Christmas trees should come with a cage. Forget garland. Forget lights. Give me a protective wall! Jake destroyed our tree. He threw a train at one of the branches and smashed my favorite ornament. To dust. My beloved bauble was a sentimental souvenir from our very first vacation (sans kids). It symbolized life…
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roasted baby artichokes with black pepper-lemon vinaigrette for dunking
I suffer from appetizer anxiety. Common side effects include: memory loss and the inability to create. It’s true. My ham + cheese puff pastry temporarily solved this problem but please, don’t rely on me for the pre-party nibbles. Too much pressure. Plus, what if I’m late to the gathering? I…
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Vanilla Sugar Recipe in 3 Easy Steps
With just 2 ingredients, this vanilla sugar recipe is so simple and easy to make at home. Only 5 minutes needed! Tips shared for choosing the right vanilla bean for making incredible homemade vanilla sugar. What is Vanilla Sugar Used For? Vanilla sugar is incredibly versatile. I keep a small…
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Soft Italian Ricotta Cookies {Christmas Cookies}
These soft-baked ItalianrRicotta cookies get their signature sweet taste and moist texture from ultra-creamy ricotta (spoiler alert: drain it first!) and a hint of fiori di sicilia extract, my secret ingredient, which whispers hints of fresh orange, lemon and vanilla! Soft-baked Italian ricotta cookies are unique. They’re moist, delightfully cake-like…
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15 minute meals: baked dover sole + whole grain mediterranean couscous
You either have it or you don’t. With the holidays on the horizon, time is of the essence. Things will get hectic. Possibly stressful. And I refuse to freak out over dinner (Who me? Never). I’ve been on the hunt for quick and healthy meals that won’t break the bank. Because…
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