A few years back I made a simple new years resolution to start drinking more tea. Astonishingly, unlike any other resolution I’ve ever made, it stuck. Ever since, drinking tea has become a daily ritual that I look forward to as soon as it starts getting chilly outside. Not that it’s replacing my morning coffee…
Older Posts
Easy Cinnamon Rolls (Video!)
This recipe for warm, buttery cinnamon rolls can be ready on your table in 2 hours flat. This is the easiest recipe for cinnamon rolls I’ve ever made! It’s the day after Thanksgiving and I still haven’t stopped thinking about food. Last night I slipped into a magical food and wine induced coma and awoke this…
Butternut Squash Pasta with Brown Butter, Almond Breadcrumbs + Burrata
Over the past few months, Chaser started calling me by a new nickname: Gimmick. He insists that I always buy stupid stuff in attempt to solve one problem or another, and while he may be right about a few things, most of them are totally NOT gimmicks. They are valuable tools that help the both of…
Pumpkin Tiramisu (Video!)
If you’re looking for something a little different to serve after the turkey this Thanksgiving, look no further. This pumpkin tiramisu is a fun twist on the classic dessert that literally means “pick me up” in Italian, thanks to layers upon layers of coffee and booze soaked lady finger cookies.
Brussels Sprout, Kale + Apple Salad {with Sharp Cheddar, Bacon + Pecans}
This salad, or at least a variation of it, has been a solid staple of mine for the past few years. I’ve made it several times for Thanksgiving, and when I tell people what it is, they politely say, “uhh, thanks, but no thanks.” On a day devoted to gorging on rich and heavy foods,…
Apple Butter Quesadillas (Video!)
I can’t help but laugh at this recipe. If you told me 10 years ago that one day I’d be posting it up on my weekly food blog, I really would have laughed. You see, I came up with these quesadillas back when I was in college and not… uhh… totally sober.
Roasted Cauliflower with Breadcrumbs, Capers, Almonds + Raisins
Let me first address the elephant in the room. And the donkey. My views on this election are stronger than ever before, and while I don’t care to discuss them on this website, or anywhere on the internet, or anywhere in real life for that matter, I do want to take a moment to be…
Blue Cheese Tartines with Apples + Arugula (Video!)
Blue cheese is one of those polarizing ingredients that I happen to adore. It’s stinky, creamy, tangy, and sometimes even a little bit sweet. I love it in salads, on pizzas, baked into savory-sweet tarts, on cheese plates and with fruit. As of lately, I can’t get enough of it melted onto a piece…
Roasted Butternut Squash with Goat Cheese, Hazelnuts + Lime
It’s back to reality for me this week after spending a good 8(ish) days abroad in the fine country of Spain. Chaser and I hadn’t gone away together since our trip to Italy last September, so it was a much-needed vacation. Only, I wouldn’t exactly say it was relaxing. Eating and drinking all day can be…
Baked Shrimp Scampi (Video!)
This easy recipe for baked shrimp scampi is always a crowd pleaser! Buttery, lemony, garlicky, and perfect for weeknights and entertaining alike. If you’ve been paying attention these past few weeks, you’ve probably noticed the boatload of seafood recipes (pardon the pun) I’ve been posting. That’s because – in case you missed it – October…
Apple Cider Baked Doughnuts
Over the summers when I was in highschool, I worked at a little place called Ove’s on the Ocean City boardwalk. I was a dinner waitress at the restaurant, but they also had a little walk up snack bar, and in the morning they sold fresh homemade apple cider doughnuts. They were famous for them,…
Linguini alle Vongole (Video!)
This classic Italian dish will always remind me of my grandparents, and especially of my grandfather, Pop-pop Genovese. It was one of his all-time favorites, and I love how he always called it “Bysta with the clams.” My grandparents have several versions of “bysta with the (fill in the blank).” There’s bysta sugo, bysta with…
Potato Gnocchi with Lobster, Leeks + Cream
I think I finally cracked the code for making good gnocchi. And I don’t mean pretty good gnocchi, I mean really good gnocchi. The kind that are light as air and melt on your tongue. The kind you barely even have to chew. The kind that doesn’t make you feel like you just ate a…
How to Make Beurre Blanc (Video!)
I first learned how to make a proper beurre blanc during my short tenure at culinary school. My teacher, Chef Richard, was a little French man with a thick accent, a dry raspy voice and even drier sense of humor. I adored him from the very first day of class, not only for his no-nonsense attitude, but…
City Harvest Bid Against Hunger 2016
Last Thursday, after a magical Wild Salmon Fireside Feast in Ithaca, NY, I had the honor of joining team Finlandia at Bid Against Hunger in New York City.
Best Ever Eggplant Parm
This is my mom’s famous recipe for eggplant parm and it is both EASY and HEALTHY because it’s baked NOT fried! The best eggplant parmesan recipe ever! I’ve mentioned before that my mother was not the greatest cook, but it’s important to note that she was also not the worst cook. And while she may…
Cioppino with Barramundi (Video!)
This classic San Francisco seafood stew is a lot easier to make than you might think. Warm, cozy, and perfect with a hunk of sourdough and a glass of wine. Happy Friday and Happy National Seafood Month! October is dedicated to all-things-seafood, which to me, is far more appealing than the silly, gory treats that always…
Tomato Fennel Risotto
This easy recipe for Tomato Fennel Risotto is one of my favorite ways to use up heirloom tomatoes from my garden! It’s vegan, gluten free, and totally delicious. Don’t skimp on the olive oil! It’s October the 4th, and believe it or not, tomatoes are still in season. Of course, this is the end of…
Buttery Buffalo Popcorn (Video!)
Happy rainy Friday! If you live anywhere along the east coast, you’ve likely been drowning in windy, nasty weather all week. ☔️???? Here in New Jersey, the weather reports all indicate that the rain won’t be letting up anytime soon. I have to say, though, it’s actually nice to have a rainy weekend on the…
Grilled Lamb Meatballs with Tahini Sauce
This recipe for grilled lamb meatballs makes an easy and delicious weeknight dinner! They are gluten free and served with a tangy, rich tahini sauce for dipping. Pita optional! I cannot recall the first time I ever tried lamb, but I’m pretty sure I didn’t really care for it. Growing up, we never had lamb,…
Grilled Romaine Wedge Salads with Blue Cheese Vinaigrette (Video!)
This take on the classic steakhouse wedge salad uses romaine instead of iceberg, is grilled for more flavor, loaded with crispy bacon and juicy tomatoes, plus it’s lighter thanks to a blue cheese vinaigrette! Hello! Did you miss me this week? Did you even notice I skipped my usual Tuesday post? When I set out…
Honey Roasted Plum Crostini with Burrata + Prosciutto (Video!)
This recipe for Honey Roasted Plum Crostini with Burrata + Prosciutto is an easy summer appetizer! Sweet, salty, creamy, crunchy, and just so delicious! I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned before that I consider myself a cyclical eater, meaning that I get obsessed with foods and then get sick of them, only to rediscover them years…
Ecuadorian Shrimp Ceviche
This recipe for Ecuadorian shrimp ceviche is different than Peruvian ceviche in that it has more liquid, like a cold soup. It’s light, tangy, gluten free, and perfect for eating on the beach! I’m super lucky to have lots of friends from a slew of different cultural backgrounds, because they’re always opening my eyes, and…
Baked Goat Cheese + Chive Stuffed Tomatoes (Video!)
This easy recipe for Baked Goat Cheese + Chive Stuffed Tomatoes is one of my favorite ways to enjoy in-season, ripe heirloom tomatoes. The combination of flavors and textures is absolute perfection! A few weeks ago, I called Chaser on my way home from a long day of travel and he offered to make dinner….
Ricotta Gelato with Pistachio and Fig
This over the top recipe for Ricotta Gelato with Pistachio + Fig combines all my favorite Italian flavors – ricotta gelato with fig and pistachio gelato! The best gelato flavor ever! Breaks are important. Like in a song, for instance. Or a speech. More often than not, the pauses have more impact than the actual…
Nicole Gaffney, aka Coley, is a professionally trained chef, recipe developer, tv host and food writer.