Pan-Fried Red Trout Fillets with Mizuna-Mango-Manchego Salad & a Simple Mango Cocktail

After weeks of writing about Swedish food and travel adventures, it feels both strange and comforting to once again be blogging from our own kitchen! This is a meal that we made a few days after returning home, but it had to wait in line until now! My cousin Nikita came over to cook dinner [...]

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Rosé Sangria with Guava & Pineapple

We were tickled pink by the rosy hue and tropical taste of this sangria. It was refreshing and not too sweet; the perfect thing to sip in the backyard at our Mexican themed BBQ. Adding some light rum may kick the party up a notch or two, but goes nicely with the pineapple and guava [...]

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Say "I love you" with Coconut Hot Chocolate

I originally intended to post this recipe around Valentine’s Day, but obviously that didn’t happen. Then I thought of saving it until next year, but I’m too impatient. Luckily the temperature has still been dipping into the low 40s in the evenings, therefore I deem hot chocolate still “in season.” I found this recipe in [...]

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Chocolate-Guinness Cake & Black Velvet Cocktails

This is the last cake I’ll be making for a while. No, it’s not what you’re thinking. I didn’t have a baking disaster that ended in tears. Quite the contrary. I enjoyed making this cake very much. The recipe was easy to follow, the ingredients simple, and I even got to drink the leftover stout [...]

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Fresh Cranberry & Mint Sauce (and other Thanksgiving tales)

Once upon a time there was a condiment that not only went well with turkey, but could also be drunk as a cocktail. Seriously. The tartness of the cranberries, and the burst of citrus and mint would be even better with champagne or rum. This is how it works: In a food processor, simply place [...]

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Summer Blues

We love Pepsi’s limited edition flavors in Japan. Last year it was cucumbers, and this year it’s pineapples and lemons! The color entices you and gives you a sudden desire to go swimming. The name and label evoke strolling barefoot along sandy beaches with a Mai Tai. Too bad when you open it, it tastes [...]

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A Birthday Dinner at the Tree House

We have the best of both worlds up in the Santa Cruz Mountains: Ten minutes from the ocean, yet surrounded by beautiful, stately redwood trees. My cousin Nikita turned 21 on August 11th, so we had a family birthday dinner at my parent’s place; aptly named “The Tree House.” These are some of the highlights. [...]

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Just Peachy!

A fresh peach is the epitome of summer. Tonight’s menu was inspired by 1) the white peach (finally in season!) and 2) an item on our wedding reception menu, Casablanca Restaurant‘s fried brie. Although they serve theirs with jalapeño jelly, we enjoyed ours with a white peach salsa. We drank the Bellinis with the fried [...]

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Thirsty? How ’bout quenching your thirst with some ice cold cucumbers!

It’s a special time to live in Japan. In order to cope with the summer heat and humidity, Pepsi has released “Pepsi Ice Cucumber,” a limited edition green-colored soda that is only available in Japan! Oh boy! The verdict? It tastes nothing like regular Pepsi, but it really does taste like cucumbers. Sort of creepy, [...]

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