I hope you love olives as much as I do. Honestly, like pickles, I could drink the brine. Sometimes I even do — with a cocktail. A few weeks ago I teamed up with Delallo Foods for a summer happy hour idea: a DIY dirty martini bar. The concept wasn’t entirely mine — my cousin … Read more

This normally isn’t my usual choice for dessert. Fruit for dessert? That used to sound odd to me. I generally reach for something much richer — the kind of dessert that’s indulgent and very sweet. But after trying this cake, I’m converted. Fruit-based desserts can be bright and satisfying. I finished the cake with fresh … Read more

Newsflash: I have a new obsession. Short ribs. Lots and lots of short ribs. I made a big batch of short ribs last week and cooked most of them overnight in the crockpot so my downtime became cooking time. When the slow cooker finished, I woke up and ate short ribs with a fork straight … Read more

I like pears—kind of. But I love pomegranates. A lot. I thought: why not combine them in individual little cups—pears simmered with sugar, cinnamon and a touch of cardamom until syrupy and warm—then top everything with a crisp, crunchy crumble? Pomegranate arils in a crumble might sound odd, but they add bright bursts of flavor … Read more

These buttery, lemony zucchini skewers are an ideal addition to any summer menu. Say hello to a new favorite summer side dish. Lately I’ve been having fun with skewers — turning simple vegetables into something elegant and grill-ready. The process is enjoyable, and the results are fantastic. How pretty are those ribbons? Before we get … Read more

I love food. In case you hadn’t noticed: I adore good food. This week I discovered so many delicious things I couldn’t resist sharing them with you. Here are a few favorites that stood out. Comforty, rich soups: I came across a creamy mushroom soup that’s almost convincing me to try vegan cooking—at least if … Read more

Before we dive into the burgers, a quick note about what I was up to. I was snacking on blueberry yogurt pretzels (delicious, though they’re more like white chocolate pretending to be yogurt) and sipping a San Pellegrino Aranciata that I’d spiked with vodka, Malibu and a splash of tequila. Not a professional mixologist, but … Read more

The quickest way to ruin an otherwise gorgeous chocolate fudge cake? No. Not the whiskey. (Surprisingly.) Cereal marshmallows. Straight from the box. “Outta” isn’t a word I’d normally use, but that’s exactly how they came: right out of the box. I’ve been typing ridiculous typos lately, so here we are. Where is my brain? Also: … Read more

Happy Saturday! It’s a long weekend and I’m looking forward to relaxing and enjoying some of our favorite summer rituals — sunshine, fresh food, and slow mornings. Earlier this week I shared some of my current favorites in beauty and lifestyle. I’ll be posting the September recipes for The Pretty Dish book club next week; … Read more

This is a seriously melt-in-your-mouth little cookie. For the third cookie of the month at Better Homes and Gardens, we focused on one thing: brown butter. Its toasty, nutty flavor transforms a simple sugar cookie into something unforgettable. If there’s butter in my life, it’s browned — and these cookies are no exception. I followed … Read more