Add a flare of elegance to your summer soiree with these Chicken Meatballs served alongside a Sweet Sesame Gremolata! Cecil Beaton once advised, “Be daring, be different, be impractical; be anything that will insert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play-it-safers.” This is a rule that every self-style artist, and online content creator,…
appetizer
Cajun-Style Shrimp
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #HuntsBestEverKetchup #CollectiveBias Spicy Cajun-Style Shrimp is a summertime must! Today we’re serving ours alongside Hunt’s Best Ever Ketchup for a richer, flavorful pairing. Recently, I watched a video entitled ‘100 Songs You’ve Heard and Don’t know the Name.’…
Springtime Dips featuring Pressels
This post has been sponsored by Pressels. All opinions expressed are my own. Spice up your Springtime board with this Rosemary and Garlic Cannellini Dip and Roasted Jalapeno Guacamole! There is security in the familiar. Change presents a challenge, whereas staying within the lines of the tried and true is easy and safe. Besides, things…
Mediterranean Caponata featuring Macari Vineyards
This post has been sponsored by Macari Vineyards. All opinions expressed are my own. Please enjoy responsibly! This Mediterranean Caponata salad is both sweet and savory. With a drizzle of honey and roasted vegetables, it is the perfect wine pairing for this season. Macari was one of the big surprises from my Long Island wine…
Truffle Goat Cheese & Pignoli Crostini
This post is sponsored by Montchevre but the content and opinions expressed here are my own. Spruce up your holiday menu with these elegant and easy Truffle Goat Cheese & Pignoli Crostini topped with Candied Fresh Cranberries! The focus here on Living the Gourmet for the past couple of posts has been piecing together a…
Italian Fried Shrimp Balls
Thank you Carapelli Olive Oil for sponsoring this post. For more information and a store locator, please visit CarapelliUSA.com and be sure to check out Carapelli’s social channels: Facebook and Instagram. These Fried Shrimp Balls are boasting in rich Italian flavors thanks to Carapelli Unfiltered Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil. They are easy to make…
Meat and Cheese Roll-Ups
Thank you Tillamook for sponsoring this post. For a limited time this fall, try Tillamook’s Extra Sharp White Cheddar Slices! Available at Costco. These delicate roll-ups are the perfect accompaniment to your upcoming Fall gatherings. They are easy to make and elegant alongside any spread. It’s a familiar scene. You’ve planned out an elaborate dinner…
Two Mediterranean Spreads featuring Kontos Foods
Thank you to Kontos Foods for sponsoring this post. All opinions expressed are my own. Today we are sharing TWO Mediterranean Spreads for your upcoming fall gatherings featuring the delicious Flatbreads and Toasted Tidbits from Kontos Foods. It’s an easy and light spread for any occasion! It’s a scene I’ve watched countless times. The combination…
Italian Antipasto Board
Before we officially bid summer farewell, we’re hosting one last hurrah this season with an Italian Antipasto Board featuring some of our favorite appetizers, mini pizzas, and preferred wines. I’ve touched lightly in the past about appetizer boards that I like to serve at dinner parties but rarely elaborate on this intricate detail of entertaining….
Savory Plantain Cakes
These savory plantain cakes are a delicious side dish for any meal and take only minutes to prepare. Simply serve them alongside your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy! I just recently reviewed a set of rosé wines, and one of the pairings I suggested was simply out in the sun with friends and perhaps fresh…
Mediterranean Falafel & Summer Wine Selections
This post is in sponsorship with the Royal Wine Corp. All opinions expressed are my own. The follow message is intended for those 21+. Please enjoy responsibly. Recently for a summer appetizer party, I served Mediterranean Falafel alongside some delicious wine pairings. It’s a perfect spread to keep things easy and fresh this season! This…
July 4th Menu
The recipes we have selected for you today are easy to put together, cool & refreshing, but more importantly, they are seasonal, making them apropos for all your summer soirees and cookouts. It’s hard to believe tomorrow is 4th of July. I feel like we have waited an eternity for the warm weather here in…
Fried Zucchini Blossoms and Lasorda Wines
This post has been sponsored by Lasorda Family Wines. The following message is intended for persons 21+. All opinions expressed are my own. Dress up your summer tablescape with these easy, elegant Fried Zucchini Blossoms and a glass of Lasorda wine! There’s a cliché that runs roughly “What would you do if you know that…
Eggplant Dip with Hello Delicious! Brands Pizza Chips
This simple Eggplant Dip is easy and delicious for any gathering and pairs perfectly with Hello Delicious! Brands Pizza Chips. I tried to avoid using this quote, I really did, since I’ve used it here a few times in the past, but the more I tried to come up with something else the more apropos…
Crab Cakes, Crostini, and Torresella Prosecco
Thank you to Torresella Wines for sponsoring this post. All opinions expressed are my own. The following message is intended for those 21+. Please enjoy responsibly. Complete the holiday season and ring in the New Year with this simple yet elegant spread featuring plump crab cakes and ciabatta crostini with a tomato and artichoke salad…
Cranberry, Walnut and Honey Spread
Thank you Breton for sponsoring this post. Make everyday entertaining better with Breton! This Cranberry, Walnut and Honey Spread is a perfect way to end off the summer. It is a light, delicious spread that combines that some of our favorite Fall flavors. We’ve all heard the trope that we “Make our own happiness,” and…
Spicy Hummus
Hummus is one of the healthiest, easiest recipes you can make. Find out how homemade hummus is only a handful of ingredients away! My professor had an idea about…ideas, and yes, I am taking today as the occasion to share that idea about ideas with you. “They are like ghosts, they travel at the speed…
Salsa Fresca
Welcome summer with the vibrant flavors of this Salsa Fresca alongside Mission Organics® Tortilla Chips! All opinions are entirely my own. “Learn to love change,” we are taught, and yet we, as a species, have evolved to hate it. Change represents the unknown and the unexpected – that which is beyond the ability of our…
Tomato and Onion Tart
This post has been sponsored by Vidalia Onions. All opinions expressed are my own. It’s the season of onions! Vidalia onions that is. We’re welcoming the season with this simple but delicious Tomato and Onion Tart bursting with the rich, vibrant flavors of Spring. One of the things I try to convey here on Living…
Fresh Tomato Tart
Buttery pastry dough is easy to make with this simple recipe. It’s baked to golden, flaky perfection with fresh tomato slices, herbs & grated cheese for a light meal or appetizer! About a month ago I reviewed a 2013 Stormwatch, and just recently a pair of bottles from Epicurious wines. In both posts I stressed…
Italian Style Stuffed Peppers
Sweet long Italian peppers are stuffed with a salty, savory breadcrumb stuffing. They’re versatile enough to be a starter, side or even a light meal within itself when served alongside a nice glass of wine. Behind every meal is a story and behind every story is a person. Now prior to this dish, I had…
Fresh Cream Cheese Gremolata Toppers
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MadeForMore #Walmart #CollectiveBias Cool cream cheese is whipped with a homemade Gremolata then topped over a variety of TRISCUIT crackers for an easy, effortless hors d’oeuvre. I wrote recently about ‘simplicity,’ and how it can be a virtue…
The Perfect Charcuterie Board
Balmy summer evenings are best spent at home with close company and good food. We’re getting the party started with this assorted charcuterie board. First impressions are a bit of a strange thing. A bad first impression can turn gold into lead, while a good first impression can wipe away all flaws – at least…
French Summer Dining
Summer dining gets the French experience with hand-crafted REVOL porcelain cookware and dining ware that exquisitely sets the mood for the ultimate elegant soiree. I wrote recently about nostalgia, and a few weeks back I wrote about watching the movie ‘Burnt.’ In the movie, Cooper’s character had a pining for the cuisine and food preparations…
