Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer and, for us, that means the unofficial start of grilling season. So this weekend, we're taking cooking outside. If you are, too, here's the ultimate guide to grilling recipes. Whether you're…
I love the idea of getting a box of fresh, locally grown produce each week, especially if I have the satisfaction of knowing that I had a hand, even if indirectly, in helping grow each lovely tomato, radish, or head of butter lettuce. An…
I've been so busy that I haven't had time to visit the farmer's market since it's been back in its spring glory. So last weekend, with a couple of hours to spare, I grabbed a stack of reusable bags and my older son (you know, to help hol…
My kids are working their way through their scouting badges, which means we've been spending a lot of time outdoors recently. And I couldn't be happier. On those first excursions into the woods, we stuck to hot dogs on sticks for a simpl…
May is packed with teacher appreciation, end-of-year school parties, Memorial Day cookouts, picnics with friends, birthdays and more, so I've been on the lookout for some easy and relatively quick dessert recipes that will still impress.…
I hate to admit it, but it's true that I start thinking more about what I eat and drink in the warmer months. After all, here in New York City, it's time to drop the big coat and show what's underneath. Since I'm not one for dieting, I p…
Outdoor entertaining when I can cook on the grill is my favorite part of warm weather evenings: Al fresco dining feels more festive and drinking, well, it's just more fun outside. Grilling is typically easier than cooking in the kitchen,…
At the top of my current list of completely unnecessary splurges that would be really, really fun to have is the Roccbox portable stone pizza oven . This portable, propane-powered brick oven can be set up in a semi-permanent spot on your…
I still remember visiting a friend's house as a teenager and learning that people make salad dressing from scratch. Wonder of wonders! As a child raised on a solid stream of store-bought, low-fat ranch, I had no idea this was even possib…
I have big dreams of buying an even bigger hat and making my way to the Kentucky Derby one day. But until then, I will sip on a Mint Julep and watch the races from the comfort of my couch (no hat required). When I first set out to find M…
Summer is coming. The school year is almost over (how'd that happen?), and the burn out is real. I need some easy, healthy dinners I can get on the table quickly to save me from ordering in most nights these days. Because swim suits are …
Warmer weather has arrived and we're officially in iced coffee mode! But here's the thing: The very best iced coffee drinks are made from cold brew, which is less acidic and much more flavorful than a hot cup of coffee cooled down with i…
It's picnic season! With the weather most of us have been having, it's the perfect excuse to pack up lunch or dinner to eat al fresco in the park or by the beach. When done right, packing a picnic is easy business -- but it's not just a …
I hear that spring weather is in full swing in many places around the country, but it's been pretty iffy here in NYC. I've resolved to not let that bother me and have officially decided to shift into spring mode, weather be damned. One o…
Fall isn't all about pumpkin, you know. There are lots of other fall flavors that make delicious drinks, including apples and apple cider perfect for these tasty apple cider drinks ; pears, which we used to make these skinny pear cocktai…
With Labor Day—and the official end of summer—upon us, I will be spending the weekend eating and drinking outside with friends and family. Instead of mixing up precious drinks, I plan on making big pitchers of cocktails and mocktails to …
With Labor Day entertaining coming up, that also means we've got party food on our minds. These easy, fix-ahead Labor Day party appetizers have been a huge hit at home (yes, I sacrificed and made pizza dip and honey Sriracha hot wings al…
Now that I'm a grown-up, i.e., responsible for making holidays awesome for my kids, I've found that the ( ahem ) b-level holidays like Labor Day are quickly becoming my favorites. There's no pressure to shop and decorate. Instead, we jus…
There are those summer fruits and veggies that are fleeting—we wait for them all year and then, just like that, their season passes—and then there’s zucchini. It’s easy to grow and seems to be everywhere this time of year. If you have so…
It’s happened. Finally. I grew tomatoes, and they are perfect. My family and I are eating them up, but I also want to save some so that I can relish summer’s goodness long into winter. If you've ever wondered about how to preserve tomato…
We fully admit that we're flip floppers when it comes to food holidays. Mostly we think they are silly, but when one comes around that gives us an excuse to indulge in a favorite treat, we're the first ones to celebrate. Today, National …
If your family is anything like mine, you’re eating fresh, sweet corn on the cob several times a week. It’s such a treat and, really, the highlight of summer eating. First I cook it up: Mostly I follow these directions for how to boil co…
I wait all summer for the moment when I can toss long strands of spaghetti, fettuccini, or earthy soba noodles with a no-cook pasta sauce. Not just because they cut down on time spent cooking over heat, though that’s nice, but because a …
I have no idea how August snuck up on us, but it has. And right now, the only good thing about the end of summer nearing is that end of summer fruit is so good. Good enough to drink, which is what I need to pretend that it's not the end …