Tara Teaspoon

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Caper-Herb Corn Muffins With Smoked Salmon

Caper-herb corn muffins with smoked salmon – a flavorful appetizer for your fancy gathering. Easy to make but makes quite an impression. Party season calls for delicious eats, fun outfits and good convos. I'm not the best conversationalist, but I'm an excellent listener. Sometimes I can hit the … [Read more...]

Red Wine Glazed Pearl Onions

Red wine glazed pearl onions are caramelized in a flavorful sauce. Delicious and festive side dish for any holiday meal. When I was working as an editor at Martha Stewart magazine, I used pearl onions in a recipe for the first time. I thought they were so cute, just mini little white onions. … [Read more...]

Peppermint Marshmallow Sandwich Cookies

Peppermint marshmallow sandwich cookies will be the most festive cookie on your table this holiday. Plus they are soft, delicious, pepperminty and chocolatey. All of my favorite things! I've mentioned that I load up on the chocolate and peppermint combo this time of year. I can't get enough. So … [Read more...]

Chicken Bites Christmas Wreath Appetizer

Chicken Bites Christmas Wreath appetizer will be the show-stopping centerpiece of your holiday buffet! I'm always looking for that appetizer to take to a holiday pot luck or serve at my cookie swap. I want something savory, flavorful and actually stunning! My wish list keeps going since I … [Read more...]

Pull-Apart Orange Rolls You Can Make Ahead

Make-ahead orange rolls are melt-in-your-mouth delicious. They are a childhood favorite! I love pulling each flakey layer apart! They will absolutely be the best thing on your dinner table. Growing up these were one of my favorite breads that mom made. I loved that we got to have a sweet, … [Read more...]

Roll the Perfect Pie Crust

I'll show you tips to roll pie crust, you just need to learn some simple techniques. "Cut my pie into four pieces, I don't think I could eat eight," said Yogi Berra, and wiser words have never been spoken. Thanks to Hugo & Hoby this post is sponsored. Beautiful Pie … [Read more...]

Christmas Tree Lollipop Cookies

Oh Christmas Tree Lollipop Cookies, Oh Christmas Tree Lollipop Cookies, bring to us such joy and glee Not only are these adorable cookies, snowy and charming, but they are delicious. A combination of orange essence and cream cheese make them soft and cakey, and festive. They make the perfect … [Read more...]

Mozzarella Sticks Reindeer Snacks

Mozzarella Sticks Reindeer Snacks are the cutest Rudolph lookalikes this side of the North Pole. Toasty and cheesy, they make the best holiday nibbles for those little hands. The one and only Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer! I sure like that guy. Luckily there's not just one Rudolph in this … [Read more...]

Clementine Almond Cookies

Clementine Almond Cookies are a delicious citrus version of a classic macaron. The cookie is light, crispy, chewy and flavorful. And don't get me started on the filling! A clementine is a hybrid between a mandarin and an orange. It’s grown to be seedless and super sweet, and the zest has … [Read more...]

Beautiful Pie Crusts Are Easier Than You Think

Beautiful pie crusts are easier to make than you think. With a little inspiration, you can get creative, and impress the socks off a crowd! Crimping and pinching are almost retired if you look around the internet these days. Not only are pie crust edges getting an update, but the tops could be … [Read more...]

4 Amazing Mashed Potato Mix Ins

Four amazing mashed potato mix ins that will blow your mind! Start with the basic recipe and create flavorful side dishes with just a few ingredients. A dish of smooth, fluffy mashed potatoes on the table usually means there is a feast to be had. It's one of those sides that hints at gravy or … [Read more...]

Mushroom Squash Tart

Mushroom Squash Tart with a creamy cheese filling, topped with delicious vegetables, in a buttery crust, is a crowd-pleaser. Serve it with dinner, or as an appetizer while you carve the meat! I'd be happy with almost anything in a buttery tart crust. It just makes everything that much more … [Read more...]

Mozzarella Sticks Turkey Snack Hack

This mozzarella sticks turkey snack hack has all the kids gobbling up tasty veggies and cheese. A cute way to celebrate the season! Turkey time for all! I love a fun way to eat afternoon snacks and this one is all about the holiday. Kids will love to see this as their after school snack or … [Read more...]

Dinner Rolls with Savory Seed Topping

Dinner rolls with savory seed topping are a perfect accompaniment to any delicious dinner. They're easy to make and even easier to devour. I don't even remember where I was, but I know I was with my cute mother. We were eating dinner together at a restaurant here in NYC and they brought out some … [Read more...]

Gooey Peanut Pie

Gooey Peanut Pie with a salty sweet brown sugar filling and crunchy little nuts will be the crowd's new favorite dessert. Pie comes in oh so many flavors. And I like so many of them! I get in apple pie moods, or cream pie moods (Mmm chocolate!), or a good pecan pie with coconut, and even … [Read more...]

Pear Almond Frangipane Crostata

Pear Almond Frangipane Crostata is the perfect combination of sweet almond filling and juicy pears. Nestled into a simple pastry crust, it's easier to make than a pie! A crostata is the same thing as a galette. Rustic-style, open-faced pies. Basically crostatas and galettes are the jeans … [Read more...]

Black Bottom Chocolate Cream Pie

Chocolate and Vanilla Cream Pie is the best of both worlds. No need to battle it out, this black bottom cream pie is for the entire crowd. It's pie season! It's really always pie season in my book. And that usually brings out all the pie opinions from Thanksgiving to spring and into … [Read more...]

Roasted Grape and Pecan Stuffing

Roasted Grape and Pecan Stuffing is a savory, classic side with the juicy burst of caramelized grapes. A fun variation on a favorite. Cooking grapes brings out their flavor and juiciness. Roasted, they are perfect for a savory stuffing. I often add a little touch of tart sweetness to this … [Read more...]

Favorite Roasted Turkey and Gravy + Tips

Favorite Roasted Turkey is the most classic, go-to recipe for making the best Thanksgiving dinner. It will become a family tradition. As a food editor at magazines, the challenge was to come up with a new, unique Thanksgiving dinner recipes every year. What new flavor could I come up with for … [Read more...]

Easy Halloween Chocolate Lollipops

Easy Halloween chocolate lollipops get sprinkled and garnished with sparkly, shiny and crunchy orange candy for a festive party treat and favor. I like treats. I love the ones that are simple to make, and even better to eat. These easy Halloween chocolate lollipops win for sure. You don't need … [Read more...]

Whoopie Pies for Halloween

Whoopie Pies for Halloween are the most delicious chocolate cake cookies with silky, buttery filling, decorated with holiday sprinkles. I love cake. Cake and meringue buttercream. My reason for making whoopie pies is that I can then hold that piece of delicious cake right in my hand! No fork … [Read more...]

Pizza Roll Ups Mummy Snacks

Pizza Roll Ups Mummy Snacks guarantee a happy crowd at your Halloween party. They are an easy semi-homemade nibble that everyone will rise from the dead for! Ain't nobody got time for hours of cooking on Halloween! This year I'm all about snacks and treats that only take a few minutes to make … [Read more...]

Easy Parmesan Mushroom Gnocchi

Easy Parmesan Mushroom Gnocchi is a must for the dinner plan this week. Simple, cheesy, earthy and comforting, it's the perfect fall dish. I create a lot of weeknight dinner recipes that use grocery store shortcuts, taste amazing, and are great options for the whole family. This mushroom … [Read more...]

Roasted Broccoli Melt

Roasted Broccoli Melt is a totally stuffed, incredibly delicious, favorite hot sandwich for dinner. All I can say is YUM! A veggie sandwich? You question it, then you taste it, and your mind is blown. This roasted broccoli and cheese stuffed sammy makes dinner dreams come true. It's truly … [Read more...]

Easy Apple and Blue Cheese Tarts

These savory Apple and Blue Cheese Tarts are an easy-to-make snack or appetizer that’s perfect for the fall. You’ll only need 7 ingredients and 30 minutes to make this gorgeous crowd-pleaser! I learned quickly that apple picking in the fall is a thing when I moved to the East Coast over 25 … [Read more...]

Teriyaki Chicken And Scallion Kabobs

Teriyaki chicken and scallion kabobs with a side of sticky rice is a dinner everyone will gather for. They are quick to make and fun to eat. Satay was supposedly invented by Indonesian street vendors as an adaptation of Indian kabobs. Spreading throughout the area and then the world, taking on … [Read more...]

Herbed Vegetable Pasta with Artichokes

Herbed vegetable pasta with artichokes is bursting with fresh veggies and zesty herbs. It's a go-to dinner for Meatless Mondays, or What-To-Eat Wednesdays! My spring pasta dinner is as easy as boiling some water, adding veggies, a quick vinaigrette and poof. Olives, fresh tomatoes and red … [Read more...]

Short Cut Chocolate Filled Rolls

Short cut chocolate filled rolls are one of the most delightful little treats there ever could be. Soft, yeasty dough baked around melted chocolate will make you swoon. Plus there's a simple trick to making them.  The bakery around the corner from my apartment (you may have heard of it, a … [Read more...]

Sesame Chicken with Apple Carrot Slaw

Sesame Chicken with Apple-carrot Slaw will make dinnertime oh, so easy and delicious. In-season apples are a mix of tart and sweet, crunchy and juicy. They go perfectly with its Sesame Ginger dressing.  The whole family will love this simple fall dinner. I love breading chicken with crunchy … [Read more...]

Grilled Fish With Caper Herb Salsa and Corn

Using wonderful in-season ingredients, Grilled Fish With Caper-Herb Salsa and Corn, is the perfect ending to your day. Fish is always a welcome change on the grill. This flavorful salsa also tastes great with pork, chicken and veggies. Corn is still the talk of the town! Peaches are in season, … [Read more...]

Ice Cream Topper: Caramel Glazed Cake Croutons

Caramel glazed cake croutons. Yes! CAKE. CROUTONS. You read that correctly. They are also covered in an addictive crunchy toffee! Gasp. These lightly crunchy, cake croutons are delicious on top of ice cream, toppled onto pudding, or just popped in your watering mouth. Caramel covered pound … [Read more...]

Lemon Lamb Kabobs And Vegetable Kabobs

The meat you've been missing can take center stage for dinner tonight. The delicious reasons you should be eating lamb kabobs. Zesty marinated meat and veggies make these lamb kabobs a delicious summer meal. Serve with warm flatbread and you have a dinner no one can resist. This dinner is … [Read more...]

3-Ingredient Classic Ribs

Classic ribs, a summertime staple. You think ribs take all day and lots of tending. Not these! Tenderize these lip-smacking ribs in the oven, then grill them to perfection. Ribs with just three ingredients? You got it! Honestly you have never made such delicious, simple, classic ribs until … [Read more...]

Easy No-Bake Cheesecake in a Jar

Easy cheesecake in a jar is probably the best summer dessert. This no-bake recipe is great for BBQs, summer gatherings, or just a great weeknight treat. Summer means fireworks, family, friends, days off, and delicious food, and no-bake cheesecake! I love cheesecake with summer berries oh, so … [Read more...]

Summer Grape Guacamole

Summer Grape Guacamole – Your crowd will be so surprised at the bright, fruity addition to traditional guacamole. BBQs and pool parties for the win! Working on a project for one of my food styling clients, I ended up with an excess of summer grapes. Beautiful red, green and black ones that were … [Read more...]

Thai Beef Salad with Easy Marinade

Marinated flank steak gets a burst of flavor from authentic Thai flavors, sweet fruit and crunchy veggies. Arrange on a platter for an impressive, family-style situation that everyone will love. Healthy dinners are tricky. You want them to be filling, but light at the same time. This composed … [Read more...]

Last Minute Gifts for Dad

This Father's Day guide for dad contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosure agreement for details.  As seen on The Today Show Tomorrow is Dad's big day. Are you ready? Last week I published my Father's Day Gift Guide for Every Kind of Dad, but if you procrastinated getting your guy … [Read more...]

Curry Crab Dip Recipe

Curry Crab Dip will delight your guests as they dip veggies, apples or crackers. The mild flavor of crab meat, creamy mayo and the freshness of lemon make a happy dip. Such a tasty, crowd-pleasing dip for a crowd. Whether you have family coming over for a holiday or throwing a brunch or … [Read more...]

Father's Day Gift Guide For Every Kind Of Dad

Check out my Father's Day Gift Guide for every kind of dad. Whether he's an outdoorsman, a foodie father, or just a classy guy, I found the perfect gift ideas. You’ve heard it said before, “My dad is the BEST dad in the world!” Perhaps you’ve even said it a time or two, and if I’m being totally … [Read more...]

Mozzarella Waffle Bites with Salsa

Cheese! Let's celebrate one of my favorite foods with these cheese lover's snacks and hacks. Nothing says delicious, quite like melted cheese! Melty mozzarella inside soft pizza dough goes right into the waffle iron to create these tasty snacks. I use store-bought salsa, and spruce it up with … [Read more...]

Alfredo Veggie Stromboli

Alfredo Veggie Stromboli made with grab-and-go grocery store staples is easy to put together, and even easier to eat for dinner - Delicious! Frozen pizza dough is a miracle. I love it so much. I typically keep it around for "leftover night" dinner. I roll it out, add some sauce, pesto or … [Read more...]