Recession Cooking Class with Erica De Mane

In early December, I attended a Recession Cooking Class led by award-winning cookbook author, chef, and blogger Erica De Mane and cookbook publicist Katy Keiffer with two of my Chi Omega Sisters. The class fee of $20 bought each of us a seat at the table, where we watched Erica and Katy discuss various cooking techniques, a glass of wine, samples of the evening's dishes, and copies of the recipes. (Note: The use of the word "recession" in the name has more to do with the highly affordable fee - especially in New York! - than with cooking on a budget.)

How They Found My Blog: Week 5

Those who follow me on Twitter already know about my history of posting "How They Found My Blog" tweets. I love reviewing the keyword statistics for Taste As You Go then sharing what I find. Some of the things that I've posted have been so off-the-wall that I made "How They Found My Blog" a regular series on Taste As You Go.

Every Tuesday, I will publish a "How They Found My Blog" post highlighting some of the more unique keyword searches that led visitors here. You'll see the exact keyword search and a link to the corresponding landing page. Enjoy!

Family and Friends Make the Holidays Special

(Photo courtesy of Melissa Alexander)

When you live alone in a city as big as New York, it's difficult not to grow nostalgic for the days when you and your family all lived in the same place. Especially around the holidays. Growing up, my sister, brother, and I were very serious about our Christmas traditions, which included sleeping in the same bedroom on Christmas Eve. This way, we could make sure no one was sneaking downstairs early to poke at the presents under the tree. And, when we couldn't stand laying awake any longer, we'd all go down to the living room together, turn the tree lights on, and sit on the couch to open our stockings. (Our parents allowed us to open our stockings - and only our stockings - before they woke up. Smart move on their part.)

Recipe Featured by Kestrel Growth Brands, Inc.

Remember these beautiful Pomegranate Vanilla Scones with Pomegranate Whipped Cream? Remember how I included Singing Dog Vanilla Bean Paste in the recipe? Well, not too long after I posted the recipe on Taste As You Go, I received an email from the CEO of Kestrel Growth Brands, Inc. informing me that they wanted to feature my recipe on their website!

How They Found My Blog: Week 4

Those who follow me on Twitter already know about my history of posting "How They Found My Blog" tweets. I love reviewing the keyword statistics for Taste As You Go then sharing what I find. Some of the things that I've posted have been so off-the-wall that I made "How They Found My Blog" a regular series on Taste As You Go.

Every Tuesday, I will publish a "How They Found My Blog" post highlighting some of the more unique keyword searches that led visitors here. You'll see the exact keyword search and a link to the corresponding landing page. Enjoy!

Hershey's Kisses Baking Party and Cookie Exchange

(Photo courtesy of JSH&A Public Relations)

Earlier this month, I was invited to a Hershey's Kisses Baking Party and Cookie Exchange at Robert Verdi's Luxe Laboratory. Since I was still in the middle of interviewing for my new job, and had nothing preventing me from heading into Manhattan in the middle of the afternoon on a weekday, I accepted the invitation and brought along one of my Chi Omega Sisters, Jena, so she could take a study break from her law school finals.

Sushi Siam Lunch Special Menu

Sushi Siam
47-75 Vernon Boulevard
Long Island City, NY
(718) 361-9360; (718) 361-9361
Fax: (718) 606-9876 | Map

I received an email from a reader earlier this week asking me for more information about the lunch specials at Sushi Siam. Although they probably could have gotten the information they were looking for by doing a Google search, I'm honored they thought to email me directly!

In 2010, I Vow to be a Better Blogger

One of my New Year's resolutions for 2010 has to be to improve the timeliness of my blog posts. Knowing that it takes me, on average, two weeks to write about an event or to post a recipe after I've prepared it is just embarrassing. But life had to take precedence over blogging (*gasp*) as I searched for a new job after being laid off in August. Thankfully, after going through a very thorough interviewing process, I was offered a job with Scripps Networks. Beginning on December 28th, I will be working at HGTV and I cannot wait to start!

How They Found My Blog: Week 3

Those who follow me on Twitter already know about my history of posting "How They Found My Blog" tweets. I love reviewing the keyword statistics for Taste As You Go then sharing what I find. Some of the things that I've posted have been so off-the-wall that I made "How They Found My Blog" a regular series on Taste As You Go.

Every Tuesday, I will publish a "How They Found My Blog" post highlighting some of the more unique keyword searches that led visitors here. You'll see the exact keyword search and a link to the corresponding landing page. Enjoy!

Guest Post on Food Tastes Yummy: Arugula Salad with Oranges and Avocado

Check out the guest post I wrote for Nancy and Matt of Food Tastes Yummy! I shared my recipe for Arugula Salad with Oranges and Avocado, a deliciously simple salad that takes advantage of the oranges that are in season right now and that can be whipped up in ten minutes or less.

Thanks, Nancy and Matt, for allowing me to write for your blog and for giving me the opportunity to expand my list of guest posts to... two. ;-)

Pomegranate Vanilla Scones with Pomegranate Whipped Cream

I'll admit it. When it comes down to whipping up something delicious in my kitchen, I don't automatically think "I want to bake something!" It's not because I don't like to bake or that I'm intimidated by the idea of it. It's usually because I don't want to be left eating dozens of cookies or brownies by myself. Or, it's because I don't want to sit home eating muffin after muffin after muffin with no one to share them with. When I bake something, I want to know there's going to be someone around to help enjoy the finished product. But when I saw Tracy's recipe for Vanilla Bean Scones, suddenly, the idea of having all of the baked goods in the apartment all to myself didn't bother me anymore!

How They Found My Blog: Week 2

Those who follow me on Twitter already know about my history of posting "How They Found My Blog" tweets. I love reviewing the keyword statistics for Taste As You Go then sharing what I find. Some of the things that I've posted have been so off-the-wall that I made "How They Found My Blog" a regular series on Taste As You Go.

Every Tuesday, I will publish a "How They Found My Blog" post highlighting some of the more unique keyword searches that led visitors here. You'll see the exact keyword search and a link to the corresponding landing page. Enjoy!

Fondue Fun at Swizz Restaurant & Wine Bar

Swizz Restaurant & Wine Bar
310 West 53rd Street
New York, NY
(212) 810-4444 | Map

The first snow of the season fell in the city this weekend, nearly erasing all recollection of the 60-degree temperatures New Yorkers enjoyed earlier in the week. With the falling of the snow, the setting up of my Christmas decorations, and the adding of three holiday parties to my schedule (all within the same week), I can firmly say that the holidays are here. During the week before Christmas, I'll be singing karaoke (maybe) with fellow Chi Omega Sisters in Murray Hill, toasting a friend's new business venture in NoHo, and then leaving the city to enjoy cocktails and dessert with friends in the Lehigh Valley. A little bit of everything!

Samsung "Skill-It" Event with Food Network's Melissa d'Arabian

Despite the 60-degree temperatures in New York today, the holiday season is in full swing. They lit the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center last night and the Christmas station is my station of choice on Pandora. Over the next few days, I'll put out my small stock of Christmas decorations and continue the countdown to Connecticut, where my boyfriend and I will spend the holiday with my family. While I haven't started my Christmas shopping yet, I have been trying to choose the perfect gifts to get my loved ones -- gifts that are meaningful but won't break the bank. It then occurred to me that I hadn't yet written about the Samsung "Skill-It" Event hosted by Food Network's Melissa d'Arabian that I attended back in November. This was the event that sent me home with the biggest swag bag I've ever received, trumping the gift bag I received at the Scharffen Berger event I attended in October.

How They Found My Blog: Week 1

If you follow me on Twitter, then you may already know that I often post "How They Found My Blog" tweets. I love to review the keyword statistics for Taste As You Go to understand the thought-processes of those who visit my blog a little more. Then, I share what I find on Twitter. Some of the things that I've posted have been so off-the-wall that I started receiving encouragement to make "How They Found My Blog" a regular series on Taste As You Go. Well, I can't leave my readers unsatisfied, now, can I?

Every Tuesday, I will publish a "How They Found My Blog" post highlighting some of the more unique keyword searches that led visitors here. You'll see the exact keyword search and a link to the corresponding landing page. Enjoy!