Gourmet Everyday

Summer Brewery Tour: Old Coast Ales & Ancient City Brewing (St. Augustine)

When many people think of Florida, Orlando and Miami are the first cities that come to mind, but surprisingly, St. Augustine has a huge tourist population. I used to think that the only people who went to St. Augustine were Floridians, but after going there so much over the past few years, I’ve come to…

Freezer Clean-Out Meals: Venison-Parmesan Flatbreads

Like many people, I have a freezer full of partial bags of peas, single breakfast sandwiches, leftover spaghetti sauce, unidentifiable plastic containers, and ziploc bags of mystery. However, rather than leave these things until it’s time to buy a new refrigerator, I try to clean out periodically and cook with what’s there. Over the years,…

Arepas with Shredded Pork & Pickled Onions

In the south, we have “hoe cakes,” but in South America, specifically Venezuela and Columbia, they have “arepas.” While arepas are similar to hoe cakes, their distinct difference comes from the type of corn meal used. Hoe cakes are made from unlevened simple cornmeal, but arepas use pre-cooked cornflour, which can be found in many larger…

Summer Picnic Fare: Granny’s Southern Cornbread Salad #Sundaysupper

Nothing says summer quite like a picnic or pool party, and nothing is better than party food that as quick as it is yummy! However, I can’t wrap my head around picnics of simple cold-cut sandwiches and chips. Growing up, there was always one dish that was guaranteed a place on every picnic and summer…

Refreshing Summer Cocktails: Florida Cider Caipirinha #SundaySupper

In Florida, everyone will tell you that “it’s not the heat; it’s the humidity,” and that may very well be true. However, regardless of heat or humidity, summer is prime time for cocktails…cool, crisp, refreshing cocktails! I’ve often said that I eat and drink my way around the world, and through my travels, I’ve come…

4th of July Celebrations: Key Lime Cream Puffs #SundaySupper

July 4th is just around the corner! American Independence Day is celebrated on the 4th of July every year, because it represents the day that the Declaration of Independence was adopted and that the United States became an independent nation. People love to throw big celebrations on the 4th of July with plenty of food…

Bacon-Chocolate Twists with Black Lager Affogato

As a foodie and craft beer chef, my brain is always in overdrive brainstorming ideas for combining two of my favorites…beer and dessert. Many people can’t imagine beer and desserts going together, but they are SOOOOO WRONG! True…BAD beer doesn’t work well with dessert, but EXCEPTIONAL beer is perfect for a dessert. This dessert has…

Grilled Cheese Sandwiches aren’t just for kids anymore

Let’s face it; on the comfort food scale, grilled cheese sandwiches rank pretty high. They’re great regardless of the season; they can be eaten alone or with a bowl of soup; they have endless possibilities. And, I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love them.

Cowboy Cooking Recipes: Ribeye & Scallops with Beer-Butter Sauce #SundaySupper and #RootsinBoots

I don’t actually have any cowboys in my household, but I have a couple who think they are, and whenever given their choice of dinner, the answer is simple…steak. Now, I love steak, just like everyone else, but with my crew of three guys who eat like a half-dozen grown men, I can’t afford for…

Father’s Day Fare: Cider Braised Pork Belly Tacos #SundaySupper

It’s Father’s Day, and unlike Mother’s Day, where pretty, lady-like meals are in order, Dad doesn’t want quiche and salads and tea sandwiches. No, dad wants hearty, manly meals. Dad wants meat, and since we can’t order up a rack of Flintstone ribs, let’s give him a manly, unpretentious, no-holds-barred pork belly. Pork belly is…

Not Your Average Sausage Pizza and done in only 30 minutes!

As usual, when I’m testing recipe ideas, I’m asked multiple times, “what’s for dinner?”, to which I reply, “a new recipe.” That, undoubtedly is met with, “what’s it called?”, to which I sadly snap, “It doesn’t have a name.” I don’t mean to be short with my husband and kids, but when I’m trying to…

Caldo de Camaron (Shrimp Stew)

Have you ever had a dish that, years later, you still dream about and crave? For me, that’s Shrimp Stew. When I was pregnant with my oldest son, 14 years ago, there was a little Mexican restaurant in our town that made it, and I’m pretty sure I had it weekly. The hurricanes of 2004…