July means peach season in Ohio! And while it can be hard to find peaches grown locally (except at Quarry Hill Orchards, which is fantastic!), I always know when peaches are in season as the markets are full. Those beautiful fruits filling up the racks are just begging to be used in an infinite number of recipes. Today I’m sharing 3 of my favorite ways to use fresh peaches. First, I’m always up for trying a new cocktail so I concocted this Bourbon Peach-Tea Cooler. Second, I got hooked on this peach burrata salad I had a few weeks ago so I am making it again. And third, one of the easiest desserts you’ll ever make is a rustic tart with whatever fresh fruit is available – in this case, peaches! You could make any or all of these in one day. I dare say if you make them all at once it will be a veritable “peach feast”. 🙂 Let’s get started…

Read more

Today would have been my mom’s 76th birthday, she passed away in June. I’m so sad I can’t talk to her anymore, and I miss her like crazy. But I know she lives on in my heart and in my memories of her. And this week I wanted to feel especially close to her memory, and I often do that through cooking. She never thought of herself as a good cook, but there are certain dishes she made that were unique to her and my dad’s heritage and she made them even more special to us by adjusting to our tastes.
Read more

I had the wonderful fortune to attend a culinary event this week in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park that has been on my summer bucket list for a few years now. It’s called the Blueberry BBQ and is co-hosted by Chef Douglas Katz of Fire Food and Drink in Shaker Heights and Dan and Michelle Greenfield of Greenfield Berry Farm in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The event showcases the blueberry in a multi-course meal enhanced by craft cocktails honoring the berry as well. And the setting is the berry farm itself with its acres of berry fields and historic rustic barn, a perfect backdrop to compliment a delicious meal.

Read more

When I think of the Easter holiday and how it has evolved in my life, I feel so blessed to have been able to share it with family. When I was younger my mom would often cook a big dinner and we would all gather round and enjoy the day. Since I’ve been married, we’ve spend it with hubby’s uncle and aunt. They always welcome a big crowd into their cozy home and somehow make sure everyone has a place.

Read more

It’s almost St. Patrick’s Day, or as I like to call it – Irish Coffee time! I first discovered Irish coffees shortly out of college, when my former roommate dated and then married a first generation Irishman. After dinner at their house one night, he made us the most delicious coffee drink that not only highlighted the Jameson whiskey integral to its flavor, but introduced us to a new variation on whipping cream. Spooned onto the top of the coffee concoction, it somehow elevated this drink to a special treat that I have now returned to often.

Read more