Grilled Vegetables w/ Spice Rub

This isn't so much of a recipe as a reminder to make this dish, because I always forget about it and it's great. Easy, colorful, and healthy. You can grill these in the morning and serve them later at room temperature. However, remember to take them out of the fridge at least an hour in...

The Perfect Salad Dressing

Ever since I started cooking for myself, this has been my favorite homemade salad dressing. I've always eyeballed it though, resulting in a slightly different outcome each time. But a quick consult with AI produced this perfectly balanced version. Serves 4. Honey-Dijon Balsamic Dressing 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar 1/2 cup olive oil 1 tablespoon Dijon...

Fresh Margaritas from Scratch- No Mix Required

I’ve never been a huge margarita fan. I’ll occasionally order one at a Mexican restaurant to be festive, but they’re usually too sweet, and until recently, I didn’t particularly like tequila. Then some friends introduced me to genuinely good tequila, my lemon and lime trees started producing more than I knew what to do with,...

Insanely Good Marinated Grilled Pork Medallions

I don't know why these are so good but they just ARE. I saw Steven Droulis make them on his Instagram RestoVivaldi. I've made pork tenderloin a million times and while his method didn't look especially unique, something about it jumped out at me, so I made it tonight and wow. This is one of...

New York Crumb Cake

This is for people who love LOTS of struesel, as in more crumb topping than cake. I found this on Smitten Kitchen but the cake wasn't sweet enough for me, so adjusted it to my taste. Bake in a 8x8 or 9x9, or halve it and bake in a loaf pan. This is best eaten...

Creamy Green Peppercorn Sauce

This is delicious with Beef Wellington or any steak. Somewhat involved to make but worth it. Plus you can make it 3 days ahead of time & rewarm before serving and freeze any leftovers. It's another recipe from Cook's Illustrated. Hilarious how many people in the comments thought they could substitute capers for the peppercorns...

Famous Kale & Rotisserie Chicken Salad

I LOVE the Kale & Rotisserie Chicken Salad at Rutherford Grille in Napa. The menu describes it as "Emerald kale and slow roasted chicken with roasted peanut vinaigrette and grated Reggiano" but that description really doesn't do it justice. It is an absolutely delicious taste explosion, and totally addictive, and I am normally not even...

No-Cook Party Skewers

I like these because 1) they travel well, like to picnics or wineries or other people's houses, 2) can be made hours ahead of time, and 3) ingredients are flexible; you don't need to use these exact same things. If you can find a meat & cheese tray at the grocery store, you're halfway there....

4-Layer Carrot Cake

Although this is 4 layers, it's a little smaller than the 3-layer cake on this site. Adapted from America's Test Kitchen. Notes about assembling the cake: 1) While the cake is baking, cut a cake round into a 6 by 8-inch rectangle. It will make it easier to press the nuts onto the sides of...

Roast Turkey Breast

Turkey for Thanksgiving or lunchmeat. Super easy and tasty.