DRAGON FRUITINI

A dragon fruit cocktail garnished with a dragon fruit slice, surrounded by dragon fruits and alcohol bottles on a marble counter.

The dragon fruit is an odd, yet fascinating fruit. At first glance, it’s a bit scary looking with its spikes jutting out of it’s skin as if it’s a holdout from prehistoric times. Once cut open, its beautiful white flesh dotted with tiny black seeds is a surprising juxtaposition against its redish-pink exterior. It’s a…

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CHOCOLATE WALNUT CAKE

A piece of chocolate cake on a plate.

I had the most delicious chocolate walnut cake in of all places, Penang Malaysia. I’m not a huge chocolate cake fan, but this one was fudgy, chocolatey and very moist. I’ve tried a million recipes to try to recreate it and finally found one that comes very close. I can’t take any credit for it…

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G’s POTATO CHIP FISH KEBABS

Bacon skewers with rice and peppers on a plate.

Here’s an oldie, but a goodie—circa 1968. My childhood and dear friend Janis had the most beloved father on the block. He was a man way ahead of his time. I remember spending countless hours at their house as he introduced us to everything from Fred and Ginger dancing in Top Hat to Mahler’s Symphony…

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CHOCOLATE ORANGE RASPBERRY CAKE

A chocolate orange raspberry cake on a plate.

As many of you know, I’m not the baker in the family. My husband is the one that toils away with the flour and sugar…and chocolate, of course. This is his latest triumph. The cake is moist and the orange and raspberry give it a great zesty flavor. I’m not a huge chocolate cake fan,…

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I LONG TO LIVE IN A NANCY MEYERS MOVIE

A group of movies on a table.

Heading toward the jagged coastline, a mourning dove flies over the terracotta roof tiles that cover the elegant Spanish Colonial homes of Santa Barbara. To the east, the Santa Ynez Mountains rise dramatically from the town, offering majestic vistas of a crisp clear blue sky kissing the aquamarine waters of the Pacific Ocean. Seductive Brazilian…

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CHAR SIU SLICED PORK CHOP

A red plate with meat and rice on it.

I have been known to walk miles in search of good Char Siu (Chinese Roast Pork). Its sweet and sticky sauce is about as naughty as any food should be, but of course, that’s what makes it so irresistible. My friend Grace introduced me to a great place down in NY’s Chinatown (Big Wong) where…

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THE GREAT BARBECUE CRAWL

Southern bbq slow smoked sign.

I’m on a mission to visit all 50 states and I’m getting fairly close. So when a family wedding brought us out of the comfort of our Brooklyn home into the backcountry of Arkansas, I saw an opportunity to scratch off a few states on my list. I convinced my husband that a road trip…

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LASAGNA LOAF

Lasagna in a baking dish on top of a stove.

If you’re like me, sometimes the bargains at Costco are just too much to pass up. The other day I bought an enormous container of ricotta and a one-pound brick of mozzarella with hopes of making a big pan of lasagna. But the party plans fizzled out and as much as I like lasagna, eating…

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THANKSGIVING LEFTOVER PATTIES

A white plate with cranberry sauce on it.

Last year, my plans for a big Thanksgiving dinner got squashed because half of my guests came down with Covid the day before. I had dinner for eight all ready to go, but there were only three of us on hand to consume my feast. Needless to say, as the days went on, I had…

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FRESH CRANBERRY SAUCE

Homemade Red Cranberry Sauce for the Holidays.

It wasn’t until I was in my twenties that I realized cranberry sauce does not have to come out of a can. And once you’ve used fresh cranberries, you’ll never go back to canned again. This is such a simple recipe, there really is no excuse not to make it for Thanksgiving. And the beauty…

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