I recently discovered annatto seeds (I love cooking with unusual ingredients) and made a spice rub for grilling shrimp. They were so delicious I made them twice in one week!
Find my recipe on The Gourmet Food Blog at Dean & DeLuca.

Tapenade is one of those items I love having in my refrigerator for snack time. Because I work at home, it just makes sense to have dips and things around for quick lunches. And it’s so incredibly easy to make. What’s funny is that years ago I detested olives. That is until I tasted tapenade. [...]

How to feed a toddler? She will not eat carrots, mashed potatoes or apples, typical toddler food. She does not like plain, unseasoned food…even her oatmeal must have cinnamon sprinkled on top. Her chickpeas must be swimming in some sort of curry. No wonder: she is my daughter, all of 2 (almost), and she most [...]

What a joy to have warm, homemade flatbread (dusted with with nigella seeds, an unusual spice) to enjoy with two of my favorite dips: tzatziki and sweet potato/chickpea (both pictured above). Although it takes some time for the dough to rise, flatbread is otherwise very simple to make. Also great plain (or with a dab [...]

At A Voce Columbus Circle, after marveling at the verdure, their stellar small vegetable dishes meant as appetizers, I realized how convenient it would be to keep such snacks in my refrigerator either for lunch or to appeases those hunger pangs when I’m super busy and can’t cook. And though I am not able to [...]

Titan Foods in Astoria is one of my favorite shops for Greek goodies, but I can’t believe I used to drive all the way there to buy tzatziki when it’s so incredibly easy to make. (But please do visit the store for other things, like the large variety of feta cheese and olives). I even [...]

After writing about caviar for Dean & DeLuca, I was considering making my own blinis rather than buying them, but I’ve never made them and didn’t have a recipe. That is until now, when The Garden Cat Cottage offered her blini recipe, along with how she serves them. The Busy Hedonist will definitely be eating [...]