Paella Mixta

The other night, as we trolled YouTube for videos that struck our fancy - Maria Callas singing Casta Diva from Bellini's Norma, Women in Art, silly commercials, and such - we came across one of our favorite episodes of Posh Nosh, “Paella.”

Sage Advice

One: too much sage can make your dinner bitter. Follow the recipe and trust the chef. One time, we thought "more is better" and regretted it.

Stealing Beauty

Usually, I am a proponent of keeping things authentic. There are times, though, when I want to break the rules.

Cocoa & Lavender Down Under!

As I mentioned at the end of my last post, I am heading virtually (as opposed to virtually heading) Down Under to visit with my blogger friend Anna – the creator, author, cook, and amazing photographer of The Littlest Anchovy. It is a great honor to be asked to guest post for her while she is actually here in the Southeastern United States for a wedding, and I hope you will join me on her blog today for an American tradition from the south – Red Velvet Cake. And, while you are Down Under, check out some of her amazing recipes – like Pav Melba (A Peach Melba Pavlova), Salmon Rillettes, and Pear, Celeriac and Blue Cheese Soup. I know you will enjoy her talents as much as I do. See you back at Cocoa and Lavender next week!

Lemon-y Goodness

If you know me at all, you know that I love chocolate. I start each day with a big bowl of hot cocoa, using intense Italian Pernigotti cocoa. (How many people - and I mean normal people - do you know who buy their cocoa by the kilo?)