Recipe for Mushroom Barley Soup

I spent this Thanksgiving with Cindy and her family. We've known each other for ten years. Wow, time flies. I can't remember how many times we've spent Thanksgiving together, but if we are all in DC for the holidays, it's a given. Cindy and her family are my surrogate family--I'm the adopted older cousin ;)

When asked what I could contribute to the meal, I was told I could bring a potato

I spent this Thanksgiving with Cindy and her family. We've known each other for ten years. Wow, time flies. I can't remember how many times we've spent Thanksgiving together, but if we are all in DC for the holidays, it's a given. Cindy and her family are my surrogate family--I'm the adopted older cousin ;)

When asked what I could contribute to the meal, I was told I could bring a potato

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Challah French Toast stuffed with Boozy Cranberries

On Saturday, my friend Stacey came over for breakfast with her 6 month old son, Myer, and brought home made challah! I made challah French toast and served it with boozy cranberries I made earlier that week. But with a little boy in my condo, there wasn't too much time for arranging and photographing the food.

So yesterday, I decided to make Challah French Toast Stuffed with Boozy Cranberries

On Saturday, my friend Stacey came over for breakfast with her 6 month old son, Myer, and brought home made challah! I made challah French toast and served it with boozy cranberries I made earlier that week. But with a little boy in my condo, there wasn't too much time for arranging and photographing the food.

So yesterday, I decided to make Challah French Toast Stuffed with Boozy Cranberries

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What's new at Bourbon Steak? I shoot for food.

Earlier this month, my friend Sangeetha, who does PR for Bourbon Steak, amongst a zillion other amazing restaurants in DC area, asked if I would like to come to Bourbon Steak, take a few photographs of the new items on the menu and be treated to a lunch for two in return.

Since Sangeetha and I have known each other for a few years, I felt no need to wait more than a few minutes before saying

Earlier this month, my friend Sangeetha, who does PR for Bourbon Steak, amongst a zillion other amazing restaurants in DC area, asked if I would like to come to Bourbon Steak, take a few photographs of the new items on the menu and be treated to a lunch for two in return.

Since Sangeetha and I have known each other for a few years, I felt no need to wait more than a few minutes before saying

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Lamb Shepherd's Pie with Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes

Remember the Lamb Pizza with Arugula, Goat Cheese & Pepperoncini I wrote about? Well, after making the pizza, I still had a pound of raw ground lamb leftover, not to mention the goat cheese and pepperoncini.

Of course I could have simply made another pizza, or frozen the ground lamb, but I wanted to do something else.

I decided to make Lamb Shepherd's Pie with Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes.

I

Remember the Lamb Pizza with Arugula, Goat Cheese & Pepperoncini I wrote about? Well, after making the pizza, I still had a pound of raw ground lamb leftover, not to mention the goat cheese and pepperoncini.

Of course I could have simply made another pizza, or frozen the ground lamb, but I wanted to do something else.

I decided to make Lamb Shepherd's Pie with Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes.

I

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The I ♥ Trader Joe's Around the World Cookbook: Htipiti

Last month I came home to find yet another copy of a cookbook for my preview. I'm not one to complain: it's fun having surprise packages waiting by my door. Plus, there is no pressure: I look through the book, mark the recipes I want to try, and then grocery shopping.

Today I'm happy to share with you a recipe from the latest Trader Joe's cookbook from Ulysses Press: The I ♥ Trader Joe's Around

Last month I came home to find yet another copy of a cookbook for my preview. I'm not one to complain: it's fun having surprise packages waiting by my door. Plus, there is no pressure: I look through the book, mark the recipes I want to try, and then grocery shopping.

Today I'm happy to share with you a recipe from the latest Trader Joe's cookbook from Ulysses Press: The I ♥ Trader Joe's Around

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What to do with ground lamb? Recipe for Lamb Pizza with Peppers and Arugula

This is the second installment in the Lamb Supper Club series {one more to come}. To refreshen your memory, here's the first part: Grilled Butterflied Leg of Lamb.

I'm participating in this supper club hosted by the Tri-Lamb Group, a collaborative initiative of lamb producer organizations from the U.S., New Zealand and Australia which focuses on educating Americans about lamb. {Note: although

This is the second installment in the Lamb Supper Club series {one more to come}. To refreshen your memory, here's the first part: Grilled Butterflied Leg of Lamb.

I'm participating in this supper club hosted by the Tri-Lamb Group, a collaborative initiative of lamb producer organizations from the U.S., New Zealand and Australia which focuses on educating Americans about lamb. {Note: although

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Spicy Zesty Hummus: what to do with Classic Sabra hummus?

As part of Foodbuzz's Tastemakers program, I occasionally have a chance to try new products.

This time, I received a coupon for a free Sabra product: I could choose from multiple varieties of hummus, fresh salsa, natural guacamole or Greek yogurt dips.

Of course I'm capable of making any of the mentioned snacks by myself. In fact, I love making hummus in my mini food processor and flavoring

As part of Foodbuzz's Tastemakers program, I occasionally have a chance to try new products.

This time, I received a coupon for a free Sabra product: I could choose from multiple varieties of hummus, fresh salsa, natural guacamole or Greek yogurt dips.

Of course I'm capable of making any of the mentioned snacks by myself. In fact, I love making hummus in my mini food processor and flavoring

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Naked Jay Vodka: recipe for Slippery Tomato for Pickle Day

When I was growing up in Moscow (Russia, not Idaho), my dad took my sister and me swimming on Sundays. Occasionally we'd also go to the gym prior to swimming. I was never a fan of either activity (to this date I don't like gyms). Going swimming on Sundays meant Anna and I would miss out on American cartoons shown on TV: another childhood sadness.

As a reward for swimming, however, my dad let

When I was growing up in Moscow (Russia, not Idaho), my dad took my sister and me swimming on Sundays. Occasionally we'd also go to the gym prior to swimming. I was never a fan of either activity (to this date I don't like gyms). Going swimming on Sundays meant Anna and I would miss out on American cartoons shown on TV: another childhood sadness.

As a reward for swimming, however, my dad let

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Roasted pear & buttermilk sorbet recipe

It's been a while since I've put my ice cream maker to use. After all, it is no longer Summer.

But then, I saw a recipe for Roasted Rhubarb Buttermilk Ice Cream on Lorelei's blog. I decided it was time to take my ice cream maker out of its hibernation.

Before the seasonal police comes to arrest me, yes, I know rhubarb is no longer in season. But I swear I saw it at my grocery store a few days

It's been a while since I've put my ice cream maker to use. After all, it is no longer Summer.

But then, I saw a recipe for Roasted Rhubarb Buttermilk Ice Cream on Lorelei's blog. I decided it was time to take my ice cream maker out of its hibernation.

Before the seasonal police comes to arrest me, yes, I know rhubarb is no longer in season. But I swear I saw it at my grocery store a few days

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Boordy Vineyards in MD

Some people do "wordless Wednesdays" and post photos without any text, others do "wine Wednesdays" and discuss wine related things. This post will be a little bit of each: a bunch of wine related photos and a some wine information.




A few months ago, my friend Cecilia told me she was invited to attend a wine tasting event at Boordy Vineyards in MD. Guess who got to go with Cecilia? This past

Some people do "wordless Wednesdays" and post photos without any text, others do "wine Wednesdays" and discuss wine related things. This post will be a little bit of each: a bunch of wine related photos and a some wine information.




A few months ago, my friend Cecilia told me she was invited to attend a wine tasting event at Boordy Vineyards in MD. Guess who got to go with Cecilia? This past

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Green Goddess Sandwich

Have you ever had Green Goddess salad dressing? It's usually made from herbs (such as basil, parsley, and/or tarragon), mayonnaise or sour cream, lemon juice, vinegar, anchovy fillets and green onions and/or chives.

What I like most about the Green Goddess dressing, is its bright green color. That's why when I concocted the sandwich to the left, I decided to call it Green Goddess Sandwich.

Have you ever had Green Goddess salad dressing? It's usually made from herbs (such as basil, parsley, and/or tarragon), mayonnaise or sour cream, lemon juice, vinegar, anchovy fillets and green onions and/or chives.

What I like most about the Green Goddess dressing, is its bright green color. That's why when I concocted the sandwich to the left, I decided to call it Green Goddess Sandwich.

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Chickpea salad with feta and tomatoes

One of the things I love most about blogging is the people I get to meet. Some I meet in real life, others I want to meet in real life, but for now stay in touch through twitter, facebook, etc.

Simone, the woman behind JungleFrog Cooking, is one of the people I'd love to meet in real life. Who knows if it will ever happen? I live in the States, she lives in Netherlands.

I've "known" Simone

One of the things I love most about blogging is the people I get to meet. Some I meet in real life, others I want to meet in real life, but for now stay in touch through twitter, facebook, etc.

Simone, the woman behind JungleFrog Cooking, is one of the people I'd love to meet in real life. Who knows if it will ever happen? I live in the States, she lives in Netherlands.

I've "known" Simone

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Turtle Tart recipe from Art & Soul, plus March of Dimes

A while back, Lisa, aka Event Junkie, asked if I'd be willing to spread the word about The March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction happening in DC.
Since I don't do event promotion on this blog, I thought of a compromise: I will feature a recipe by one of the chefs participating in The March of Dimes event and tell you all a bit about the event.

As it happened, a few weeks ago I had lunch at

A while back, Lisa, aka Event Junkie, asked if I'd be willing to spread the word about The March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction happening in DC.
Since I don't do event promotion on this blog, I thought of a compromise: I will feature a recipe by one of the chefs participating in The March of Dimes event and tell you all a bit about the event.

As it happened, a few weeks ago I had lunch at

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