Food

No-Bake Pumpkin Mascarpone Pie

I think we can all agree that no Thanksgiving dessert table is complete without pie. Pumpkin, pecan, apple; no matter what your preference, it’s not Thanksgiving without a decadent slice to complete the day’s feast. But between the turkey, stuffing, and array of homemade casseroles and side dishes that grace our table every year, it […]

Vegetarian Thanksgiving

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 […]

Slow-Cooker Chicken & White Bean Chili

We finally (!!!) just had our first semi-chilly day in Austin, and you should have seen our team… Decked out in scarves, boots, and turtlenecks, you would have thought we were experiencing an arctic blast, when it was actually just under 60 degrees. It’s amazing how the changing temps cause such a shift in what I’m […]

Teaselwood Apple Pie

Interior designer and owner of Teaselwood Designs, Charity Buchika whipped up this classic apple pie to serve on the front porch of her home in upstate New York. See the full story and all of Charity’s tips for creating a gorgeous fall buffet here. Read below for Charity’s apple pie recipe (and look for her […]

Roasted Acorn Squash with Cilantro Chutney

I have ulterior motives. In the spirit of full disclosure, I should probably admit that I start businesses (or as I sometimes like to call them, “projects”) for selfish reasons. I opened a gourmet grocery in the smallish East Texas city I lived in years ago because I wanted a place to buy good bread […]

Modern Thanksgiving Dinner

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 […]

Maple Banana Bread with Hempseeds

I was raised in California, and the closest it gets to cold, wintry weather is dropping below 75 degrees in December. It’s not the most festive place in the world for the holiday months, but we had other ways of making it special. I always associate banana bread with the changing of seasons, as a […]

Easy Caprese Pesto Penne

Have you ever tasted a new ingredient and thought, “Now this is a game-changer”? I can remember a few times in my life: Maldon sea salt, really good dark chocolate, European butter, and most of all, six years ago when we were on our honeymoon in Italy and I tasted buffalo mozzarella for the first time. Previously, I’d had […]

Dinner Party for First-Timers

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 […]

Lavender Fields Cocktail

Most people think of lavender as a summertime ingredient, but once it’s been dried it can be a wonderfully subtle drink garnish in the fall. Dried florals in general feel like autumn to me, reminiscent of wreaths and golden fields. This year we’ve partnered with Terlato Wines to create a lavender-inspired fall cocktail using their […]

Baked Apple Cider Donuts with Brown Butter Glaze

Typically around this time of year, I find myself daydreaming of ways to spookify my favorite baked treats. Witches, goblins and all the creepy crawly things I can wrap my head around, they’re all there, waiting to be turned into something sweet. But this year, it’s been a little different. The end of the month crept up […]

10 Best Halloween Cocktails

Just a few days out from Halloween and the anticipation around the office could be cut with a knife! Most of our Halloween prep — costumes, decorations, sweets — is checked off the list, which leaves us with the final to-do item: the booze. There’s absolutely no better way to spook your guests than with creepy crawly (but still delicious!) […]