Cherry Sangria – The Perfect Cocktail To End #BrunchWeek

Cherry Sangria

#BrunchWeek has been a rousing success - so many amazing bloggers and sponsors and I really have to send thanks to the #BrunchWeek fearless leaders,  Christine of Cook the Story and Terri of Love & Confections I knew I had to bring a cocktail to the party and for every soiree I hold, there's a strong chance that a sangria will be involved.  I still remember my first sangria when I was much younger and interned at a radio station in West Hartford, Connecticut.  My friend Kelly and I … [Read more...]



Cookies for Breakfast – Why Not! #BrunchWeek

Breakfast Cookies

Ahhh - Brunch Week is hitting the home stretch - we've got only a couple days until the #BrunchWeek giveaway (have you entered yet?  Do you remember these prizes?? Hurry!!!) and I've got a recipe that will have you going "Aly - have you gone mad??" BREAKFAST COOKIES! Yes - you heard me right - I said cookies for breakfast.  Now - before you bite my head off - hear me out on the Breakfast Cookie argument.  Ever have a morning when you are racing around like mad with a bizillion things to do … [Read more...]



Tried and True: Black and Blue Thyme Jam #BrunchWeek

Black and Blue Thyme Jam

Confession: It's no secret that I have had a torrid love affair with blueberries since I was a young child.  Recently, I have begun cheating on my beloved blueberries with its cousin, the blackberry, and using this delicious berry in more of my dishes.  With #BrunchWeek upon us, I figured I would make a blackberry jam but, the more I thought about it, well, it just sounded so - so - plain.  With all that is going on for #BrunchWeek, I wanted to do something special and play with flavors … [Read more...]



Tried and True: Hangover Breakfast Burrito #BrunchWeek #Giveaway

Hangover Breakfast Burrito

Grab that morning coffee because I have a doozy of a post for you (as well as a recipe you will find yourself making again and again) because it's one of my favorite weeks of the year – Brunch Week! What's Brunch Week you ask? Well – some amazing bloggers, led by Christine of Cook the Story and Terri of Love & Confections, got together and started to chat about all things brunch. Well, one thing lead to another and next thing you know, there's over 30 bloggers participating, … [Read more...]



Secret Recipe Club: Almond Crunch Coffee Cake

Almond_Crunch_Coffee_Cake

There's something comforting about coffee cake.   A few ingredients, a slight sauna in the oven and *viola* you have a tried and true that is good for breakfast, lunch or just a sweet snack and always perfect with a cup of coffee. This month's Secret Recipe Club pairing was a delightful one - I was given the top secret assignment of Cupcake Muffin, run by the super sassy Sara who is beyond accomplished in the kitchen.  We're taking some seriously fabu recipes that really had me scratching my … [Read more...]



Cinco De Mayo Girls’ Night With Sauza-Rita

Sauza_Rita

Margaritas + Girls' Night = Recipe for Success! I was looking at the calendar and realized that Cinco de Mayo is only a couple weeks away. Cinco de Mayo, at least for me, often means fabulous recipes and some serious margarita action so when I was asked to start planning a Girls' Night, well – how could I not step up to the challenge. I tend to throw soirees with a signature cocktail and, for this year's Cinco de Mayo soiree, it's going to be all about the Sauza-Rita – one of the easiest … [Read more...]



Secret Recipe Club: Slow Cooker Sesame Orange Chicken

Slow_Cooker_Sesame_Orange_Chicken_Final_Txt

It's the beginning of April and you know what time it is - time for the Secret Recipe Club's Big Reveal. This month's Secret Recipe Club assignment was a no-brainer for me.  I was lucky to be assigned Edesia's Cookbook - a blog that I absolutely am denatured with.  Lesa is the scribe behind the site and let me tell you - her recipe index had me flagging so many recipes to make for the future but the minute I saw Slow Cooker Sesame Orange Chicken - well, you know I had make it.  Sesame … [Read more...]



Arroz Con Pollo with Brown Rice #LoveEveryMinute

Arroz_Con_Pollo_Minute_Rice_Brown_Rice

Whenever I am having "one of those days" where only comfort food can really fit the bill, I often make Arroz Con Pollo – well, my version at least. This month has not been an easy one, to say the least and, after finding out that what I thought was the flu was actually whooping cough (long story), I pretty much was in dire need of a bit of comfort and was itchin' to get back in the kitchen. Soup, grilled cheese and take-out can only last a sick gal so far, ya know. After having a come to Jesus … [Read more...]



Secret Recipe Club: Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte

Pumpkin-Spice-Latte

Normally, when I have to pick a recipe for my Secret Recipe Club assignment, I'm often overwhelmed, picking out a slew of recipes to marinate over while I decide what would be the perfect recipe to spotlight. It can be quite the process for me (or, perhaps, I just over-complicate it – hey – it's been known to happen). This month's assigned blog had a recipe that literally screamed "MAKE ME!" the minute I saw it and I knew that while I was tempted by the other recipes, this would be my March … [Read more...]



Tried and True: Beef and Onion Stuffed Potatoes

Beef_and_Onion_Stuffed_Potatoes

While some of my fave foodies head to South Beach for the annual  South Beach Wine & Food Festival to frolic in the sun, have a few cocktails and get to have some seriously delish eats, this gal will be dealing with the bitter winter cold. I can't help but be a bit green but there's always next year (perhaps that should be on my 2014 Culinary Goals, huh?). I had a blast when I went with Jen from One Curly Fry a couple years ago and, if you ever get an opportunity to head to SOBEWFF, you … [Read more...]