melting mozzarella meatball sandwich

I must have been Italian in a past life....Italian food is my favorite and with dogs named Rocco and Dolce, it must be true. Most Sundays are for revisiting my past life, this is the day that I...

macho salad with cornbread croutons and champagne vinaigrette

After a long day spent at the beach, I like to cook a quick and light meal for dinner. This salad comes to the rescue; it’s packed with flavorful and healthy ingredients, is light but satisfying....

sour cream blueberry coffee cake

Imagine a moist coffee cake with a slightly crunchy blueberry topping and sweet glaze. If that sounds scrumptious, you’ll love this cake. It’s perfect for packing and taking on a trip for an easy,...

cilantro-lime grilled chicken

This is a perfect dish for a summer night when you don’t want to be in the kitchen cooking. On weekends, I like to prepare this authentic flavored Mexican marinade with chicken breast prior to...

muesli with raspberry puree

During the summer on weekend mornings, we are normally out of the house early, either heading to the beach or for a day on the boat. To help reduce time preparing breakfast this past weekend, I...

skillet pineapple upside-down cake

Recently, returning from a family vacation in Hawaii, home of the pineapple, left me craving for pineapple upside-down cake. Deciding on a time-honored method, I baked my pineapple upside-down cake...

rustic peach and raspberry cobbler

Two summer favorites, peaches and raspberries, combined into a traditional Southern dessert, creating a glorious rustic cobbler. Peaches are at their peak this time of year. Ripe fruit so sweet...

smoked salmon and dill spread

Appetizers can be encouragement for guests to start engaging in conversation when they arrive to your home. Often, when an appetizer is served that includes an interesting combination of flavors...

pizza with prosciutto, arugula, and mozzarella

Have you tried the latest craze of having your pizza topped with salad? I know, it may not sound very appealing to a pepperoni and sausage pizza lover. Just like most new crazes, it may take some...

lemony lemon bars

When life gives me lemons, I make lemony lemon bars. Lemon bars are the perfect treat to make during the summer months. These luscious square bars have a buttery shortbread crust with a tangy...

chilled avocado soup

This time of year, ripe avocados are abundantly available in Southern California. We actually have a large avocado tree on one side of our house, which is very common in this area. Unfortunately,...

blue velvet cupcakes (vegan)

I’m not vegan, however I think it is a good idea to have at least one vegan recipe on hand for a vegan guest or hostess. I attended my hubby’s friend’s birthday “surf-n-turf” bash, along with my...

frittata with zucchini and goat cheese

Frittatas are a great dish because they can be eaten right away or saved for later and eaten for brunch or lunch. Frittatas actually taste better when made in advance and served cold. This frittata...

double chocolate-chip waffles with strawberry sauce

Is it normal to eat chocolate covered strawberries for breakfast? This morning, the day before Mother’s Day, I was surprised by a delivery of decadent chocolate covered strawberries from my hubby,...

southwestern orzo salad with chili-lime vinaigrette

Have you eaten something at a restaurant that you just loved and couldn’t stop thinking about it for days? That’s just what I did. I previously blogged about my day at Calamigos Ranch in Malibu....

mango and honey smoothie

Bathing suit season is quickly approaching and I’m not ready. I decided that I need to start eating healthier and lighter, plus work out (does walking my dogs count as working out?), to get back...

jade noodles with seared scallops

The glorious color of Jade comes from the pureeing of spinach, basil, and cilantro, thus creating an Asian pesto sauce. This pesto sauce is combined with chow mein stir-fry noodles. The cilantro,...

rhubarb strawberry coffee cake

Isn’t having your breakfast outdoors one of lifes simple pleasures? I awoke to a sunny morning and couldn’t stop myself from quickly whipping up a decadent breakfast coffee cake, so that I could...

spring salad with cantaloupe, raspberries, prosciutto and white balsamic vinaigrette

strawberry shortcake scones

In Malibu, you know that spring has arrived once you start seeing signs with a large strawberry posted on telephone poles along the coast. These signs signal that a truck is parked along Pacific...

parmesan gruyere potato gratin

The weather was perfect this past Easter weekend. Spring was definitely in the air and the view, magnificent! Catalina was in full view and sailboats were scatted across the ocean. I loved lying...

panko crusted chicken parmesan

Ok, I know...its another Italian recipe. Didnt I mention how much I love to cook and eat Italian dishes? This is another must try Italian dish! I made these chicken cutlets with panko bread crumbs...

tuna tartare with wonton chips

My rule is that I don’t cook dinner on Friday nights. It’s my night off. So most Friday nights, we either have dinner at the Jonathan Beach Club or Bui Sushi in Malibu. Bui Sushi serves tuna...

pancetta feta mushroom basil quiche

Quiche is an “egg-thicken” dish and tastes something like macaroni and cheese to me, but without the macaroni. Almost any savory ingredient can create a delicious quiche. It works great with left...

southern waffles with caramelized bananas and pecan syrup

Sunday mornings are meant for a homemade breakfast. I love getting up on Sundays and cooking up a special breakfast. My familys favorite is waffles. Last Sunday, my hubby and daughters went dirt...

green velvet sheet cake

Enter to Win The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Food from My Frontier cookbook! OK, I must confess…my favorite mornings are Saturday’s when I lie in bed, cup of coffee in hand and watch The Pioneer Woman...

red velvet swirl brownies

Red velvet makes a cake taste better, so how about brownies? I had to try for myself and was pleased with the results. These brownies still taste like brownies, but now have that tangy taste of red...

egg salad with cornichons and arugula on toasted country bread

One of my favorite lunch spots is Sweet Butter Kitchen, Café’ and Market, located in Sherman Oaks, not far from Malibu. Enter through Sweet Butters wrought iron gates and the patio herb garden into...

meatballs in tomato sauce with spaghetti

Can you tell that I love to cook and eat Italian dishes? With all of the Italian inspired recipes in this blog, its not hard to figure out. As a child, I would always order spaghetti and meatballs...

turkey and sun dried tomato meatloaf with red wine current sauce

Meatloaf is one of those retro dishes that will never go out of style. It puts the comfort in comfort food. I actually grew up disliking meatloaf and really didn’t acquire a taste for it until a...