The Santiago Cake is an easy to make almond cake, naturally gluten/dairy free, with delicious flavor and texture. It is light, with bright notes from orange zest, and is an excellent alone or paired with morning coffee, afternoon tea, or as an after dinner dessert served w/ ice cream or fruit.

Ricciarelli are dense, chewy Italian almond cookies originating in Siena. They are a distant, and much less fussy, Italian cousin to the French macaron — dairy-free and gluten-free, they are also so very perfect with tea or coffee!

My ex-husband’s mother, Vincenzina (Vini, as she liked to be called), passed away last April. She wasn’t perfect. Old-school Italian from Verbicaro, a small town in Cosenza, she was stubborn, lied with enviable polish, and was a talented cook.

My son in law has a severe dairy allergy. He’s a really nice young man, a musician, that we’ve known since he and my daughter were 16! I love to cook with butter, and have always been a little squirmy about using food substitutes because, in my mind, there is nothing like the real thing. But I love this young man and wanted to make him a chocolate cupcake that was yummy! I think this is it. Do try it and let me know your thoughts in the comment section. XOXO, M

My friend Connie is generous, kind, and loyal. We have been friends since our daughters were babies. Now they’re 37. And it’s her birthday today. Because of COVID19, we can’t celebrate like we used to, and I know she loves blueberry muffins, so I made these for her.

My friend, Liz, and I, love ginger cookies. This recipe was handed down to her by her mother.

My Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie is full of dark semi-sweet chocolate, buttery, chewy, and has crispy edges. It's also not too sweet, but sweet enough to make you want another.

When Katrina Rozelle closed her bakery doors to retire, I thought I was going to lose my mind. So I bought as many of my favorite cookies from her to try to recreate her recipe for her Ginger Cookies.

What is a Negroni? It’s a cocktail concocted by Count Camillo Negroni (that’s his family’s name) who asked his bartender, Fosco Scarselli,

Growing up in Europe and Asia meant growing up with a diverse palate. In Andalusia, Spain, my mother’s favorite dish was Paella. It’s a rice dish that made her feel at home because she was Asian and grew up with rice at every meal, she missed it very much. Here is a basic Paella recipe.

My friend, Anjou, owns a small cafe in San Francisco. Until recently, Bamboo Asia was a five-restaurant chain of fast-food restaurants featuring Asian street food-inspired lunches.

I was inspired by Chef Josh Heiskell’s recipe for Nutella Peanut Butter Cookies to make this recipe.

“These are stupid delicious!” Chef Josh Heiskell (https://www.instagram.com/chefjoshheiskell/)

Chicken and pork adobo is a traditional Filipino comfort food, always paired with rice to balance the rich sauce and give it body.

During Sevilla’s Feria de Abril, the Rebujito represents happiness. You can find it everywhere, in bars and in private homes or in the casetas of the Feria. It’s served by the glass or by the pitcher, and either way, it’s the typical Sevilla drink that will leave you refreshed and ready for all the festivities!