We had a gorgeous 75 degrees sunny, Carolina blue sky day in Charlotte today. That alone begged me to get outside rather than spending time in my favorite place, the kitchen, But the reality is that it is December and a time of year during which more people than ever are sick, overwhelmingly busy, and [...]

After nearly a decade of failed & mediocre attempts to make pizza, the last 12 years, our family has been enjoying homemade pizza that we literally crave and have only found close seconds at restaurants. The secret? It’s not letting your dough rise all day. It’s not simmering homemade sauce for hours. It’s not even the [...]

Pesto is a fresh and flavorful combination of a leafy green (think herb, arugula, spinach, etc.) + some type of nut (pine nuts, walnuts) + olive oil + sharp aged cheese (like parmesan) + garlic that can serve as an Italian sauce or spread. My basil plant is the only thing in my garden that I happen to [...]