Rich, creamy banana layered over a tender, moist cake and finished with a silky pudding and whipped cream topping. Banana Buttermilk Trifles are a decadent, individual dessert served in a jar. I was excited to receive Shaina Olmanson’s debut cookbook, Desserts In Jars: 50 Sweet Treats That Shine (The Harvard Common Press – June 2012). … Read more

Spicy Coffee Rubbed Chicken is tender, juicy and packed with heat — a quick, impressive main dish for guests or a special family meal. This spicy coffee-rubbed chicken is a great choice when you want something flavorful and simple to prepare. It looks and tastes like a restaurant dish, yet comes together quickly. In the … Read more

Chopped Taco Salad. We all know how I feel about it. In short, I love it madly. There are so many ways to make and serve taco salad. The only acceptable way to eat it is to inhale it, so the creativity is best saved for presentation. This layered chopped taco salad is both pretty … Read more

These air fryer salmon bites are my go-to when I want a quick, satisfying meal. Crispy on the outside, tender inside, and full of savory flavor, they come together in under 15 minutes and feel far more special than the effort suggests. If you enjoy salmon but don’t always want a full fillet, this is … Read more

We had an unforgettable Alaska cruise filled with spectacular scenery, memorable experiences, and plenty of surprises. It’s hard to capture everything we loved about the trip in just a few lines, but here are the highlights and practical impressions from our journey. TL;DR: Short on time? Top recommendations:🏨 Hotels and vacation rentals for your stay📍 … Read more

This Southern redneck caviar recipe brings together fresh ingredients—beans, corn, peppers—and tosses them in zesty Italian dressing. Ready in about 10 minutes, this healthy, addictive dip is perfect with Tostitos Scoops or Frito Scoops for snacking or entertaining. This popular dish goes by many names depending on region and preference: bean salad, cowboy caviar, Southern … Read more

The classic Italian rainbow cookies consist of thin layers of almond-paste–flavored sponge cake, tinted green, white, and red, stacked with seedless raspberry preserves and finished with a chocolate coating. After baking, the layers are spread with jam and weighted so they compress and fuse, producing the dense, jewel-like slices everyone loves. TL;DR (Quick-Answer Box) What … Read more

Today I’m writing about palmiers — one of the simplest baking recipes you can make and one of the most flexible. These crisp, buttery pastries can be sweet or savoury, adapted with cheese, chocolate, pestos or preserves, and are a brilliant project for kids or a quick way to impress guests with freshly baked treats … Read more

These Soft Amish Cinnamon Brown Sugar Cookies are thick and chewy with a light, melt-in-your-mouth texture. They feature slightly crisp edges and a tender, buttery center—perfect for cool weather or any time you crave a comforting cookie. Looking for other sugar cookie options? Try my classic cut-out sugar cookies or pumpkin spice pressed sugar cookies. … Read more

There are dishes in Pakistani cuisine that need no introduction: Biryani, Pilau, Korma. Equally iconic is a well-made mutton or lamb Karahi. Popular in dhabas and restaurants across Pakistan and often served at family gatherings, Karahi is a true classic of Pakistani home cooking. I’ve written about the place Karahis hold in my family memories … Read more