Homemade Olive Crackers

One of the best parts of the holidays is having everyone come together, eating and sharing stories.  

I love putting together an 'Apero-Dineatoire' - a French concept that is perfect for bringing everyone together and enjoying each others company.  The idea behind Apero-Dineatoire is that there is plenty to eat, all in small finger-food portions casually served in the living room.  Everyone relaxes and explores the array, grazing throughout the evening over stories and music.  Its the best!

Chili Cornbread Cups

I'm on the road quite often, visiting new cities and corners of the world.  One of my favorite activities on a trip to a new country, or even an unfamiliar part of the US, is to explore a local grocer.  As simple and uneventful as it sounds, the food people buy and the way they shop gives such great insight into a local culture!  Culinary exploration.

Roasted Red Pepper Tartine

Sometimes, amid all the hustle and bustle, its nice to just stay at home and relax.  Sure, a summer trip to Italy is wonderful, but there is something to be said about enjoying the simplicity of a relaxing afternoon or weekend in the backyard.

This Roasted Red Pepper Tartine is for just that:  A culinary trip to Italy, that takes just seconds to make at home.  The flavors carry me back to Tuscany, and the preparation is so simple that I get to unwind on the back porch a bit and rediscover how relaxing a summer staycation can be.  So bring on the heat, we're ready!

Healthy Homemade Pita Bread

Pitas. They're so tasty and versatile!  Dip them into hummus, fill them with chicken salad, bake them into healthy pita chips...and the list goes on. 

But make them from scratch?  I'd always imagined these would be extremely difficult to bake.  How in the world would I get that pocket of air in the center?  How is it possible to get such perfect rounds?  Don't you need a special oven or tools?  Nevertheless intrigued, I decided to give them a try.  Success!  

Vegan Walnut Banana Bread

Flipping through the VB6 Cookbook I was drawn to the photo on page 87 of a nutty breakfast loaf:  Walnut Banana Bread.  Reading the caption, thinking about the browning bananas on my counter and last night's leftover rice...it was clear that this one was meant to be!

How to Make Bread on a BBQ Grill!

Its too hot to start up the oven, and I've discovered that my favorite rosemary flatbread recipe "bakes" beautifully right on the BBQ grill!  (Click here for the recipe)  

This is rocking my world.  Fresh-baked bread at a cookout, yes please!  


Here's how:

Rosemary Wheat Flatbread

This is one of my favorite recipes of all time.  It takes just minutes to put together, and just requires a little stirring - no kneading, and none of the floury mess on the countertop that traditional breads have.  Just delicious, simple bread.  

And this bread is very fast to make, for homemade bread that is.  Start to finish, including rising time, can be as little as about an hour!