An easy and tasty Tuna Pasta Salad, ideal for a quick family dinner, a packed lunch or a sunny picnic. This colourful, creamy salad is a reliable favourite that comes together in minutes. I began making this Tuna Pasta Salad in my early twenties when I realised I was spending most of my wages on … Read more

Does your family have a recipe that appears at every holiday gathering? These mini cucumber sandwiches are ours. Made with just four ingredients, they come together quickly, look beautiful on a tray, and always disappear fast. They’re a simple, timeless appetizer that guests love. Why this recipe works These bite-sized sandwiches are ideal finger food. … Read more

Desiree Verdejo, the owner of Harlem’s Vivrant Beauty, is an inspiring entrepreneur and a knowledgeable curator of beauty products. Her shop, Vivrant Beauty, has become known for thoughtful selections of unique, well-packaged, and high-quality brands. The store is compact, but every item invites closer inspection — a well-edited boutique where discovery is part of the … Read more

Juicy, tart, and sweet plums are baked into a moist walnut-oil cake finished with a bright lemon icing and a scattering of lavender for a floral, rustic dessert. The combination of ground walnuts and walnut oil deepens the nutty flavor while the plums turn jammy as they bake, creating delightful pockets of fruit throughout the … Read more

This Christmas cake ball tree is a festive centerpiece I’ve wanted to make for years. I once created cake pop trees for a friend’s wedding and they were stunning. This version is simpler because you don’t need sticks for each pop—just small toothpicks to attach the cake balls to a foam cone. The result is … Read more

Is there a flavor that says SUMMER more clearly than s’mores? For me, nothing does. One bite and I’m back at my parents’ lake cottage, evenings spent around a fire. With the 4th of July coming up, these chocolate s’mores cupcakes are the perfect way to celebrate. No affiliate links here — I only mention … Read more

5 Pepper Pizza We love pizza and bold beef flavors. Recently we smoked a large chuck roast—what we call “La Carne del Diablo” or “The Devil’s Beef”—using five different chiles plus onions and garlic. After a low-and-slow cook and a light kiss of smoke from wood pellets, we ended up with tender, spicy shredded beef … Read more

If you love freshly picked strawberries, these Fresh Strawberry Scones are a must-try. Tender, flaky scones filled with bright, sweet strawberry flavor make a perfect spring or summer treat—ideal for brunch, a picnic, or simply a weekend bake. While homegrown berries are unbeatable, high-quality store-bought strawberries work well too. Use the ripest, juiciest fruit you … Read more

Quick and easy to prepare, this homemade chocolate cherry granola makes a delightful breakfast or snack and is a healthier alternative to many store-bought options. I haven’t shared a granola recipe here in quite a while, and that’s something I need to fix. Over time my cooking habits change in phases: I’ll fall in love … Read more