Triple Chocolate & Pretzel Oreo Cookie Balls: Perfect No Bake Dessert

Because I grew up in Moscow, Russia, there are a zillion snacks and treats familiar to American kids that I've never had as a child. But don't you worry: once my family immigrated to the US when I was 13, I quickly caught up! Turns out, however, there was at least one snack/treat I've yet to try: Oreo Cookie Balls.

When I was contacted by Yummly representative to be a part of the Oreo Holiday

Because I grew up in Moscow, Russia, there are a zillion snacks and treats familiar to American kids that I've never had as a child. But don't you worry: once my family immigrated to the US when I was 13, I quickly caught up! Turns out, however, there was at least one snack/treat I've yet to try: Oreo Cookie Balls.

When I was contacted by Yummly representative to be a part of the Oreo Holiday

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My Photos are in a Cookbook!! Nile Style by Amy Riolo

Guess what? My photos are in a cookbook!! That's right: the 2nd edition of Nile Style by Amy Riolo has six photos I took including the book cover!

How did this happen? Well, let me tell you.

I met Amy at least 7 years ago when I was one of the many culinary assistants at Sur La Table. I've assisted several of Amy's cooking classes and loved the passion and ease she brought to teaching, not

Guess what? My photos are in a cookbook!! That's right: the 2nd edition of Nile Style by Amy Riolo has six photos I took including the book cover!

How did this happen? Well, let me tell you.

I met Amy at least 7 years ago when I was one of the many culinary assistants at Sur La Table. I've assisted several of Amy's cooking classes and loved the passion and ease she brought to teaching, not

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Woo Hoo! I've Been Published in a Magazine

Who wants some happy boozy news this Monday?

I'm so excited to tell you that a recipe for my Moonshine Mango Boozer was published in the July issue of Ocala Style Magazine!!! I did not get any $$ for it, but I'm still pleased ;)

Carry on.

Who wants some happy boozy news this Monday?

I'm so excited to tell you that a recipe for my Moonshine Mango Boozer was published in the July issue of Ocala Style Magazine!!! I did not get any $$ for it, but I'm still pleased ;)

Carry on.

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"French Onion Soup" Macaroni & Cheese: 30 Days, 30 Ways Macaroni & Cheese Blog

I was thrilled to be asked to participate in the 30 Days, 30 Ways Macaroni & Cheese Blog again this year.

Last year I created a Mexican Mac & Cheese, but this year's theme was to transform a well known dish into a mac & cheese recipe. While trying to think of something fun and creative, I remembered a recipe I made a while back which quickly became my brother's favorite: French Onion Soup

I was thrilled to be asked to participate in the 30 Days, 30 Ways Macaroni & Cheese Blog again this year.

Last year I created a Mexican Mac & Cheese, but this year's theme was to transform a well known dish into a mac & cheese recipe. While trying to think of something fun and creative, I remembered a recipe I made a while back which quickly became my brother's favorite: French Onion Soup

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"Bagels & Lox" Savory Cheesecake: WASA Crispbreads Recipe Development

Earlier last month I received a recipe development request from Wasa Crispbreads.

Have you heard of Wasa crispbreads? They have been a part of my breakfast rotation routine for a few years, and I love that they are crispy, low in calories and come in whole wheat varieties. I must admit that I tried one of their Light products and did not like that as much.

"The wholesome, all-natural

Earlier last month I received a recipe development request from Wasa Crispbreads.

Have you heard of Wasa crispbreads? They have been a part of my breakfast rotation routine for a few years, and I love that they are crispy, low in calories and come in whole wheat varieties. I must admit that I tried one of their Light products and did not like that as much.

"The wholesome, all-natural

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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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Barilla Plus Bake with Mushrooms & Leeks: Lazy White Lasagna. Plus a Pasta Giveaway

Everyone knows that we are supposed to eat healthier, right? Well, sometimes it's easier said than done. I have a hard time ordering a salad when I'm eating out instead of getting a juicy burger or cheese filled mashed potatoes.



Some choices, however, are not that hard to make. What if you just substitute your regular white pasta with whole wheat pasta?




Recently, I got a chance

Everyone knows that we are supposed to eat healthier, right? Well, sometimes it's easier said than done. I have a hard time ordering a salad when I'm eating out instead of getting a juicy burger or cheese filled mashed potatoes.



Some choices, however, are not that hard to make. What if you just substitute your regular white pasta with whole wheat pasta?




Recently, I got a chance

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Savory Bread Pudding with Tomatoes, Feta and Olives: Recipe Development for Lipman Produce

Last month I received an email asking if I'd like to develop a recipe for Lipman Produce. Since the key ingredient was tomato, of course I said yes.

Then I started to think about creative and unique ideas for recipes I could make with tomatoes. Alas, several ideas I came up with were already taken by other bloggers involved in this project, so I had to continue brainstorming.

Finally, I

Last month I received an email asking if I'd like to develop a recipe for Lipman Produce. Since the key ingredient was tomato, of course I said yes.

Then I started to think about creative and unique ideas for recipes I could make with tomatoes. Alas, several ideas I came up with were already taken by other bloggers involved in this project, so I had to continue brainstorming.

Finally, I

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Tomato Olive Frittata: Freelancing for Lindsay Olives

There is a little bit of a story behind this Tomato Olive Frittata.

It all started last year when I volunteered at the Eat Write Retreat. One of the corporate sponsors was Lindsay Olives. Because I'm a huge fan of salty things, I hung out at the Lindsay Olives table and sampled multiple varieties of their olives.

After the conference, I stayed in touch with Lindsay Olives, and a few months

There is a little bit of a story behind this Tomato Olive Frittata.

It all started last year when I volunteered at the Eat Write Retreat. One of the corporate sponsors was Lindsay Olives. Because I'm a huge fan of salty things, I hung out at the Lindsay Olives table and sampled multiple varieties of their olives.

After the conference, I stayed in touch with Lindsay Olives, and a few months

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Mexican Mac & Cheese: Recipe for Wisconsin Cheese

When I was a little girl, one of my favorite dishes had only two ingredients: macaroni and cheese.

My parents would cook macaroni until they were soft, drain them and add them to a bowl. The bowl most likely had a character from one of the Russian fairy tales on the bottom. Then, they'd add shredded cheese. The cheese would melt as soon as it hit the hot pasta and form long strings when I

When I was a little girl, one of my favorite dishes had only two ingredients: macaroni and cheese.

My parents would cook macaroni until they were soft, drain them and add them to a bowl. The bowl most likely had a character from one of the Russian fairy tales on the bottom. Then, they'd add shredded cheese. The cheese would melt as soon as it hit the hot pasta and form long strings when I

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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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Pistachio Ice Cream: Domenica Marchetti's recipe with my twist

Back in February, I shared with you some of the photographs I took of Domenica Marchetti.

One of those photographs is now in Domenica's latest cookbook, Rustic Italian, published by Williams Sonoma. I'm so excited: this is the first time my work is in print. {squeal}

A few weeks ago, my friend Cecilia called me to let me know she received a preview copy of the book and made one of the recipes

Back in February, I shared with you some of the photographs I took of Domenica Marchetti.

One of those photographs is now in Domenica's latest cookbook, Rustic Italian, published by Williams Sonoma. I'm so excited: this is the first time my work is in print. {squeal}

A few weeks ago, my friend Cecilia called me to let me know she received a preview copy of the book and made one of the recipes

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What to cook when it's so hot out?

How hot is it where you live? In DC area the temperatures have been near a 100 degrees. Add to that the humidity, and sometimes it's almost unbearable to think about cooking.

But cooking is still something I do when it's hot out because 1) I like to eat 2) Robyn makes me :)

I should explain the second reason: I do freelance cooking and photography for Robyn's Fabulous Food Finds blog, so most

How hot is it where you live? In DC area the temperatures have been near a 100 degrees. Add to that the humidity, and sometimes it's almost unbearable to think about cooking.

But cooking is still something I do when it's hot out because 1) I like to eat 2) Robyn makes me :)

I should explain the second reason: I do freelance cooking and photography for Robyn's Fabulous Food Finds blog, so most

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So you want to be a recipe tester!?

So you want to be a recipe tester? Do you? Do you know what's involved?

I'm sure everyone's experience is different, depending on whose recipes you are testing, whether it is for a magazine or a cookbook, etc, etc.

I'm currently testing recipes for Robyn's next cookbook with about 10 other people. We each test a total of 10 recipes, time how long each one takes, measure out portion sizes,

So you want to be a recipe tester? Do you? Do you know what's involved?

I'm sure everyone's experience is different, depending on whose recipes you are testing, whether it is for a magazine or a cookbook, etc, etc.

I'm currently testing recipes for Robyn's next cookbook with about 10 other people. We each test a total of 10 recipes, time how long each one takes, measure out portion sizes,

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#EWR11: the food

Sigh. Although I did quite a bit of cooking this weekend, including testing recipes for Robyn's next book, all of my photos turned out horrible. Seriously. I ended up deleting them. While I decide if I want to post any of the recaps sans photographs, I'll share with you two meals I had while photographing/attending Eat Write Retreat. {check out my behind the scenes post}
When I learned that we'll

Sigh. Although I did quite a bit of cooking this weekend, including testing recipes for Robyn's next book, all of my photos turned out horrible. Seriously. I ended up deleting them. While I decide if I want to post any of the recaps sans photographs, I'll share with you two meals I had while photographing/attending Eat Write Retreat. {check out my behind the scenes post}
When I learned that we'll

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#EWR11: Behind the scenes look at the first night

I first met Robyn Webb more than 7 years ago when I broke up with a boyfriend, needed to fill up my time and started assisting at the culinary program at a local Sur La Table. Robyn was one of the most organized instructors, and actually taught instead of just letting the students follow the printed out recipes. It's her voice I hear in my head when I teach private knife skills classes.

In the

I first met Robyn Webb more than 7 years ago when I broke up with a boyfriend, needed to fill up my time and started assisting at the culinary program at a local Sur La Table. Robyn was one of the most organized instructors, and actually taught instead of just letting the students follow the printed out recipes. It's her voice I hear in my head when I teach private knife skills classes.

In the

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Top Secret Photo Shoot: Mike Isabella's Pepperoni Sauce

When Bonnie Benwick of WA Post sends you a message on Twitter asking if you could take photos for a top secret mission, you thank your lucky stars that you were already planning on spending your entire day in the kitchen cooking and taking photos and editing those photos and blogging, so what's another few photographs?!

Then you get a bit nervous about what that secret mission is. But there is

When Bonnie Benwick of WA Post sends you a message on Twitter asking if you could take photos for a top secret mission, you thank your lucky stars that you were already planning on spending your entire day in the kitchen cooking and taking photos and editing those photos and blogging, so what's another few photographs?!

Then you get a bit nervous about what that secret mission is. But there is

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Photos of Domenica Marchetti

Last week I got a chance to do something really fun: take photos of Domenica Marchetti for her next cook book that will come out in the fall! It was a cold day, but Domenica braved the cold and posed for me.

Taking photographs of people is definitely not something I've done too often, but Domenica was a lovely and easy going model. After a quick consultation on what to wear, a bit of lip gloss

Last week I got a chance to do something really fun: take photos of Domenica Marchetti for her next cook book that will come out in the fall! It was a cold day, but Domenica braved the cold and posed for me.

Taking photographs of people is definitely not something I've done too often, but Domenica was a lovely and easy going model. After a quick consultation on what to wear, a bit of lip gloss

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I work for food: literally

I work for food: literally! Obviously I have a full time job that allows me to pay bills, take vacations, try out new restaurants, buy shoes and jewelry and treat myself to chocolate, flowers, and kitchen dishes.

I also have a freelancing job which allows me to test (and keep!) different kitchen tools, food products and recipes. That's what I've been doing for Robyn Webb's Fabulous Food Finds

I work for food: literally! Obviously I have a full time job that allows me to pay bills, take vacations, try out new restaurants, buy shoes and jewelry and treat myself to chocolate, flowers, and kitchen dishes.

I also have a freelancing job which allows me to test (and keep!) different kitchen tools, food products and recipes. That's what I've been doing for Robyn Webb's Fabulous Food Finds

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Pumpkin project with Robyn Webb and Nestle

I've done freelance cooking and photography for Robyn Webb's blog for almost a year now. Time flies! When Robyn told me she's working on a few recipes for Nestle Kitchens and asked me to bake a few desserts and take photos, I was at first a bit hesitant.

First, I was moving. Second, I was flying to Seattle to spend time with my family. Third, would Nestle's readers know that the photos were done

I've done freelance cooking and photography for Robyn Webb's blog for almost a year now. Time flies! When Robyn told me she's working on a few recipes for Nestle Kitchens and asked me to bake a few desserts and take photos, I was at first a bit hesitant.

First, I was moving. Second, I was flying to Seattle to spend time with my family. Third, would Nestle's readers know that the photos were done

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