Oh hello! I made you a pie — a pie of pasta. Can we still be friends? Trust me on this one. If you’re wondering who I am and where the pasta-hating version of me went, I’ll admit I was skeptical too. Eddie was skeptical. Max was probably skeptical, but at least he was happy … Read more

I have a serious question. Did you grow up on Pop-Tarts and toaster strudels — the world of frosting, sprinkles and icing in foil packages? Thank you, 90s. I did, though I enjoyed them more as a snack than as breakfast. For before-school mornings, I preferred an English muffin smeared with peanut butter and honey. … Read more

Or in other words, I-don’t-know-what-to-call-these bars. After four days of pondering, I still couldn’t settle on a name. Honestly, I’m a little obsessed with them. Completely smitten, if you will. How can I think straight with my mouth full of… cookie? Brownie? Blondie? Brookie? It’s confusing, I know. Picture a chocolate chip cookie base blended … Read more

I’m here to tell you: this salad tastes like dessert. Sure, it can be dinner — but look at the name. KILLER. Not just because it’s insanely good, but because it’s loaded with rich, indulgent ingredients your heart might grumble about. Sit back while I serve you a generous plate of cholesterol. Totally worth it. … Read more

Spring will be even brighter with this everything smoked salmon tart. This has quickly become a favorite brunch idea: crisp puff pastry, an everything-seasoned border, whipped cream cheese and silky smoked salmon on top. A while back my mom asked for menu suggestions for a small lunch. A puff pastry tart was the obvious winner … Read more

French onion stuffed shells are the star of today’s dinner — comforting, savory, slightly sweet, and totally cozy. Cold weather and snow make me crave warm, comforting meals, and this recipe delivers. It grew from my love of French onion flavors and comfort-food meals: slow-caramelized onions, nutty gruyère, creamy ricotta, and soft jumbo pasta shells … Read more

[Guys! Don’t forget! Tomorrow, April 22, is the NYC meetup at MacKenzie-Childs!] Today I made the happiest little turnovers: mini strawberry pistachio turnovers. My puff pastry obsession continues, and these tiny turnovers are ridiculously easy. Fresh strawberries are chopped, tossed with a bit of sugar and cornstarch, then spooned into buttery, flaky puff pastry squares. … Read more

Here’s a fresh take on the classic taco dip. I cook smoky chipotle-seasoned beef, layer it over creamy refried beans with a sour cream and salsa verde mix, then pile on cheese, fresh veg and pickled onions for a show-stopping layered taco dip. Wouldn’t you happily eat this layered taco dip for dinner? Or any … Read more

File this under my current obsessions. Perfect single-serving margaritas with plenty of salt. Creating an extra-smoky aqua eye with a splurge brush and MAC’s Talent Pool. Surviving for a week on toast, cheese, chocolate, avocado and butter-sauteed mushrooms while embracing single life. Reality TV gossip: Real World — what a trainwreck. I don’t watch it, … Read more

I still can’t believe this came out of my kitchen. I think I might be turning into a pie person. That feels monumental. Technically this is a galette, not a traditional pie. But it uses a real pie-style crust — and honestly that’s the part I both love and fear most about pies. Sometimes the … Read more