Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

My babies are growing up. Well, not my babies. But as the oldest of six children, it sometimes feels that way. Three of my siblings celebrated birthdays over the past month, turning 18, 16, and 5. They’re each long and lanky, all skinny limbs and cheeky smiles. Watching them grow and blossom is a joy, [...]

Fresh Breakfasts: Stuffed Tomatoes, Sweet Corn and Blueberry Pancakes

Welcome to my new life. So much has changed in a few short weeks. Sometimes I’m overwhelmed by the enormity of it all – but it’s all good things. Last week I started a full-time reporting job, doing exactly what I love. Two weeks ago I moved in to a new home, living with my cousin [...]

Cumin-spiced Pork Sliders with Peach-and-Sriracha Citrus Salsa

At my parents’ house this Memorial Day weekend, I spent a good while just lost in my own happy thoughts. My youngest brother ran across the lawn, squealing with delight as he hopped back and forth in the sprinkler. The Beach Boys played on the stereo. We sipped from chilly beer glasses and loaded up our [...]

Cold-brewed Iced Coffee

Summer is a bad time for hot coffee. When it’s ninety degrees out and you’re jonesing for caffeine, a piping hot cup of java doesn’t sound very good. But, you think, there isn’t any other way to brew it! How can I appease my addiction without dehydrating myself in the process? Simple: remove the heat. [...]

Give Us Some Sugar: Q&A with honey-lover Chef David Guas

David Guas made his name as a pastry chef, but what you might not know is that he is a honey lover. In fact, not just a honey lover, but also a collector. The Louisiana native often spends weekends riding his Harley-Davidson through the Northern Virginia countryside in search of some new local honeys at local farm markets.

Guas spent about 10 years as a corporate pastry chef, working, among other places, at Washington’s DC Coast, started by renowned chef Jeff Tunks. Just last year, Guas won acclaim for his cookbook “DamGoodSweet — Desserts to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth, New Orleans Style” (Taunton Press, 2009), and was a James Beard finalist this spring in the Baking and Dessert Cookbook category.

But don’t pin him down in the pastries. As evidenced by his regular appearances on NBC’s “Today” show, he has a versatile approach and a down-home style.

On April 15, he gave “Today” gave viewers a taste of honey with his honey-chipotle grilled chicken, honey-glazed carrots and honey cornbread…

Hazelnut-Crusted Chicken Salad with Roasted Tomatoes and Spinach

Spring is here. Cherry blossoms are blooming. Baseball is back. I wore a sundress four days in a row. It’s a good time to be alive. But I’ve been remiss in my blogging as of late. The initial (and sustained) success from our New York Times mention was overwhelming and exhilarating, but something’s happened that [...]