Author, branding and media expert, and my dear friend, Beth Nydick joins me in the Cucina this week! Beth is all about eating CLEAN - hence her book, Clean Cocktails! She shares a fun and easy spring rolls recipe with peanut sauce! And she threw in a healthy paloma recipe! Beth also shows us how to get clear on our messaging around ourselves and our brands so we can get that message out into the world!
Read MoreDon't get me wrong, Marisa Brahney makes EVERYTHING look easy, but these air fryer cutlets are a delicious family dinner in 20 minutes FLAT! Check out her tips for layering in flavors, getting the kids to help, and why she swears by her air fryer! Not to mention the sweet story of where her love of food came from - spoiler alert, like me, Marisa is a "daddy's girl!" It's all in this episode!
Read MoreMy incredible co-host from NJ Morning Show, Kristina Behr, joins me in the Cucina this week to share a Behr family favorite! This chili mac and cheese recipe is always a slam dunk with her boys and we're pretty sure your kids will love it too! Kristina also talks about growing up with parents in TV, getting her hair cut next to Susan Lucci, and what inspired her to tackle a career in news!
Read MoreThis Winter Fruit Crostata is the perfect holiday dessert for people who don't think they're good at baking! It's super easy, and the whole idea is that it has a rustic, imperfect appearance to it. Also, store brought pie crust is perfectly OK!
Read MoreWe’re making fresh pizza at home with Pizzaiolo Sal Reina of Francesca’s Pizza in Bergen County! He shares his tips and tricks for making the best pizza at home! Including his secret to great sauce - you won’t BELIEVE how easy it is!
Read MoreThis colorful take on the classic is perfect for Valentine's Day! Fresh or frozen berries, along with berry juice create the layers between the classic custard filling. Served in individual bowls (or for sharing!) it's a gorgeous finish to your Valentine's Day dinner!
Read MoreI'm SO excited to be kicking off November with my friends at Groundwork Elizabeth and Urban Griddle! I headed to Urban Griddle to get their recipe for their fan favorite "pig candy" - and to get a sneak peek at the menu for November 7th's Urban Farm Dinner! Owner George Vlahos talks about why Groundwork Elizabeth is so important to him, and to the community! Plus we have a lot of fun!
Read MoreI tossed this pizza together on a Friday night when I had leftover pesto, prosciutto and ricotta in the house! Taking inspiration from some of our amazing local pizzerias I used the pesto as the sauce, dolloped on the last few spoons of fresh ricotta, tore up a bit of fresh mozzarella, sprinkled the whole thing with grated parmesan and topped it all with the last few pieces of prosciutto. The result was spectacular! We've been loving this pizza ALL Summer long and I hope you all enjoy it too! You can use my fresh pizza dough recipe and pesto recipes below, watch the video and give it a try at home!
Read MoreIt's true - there's nothing exceptional about chicken salad...other than, in this case, the memory it brings back for me! My great-grandmother's house in Fort Lee NJ, as a kid, playing on the knee wall in the back of her house, waiting for her and my mother to tell us lunch was ready! And later, after she passed, my mother realizing yet another of her culinary secrets! We could never figure out how she got her chicken salad to have such a great texture...until Mom discovered the meat grinder in her kitchen! She quickly ran through some red onion, celery and poached chicken and discovered that was the trick all along! Mom still has the meat grinder but lucky for the rest of us the food processor works the same way here!
Read MoreLike so many of us, Mother's Day won't be what it USUALLY is for my family. So I wanted to come up with something fun, and easy, that anyone could tackle at home! I imagined my friends' husbands cooking with their kids; or adult children (like me!) cooking for their mom and dropping it at her door. And as always, I wanted to use fresh, seasonal ingredients. Strawberries were the immediate answer there - and a crostata sounded lovely. A simple recipe, with a few ingredients, that dads, kids, and big kids alike could easily create - without short-changing mom! Just like our current lives, this dessert is perfect in its imperfections. Happy Mother's Day to all the Mama's out there, sharing their love and strength with all of us trying to navigate this crazy world! We love you!
Read MoreWith everyone clamoring over Corona virus - not to mention the time of year in general - I thought I'd bring back Health Coach Hacks and start you off with my 5 Favorite Smoothie Recipes! These easy meals help boost immunity and weight loss! NONE of them have added sugar - all sweetened with fruit by Mother Nature! They all contain healthy, whole foods that will serve your body and allow it to do what it does best - keep you WELL! And as always - feel free to start here and play with the recipes! Try different types of milk (I use almond milk in the video and at home) or even yogurt! Swap in different greens like spinach, kale, or beet greens. Try an apple or pear in place of a banana. And add in different nuts, seeds and nut butters like walnuts, almonds, pecans, sunflowers seeds, chia seeds, flax seeds! The options are endless! Enjoy all of these in good health my friends!
Read MoreIt's baking season! To me, there's nothing better than a big platter, or pretty box loaded with cookies for the Holidays! It's what I've been giving friends and family for years! And is there anything more classic than a chocolate chip cookie!? Of course, I add my own spin to this easy cookie recipe. Like browning the butter, using dark brown sugar, and a hefty dose of vanilla bean paste! Then I load them up with walnuts and chocolate chips! But as always, you are free to start here and make your cookies YOUR way!
Read MoreSummer may be ending but she's leaving us with some of her best produce! Stone fruits, peaches, plums, nectarines, etc - are in season and they make the BEST desserts! In this cobbler I use a mix of some of my favorites to create a simple fruit based dessert that isn't loaded with sugar! A bit of vanilla extract helps the fruits' flavor shine and those biscuits are perfect for soaking up all the juices! Top with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream!
Read MoreI asked my favorite kiddos to share their favorite school lunch ideas and from there, put together my Top 5 Healthy School Lunch Ideas! Of course you can mix and match here! The idea is to get the kids involved, and to get the good stuff in their bellies! Without driving Mom (or Dad, or Aunt/Uncle, Grandma/Grandpa) nutty! Check out my lunch ideas, then head keep scrolling to see the FULL list of foods each kid shared. And let me know what YOUR kids love in the comments! Let's make this a GREAT resource for parents and caretakers across the board to find ideas and inspiration!
Read MoreWatch how easy it is to make chia seed pudding! This simple combination of 3 basic ingredients makes the best chia seed pudding! I make mine with almond milk but you can use whatever milk you use at home! Plus, find out what it is about these little seeds that has them referred to as a super food!
Read MoreChef Risa Boyer is my special guest in the Cucina this week! Full disclosure, she's a lifelong friend and I was SO excited to watch her open her restaurant Vanillamore in Montclair NJ with her signature vanilla bean marshmallows! She was gracious enough to share that recipe with us today! And what's better for Valentine's Day than homemade sweets!?
Read MoreWith cold weather settling in and the holidays coming up - someone is BOUND to catch a cold. And there's nothing more naturally healing than a bowl of homemade chicken soup! This easy soup is loaded with good for you nutrients AND it can be stored in the fridge or freezer for runny nose emergencies! If you prefer, you can add pasta or cooked rice at the end!
Read MoreCider doughnuts are one of my FAVORITE Fall foods! And while I love grabbing them fresh and hot from a farm after picking apples and pumpkins...I can't be there every day! So I figured out how to make donuts at home!
Read MoreOverdid it with the apple picking? Not to worry! Here's a quick, easy, sugar free recipe to preserve all that Fall bounty! Homemade applesauce is great with roast meats, in baked goods and even all on its own!!
Read MoreWatch how easy it is to make hummus at home! This snack is not only good for you, but quick and simple to make at home! PLUS learn how to make your own baked pita chips from pita bread!
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