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Study Snacks

With a little over two weeks left until the “big exam,” I’m the girl I never thought I could be. I’m buying jarred pasta sauce, pre-cooked rice from prepared foods sections, and, yes, even frozen meals. All I can say is, thank goodness for Amy’s Organics. That said, being that I still have another 1/2 week [...]

Walnut Beet Dip

This recipe was inspired by a recipe from Spain: A Culinary Road Trip, which Gennaro bought for me a few years ago after witnessing my sheer excitement every time Spain: On The Road Again (the PBS show with Mario Batali and Gwyneth Paltrow) was on T.V. In anticipation of a honeymoon in Barcelona, I’ve been re-exporing [...]

Spring Panzanella Salad

Please forgive me, in advance, for using what has likely become a cliche, an unoriginal play on words, or whatever you want to call it. I have no other way of saying this quite so effectively, so here it goes: I’m completely smitten with Smitten Kitchen. I know I’m not the only one who’s smitten (I’ve seen the [...]

Quinoa, Part I

Last week, my good friend Liz (and by good friend, I mean she’s standing up in my wedding) asked me to improve on a quinoa risotto recipe that she had at a restaurant and has been trying to recreate at home. The recipe sounded intriguing; quinoa given the risotto treatment. A very cool idea, [...]

Roasted Carrot Salad

It’s been a busier-than-expected week for me, from traveling back to Michigan for my bridal showers to returning to New York to reorganize the apartment to accommodate my new shower “swag.” The past few days have involved several trips to Bed, Bath and Beyond, The Salvation Army for drop-offs and a complete overhaul of our kitchen [...]

Garlic Fried Rice

Ever since enjoying an unassuming yet delicious side of garlic rice at Kuma Inn about a month ago, I’ve been trying — rather unsuccessfully — to recreate it at home. The garlic was at that perfect brink of not-yet-burned but perfectly browned. Its deep, toasty flavor was infused into every grain of rice. Following my recreation attempts, I’ve discovered that [...]

Kale Salad with Quinoa and Cranberries

There are few things I love more than a new food discovery. Whether it be a new restaurant, a new product (I almost died and went to heaven when I discovered Purely Decadent ice cream in Whole Foods one hot summer day), or a new ingredient, it’s always exciting bringing some variety into your food world. [...]

Spicy Avocado Dip

Ever play the game where you ask yourself the one food you could never live without? I love that one. I have to admit that while there are several obvious answers that come to mind, somehow I’m always left with one answer that is clearer than others: guacamole. I love it. I would be content eating [...]

Rosemary Olive Crepes

Last night I did that thing I usually do when I’m procrastinating. It also happens to be the same thing I do when I don’t have a care in the world and time on my hands. I search the internet for interesting food sites. Sometimes I find myself back at old favorites. Sometimes I [...]

Cornbread Stuffing

I still remember the first Thanksgiving my mom spent after cutting wheat, dairy and sugar out of her diet. I sat across from her at the table, sheepishly enjoying my mashed potatoes, stuffing and cranberry sauce as she picked at her plate of boiled potatoes and plain turkey. Wow, I never want to have [...]