The very first appetizer I created at my debut catering gig in 2010 was bacon wrapped scallops -- my way. I stuck with classic Maryland-style flavor combinations, while allowing the delicate scallop to shine. Have I mentioned I was born and raised in Frederick, MD? Now you know. The best part is that these hors-d'oeuvres can be made in advance, so you can enjoy the party with your friends and pop these in the oven when your guests start to get hangry!
Read More
Get ready for lots of fresh and easy tomato recipes. I'm a new homeowner (yay!), which means I'm also a new gardener! My first go at growing edibles was with three tomato seedlings that I was gifted and some herbs. It's been such a success so far! The tomato plants are thriving and producing so much fruit. I have three varieties: Brown Berry cherry tomatoes, Artisan Blush Tiger tomatoes and XXXXX. It's been fun coming up with different ways to use them all. Keep reading for my new favorite salad and a bonus appetizer.
Read MoreSunday's are my favorite day of the week for cooking! I can take my time, use fresh ingredients from the weekend Farmer's Market haul, sip on a few glasses of wine, and enjoy the smells and sizzles coming from the kitchen. This week I was inspired by Julia Child and decided on roast pork with ratatouille, check it out below.
Read MoreRamen. One of my top five favorite foods. Homemade noodles, complex broth, soft boiled eggs, PIG things... what can be better. Toki Underground has been one of my favorite DC spots since it opened in 2012, and it's consistently good. Check out why I think it's worth waiting in the tight space.
Read MoreSo many awesome new restaurants opening up in Petworth (my hood) -- it's hard to keep up! I could not wait to try this new heavy-metal neighborhood burger joint and whiskey bar - Slash Run. The retro atmosphere was eye-catching and casual, perfect for a no fuss meal with friends any time of the week. And the burgers..... have mercy. Keep reading if you want to get really hangry.
Read MoreIf you're looking for a casual neighborhood joint with scratch-made food, cold drinks and a cozy atmosphere, you need to go to Duke's Grocery immediately. Duke's is inspired by sleek avant-garde restaurants and greasy hole in the wall spots in East London -- my two favorite things. The chalkboard menu is updated regularly depending on what is seasonally available and fresh, and the ingredients are sourced from local purveyors and centered around sustainability. Seriously, I have died and gone to foodie heaven.
Read MoreI love any excuse to host a dinner party, and that includes weeknights! Since I have a full-time job, weeknight dinner parties require simple and flavorful dishes, that I can whip up in two hours or less. I also need to have a very organized and well thought-out plan for the evening. Check out how I crafted a four-dish menu that was ready to be devoured by 7:30pm on a Wednesday!
Read MoreIt's the most wonderful week of the year - SHARK WEEK! I like to celebrate not only because I find sharks fascinating, but because I want to get people excited about sharks. Millions of sharks are killed every year and it's a race against extinction. So stop being afraid OF sharks and be afraid FOR sharks.
Now, spread the word and get festive by making these delicious and FINtastic shark cupcakes!
Read MoreSalmon is such a wonderful fish. It can stand up to bold flavors, it's flaky, but still delicate, you can grill it or bake it or sear it -- I just love it. I get really excited when it's on sale (the fresh stuff, not the frozen stuff), so I like to treat it with love and respect when it makes an appearance in my kitchen. Since my trip to China, I've been under the influence of Asian flavors and this recipe was a big hit at my house. Give it a try and let me know what you think!
Read MoreI LOVE the Fourth of July!! Any occasion to wear American flags and red, white and blue is my kinda party! I am also a huge fan of making patriotic food -- hence these Patriot Pops! Super simple and a great way to start your holiday weekend mornings. All you need is yogurt, blueberries and strawberries. Keep reading to make some for yourself!
Read MoreI like to describe my style of cooking as MacGyver cooking. I typically lay a bunch of ingredients out that I need or want to use and come up with a creation. The inspiration for this chicken salad were the beautiful spring green onions I got from a CSA share and the fact that I had no mayo. Check out my take on a summer slam dunk with this savory chicken salad.
Read MoreIf you follow any sort of DC chatter, i.e. blogs, Facebook, newspapers, etc., you have probably heard the buzz about The Royal. I decided to hop on the trendy train and check it out on it's first ever Friday service. Keep reading to get the scoop.
Read MoreThis one pot supper is packed with flavor and perfect for a week night. While the chicken braises, you can watch Jeopardy (an addiction of mine), throw in a load of laundry or make yourself a cocktail to unwind from the work day.
I tend to start a braised dish like this as soon as I get home from work. That way, it has plenty of time to develop flavor and it's ready by the time my man friend gets home.* :)
Read MoreHangry District went to China and ate as much as I possibly could -- in order to report back with the best possible knowledge of local cuisine. I hope you enjoy reading about my culinary travels in China. It was such an amazing trip and we were treated like royalty. If you have any questions or want to know more, just leave a comment below! Stay tuned for Part Two with more about our non-eating adventures and tips on traveling internationally! Xiéxié!
Read MoreI LOVE burgers. My favorite burger in DC is definitely from Shake Shack. Everything is perfect. When I can't make it out, I make my own and I use this recipe every time. It's simple but heavenly and you must pay attention to your toppings! What takes it over the top for me is the crunch from the salt & vinegar chips that I add as the final topping. Share your favorite toppings in the comments below!
Read MoreI tried Provision No. 14 on a Friday evening at the recommendation of my friend Robin. We had some celebrating to do, and this was the perfect place to do it! We were treated like family, ate like royalty and sipped on the the most unique hand-crafted cocktails.
Read MoreThis summer salad takes me back to weekends at the beach, backyard barbecues and great times with my friends and family. I encourage you to make this for your next summer shindig!
Read MoreFarro salad is something I've become known for amongst my friends. It's so versatile and can be made with whatever ingredients are in season, served hot or cold, and can be made in advance!
Read More
When working with fresh, local ingredients -- you don't need much to make a fantastic dinner. This dish is bright, flavorful and guilt free by using cauliflower as the "rice!"
Read More
