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Cozy comfort meets quiet luxury in a dish that warms you from the inside out. Some recipes feel like they arrive with the seasons. Uninvited, but entirely welcome. This one came to me on a day when the air had that unmistakable shift toward winter… when all you want is something bubbling and beautiful in […]

Recipes

Mushroom, Leek & Chicken Cast Iron Pot Pie

How This Recipe Came to Be Some recipes arrive quietly not planned or tested in a big kitchen, but dreamed up in motion. Born out of what you have and what you crave. This one came to me somewhere between Austin and home. I had made a batch of Smoked Butter Beans, an Ottolenghi-inspired recipe that […]

Recipes

Confit Halibut with Smoked Butter Beans and Pistou

A Nostalgic Tradition Worth Reviving In the Midwest, the relish tray wasn’t a trend — it was a ritual. It appeared at every gathering, no matter the occasion. Before the meal, before the main event, there it was: a platter of small bites meant to welcome you in. I grew up with the same ingredients […]

Recipes, TidBits

Bringing Back the Relish Tray

A Love Letter When my husband, Scot, and I first visited the Texas Hill Country in 2017, we fell in love. You’d think it was the wine that captured our hearts — and truthfully, the wine is wonderful — but what really drew us in were the people. There’s a generosity of spirit here, a […]

TidBits, Travel

A Bon Vivant’s Guide to the Texas Hill Country: Sip, Savor, and Stay Awhile

Let’s get one thing straight: this is not the tiramisu you’ve had at one of those chain restaurants. This version is soft, airy, and subtly sweet — the kind of dessert that feels like a little secret indulgence at the end of a good meal. It’s the real deal, made with crisp, Italian-style ladyfingers (none of that sponge […]

Recipes, Travel

Postcards from my Kitchen: Tiramisu, the Right Way

Some recipes transport you — not just in flavor, but in feeling. This one takes me straight back to Montalcino. In 2023, Scot and I had one of those unforgettable meals at a quiet little restaurant tucked into the hills of this beautiful Tuscan town. The food was simple, soulful, and cooked with the kind […]

Recipes, Travel

Postcards from my Plate: Stuffed Chicken from Montalcino

A Hill Country Summer in Italy I’ve just returned from Italy, and while my suitcase may be unpacked, my heart (and tastebuds) are still very much abroad. There’s something about the rhythm of Italian life — the way meals unfold slowly, the way ingredients sing on their own without needing much fuss, the way herbs […]

Recipes, Travel

Postcards from My Plate: Bringing Italy Home with Porchetta-Style Pork Roast

A Hill Country Summer in Italy There are some trips that stay with you long after the bags are unpacked and the laundry is done. My recent journey to Italy was one of those — not just a vacation, but a reminder of why I fell in love with food, travel, and sharing both with […]

TidBits

A Taste of Italy, From My Hill Country Kitchen

When there is a chill in the air, it makes me crave mushroom! What better way to savor the bounty of the forest than by making a batch of delicious mushroom confit? Not only is it incredibly flavorful, but it’s also a fantastic way to preserve your harvest for months to come. What is Mushroom […]

Recipes

Mushroom Confit

Chicken Diane, a classic French dish, traditionally features pan-seared beef in a creamy sauce. But today, we’re putting a modern twist on this elegant recipe, swapping out the beef for tender chicken and infusing the dish with the earthy flavors of locally sourced wild mushrooms. Why This Recipe Works: Tips & Variations: Enjoy this delicious […]

Recipes

Chicken Diane with Wild Mushrooms with Smashed Yukon Golds