// When I worked at a catering kitchen and bakery a few years back, one of the first jobs I had in the morning was to make all of the quiche and frittata for the day.  Often times it was still dark outside, as the sun had not risen yet, and the kitchen was quiet.  It was my favorite moment of the day.  I would put my apron on, turn on music, and methodically prepare the ingredients. I delighted in coming up with different variations. This quiche was birthed out of those peaceful mornings.  Light and fluffy, with a zing of lemon, this is an elegant addition to any brunch menu.

// An end of winter pie.  Flakey, buttery crust atop a vegetable and beef filling that has been deepened by the richness of a Guinness.  A healthy-ish addition to your St. Patty's Day festivities.

//Nigel is right: these are very good chocolate brownies.  There was no need to try to discover my own recipe in this regard, as his already suits me. Not too sweet, but just rich, fudgey, chocolatey goodness. A delightful treat for this Valentine’s Day.

// Tangy and sweet, this is a show stopper at any holiday table.  Joy, peace, and good cheer!

// For a more intimate holiday meal, try this recipe. A deep richness from short ribs, a sweetness from the puree, and a zing from the pomegranate seeds. This dish will leave you comforted and wrapped in a blanket of love.  Happy Holidays!

//Simple and light, these little puffs are a nice addition to a holiday gift basket. This recipe is much like others, except it calls for browning the butter, giving the meltaway a richer, fuller flavor.

// When it comes to the Thanksgiving meal and its dishes, the members of my family are traditionalists who just tweak old recipes. The menu is like many others: turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, pie, store-bought Hawaiian rolls (who are we kidding, we all love these), and an abundance of gravy.  

To prepare for this year, I did more than just fancy up a classic, I decided to implement a whole new dish with this salad. Farro is a common Italian grain that is acclaimed for its nutty flavors and chewy texture.  Its hearty, delicious, and can stand against any super grain in the nutrition department.  Coupled with the plump, roasted grapes that simply burst in your mouth, and the earthy, sweet lacinato kale, this salad is a winner and a beauty on any holiday table.

This is my Mother’s recipe.  It reminds me of the Decembers of the past when she would spend the whole month baking up gifts.  We would make messes together in the kitchen; laughing and swearing up a storm when things didn’t turn out as expected.  Don’t worry, this one will turn out.

// A forager’s stuffing, slightly sweet, a bit earthy, and full of flavor.  This is a delightful side dish for a cozy night in or a holiday meal.  I used king trumpets, chanterelles, and cremini mushrooms, but you can use whatever pleases you or whatever you find at the market.