This Shrimp With Pernod and Quick Preserved Lemon Appetizer recipe was created by my friend, Jessica, the owner of the Angry Blueberry catering company. Jessica served this to my husband and me as a special appetizer for our anniversary. This is so unusual, creative and unlike any appetizer I have ever tasted.  Quite frankly, I could […]

Yellowfin Ahi Tataki with Truffle Soy Emulsion is another great recipe from Chef Eric Garrett at Hawaii’s Resident Beach House restaurant. I’ve been pining over this for quite awhile and Chef was nice enough to share with me. The bonus is that this is a healthy recipe and easy to prepare at home, but it lives and […]

Looking for the perfect fresh salsa for appetizer tortilla chips? Try Chef Eric Garret‘s trio of fabulous fresh salsas next time you want to impress guests. The “kick” varies in each salsa and, best of all,  these can be made early in the day before guests arrive. Chef Eric shares his recipe from the fabulous […]

This Grilled Chili Marinated Prawn Salad with Lime Vinaigrette Dressing is healthy, creative and easy to prepare. Fresh ingredients rule the day, featuring cherry tomatoes, avocado and grilled corn. Even the dressing takes advantage of freshly squeezed lime and orange juice. A surprise ingredient gives the vinaigrette a slight “kick” for flavor.   SERVES: 1 INGREDIENTS ¼ […]

Moorea Prawns and Pineapple Salad. As if the turquoise waters and white sand of French Polynesia’s Four Season’s Bora Bora Hotel  aren’t already enough! You’ll have to make a quick trip to an Asian market for some of the vinaigrette ingredients, but it’s worth the effort. The combination of shrimp, tomatoes, cucumbers, fresh pineapple and […]

Count on the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai  to create fabulous, healthy salads using seasonal fresh ingredients. This is one of my favorites right now at Beach Tree Restaurant. SERVES: 1 INGREDIENTS 9 each shrimp halves (cut in half lengthwise, steamed for 3 minutes and cooled) 3 each orange segments 3 each papaya wedges 7 each baby […]

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 […]

What exactly is the proper etiquette for opening and serving champagne?  No one knows the answer to this better than Wolfgang Puck. He’s the master at creating the perfect mood for any special occasion. Make sure you remember these tips to look like a pro. If you’re popping the question this Valentine’s Day or raising […]

  Every year I need to rerun this post for “Party Mix,” “Nuts N Bolts” or “Doo Dads.” My family expects bowls of this addictive snack for Christmas.  I start making the mix mid November and put in the freezer before adding the liquid ingredients. Each bowl is labeled for a particular family member. This solves the […]

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!   […]