a lifestyle blog
Thanksgiving & Christmas may be long gone, but cranberry season is still in full effect around my household. So if you too are a fan of this seasonal berry and happen to be hosting a New Year’s Eve party this Tuesday, I’ve got a great two-ingredient, appetizer perfect for ringing in 2025!
Continue reading “Cranberry, Goat Cheese Pastries – The Perfect Holiday Appetizer”
As a San Gabriel Valley native, Trader Joe’s has literally been my neighborhood grocery store since youth and continues to be my grocery store of choice as an adult. Considering how much time and money I spend at Trader Joe’s each month, I figured it apropos to finally dedicate a section of my blog to this hallowed place.
Continue reading “Trader Joe’s – My Childhood Grocery Store Turned Grown-Up Sanctuary”
During a recent trip to Europe, I was able to spend three full days in Portugal’s capital city. Although my time in Lisbon was quite short, I was lucky enough to stumble upon some truly delicious eats and equally tasty beverages during this quick visit.
Continue reading “The Best Things I Ate & Drank In Lisbon”
Every year as a child, my mother made corned beef and cabbage on St. Patty’s Day, a uniquely Irish-American pairing. And yes, you heard correctly; this famous holiday duo is not a traditional Irish dish for those who were wondering. But as you all know, it remains a signature meal for festive Americans of both Irish and non-Irish descent every seventeenth day of March here in the States. For all those celebrating today, keep reading for my simple yet delicious 3-part recipe.
Continue reading “A Simply Delicious St. Patrick’s Day Dinner”
The air is crisp, and the leaves are falling which means that soup season is officially upon us! I had a beautiful butternut squash sitting in my kitchen and decided to whip up a quick soup last night using a few seasonal spices and some fresh rosemary that was growing in my garden. The end product was so delicious that I knew I had to publish the recipe just in case any of you were interested in making a soup course for your Thanksgiving dinner this year!
Continue reading “Savory & Spiced Up Butternut Squash Soup”
If you enjoy fluffy banana bread that isn’t too sweet, check out my recipe below. It’s incredibly easy to make and quite tasty if I say so myself!
Continue reading “Simple & Delicious Banana Bread”
After a few summers of actively grilling chicken and using different marinades, I have come to the conclusion that I prefer dry rubs when grilling over an open flame. I, for one, think it yields a crispier skin and less unwanted char compared to a wet marinade. And the best thing about a dry rub is that you can always brush on your favorite barbecue sauce or hot sauce over the grilled chicken during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking or when the poultry is off the heat and resting.
So if you feel like grilling up some chicken this 4th of July alongside your burgers and hot dogs, keep on reading for my super simple recipe!
Continue reading “Delicious Grilled Chicken Legs – A Perfect Addition To Any Summer Barbecue”
I made this dish on a whim one night when I was home alone and hungry for dinner. I hadn’t thought about what I was going to prepare that day so I just opened the fridge, glanced in the pantry, pulled some ingredients that sounded good, and got to cooking! After taking my first bite, I can honestly say that this simple dish hit the mark in every way for me. It was warm, cozy, and packed with Mediterranean flavors. So if you also enjoy easy-to-prepare, tasty dinners – keep on reading to discover how to make this quick, 20-minute meal.
Continue reading “A 20-Minute Chicken & Chickpea Dinner with Herbed Feta & Fried Onions”
I may earn a commission for purchases made through the affiliate links in this post.
Are you planning a trip to Charleston, South Carolina & looking for some good restaurant recommendations? If so, I’ve created this handy guide highlighting some of the best places to dine and drink in and around the Holy City.
Continue reading “The Best Places To Eat & Drink In Charleston”
I make this colorful salad quite often because it literally takes just 5-minutes to prepare, always tastes amazing, and adds a nice pop of acid and much needed crunch to any hearty meat dish. And now that it’s grilling season – I figured I would share this quick, hassle-free recipe since coleslaw is the perfect side dish for any spring or summer barbecue! I personally have always preferred a bright, crisp coleslaw made with large strips of cabbage to the finely grated, mayonnaise drenched, sweeter alternative. So if you, too, appreciate the flavors of fresh cruciferous veggies and a light, tangy dressing, you’ll surely enjoy this easy recipe.
Continue reading “Deliciously Crunchy Coleslaw”
I make this hearty, meat sauce at least three times a month and typically serve it with pappardelle or gnocchi. I almost always use grass-fed ground beef but have also prepared this exact recipe with ground turkey, chicken, and pork on various occasions. It’s a favorite in my household and a hit amongst dinner guests which is why I figured it was about time that I share my easy Ragù alla Bolognese recipe for all to enjoy.
Continue reading “A Simply Irresistible Ragù alla Bolognese”
Everyone can name the groceries that they absolutely love and simply cannot live without. Keep reading for an in depth list of the ingredients that I purchase regularly and always try to keep in my personal kitchen no matter the season. Each of these pantry staples truly holds a special place in my heart because they allow me to create tasty meals day after day.
Continue reading “Pantry Staples: My Personal List Of Must-Have, Everyday Ingredients”
As a child, my parents often hosted a large Christmas Eve party for family & friends. The dinner that my mom cooked was of a different cuisine every year, but the appetizers were pretty much always the same. Some of those traditional starters included meatballs, spicy oyster shooters, and of course, potato balls from Porto’s. In addition to these items, my mom always baked up a slew of savory, puff pasty hors d’oeuvres! One batch would be filled with seasoned ground beef, and the other batch would be filled with roasted red bell peppers and spinach. The best part was that my brother, grandma, dad, and I were always allowed to have a warm pastry straight out of the oven before guests arrived! The flaky pockets were, of course, delicious and a special treat that I looked forward to my mom making every holiday season! The following recipe is inspired by my mother’s joy of cooking, old family traditions, and my obsession with all things puff pastry.
Continue reading “Flaky & Delicious Mushroom & Havarti Puffs”
I may earn a commission for purchases made through the affiliate links in this post.
I visited Charleston for the first time this past August and was really excited to indulge in some good ol’ southern style biscuits while there. Since I love researching eateries before vacationing in a new city, I quickly discovered that Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit was a beloved staple and immediately made plans to visit one of their cafes before leaving South Carolina.
Continue reading “Callie’s Hot Little Biscuits: A Make-At-Home Treat”
I typically plant majority of my edible garden during the spring and am so thrilled that a lot of my babies are still producing fruit and vegetables so deep into autumn. Growing my own food [albeit minimal] is a hobby that truly brings me great joy. The fruits of my labor nourish not only my belly but my heart, mind, and soul throughout the year. Keep on reading for a peek into my fall harvest.
Continue reading “Here’s What’s Growing In My Fall Garden”
I had a deep craving for caprese a few weeks ago so I went into my garden to pick some cherry tomatoes and basil. Unfortunately, the tomatoes weren’t as ripe as I would have liked so I left them on the vine. With caprese still on the brain, I had to pivot. To my luck, I quickly remembered that I had a fresh, juicy peach in the kitchen. I had never made caprese with peaches before but knew the pairing would be delicious. With a new game plan, I picked some fresh mint and sage to go with the basil and headed back inside to whip up lunch.
Continue reading “Summer Peach Caprese Over Toasted Bread”
With spring in the air, a thriving herb garden, and a hankering for chicken salad – I whipped up something new and extra delicious this past weekend. This chicken salad is so good that I’ve eaten it every afternoon for lunch over the past four days and will definitely be making it again in the future! If you love fresh herbs as much as I do, this flavor packed dish will definitely hit the spot. My recipe is light, bright, and perfect for a variety of occasions ranging from a casual meal at home to a cute brunch or picnic with friends & family. Plus, who doesn’t love a good twist on an old classic?
Continue reading “Green Goddess Chicken Salad”
When I wrote about my 2020 trip to Puerto Rico last year, I promised to leave a review about all of the food I ate, drinks I downed, and eateries I visited. I know it took me a while, but since I’m a girl of my word – here you all go!
Continue reading “Puerto Rico Eats from San Juan to Vieques”
Whether you know it as baba ganoush, baba ghanouj, mutabbal, or by another name or spelling – this classic eggplant dip is a staple in Middle Eastern cuisine. If you are unfamiliar with this traditional appetizer, it is essentially hummus made with roasted eggplant instead of chickpeas. Baba Ghanoush is without a doubt one of my favorite dishes because it’s filling, incredibly healthy, and a great accompaniment to grilled meat, vegetables, and pita.
Continue reading “Simple & Delicious Baba Ghanoush”
Whenever I buy a rotisserie chicken, I make a large pot of stock once the bird’s been fully eaten. A few months ago, before we were able to devour the entire hen, I decided to use the remaining breast meat and some fresh thyme growing in my garden to put together an elevated chicken noodle soup perfect for any season. Keep reading to discover my easy to follow recipe.
Continue reading “Lemon & Herb Chicken Noodle Soup”
HOMEMADE IN LA 