Celebrity Chef Giada De Laurentiis is one of my favorite chefs. This Rigatoni with Vegetable Bolognese Recipe is classic Giada, whose dishes take advantage of  fresh herbs and vegetables. Just hearty enough for the cool months of winter, try this wonderful recipe the next time you want to elevate your “go to” pasta evening. SERVES: 6 […]

Looking for an easy, decadent holiday present? Try Donna Hay’s mouth watering Candy Cane Brownies with chocolate ganache. Find a red holiday box and top with white ribbon and a candy cane. This is easy and fabulously delicious – perfect for a hostess gift or a grand dessert that can be prepared in advance. SERVES: […]

Who doesn’t associate colorful, healthy and festive red cranberries with the holidays? The Barefoot Contessa features this Cranberry and Apple Cake recipe in her new cookbook,“How Easy Is That.” Ina’s newest cookbook is the essence of fabulous entertaining without a lot of fuss. Nothing beats this crowd pleasing dessert during an otherwise hectic time of  year!   […]

Giada’s Prosciutto Wrapped Scallops recipe is perfect for a healthy, easy to prepare dinner for family or friends.  I like to add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to top off this recipe. SERVES: 4 INGREDIENTS ¼ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves 2 tablespoons chopped pitted black olives (about 10 […]

Wolfgang Puck’s versatile Potato Galette can be served for breakfast, brunch or even the post Oscar dinner for the  Governor’s Ball. Enjoy! SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS 1 1/2  pounds baking potatoes, peeled 2         teaspoons chopped fresh thyme 1/2     teaspoon salt 1/4     teaspoon freshly ground white pepper 1/2     cup olive oil DIRECTIONS With a sharp chef’s knife, slice the […]

Wolfgang Puck is the original celebrity chef. Puck’s food is always sensational, as well as healthy, seasonal and easy to prepare. Puck’s Basil Garlic Vinaigrette recipe is one of my favorites and is especially good during the summer when fresh basil is readily available. Use this recipe for marinades or salad dressing, as well. SERVES: […]

Want an easy appetizer for summer?  Bobby Flay’s Grilled Potato and Goat Cheese Napoleon with Balsamic-Basil Vinaigrette is perfect. I love taking advantage of fresh basil and chives, especially when I can go outside and pick the herbs  from my garden. Most of this dish can be assembled in advance and grilled just before serving. […]

Nothing conjures up summertime more than s’mores. Try bringing Donna Hay’s version of this American classic to your next  beach bonfire, even though these are scrumptious anytime of year.  Kid’s love to finish these treats off with roasted marshmallows. SERVINGS:    20 INGREDIENTS 1 stick butter 1 ¼ cup brown sugar1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 […]

Love. Love. Love this salad. It’s of my all time favorites. Otherwise known as “Salade De Laitue,” this is an elegant, classic and sure to be one of the most popular you will serve to guests for special evenings or a standby at home. The fresh herbs make all the difference. As Thomas Keller explains, “The […]

Risotto Primavera (with spring vegetables) is one of the popular risottos prepared at Villa d’Este by Executive Chef Luciano Parolari on romantic Lake Como in Italy. Throughout the world, Chef Parolari has been known as the “King of Risotto” for good reason! The Gourmet Review would like to wish Executive Chef Luciano Parolari good luck, as he […]