Arroz con gandules is a very popular Puerto Rican rice dish. Rendered pork fat and spices flavor the rice before the pigeon peas are added and the whole lot is steamed until fluffy and soft. You’ve probably seen, if not tasted, Arroz con Gandules if you’ve ever had the honor of being invited to a Puerto…
Thanksgiving
Baked Brie Topped with Caramelized Onions
Baked Brie topped with Caramelized Onions sounds a bit decadent for your next cocktail or holiday soiree, no? I assure you, it’s as humble a starter as you can make. When you take creamy, nutty brie and load sweet, buttery onion on it, any effort it takes becomes well worth it. Those in the market…
Jamaican-Inspired Rice and Peas
If you’re in the market for a filling vegan side dish, you can stop searching now that you’ve found this Jamaican-Inspired Rice and Peas recipe. This filling, one-pot dish is great, even if you couldn’t care less about veganism. It’s made with fresh ingredients and only one that is processed. Be sure to pin this…
Jerk Pernil (Roast Pork Shoulder)
This Jerk Pernil is going to open your eyes and taste buds to a world of possibilities. Not only does this succulent roast taste like you’ve taken a trip to Boston, Jamaica, but it is also so straightforward you can make it for this weekend’s family dinner. I’ll walk you through the ins and outs…
Coconut Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies
These buttery, bright Coconut Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies are a hit wherever they’re served. This needs to be in your recipe box if you’re into cookie baking. The cookie dough has sweetened coconut flakes mixed in and gets a generous outer coating of the coconut just before baking. The result is a toasted coconut shell with a fresh-tasting…
Tembleque (Coconut Pudding from Puerto Rico)
Tembleque is going to change the way you look at jello molds. This popular holiday dessert is pure coconut, laced with warm spices and a hit of citrus. It’s a staple in Puerto Rico and many other Latin American countries, especially around Christmas, but I’m not a fan of sticking to the calendar rules, so…
Five Cheese Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Why serve a boring mac and cheese dish this holiday when a five cheese macaroni and cheese is just as easy to make? This version is not only make-ahead friendly, but freezer-friendly to make holiday meal prep a breeze.
Boozy Spiced Cranberry Sauce
My Boozy Spiced Cranberry Sauce is making skeptics into believers. I don’t settle for less with any of my recipes, but I outdid myself on this one. This cranberry sauce tastes of caramel notes from brown sugar, vanilla, orange, and warm spices. Oh! And booze. Bourbon is my spirit of choice here. This recipe is…
Maple Pecan Pie with Bourbon and Chocolate Chunks
You can’t tell it by looking at these images, but Maple Bourbon Pecan Pie with Chocolate Chunks isn’t my favorite pie to eat. My family, on the other hand? They’d riot if this didn’t show up at least twice during the holidays. Bourbon cuts through the rich, chocolaty flavor of this maple and brown sugar-sweetened pie. Even…
Mealy Pie Dough (Pâte Brisée)
This recipe for Mealy Pie Dough (also called Pâte Brisée or Páte Sucrée) is something you must have in your back pocket. Not only will it be the base for your Thanksgiving-Christmas-New Year’s-Three Kings Day pies; it’s a nifty recipe to have on hand throughout the year. Use it to make great quiche crusts for crowded brunches,…
