If you've been craving bright, fresh, seasonal ingredients that taste like Spring, I have the perfect salad for you. Sweet strawberries, creamy avocado and crisp shaved fennel are layered on delicate bibb lettuce leaves and dressed with a lime-ginger-mint vinaigrette. Finished with a drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of sea salt, this salad makes … Continue reading Strawberry Avocado Salad with Fennel and Mint
Cooking
Seared Salmon with Creamy Leeks and Mushrooms
I am really, really crazy about salmon. I eat embarrassing amounts of it sashimi style, make it once a week for my family, and until recently I would order it whenever we went to Francesca's, craving the fabulous crispy sear that eluded me at home. But guess what? I have discovered the salmon searing trick … Continue reading Seared Salmon with Creamy Leeks and Mushrooms
The Weekend Kitchen: Lemon Buttermilk Pancakes with Blueberry Lemon Compote
Nothing makes me happier than having time during the weekend to experiment in the kitchen. These lemon buttermilk pancakes take longer to put together than your basic buttermilk pancakes, but they are definitely worth the effort. They are light-as-air, cakelike confections that soak up the warm homemade compote or maple syrup for those who don't … Continue reading The Weekend Kitchen: Lemon Buttermilk Pancakes with Blueberry Lemon Compote
My Thai: Summer Rolls & Cashew Coconut Sundaes with Caramelized Pineapple
I spent a fair amount of time thinking about food during my juice cleanse, including what I wanted to make when it was finally over. A Thai inspired meal was at the top of my list as crunchy, bright, full-flavored ingredients were what I craved most while abstaining from "real" food. (To be honest I … Continue reading My Thai: Summer Rolls & Cashew Coconut Sundaes with Caramelized Pineapple
Table for Four
This weekend, we enjoyed a casual dinner at home with two of our dearest friends. Feeling in need of a cozy late winter meal, I made succulent pan seared lamb chops with dried cherries and port (recipe here), oven roasted Brussels sprouts over toasted pecan and pearl onion studded wild rice, and a lemon tart … Continue reading Table for Four
Julia’s Crepes
I know what you're thinking. Are the style posts ever coming back? Or is it going to be cookies, crepes and carrot cakes from here on out? They will be back in rotation this week - scout's honor. But I want to talk about Sunday morning first. My daughter and I watched Julie and Julia … Continue reading Julia’s Crepes
Breakfast Bite
Half of a grapefruit, a handful of chopped pistachios, a liberal drizzling of honey. Try it once and you'll be hooked. photo via the aesthete and the dilettante
Fusilli with Bacon, Gruyere, and Roasted Cauliflower
This is a very special day for me. Not only is this my 100th post (who knew I'd have one hundred things to talk about?) but today also marks the one-year anniversary of the aesthete and the dilettante. To celebrate the occasion, I have created a sinful recipe using some of my favorite ingredients. … Continue reading Fusilli with Bacon, Gruyere, and Roasted Cauliflower
You Must Make This: Slow Cooked Pork Tacos
Vegetarians, avert your eyes. This post is about tender, juicy, melt-in-your-mouth meaty goodness. I knew I had to share the recipe when the first words out of my son's mouth after one bite were, "Please tell me you made enough for leftovers!". It is incredibly easy - heat and time do all of the hard … Continue reading You Must Make This: Slow Cooked Pork Tacos
Imagine Waking Up to This
I did. Two blissful mornings in a row while visiting my sister and her fiancé in Florida. She gave him the beautiful Alex Duetto II machine below as an engagement gift (have I mentioned how brilliant she is? I think I have). The above photo is of the actual cappuccino he made on morning two. … Continue reading Imagine Waking Up to This
the aesthete and the dilettante 