Today I am tickled to be sharing a recipe straight out of the pages of my friend SUSAN‘s brand spankin’ new cookbook. If you’re a fan of frozen desserts then you MUST pick up a copy of her book “The Everything Ice Cream, Gelato, and Frozen Desserts” cookbook.. It’s filled with 300 (that’s almost enough for a new one every day of  the year) cold concoctions including this doozy of a gelato pictured above – Chianti Gelato. (...)
Read the rest of Chianti Gelato + KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker Attachment & Cookbook {GIVEAWAY} (332 words)

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Post tags: chianti, chianti gelato, Dessert, Gelato, Ice Cream

I am a feeder. I LOVE having people over for dinner. I’ve never been able to cook for just our family. I blame my Mom for that ; ) Or maybe it was my Dad’s fault because he was always dragging GI’s over for dinner and she had to cook for an unexpected crowd . Anyway I get it honestly. Since I can’t physically have you all over we’ll have to settle for virtual dinner parties. Today you’re in luck Susan and I are co-hosting a virtual pot luck with a few of our fabulously talented friends. We’ll each be showcasing the Celtic wonder that is Kerrygold butter and cheese. (...)
Read the rest of Beef Tagliata Arugula & Mushroom Salad with Kerrygold Cashel Blue (242 words)

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Post tags: Beef, beef tagliata, cashel blue, kerrygold, Steak

I had the pleasure of spending last Wednesday- Friday in Monterey, California. I’d never been to this part of the country.  I was expecting beautiful and it certainly delivered beauty. I was the guest of DOLE and there to attend their Dole Summit. Did you think of bananas first? Most people do but Dole happens to be the largest produce of fruits and VEGETABLES in the world. Their mission? To get more people to eat more fruits, vegetables and yes salads (something I know I need to do more of). I learned so much about their company and even fancy myself a lettuce connoisseur now.  (...)
Read the rest of California Dreamin’: Dole Summit (576 words)

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Post tags: california, DOLE, dole summit, monterey

Having company over shouldn’t be stressful. I love to have a few nibblers out when my guests arrive so that we can catch up while I’m finishing up dinner and they don’t starve to death. I have a list of go to appetizers that I love to use depending on the season (and let’s face it how much time I have to  prep) but one of the simplest and easiest is a no cook appetizer tray! It literally takes less than 3 minutes to pull together and will make you look like a supah star!

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Read the rest of Celebrate National Moscato Day with Gallo Family Vineyards (246 words)

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Post tags: Appetizer, Gallo Family Vineyards, Moscato, National Moscato Day, Wine

Strawberry season has arrived. Those gorgeous sweet berries are everywhere and I don’t know  about  you but I’m using them as fast as I can. I was practically giddy when my La Cucina Italiana Magazine arrived this month and one of the features was on Strawberries. I will be making every one of them multiple times I’m sure. The one that caught my eye first was this fragrant bright Strawberry and RICOTTA Tart. (...)
Read the rest of Strawberry and Ricotta Tart (111 words)

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Post tags: Dessert, strawberry and ricotta tart, strawberry tart, tart

This post brought to you by Chili’s Grill & Bar. All opinions are 100% mine.

Cinco de Mayo is in just a few days. Are you craving Mexican food and Margaritas? Are you up for celebrating but don’t want to do any of the cooking? How about grabbing the family and heading to Chili’s. It’s a family friendly restaurant that won’t break the bank. We’re big fans of the budget friendly lunch menu and the 2 for $20 dinner menu. You share an appetizer and get two FULL size entrees. The chips and salsa and chips with fire grilled corn guacamole are two of our favorite appetizers. The quesadilla explosion salad could easily feed two of us so the portions are generous to say the least. And our kids love the PepperPal Kids menu so it’s a win win for all of us. Not to mention it leaves a little denero left over to splurge on a drink or two. I happen to be a sucker for a margarita.

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Read the rest of Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Style with a #CoronaRita + {GIVEAWAY} (116 words)

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Post tags: Chili's, cinco de mayo, margarita

Frittatas are a wonderful way to use up eggs and little bits and pieces in your fridge. They’re not fussy at all and you make them all in ONE pan. You know how much I hate doing dishes so this is fantabulous. This frittata (which is basically the Italian cousin of the omelet) is filled to the brim with sausage, onions, garlic, bell pepper and cheesy goodness. And then it’s kissed with fresh tomatoes and basil for the finishing touch. Now, who wouldn’t want that for breakfast ; )

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Post tags: Breakfast, frittata, Johnsonville, sausage frittata

No I haven’t had too much wine and you don’t have to adjust your screens. That is indeed panna cotta cleverly placed inside the most adorable Le Creuset cappuccino cups. You all know how much of a coffee person I am. If I don’t have my morning cup it’s not pretty. It’s best for everyone who encounters me that I do. Now I can  have my morning fix in style thanks to the new Cafe’ Collection from Le Creuset. (...)
Read the rest of Cappuccino Panna Cotta (354 words)

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Post tags: espresso panna cotta, Le Creuset, Panna Cotta

Pizza is one of life’s simple pleasures. We like to make it at least once a week at our house. Our basic PIZZA DOUGH takes just minutes to pull together with the help of Ruby, our trusty stand mixer (no worries if you don’t have a stand mixer, you can mix and knead the dough by hand and get your workout in for the day too!) Make your dough in the late morning (we all know I’m not a morning person) and it will be ready to roll by dinnertime. Then all you need to do is decide on the toppings. Today we’re sharing our “meaty” mushroom and spinach veg version.  (...)
Read the rest of Mushroom & Spinach Pizza (127 words)

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Post tags: mushroom and spinach pizza, mushroom pizza, Pizza, Vegetarian

I’m super excited to be over the “demo & fix the demo damage” phase. The demo was definitely fun but repairing the damage was not. There was sheet rock dust EVERYWHERE. No one mentioned the sheer amount of sheet rock dust that would come with this process. So naturally I feel it’s my duty to tell you about it. Just in case you’re about to set out on your own reno adventure, get a mask and lots of plastic to drape so it doesn’t take over your house. Consider that my public service announcement for the week ; ) Now onto the fun stuff – appliances! (...)
Read the rest of Kitchen Renovation: Installation Day (267 words)

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Post tags: diy, kitchen renovation, kitchenaid, Video