One of the best parts about a coastal vacation is the abundance of locally caught seafood, and we enjoyed it almost every night during our recent sailing trip. Returning home, I vowed to make fish a more prominent part of our diet (much to the dismay of my teenaged son, who already views our once-a-week … Continue reading Weekend Kitchen: How to Grill a Whole Fish
Entertaining
Summer Lovin’
Happy Friday! It feels like summer is finally here to stay, thank goodness. Don't you love how relaxed everything becomes, from the clothes we wear to the way we entertain? The seasonal shopping bug bit me recently, so I thought I'd share a few of my warm-weather discoveries. Chill the white and cue the sunshine!Does … Continue reading Summer Lovin’
Game Day Chili
This chili comes together easily and tastes even better the next day, leaving you plenty of time to relax and enjoy the game. Extra points for the bubbly cheese. Game Day Chili makes 8 servings 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 medium yellow or white onions, small diced 5 garlic cloves, minced 1 poblano pepper, small … Continue reading Game Day Chili
Cocktail Hour: The Manhattan
I'm thrilled that Michael, our favorite mixologist, is back with a classic cocktail to warm us on these frigid winter days. Read on to master the art of the Manhattan, then relax, grab a book, and light a fire. Five o'clock is calling... As we all come off our holiday hiatus, it is traditional to … Continue reading Cocktail Hour: The Manhattan
Cocktail Hour: The Martini
I'm thrilled to introduce a new weekend feature just in time for summer, Cocktail Hour. Michael, my almost brother-in-law and the most talented mixologist I've ever known (this is not hyperbole), has graciously agreed to share his knowledge and his recipes during the month of June here at a & d. And in true Michael … Continue reading Cocktail Hour: The Martini
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
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
A Rustic Thanksgiving
Click on collage for recipes, shopping links, and photo credits
Meeting an Idol
The next few weeks are filled with events I am giddy about, and attending a talk and book signing with my culinary idol, Ina Garten, is at the top of my list. So much of what I know about cooking and entertaining (outside of what I learned growing up in the kitchens of my mother … Continue reading Meeting an Idol
Sunday Brunch
There is no easier way to entertain than hosting a weekend brunch. On Sunday we had family visiting from Cleveland and because I wanted to enjoy our time together rather than spending it darting in and out of the kitchen, I kept everything incredibly simple. I made these scones (adding the zest of a lemon … Continue reading Sunday Brunch
the aesthete and the dilettante 