There’s something special about a local festival that brings neighbors together—especially one that combines live music, great food, local art, and plenty of space for kids to play. This fall we spent an entire day at the Lafayette Art & Wine Festival, and by the end of it I understood why so many people return … Read more

This Mousseline Cream (Crème Mousseline) is a classic French cream made by whipping butter into pastry cream (Crème Pâtissière). The resulting vanilla‑scented, silky and slightly airy cream is ideal as a filling or topping for cakes, tarts and choux pastries. What is Crème Mousseline Crème Mousseline (mousseline cream) is a rich, fluffy custard-based cream made … Read more

This vegan chicken salad is flavorful, simple to prepare, and ready in under 10 minutes. Made with mashed white beans and a handful of pantry staples, it’s an excellent plant-based sandwich filling for picnics, potlucks, lunches, or BBQs. Updated from the original post on February 19, 2018. If you enjoy plant-based sandwich fillings, this faux … Read more

This rice and beef tips recipe features tender, flavorful beef simmered in a rich gravy — a comforting, satisfying meal the whole family will enjoy. Start with stew meat seasoned and seared, then simmered slowly so the beef becomes fall-apart tender and soaks up the savory flavors. Mushrooms, herbs, garlic and celery add depth and … Read more

Add a flavorful twist to meatballs by simmering them in a tangy, bright tomatillo and guajillo chile sauce, and add delicate diced zucchini for a pop of color and nutrition. If you love meatballs, these Mexican-style meatballs are sure to be a hit with your family. This recipe is adapted from Mexican Today, a beautiful … Read more

Aloha Dreams Fabulous Recipes, Cooking for a Crowd, & Dream Home Design Want Fabulous Recipes & Hawaiian Daydreams? HOME · STIR IT UP · EXPLORE · SAY YES! · AHONUI · PARTY Porcupine Rice Balls These porcupine rice balls are a family favorite that my mom made regularly. I began serving them to my children, … Read more

These Grilled Jalapeño Poppers are halved jalapeños filled with cream cheese, wrapped in bacon, and grilled until smoky and crisp. They’re an easy, crowd-pleasing appetizer perfect for cookouts, game day, tailgates, or summer parties. Why You’ll Love These Grilled Jalapeño Poppers These bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers are a fantastic make-ahead appetizer that finishes quickly on the … Read more

If you want a simple weeknight pasta that’s ready in about 30 minutes, this 30-minute Salmon Pesto Pasta is an ideal choice. Tender salmon, bright pesto, sautéed aromatics, and perfectly cooked pasta come together for a satisfying, low-fuss dinner you’ll return to again and again. Table of Contents This recipe is… Why You’ll Love This … Read more

Chocolate and hazelnut are a timeless pairing, and this cake celebrates that flavor duo beautifully. My Chocolate Hazelnut Cake features two layers of tender, moist hazelnut sponge with a hint of cinnamon, finished with a silky chocolate-hazelnut buttercream. The sponge is made using ground roasted hazelnuts for an authentic, nut-forward flavor, while the frosting combines … Read more

Everywhere I look, the holiday season is already making its presence felt: stores are preparing for Christmas shoppers, catalogs arrive in the mail, blogs share seasonal ideas, and Pinterest overflows with crafts and recipes. Still, I like to savor autumn a little longer here on the blog. That’s easy to do when there’s a stunning … Read more