Spring is upon us and just in time for the arrival of tulips and daffodils comes the season of bridal showers, baby showers, and all kinds of other girly get-togethers. Since it’s a busy time of year, we’re believers in throwing a special soirée that’s also stress-free and keeps the focus on coming together to celebrate the […]
If you’re in a relationship, there can be a bit of pressure on Valentine’s to get everything just right — but crowded restaurants and high prices can make the perfect date night feel unattainable. I think that one of the sweetest and most romantic gestures is a beautiful meal at home for two: nothing communicates love quite […]
Who doesn’t love a good holiday cocktail party? It’s the perfect excuse to don something sparkly and pretend to be fancy show your sophisticated side. But as anyone who’s hosted such a fête can attest, what sounds like it should be easier to throw than a dinner party can actually end up being way more stressful when all […]
Thanksgiving week is upon us, which means it’s time to wrap up our menu planning and make some decisions already — grocery shopping awaits! Whether you’re hosting the meal or bringing a dish to the potluck, every Thanksgiving cook is faced with a major decision: stick to tradition or add your own little twist? Sweet Potato […]
I have so many friends who are vegetarian these days (including my sister-in-law who usually stays with us during the holidays), and there’s no reason they shouldn’t be able to feast as heartily as everyone else on Thanksgiving. With a main course like this acorn squash stuffed with quinoa, pumpkin seeds and kale, I’d almost consider skipping […]
Planning the Thanksgiving menu is one of my favorite activities of the holiday season, and I fully embrace the challenge of satisfying the traditionalists in my family (yes Dad, cranberry jelly will be happening) while following my own impulse to put a modern spin on a few of the dishes. Today’s menu is what I’d be […]
Whether you’re a newlywed or you just signed the lease on a new home, nothing beats the excitement of inviting your nearest and dearest to break bread at your table. But if you’ve never hosted a seated dinner before, the sheer thought of cooking for a group can be overwhelming. The key? Keep it simple! Set […]
When I took a poll last month about which seasonal menus you’d love to get a little help with, “Adult Halloween Party” was one of the most frequent requests. I’m right there with you: it can be really tough to find the balance between spooky and sophisticated, and while you want to infuse the menu with […]
Pretty is as pretty does. And in the case of Candice Kumai, a clean-eating chef, health journalist and author (with enviable hair, skin and figure) pretty is as pretty eats. Kumai was born and raised by a Japanese mother and a Polish-American father in San Diego, CA. At age 22, she attended Le Cordon Bleu […]
Autumn feels like a fitting time of year to reconnect with faraway friends, as well as the people who live right in our own neighborhoods. When I was growing up, my parents were always friends with our neighbors — we’d have dinner parties, leave baked goods on each other’s doorsteps, and when I was old enough […]
Call me a fair-weather fan, but I equate football season with one thing: parties! Whether you’re inviting friends to gather around the tv in your living room, or meeting people at a genuine pre-game tailgate, the common denominator is good drinks and really great food. A lot of you guys have been asking for menu ideas […]
Hey guys! I’m super excited about a new series we’re launching today called “Seasonal Menus.” It’s, well, exactly what it sounds like: I’ll be sharing the perfect menus for all kinds of occasions with the simple recipes you’ll need to prepare them — some that we’ve posted on the blog before and others that are brand new. To […]
*editors note: We’re big fans of all things Purely Elizabeth, the nutritional whole goods company pioneered by environmental activist, Elizabeth Stein. And since there’s nothing we love more than healthy, delicious recipes, we jumped at the chance to get a firsthand peek at a few dishes from Elizabeth’s new cookbook, Eating Purely: More Than 100 All-Natural, Organic, Gluten-Free Recipes For […]
If you’re struggling to think of delicious, filling, yet healthy dishes that are easy to prepare, look no further. Today’s three-course menu from author, chef, journalist, and all-around lovely person Candice Kumai, is the answer to serving a nutritious summer meal at home. Tired of that same ole’ Caesar salad? Candice’s take on the classic gets an upgrade with apple, avocado, and […]
Gaby Dalkin is your quintessential California girl. From her sun-kissed complexion to her happy-go-lucky personality she positively radiates sunshine. I had the opportunity to meet her this year and after bonding about a shared love of California, Austin and Tim Riggins (Texas Forever!) I knew I couldn’t wait to feature her SoCal kitchen. Like a […]
Kelley Lilien, aka Mrs. Lilien, has been shaking cocktails since before she learned to tie her shoes. “I would often fix up my mom and grandma’s drinks,” she says. “Which is when I discovered the creativity in it. Years later, I drew the same discovery from cooking.” As an adult Kelley has parlayed these cocktail-mixing […]
Heidi Swanson’s cookbooks are deeply rooted in a sense of place. Her personal anecdotes and signature, muted photographs paint a rich picture of her busy and interesting life in idyllic Northern California. Heidi has written two cookbooks and her highly anticipated third, Near & Far: Recipes Inspired by Home and Travel, is due out this […]
Fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree. This is especially true in the case of vegetarian chef, blogger and cookbook author, Amy Chaplin. As a young girl growing up in rural Australia, she enjoyed fresh vegetables straight from her family’s garden while learning the joys of cooking alongside her mother. “My Mother loved hosting large parties […]
Paul Lowe, aka Sweet Paul, is certainly living the sweet life. He was born in Oslo, Norway and raised by his Auntie Gunnvor (Great Aunt) and Mormor (grandmother) who nurtured his love of cooking and crafting at an early age. With their impeccable tastes, but “not always so perfect cakes”, they also instilled the mantra […]
Aaron Franklin’s name is synonymous with great BBQ. This fact was most recently illustrated by the (hilarious) national attention given to Franklin Barbecue by Jon Stewart while filming the Daily Show in Austin. And even while being applauded on Comedy Central, and lauded as the King of smoked meat by BBQ elite, Aaron remains level-headed […]