As I write this – I’m stranded at Bradley International in Hartford, Connecticut. Thank god for wireless internet. I came home for the weekend to see my mom – and let me tell you – it is officially my favorite time of the year!! It really doesn’t feel like it down in Miami but the leaves are falling, scarfs are necessary and Christmas music is playing in the stores! Fa la la la la… la la la laaaa.

Here’s a great recipe for you to bring into the office to get extra brownie points for your end of the year bonus (haha), make for a holiday party, wrap up and give to the neighbors, bribe someone with… or just eat by yourself with a fork and gallon of milk.

Do you ever come home from a long day at work and not know exaaaactly what to cook but you know that you want something that tastes somewhere between white truffle macaroni & cheese and basmati rice?  Anyone?  Anyone?  Alright – so maybe that’s a unique craving… but in any case – this recipe really hits the spot and is a perfect side to almost any dish.  It’s so flavorful that I’ve made it as a meal by itself on many occasions.

2 tablespoons EVOO (or just a big drizzle)
1 cup dry orzo
1.5 – 2 cups low …

Gnocchi was always a bit of a mystery to me. I ordered it in restaurants and just stared at it like some great culinary feat that I was too intimidated to try. Never before had I Googled some thing so seemingly simple (directions = BOIL) and gotten so many different results. I gave up after a few lunchtime Google sessions…. until a few weeks ago.
I was browsing through the grocery aisles talking to my best friend on the phone when I came face to face with a …

This fruity pear tart has layers of flavors that all come together beautifully to create a pastry that’s not overpoweringly sweet, but definitely hits the spot!

On the drive home from work last night, I remembered that I had a container of raspberries that I bought this weekend and still hadn’t used up!! I haven’t baked in a month or two – and thought I’d get back into it to bring something yummy into work today for my team. We moved into a new cube neighborhood yesterday and thought it would be nice for a “cube warming.” I ran to Publix and picked up some dough and some mascarpone cheese and got to …