HONEY JASMINE LEMONADE

I first made this cocktail for a fabulous friends fabulous party around Christmas time. She invited everyone to bring a cocktail and the acc...

ROSE SANGRIA WITH PINEAPPLE AND GUAVA and ASPARAGUS WITH POACHED EGG AND CRISPY PROSCIUTTO and POTATO CRUSTED SALMON WITH HERB SALAD and BLUEBERRY BUTTERMILK ORANGE TART

We had been trying to find a time to have dinner with friends, and after many attempts we finally established a time. Our Son and their Daug...

A MONTH OF DRANKS: SUMMER APPLE DULCET

Now this is what I want to gulp down on a hot summer's day.  The apple cider, mint, and bourbon make a refreshing combination, especiall...

COCONUT LEMON SOUR and TUNA AND CAPER DIP and COCONUT LIME CHICKEN TACOS and BANANA SOUR CREAM MASCARPONE CAKE

I invited friends over for cocktails by the pool - but we moved up to the back deck once the kids, chilly and exhausted from swimming, decid...

FEIJOA AND APPLE FIX and SAUSAGE ROLLS and ROAST KUMARA AND CASHEW SALAD and PINK PEPPERCORN PAVLOVA WITH VANILLA CREAM AND BASIL SYRUP

I was very excited to gather together and spend time again with the wonderful ladies who lunch. I chose a New Zealand theme - preparing some...

A MONTH OF DRANKS: THE S'MEACH COCKTAIL

One of my favorite summer recipes is the S'meach (S'mores + Peach). By replacing the chocolate with fresh peaches rolled in brown su...

A MONTH OF DRANKS: SMOKEY SOUTH SIDE COCKTAIL

The last time I was in Chicago, I made haste to the Violet Hour for the best stiff drink in town.  I love great cocktails (who doesn't ...

VANILLA BEAN OLD FASHIONED and SMOKED SALMON ON RYE

This has been one of my favorite food and beverage pairings - the smoky rye flavor of the particular bourbon I used was a wonderful complime...

A MONTH OF DRANKS: IPA MANHATTAN

Inspired by the flavors in a traditional IPA (bright, bitter, citrusy hops, sweetness from the malt, and a just baked bread quality from th...

THE STRAWBERRY MUDDLE

I served this fun cocktail before a friend and I attended a recent show at the Walton Arts Center. Our regular mama schedules left little ti...

CREOLE OLD FASHIONED

I recently sorted through and cleaned out my recipe box. I had accumulated so many, that it was taking me a ridiculous amount of time to sea...

ROSEMARY RHUBARB DAIQUIRI and SALMON GOAT CHEESE AND LEEK TART and COFFEE CARAMEL CREME BRULEE

This menu was a dinner party disaster y'all!! Individually, each dish was all right, but when put together they just didn't work. No...

CHAMCELLO

My husband was out late earlier this week, he had a rezoning meeting and a committee meeting following his regular work day. I had just brus...

ORANGE MIMOSA and COCONUT FLAN

This was the beginning and the end of our Easter feast. With not having family in town, it was wonderful to have dear friends close with whi...

CUCUMBER LEMONADE CHILLER and SPRING SALAD WITH LIME VINAIGRETTE and WHITE PEACH CRISP

We were really looking forward to having some of the most fabulous people we know for dinner. What started out as a small gathering, grew to...

LYCHEE MARTINI

After a week out of town for Spring Break, I was excited to be back in my familiar, cozy surroundings. I love, love, love to travel, and I l...

PEPPERMINT FROTH

One of our favorite holiday traditions is choosing our Christmas tree. We meet family friends, pack a large thermos of hot chocolate and kid...

CHOCOLATE CAKE COCKTAIL

After date night, my husband and I decided to indulge in a night cap - I thought this cocktail would be perfect - like dessert but without t...

SPIRITED SHRIMP COCKTAIL and POTATO CHEESE MUFFINS WITH PORK AND CINNAMON PLUM CHUTNEY and WHITE CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKES WITH PATRON XO CAFE CARAMEL SAUCE and BACON TEQUILA TRUFFLES

I had a lot of fun cooking for the Arkansas game this past weekend. Being from New Zealand, I don't know much about Football, but I know...

PUMPKIN SPIDERS

As flavorful as this drink was, I didn't quite get the name! However, once I understood the "spider" was derived from spiked c...