Fall in Love with Pineapple Pizza

Pineapple and Duck Prosciutto Pizza

A whole pineapple was thoughtlessly purchased without a clue of what to do with it. Although, it’s a bit complicated to chop up, it’s a juicy snack or a nice garnish for a rum drink. Chunks of it always sweeten a mean, green stir-fry. When it’s pureed, it sweetens most dessert (try it in Hummingbird Cake with Mascarpone Frosting). After some thought, I decided to challenge myself by making a savory pineapple pizza.

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Parade.com: Earthy and Citrus Meyer Lemon Muffins

Meyer Lemon Muffins

One snowy and freezing day, in which outside temperatures hovered around 10° F, my apartment was filled with a clean lemony and early spring, floral smell of Meyer Lemon Muffins. These aren’t super sweet muffins mimicking cupcakes. They have an earthy flavor from wheat flour, flax seeds and chia seeds as the glaze sweetens the muffins with an extra lemony taste. As temperatures continue to rise and extremely fall (in some places below 0° F), the taste and smell of these Meyer Lemon Muffins reminds us of early spring gardens as we watch snowflakes dance outside our windows.  Read more

Parade.com: Clementine and Rosemary Quick Bread

Clementine and Rosemary Quick Bread

Thanks to Cuties, they delivered a crate of clementines to my office. Each one was easy to peel, had almost no seeds and they’re full of Vitamin C. After a few were shared with coworkers, the rest were taken home and pureed in a food processor to be stirred into a quick bread flavored with specks of fresh rosemary. A day after the bread was made, we toasted slices in the oven, peeled a Cutie Clementine and made a pot of green tea. It was healthy and juicy afternoon snack.  Read more

Start the Year by Improving Bad Habits and Trying New Food Pairings

Maple Cumin Bread
Maple Cumin Bread

My knowledge of wine could be more than the average person, for I know my basic pairings with food. I’m also not an aficionado when it comes to tea, but I know enough to start with loose-leaf tea leaves and the different steeping times. However, my knowledge of beer is flat. Last autumn, Jo of AGiftofTea.com — a true tea connoisseur — invited me to her Beer and Tea pairing event in Harlem. Although, my time management is a work in progress, I missed the demonstration. However, I was able to sample Organic Golden Monkey Black, Jasmine Green and Alishan Oolong teas while nibbling on beer flavored popcorn, spicy dried mango from Trader Joe’s (that’s now part of my grocery list) and dark chocolate.

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It’s Naptime

Strawberry Shortcake

The doctor’s orders are to rest, take it easy and walk around just a little. My parents have firmly told me not to cook. The boyfriend brought strawberries. There’s fresh cream in the refrigerator. My girlfriend seriously asked me what are my plans tonight. I told her I was going to dance the night away and have a few drinks. I wish. Strawberry Shortcake will cure me through this month of being off my feet.  Read more