Are you scratching your head too wondering where another year went? I am. This one was a fast one! My heart is filled to the brim as today I get PARTY on my third wedding anniversary with my extended family for my cousin's wedding!! Happy girl. Cause you know otherwise I'd likely be ringing in the new year on my couch. Or in bed by 10 pm. For Laughter and Lemonade, this year marked several milestones. The first of these is well... its birth! … [Read more...]
Archives for December 2015
Lemon Roasted Shrimp Cocktail
Nothing says "special" like shrimp cocktail. I don't know what it is about it, it just looks fancy. Done well, it's the perfect simple, elegant appetizer. Not to mention it's pretty healthy! It takes minimal prep, could be done ahead, and is definitely a crowd pleaser. Don't forget to pin it for later! Whether you're hosting a New Year's Eve bash, Easter dinner, a summer pool party, Thanksgiving, Christmas, a birthday party, or any other … [Read more...]
Tiramisu
Layer the creamiest, dreamiest, perfectly sweet, rich-yet-light mascarpone cream among espresso + Kahlúa + rum soaked ladyfingers. Douse in cocoa powder. I can't even. This classic Italian Tiramsu is to. die. for. It's literally perfect. I want to eat it everyday. My mom's friends are the most thoughtful, creative people ever. They threw the most perfect and personalized bridal shower for me almost three years ago. (Time flies!! Was it … [Read more...]
Rotkohl – German Red Cabbage
I love food traditions. Food is love and love is family and family is memories and memories are food. It's full circle here people. Feel the love. This is one of those food is love dishes. One of the huge reasons I blog is to record these memories. One of my very Italian grandmothers (who cooked everything from scratch) passed away when I was in high school... long before I had the thought to document her recipes. Her Italian wedding soup, … [Read more...]
Shredded Brussels Sprout and Kale Salad
Are you ready for a hearty yet light fall and winter salad?? Simply combine orange juice, olive oil, dijon mustard, shallot, salt and pepper in a jar and shake. Hello, salad dressing. Make the dressing up to 1 week in advance and store in the fridge and you're golden. In fact, the flavors are even better when the dressing has time to marinate in itself for days. When you're ready to serve, shred kale and Brussels sprouts. I used a sharp … [Read more...]
Candied Yams and Plantains
I can't stop thinking about this dish. I've been craving it since it was gobbled up. I served this as an alternative to traditional candied yams at Thanksgiving this year. This dish will NOT be exclusively served for Thanksgiving my house! I can't wait to make it again. Have you cooked with plantains before?? I love them for their variety and nutrition. Variety because I get bored always eating the same 'ol thing. Don't you?? Think of … [Read more...]
Creamy Pesto and Pasta
It's that dreaded question... "What's for dinner?" Listen for the dramatic "Dun! Dun! Duuuun!" to follow. I've been known to make things complicated before. To lean toward elaborate dishes. Impressive. Fancy. Because when I have time to blog, I usually also have time to cook. Let's be real, I started food blogging when I quit my full time job at the end of October 2013. I had lots of time then because I intentionally took time to myself … [Read more...]
Thanksgiving Menu – Recipe Roundup!
Soooo as I mentioned in my last post, I wasn't able to share with you Thanksgiving recipes (besides BreakingFall, the best cocktail ever) before the holiday. Working a new full-time job and moving on top of trying to have a life and take some time for myself won over stressing out. So alas, this will turn into a Thanksgiving Recipe Roundup... a recap of this year's menu, and the best Thanksgiving Menu Plan for years to come!! I'm … [Read more...]