Author: TA

Paris Restaurants & Bars

TA June 15, 2022 0 Comments
Below are the spots we visited during our Winter 2022 trip to Paris. There was just so much good food it was hard to decide where to go - but you really can't go wrong in Paris. La Table JM  Our first meal in Paris and it was absolutely delicious. The presentation of the food was beautiful. We had upscale comfort food (burrata, chicken, steak, chocolate tort) presented beautifully and with...
TA December 5, 2020 0 Comments
In honor of the holiday season and more indulgent eating, I rounded up 5 of my favorite guilty pleasures from Costco. It's going to be a lot more staying in this year, but that doesn't mean we won't be indulging. For the relaxing days and nights ahead I present you with some scrumptious zero effort food options... 1. Louisiana Brand Hot Link Sausage  If you like heat, you will love these....

What I Learned from Cooking in Quarantine

TA July 14, 2020 0 Comments
I’ve been thinking a lot about what I’ve learned from cooking during Quarantine. From mid-March to mid-June, my husband and I made every single meal at home. I use the term “make” loosely because sometimes that meant heating a frozen pizza or throwing together a sandwich… but other times it meant simmering a pot of bolognese on the stove all day or breaking out the cast iron pan. It...

Ideas for Using Fresh Herbs

TA May 7, 2020 0 Comments
My mom was the first person to teach me how much herbs can add to a dish. When I was growing up in Connecticut, she always had a thriving herb and vegetable garden.  She would sprinkle fresh herbs on top of homemade flatbread and pizza, blend them up in salad dressings, add them to marinades, and use them to add that special flavor burst that only comes from fresh herbs.  I’ve...

My Go-To Quarantine Salad

TA April 8, 2020 0 Comments
During this unprecedented time, I think it’s safe to say that we are all eating differently than we are used to.  I’ve been planning when I am eating vegetables more strategically as I want them to last longer, especially with fresh vegetables that require more thorough washing than a bag of frozen vegetables.  Below is the salad I’ve been making repeatedly over the past...

Makeshift Meal: Pasta with Chicken Sausage, Vegetables & Tomato Sauce

TA April 1, 2020 0 Comments
I always try my best to minimize food waste.  One of the best ways to do this without eating the same thing over and over again is to make a new meal with the partial amounts of already-cooked food and odd ingredients I have on hand. I like calling these “Makeshift Meals” because they are new meals but don’t require too much planning, effort or time. They can also be easily...

My Favorite Simple Recipes

TA March 26, 2020 0 Comments
Since so many of us are cooking more than we ever have before, I thought it would be fun to share my favorite recipes.  Recipes on Repeat These are tried-and-true favorites that often make a weekly appearance in our house.  The Best Turkey Tacos  by Buns in My Oven I have chipotle chilli powder which adds an extra kick - I usually use closer to 1 tablespoon chilli powder instead...

Entertaining Visitors in Manhattan Beach with a Delicious Night Out

TA March 15, 2020 0 Comments
If friends are coming to visit, Manhattan beach is always on the “must-see” list. Its charm starts with the slope of the hill that leads down to the pier, with beautiful boutiques, coffee shops and opportunities for ice cream or gelato along the way. I absolutely love the mix of fine dining and casual eats in MB. There are too many restaurants to choose just one, but the below is an example...

Bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon I love from $16 to $35

TA March 12, 2020 0 Comments
Cabernet Sauvignon is a staple in our house. I think it’s a universally palette-please red and most of our friends and family enjoy it.  Below are six that I love to keep on hand at home. I believe these are real crowd-pleasers; equally great for enjoying on their own, with a simple dinner or an elaborate feast. I also feel confident bringing any of these to someone’s home. Even though...