I have some delicious ideas for you this month, including one that brings me back to a place with a lot of memories. A Sweet Serendipity… As a teenager growing up on Long Island, I would go with friends into New York City a few times a year, on breaks from school. We’d go into a museum or to see a play (from the half-price ticket booth). Whenever we had extra money, we’d also head to Serendipity for Frozen Hot Chocolate. In the following years, my trips were less frequent, but I did make it back occasionally to this iconic place for delicious treats with my daughter when she was younger and when we were both adults. Given my history, I was all too happy to get a copy of Sweet Serendipity: Delicious Desserts and Devilish Dish . The book, by the restaurant’s founder Stephen Bruce, was issued to celebrate the 65th anniversary of one of the most famous eateries in Manhattan. This is far from just a recipe book, even though it provides the recipes to the famous Froz...

Thanksgiving was late this year so it’s feeling like a tighter holiday season. I’ve been inundated with samples to try and finally seeing the end of the (tasty) tunnel. Wine for your dining… Seven Falls Cellars in Paterson, Washington sent me a case of some of their most popular wines. I have to say I liked them all, especially since they have a price point around $20. The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon is a quality cabernet sauvignon at a $22.99 price. It’s starts with the familiar black cherry and ends in smoke and spice. Seven Falls Cellars Merlot (2014) is more flavorful for my taste, when you add in the black raspberry and currant, and a finish with a hint of cocoa. The 2015 Rapids Red is filled with red fruit, with just a little spice on the back. I could actually take this wine warmed with some cinnamon or nutmeg, or a full set of mulling spices, to drink in front of the fire. Although I prefer my chardonnay unoaked, the Seven Cellars 2016 is the red lov...

There was lots of frost on the pumpkin this Halloween, but that didn’t keep me from enjoying fall food and spirits. A little bit of spirit in my bread… I first tried Sugarland Distilling’s Pumpkin Spiced Latte Sipping Cream two years ago . I loved it and it was a huge hit with my friends.  I received a note from the company promoting it for the fall season. I asked them to send me another bottle, this time for cooking. I had a pretty good idea of what it would work in and I was right. You definitely want to try this recipe I created for Pumpkin Spiced Latte Cream Cheese Bread . Try this tequila selection… I didn’t know much about Alacran Tequila before I received a box to sample. I am a tequila lover and was impressed with their selection, as well as the product. My favorite of the bunch was the Autentico Tequila Cristal. This premium tequila will remain one of my favorites. It’s got the perfect mix of smooth and sweet that I wouldn’t waste mi...

As we get ready for Back to School and the end of summer vacations, everyone is looking to keep things as simple as possible. I’ve got some product ideas and recipes that should keep every member of the family happy. Keep it warm… I’m not sure where HotLogic   has been all my life while I struggled with bringing leftovers to work. There’s usually one microwave and everyone is lined up to use it. Rather than waste your lunch hour waiting for it, pick up one of these lunch boxes. HotLogic starts at $30 and is your own little portable oven. You can not only use it to reheat food (from fresh or frozen), but it can also cook food, albeit not at microwave speed. You can pick up a  HotLogic  at Amazon. They come in various colors and sizes. Best bags for nearly everything… I confess to be a hoarder of plastic zipper bags. I have them in various sizes and use them all the time. The only problem is that, although I always buy the ones labeled “freezer ...

It’s the height of the summer and I’m ready for to enjoy. That includes quick recipes and summer drinks. A rare release by Sailor Jerry… I spent a weekend with the crew from Sailor Jerry a few years ago. It was a fun exploration of the brand’s connection to tattoos . I also learned a lot about this delicious spiced rum. One of the things that has made is so unique is the fact that they haven’t introduced various flavors, as so many rum brands have. Sailor Jerry finally decided to change that when they found something that had the characteristics to represent their brand. Sailor Jerry Savage Apple is as exceptional as the original brand in that it takes a simple recipe – Sailor Jerry Rum and apples – and turns it into something you an enjoy all year round. It’s a hard apple cider, with emphasis on apple and a touch of cinnamon, and a clear peak into Sailor Jerry’s spiced rum, with its vanilla undertones. Sailor Jerry Savage Apple is something you’ll want to chi...

It’s time to celebrate the warmer weather with some refreshing drinks and healthy foods (with recipes). If You Like Piña Coladas… How about a French vodka with all-natural flavors? That’s what Alize makes and for this summer they introduced Alize Pineapple, priced at only $20. Pineapple happens to be my favorite fruit, so it was easy to get me to try this one and I wasn’t disappointed. It was the star of my tasting event over ice. I’m sure there are plenty of cocktails you can make with this, but it’s so flavorful and not too sweet and I want it straight. If you are in the mood for a Piña Colada, just add a little coconut milk. Speaking of coconut milk… Gefen Coconut Milk also arrived at my door. The company sent me the Sweetened and Unsweetened. I haven’t worked with the unsweetened yet (stay tuned for next month), but I came up with this recipe for Easy Blueberry Coconut Ice Cream with the sweetened.  It’s a cool, refreshing, treat that tastes more li...

Spring has sprung and it’s time to make things simpler so you can enjoy the weather. I’ve got some great options for you this month, and plenty to wash it down with. Spring Chicken… Moore’s Marinade sent me two of their popular sauces to try out: Asian Teriyaki Wing Sauce and Honey BBQ Wing Sauce . I invited some friends over and got cooking – without a sweat. For the  Asian Teriyaki Wing Sauce , I marinated wings in a Ziploc bag for the day. In the meantime, I put a family-sized package of drumsticks in my crockpot with the Honey BBQ. I cooked that on low for 6 hours. A friend through the wings on the grill (with a little extra sauce on top) just before the drumsticks were done. Both recipes were delicious – and so easy! I recommend picking up some from Amazon . Mangia Italiano… My Italian grandfather always pushed me to get better and better at my Italian cooking game. I’ve got my sauce down to a science, so I was a little hesitant to try Tuscani...