Once Upon A Chef

Pomegranate Margaritas

I learned the secret to throwing a great party a long time ago from my friend, Katie. It’s simple: she puts a margarita in your hand as soon as you walk through her front door. There's no better way to get everyone in the mood to unwind and have fun, and this seasonal twist on a traditional margarita is perfect for the holidays.

Challah, Wild Mushroom & Herb Stuffing

There are as many versions of Thanksgiving stuffing as there are cooks who make it. The truth is, as long as you stick to the basic bread-to-liquid ratio, you can pretty much add any vegetables or seasonings that you like. My pick this year is an updated version of my grandmother's challah stuffing. It's moist throughout, crispy on top and loaded with an earthy, buttery mix of onions and vegetables.

Sweet Potato Pecan Crisp

When it comes to Thanksgiving dinner, I think most of us would say, "Don't get fancy on me, just make the standards really special." That's why this down-home sweet potato dish is always a big hit. It's an old southern specialty that, in one form or another, graces every holiday table. Your mom would probably call it a sweet potato casserole.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

You either love 'em or you hate 'em. Since you're still reading, I'll assume that you love 'em...or at least willing to give them another chance. Either way, I hope you'll try these because if you haven't had brussels sprouts oven-roasted, then you really haven't had brussels sprouts.

Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Soup

There's nothing like making homemade soup to make you feel like a domestic goddess, and there's certainly no better way to show you care, at least when it comes to food. But if you're imagining yourself in an apron, chopping and dicing in the kitchen all day, think again. This autumn-inspired soup is surprisingly easy to make, though you'd never know by tasting it.  With butternut squash, sweet potatoes, apples and warm spices, it's basically fall in a bowl.

Roasted Carrots with Thyme

I know what you're probably thinking...cooked carrots, ho-hum.  But wait! These aren't the boring, mushy cooked carrots of your childhood.  Far from it, these carrots are roasted in a high temperature oven until caramelized and tender-crisp -- a cooking method that intensifies their flavor and brings out their natural sweetness. It's an easy technique that anyone can master at home; it's also the best way to preserve nutrients and give carrots a beautiful bronzed color. Once you try them, I doubt you'll prepare carrots any other way again.

Pumpkin Bread

I ordered Halloween costumes for my kids today (Batman, Batgirl, and – I couldn’t resist - Batdog!), so it seems like the perfect time to share this fantastic Pumpkin Bread recipe with you. It’s an old family recipe that's been passed down through the generations; my mom's been baking it since I was a little girl. I’ve made it a hundred times as a grown-up, but the smell of it baking in the oven brings me back to my mother's kitchen every time.

Mesclun Salad with Goat Cheese, Maple-Glazed Pecans & Maple Dijon Vinaigrette

If you’ve had dinner at my house, chances are you’ve had this salad. It's perfect for entertaining -- the glazed pecans and goat cheese dress it up, and the vinaigrette is one of those salty-sweet-tangy flavor combinations that everyone loves.