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...]
Cheesecake in a Jar (No-Bake)
This no-bake Cheesecake in a Jar recipe is the easiest summer dessert you'll make all season. Each jar is layered with cheesecake filling, raspberry sauce, graham cracker crust, and fresh berries. They're easy to customize and perfect for BBQs, parties, and make-ahead entertaining. What you … [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...]
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 … [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! Why you'll love this recipe Frozen pizza dough is a miracle. I love it so much. I typically keep it around for "leftover night" dinner. I roll it out, … [Read more...]
Spring Green Risotto
Spring has sprung! And this flavorful green risotto brings delicious ingredients from the garden to the table with less than 10 ingredients. Planning dinner isn't so hard when you have so many great veggies from the garden to use. Risotto is a nice break from the the typical meals you've been … [Read more...]
Ginger-Coconut Carrot Cake
If you like carrot cake, you'll absolutely love this Ginger & Coconut Carrot Cake. The extra hit of spice and the gorgeous tall layers make this simple cake spectacular. Friends, this is your new favorite cake. I just wanted to say that first, in case there was any confusion as to why your … [Read more...]
Easy Coconut Curry Fish
Homemade doesn't have to mean hard work! Coconut Curry Fish is a quick and tasty take on a classic Sri Lankan dish using supermarket basics. I love this recipe!It is one of those crave-inducing recipes that is super easy to whip together. Ideal on all fronts. It's almost so simple I want to … [Read more...]
Sun Dried Tomato Pesto
Surprise! This savory herb sauce isn't your standard fare. Sun Dried Tomato Pesto combines classic basil pesto flavors with tangy tomatoes. Pesto, packed with basil and Parmesan, is summer's generous gift to my belly. Of course I eat it on pasta, sometimes with a splash of cream or ricotta – … [Read more...]
Hide Your Veggies Healthy Smoothie
Hide your kids, hide your wife! No wait! Hide the veggies in your smoothie. If your family is picky, they will love this delicious drink that tastes like a fruit shake, but is a healthy smoothie. Let's face it - getting kids to eat their vegetables has been a problem for parents since the dawn of … [Read more...]
Nutty Lemon and Chicken Party Kabobs
These party kabobs are easy and impressive. They are perfect for a potluck or buffet because you can serve them at room temperature! Anytime a friend is throwing an event, whether it be a shower, birthday or just cocktails, I get asked the question "What would be easy to make?" Party food has … [Read more...]
Arugula Hazelnut Pesto
Hey Basil, you don't own pesto! This arugula hazelnut pesto variation is out of this world, and may be your go-to summer sensation. I'm not starting an argument here, but really, Basil, take a break. You are fantastic in my Classic Pesto, you're tasty with tomatoes, and you do pizza a great … [Read more...]
Maple Walnut Sticky Buns
Indulge in the best sticky bun recipe with walnuts, featuring gooey maple caramel and buttery crunch. This easy, freezer-friendly walnut sticky buns recipe is a brunch game-changer. Fall in love with the drippy icing and addictive filling. Your morning just got better. The Best Maple Walnut … [Read more...]
Meatball Funny Face Snacks
The kids will have a ball creating their own Meatball Funny Face Snacks with dips, olives and cheese. And who says I can't get in on the fun!? What face will the kids have when they walk in that door today? Let them express themselves with food! Meatballs that is. Just heat them right out of … [Read more...]
Pink Lemonade Cake
Pink Lemonade Cake takes your favorite summer drink from the glass to the cake plate with this citrusy, sweet dessert. Fluffy frosting covers cake layered with pink lemon curd. Oh my! Kind of the perfect dessert ever created. Pink Lemonade Curd For the filling of this tasty cake I made a … [Read more...]
Polka Dot Cake With Meringue Kisses
Happy smiles is all you'll see when you bring this fanciful Polka Dot Cake to the party. Rich chocolate frosting gets covered with light and crispy meringue kisses to make the most fun cake you'll ever make. This is one of those uber-impressive creations you'll get showered with praise … [Read more...]
Cake Pops With Pantry Toppers
Cake pops that get their colorful toppers right from the pantry! Dried fruits, nuts and cookies make beautiful and tasty decorations for this classic treat. The gooey, soft centers of cake pops are irresistible! Pretty sure that's why they are ever-so-popular. They're pretty fun to … [Read more...]
Ginger Pineapple Snack Cake
A little spice and a hint of lemon make this Ginger Pineapple Snack Cake a tasty treat for a party or picnic. I think a little fruit with your cake makes it slightly healthy, no? Oh the ways I fool myself. I even added the word "snack" to the title to make it feel less indulgent! But my … [Read more...]
Pink Pretzel Party Cake
Mile high crunchy pretzels, covered in sweet chocolate, make this gasp-worthy Pink Pretzel Party Cake the star of your festivities. Call me crunchy. I don't care...when it comes to this totally over-the-top cake! I took your typical salty snack and turned it into the ultimate cake … [Read more...]
Almond Flower Cake
Add a little flower power to your spring with my Almond Flower Cake. Chocolate and almond are a truly divine combination. Even sweeter when made into a darling spring cake for a birthday, wedding or baby shower or graduation party. I wanted to create a chocolate cake on the lighter side … [Read more...]
Party Rainbow Cake
The most impressive cake you'll bake all year! This rainbow cake looks like it comes from a bakery, but this layered treat, decorated with every beautiful color, is easy to make at home! Brighten your next party with a rainbow cake that will WOW your guests. I know what you're thinking..."A … [Read more...]
Make A Better Burger
When it comes to your signature, juicy burgers, you may not think you can make a better burger. Think again! A blended burger has chopped mushrooms to extend the meat and add tons of flavor. Let’s talk mushrooms, blended with your meat, making them more delicious, nutritious and sustainable. … [Read more...]
Crunchy Bacon Granola
Crunchy Bacon Granola puts bacon where it should be, in everything! This slightly sweet, nutty granola is your new brunch go-to. I eat granola for breakfast. I eat bacon at breakfast. I figure why not combine the two! You're probably wondering though, what do you eat bacon granola with? Well … [Read more...]
Spring Vegetable Ricotta Tarts
Spring Vegetable Tarts let you create any flavor combination you like. Perfect for an individual serving. Have a tart! Let your creative juices flow when making these vegetable tarts. All the lovely veggies popping up for spring can be inspiring. Also I added bacon and prosciutto to some of … [Read more...]
Basic Tart Crust
This homemade tart crust is so simple (and so good). Easy recipes that let you make a million variations are tricks I keep up my sleeve. This tart crust recipe is one of those. It's very simple and is the base for many a variation. Typically tart crusts are a little richer, and a bit more … [Read more...]
Spring Cupcakes | Tara Teaspoon
Spring cupcakes bring sunshine and smiles. The little flowers and eggs are made with delicious candy on top of fluffy vanilla frosting. Seriously these spring cupcakes make me so happy. How can you not be completely joyful just looking at them? So sweet for any spring event or Easter … [Read more...]
Vanilla Cupcakes | Classic Recipe
The best homemade vanilla cupcakes recipe you will ever make. A basic, buttery flavor with a tender crumb. They're easy, and delicious with any frosting. Classic recipes are the bomb! You know what you're getting and you like what it is! These vanilla cupcakes will be your go-to for every … [Read more...]
Carrot Cake Pancakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
Carrot Cake Pancakes with spice and a hint of orange zest are a delicious excuse to eat a little something sweet for breakfast, and cream cheese frosting, if you need an excuse for that! Guest post by: Morgan Aibinder of The Improv Kitchen Tara and I met last year on a photo shoot for … [Read more...]
The Martha Stewart Omelet
I was on my way to a cooking audition for Martha Stewart and didn't want to fail. My newly acquired culinary school skills did me right, until the omelet. How could I forget the basic technique for making the perfect fluffy egg? I walked into the 42nd Street offices of Martha Stewart looking … [Read more...]
Absolutely Perfect Spring Daisy Cake
This absolutely perfect Spring Daisy Cake has flowers in white and yellow dancing all over the top. Simple piping and delicious layers make it a darling celebration cake. Take it from me, you need daisies in your life. And when they come in the sugary, sweet form of fondant flowers, layer cake … [Read more...]