Summer in the Winter Time: Frozen Berry Buttermilk Smoothie Recipe

Happy Friday! The winter is almost here (for me it starts December 1st), the cold weather is settling in and it's harder and harder to get out of my warm bed in the morning. But even in the middle of the winter, you can still have a hint of summer with this Summer in the Winter Time: Frozen Berry Buttermilk Smoothie Recipe.

Why on Earth would I use buttermilk in a smoothie? Because I had too

Happy Friday! The winter is almost here (for me it starts December 1st), the cold weather is settling in and it's harder and harder to get out of my warm bed in the morning. But even in the middle of the winter, you can still have a hint of summer with this Summer in the Winter Time: Frozen Berry Buttermilk Smoothie Recipe.

Why on Earth would I use buttermilk in a smoothie? Because I had too

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Shuba Recipe: Russian Recipes Revisited (RRR)

It's time for another Russian Recipes Revisited post! Are you excited!? I hope you are, because this is a stellar recipe. Shuba in Russian means winter coat, usually made from fur. No, I'm not going to tell you how to make a winter coat...no worries.

Shuba is a traditional layered salad served usually for New Year celebration: it has layers of herring, potatoes, hardboiled eggs, beets and

It's time for another Russian Recipes Revisited post! Are you excited!? I hope you are, because this is a stellar recipe. Shuba in Russian means winter coat, usually made from fur. No, I'm not going to tell you how to make a winter coat...no worries.

Shuba is a traditional layered salad served usually for New Year celebration: it has layers of herring, potatoes, hardboiled eggs, beets and

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How To Make Mayonnaise At Home: No Longer a Homemade Mayo Virgin

I LOVE mayonnaise. Love is a strong word and I have no qualms of using it for food. Yes, I love mayonnaise. I love it on sandwiches, in tuna or egg salads, in the Russian potato salad, mixed into borsch, and eaten with fries. I've loved mayonnaise ever since I was a little girl.

But until last week, I have never ever made mayonnaise on my own. Is that a horrible thing? Not really, but I

I LOVE mayonnaise. Love is a strong word and I have no qualms of using it for food. Yes, I love mayonnaise. I love it on sandwiches, in tuna or egg salads, in the Russian potato salad, mixed into borsch, and eaten with fries. I've loved mayonnaise ever since I was a little girl.

But until last week, I have never ever made mayonnaise on my own. Is that a horrible thing? Not really, but I

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Lamb & Broccoli Strata Recipe {or Stuffing}

Here's a dish I created last weekend without going grocery shopping: Lamb & Broccoli Strata {or Stuffing}.

I defrosted a loaf challah I had from a photo shoot I did for a 2nd edition of Amy Riolo's cookbook, lamb I had from one of the recipe challenges and then used broccoli that was about to die in my refrigerator. The original plan was to make strata, but when it was time to add the eggs, I

Here's a dish I created last weekend without going grocery shopping: Lamb & Broccoli Strata {or Stuffing}.

I defrosted a loaf challah I had from a photo shoot I did for a 2nd edition of Amy Riolo's cookbook, lamb I had from one of the recipe challenges and then used broccoli that was about to die in my refrigerator. The original plan was to make strata, but when it was time to add the eggs, I

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Enjoy Life More: Chunky Del Monte Tomato & Persimmon Salsa

Earlier this month, I was asked to participate in the "Enjoy Life More" campaign by Del Monte hosted by BlogHer. I would need to choose one of the Del Monte canned products and talk about how I Enjoy Life More everyday. Well, this wasn't a difficult task. Ever since I was a little girl, I actually really liked canned vegetables. Peas were my favorite. To this day, I love canned peas and corn and

Earlier this month, I was asked to participate in the "Enjoy Life More" campaign by Del Monte hosted by BlogHer. I would need to choose one of the Del Monte canned products and talk about how I Enjoy Life More everyday. Well, this wasn't a difficult task. Ever since I was a little girl, I actually really liked canned vegetables. Peas were my favorite. To this day, I love canned peas and corn and

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My First Trip to DC's Union Market: What to See, Where to Eat, What to Buy

Last Sunday, my friend Cecilia and I made our first trip to Union Market. I've heard a ton of buzz about the market in the last few months and in fact know several people who have stores there. It was time I checked it out for myself!

Here's a bit of information from the website:

A year-round indoor market featuring 40 local artisans opened September 8, 2012. Union Market will once again be

Last Sunday, my friend Cecilia and I made our first trip to Union Market. I've heard a ton of buzz about the market in the last few months and in fact know several people who have stores there. It was time I checked it out for myself!

Here's a bit of information from the website:

A year-round indoor market featuring 40 local artisans opened September 8, 2012. Union Market will once again be

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Persimmon Praline Pistachio Parfait: An Incredibly Easy Dessert (or Breakfast)

This past weekend was a three day weekend filled with good friends, beautiful weather and fun food adventures. What I did not manage to do, however, was to do grocery shopping and cook a few dishes for myself and to showcase on this blog. So Monday morning (day off!) I decided to create a two recipes from the ingredients I already had. Thus, here's a Persimmon Praline Pistachio Parfait. Don't

This past weekend was a three day weekend filled with good friends, beautiful weather and fun food adventures. What I did not manage to do, however, was to do grocery shopping and cook a few dishes for myself and to showcase on this blog. So Monday morning (day off!) I decided to create a two recipes from the ingredients I already had. Thus, here's a Persimmon Praline Pistachio Parfait. Don't

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Not Your Typical Bagel Breakfast: Spanish Eggplant, Monterey Jack & Poached Egg

I'm not your cereal & milk for breakfast kind of a girl. I need more substance. In fact, I don't mind eating leftovers for breakfast once in a blue moon: think soup, pizza, or even half a burger!

As far as the "normal breakfast," bagels with cream cheese and smoked salmon are one of my favorites, but they do get old. A few weekends ago I decided to have a bagel with a few atypical toppings:

I'm not your cereal & milk for breakfast kind of a girl. I need more substance. In fact, I don't mind eating leftovers for breakfast once in a blue moon: think soup, pizza, or even half a burger!

As far as the "normal breakfast," bagels with cream cheese and smoked salmon are one of my favorites, but they do get old. A few weekends ago I decided to have a bagel with a few atypical toppings:

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Persimmons

I ♥ persimmons. I remember eating persimmons as a little girl in Moscow and enjoying the sweet flesh while avoiding the dark brown seeds. Yes, persimmons in Russia had seeds...as did the grapes and watermelons. Of course ever since moving to the States I'm too good for seeds ;)

It amazes me that so many people either don't know what persimmons are or have never tried them.

Imagine my

I ♥ persimmons. I remember eating persimmons as a little girl in Moscow and enjoying the sweet flesh while avoiding the dark brown seeds. Yes, persimmons in Russia had seeds...as did the grapes and watermelons. Of course ever since moving to the States I'm too good for seeds ;)

It amazes me that so many people either don't know what persimmons are or have never tried them.

Imagine my

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#FinishRevolution Challenge & Lidia Bastianich's Baked Stuffed Shells Recipe

I get quite a few emails telling me about new cookbooks, cookware, food items, etc. Last month I received my first ever email about a cleaning product. I suppose it's fitting: if you cook, you have to clean the dishes (even if like me you absolutely HATE the task).

I was invited to take a Finish Sticky Dish Challenge, and Join the #FinishRevolution with the help of a new to me dishwasher

I get quite a few emails telling me about new cookbooks, cookware, food items, etc. Last month I received my first ever email about a cleaning product. I suppose it's fitting: if you cook, you have to clean the dishes (even if like me you absolutely HATE the task).

I was invited to take a Finish Sticky Dish Challenge, and Join the #FinishRevolution with the help of a new to me dishwasher

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Charleston Wine & Food Festival Recipe Contest: Oysters & Clams Recipes

Remember the Lamb & Butternut Squash Wonton Ravioli recipe I posted for the first part of the BB&T Charleston Wine and Food Lambs and Clams Original Recipe Contest?

It is time for Challenge #2!

For the second challenge, I received 25 Rappahannock River Oysters, 25 Olde Salt Middleneck Clams and a shucking knife.

Yes! I would have to shuck the oysters myself. I was TERRIFIED!

But I had

Remember the Lamb & Butternut Squash Wonton Ravioli recipe I posted for the first part of the BB&T Charleston Wine and Food Lambs and Clams Original Recipe Contest?

It is time for Challenge #2!

For the second challenge, I received 25 Rappahannock River Oysters, 25 Olde Salt Middleneck Clams and a shucking knife.

Yes! I would have to shuck the oysters myself. I was TERRIFIED!

But I had

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Bonne Maman Recipe Contest: Soba Noodles with Sweet & Spicy Golden Plum Mirabella Preserves

A short while ago I was contacted by Bonne Maman and asked to develop a recipe using their Mirabelle Plum Preserves that will be one of 15 recipes featured on their Pinterest board.







The only requirement was not to make something predictable like a tart. I was up for the challenge.



Since the Mirabelle Plum Preserves are pretty sweet, I decided to challenge myself and create a

A short while ago I was contacted by Bonne Maman and asked to develop a recipe using their Mirabelle Plum Preserves that will be one of 15 recipes featured on their Pinterest board.







The only requirement was not to make something predictable like a tart. I was up for the challenge.



Since the Mirabelle Plum Preserves are pretty sweet, I decided to challenge myself and create a

reade more... Résuméabuiyad