My cousin Vicky taught me an easy way to prepare them, and they are always a hit...
Truffle Mashed Potatoes

Truffle Mashed Potatoes

Ever since I picked up a bottle of White Truffle Oil at the Flying Olive shop and Truffle Salt at Colonel De’s at  Friendly Market last year I’ve been obsessed with finding new ways to use the oil to add a little pizzazz to our meals.  I started with Truffle Fries, and now we are...
Garlic Asiago Risotto

Garlic Asiago Risotto

A few months back my cousin Joe married his sweetheart Andrea, and Prince Henry was their ring-bearer.  The rehearsal dinner was held at my Aunt and Uncle’s house and my Aunt made a five-star meal for us.  It was seriously one of the most delicious meals I’ve ever had.  She served a tenderloin and fresh...
My Favorite Tomato Recipes

My Favorite Tomato Recipes

The closer we get to fall the more tomatoes I’m seeing in my CSA produce share!  I’m finding any way I can to incorporate fresh tomatoes into our menu lately, because they are just so very tasty this time of year. I’ll chop them up and add them pizzas, make sandwiches out of them, create...