Key West Best Eats

As you may know, I am in love with Key West. I try to get there at least once a year if not more. I got engaged there, married there and HOPE to one day move there. When anybody tells me they are going I can't help but spew out where I think they should eat, drink, and sleep, what I think they should do and what I think they should avoid. I get giddy just thinking of somebody enjoying some of the lesser known places and getting off of Duval Street to see the real Key West. Given my inability to shut up about the place I figured I should share some of my favorite places to eat in Key West. I left out most of the touristy places because (1) you can find them on your own without any help and (2) if I was going out to eat, I probably would not eat there. I'm not knocking the touristy stuff. There is something about those Key West classics like Margaritaville, Sloppy Joes and Hogs Breath that will draw you in, but trust me, you can find better food and drinks if you venture off Duval.

White Chocolate Almond Raspberry Scones

Everyone always says baking is a science and you have to follow a recipe exactly in order for it to turn out great. I, on the other hand, am always trying to prove this theory wrong. I think this recipe proves that you have some wiggle room when it comes to baking. To make these scones I started out with the cheddar dill recipe, reduced the salt, nixed the savory ingredients and added in a bunch of sweet goodness. They turned out PERFECT! I am seriously obsessed with these and hope you will give them a shot.

Key West Bound

We are off to celebrate the new year in one of my favorite places - Key West! See ya later!

Merry Christmas!

@ Cumberland Island

Christmas Cookies Galore

Cookies!

Christmas time is the perfect excuse to bake up tons of cookies and not feel guilty about it. This year I made classic sugar cookies (not pictured because we haven't decorated them yet), peanut butter blossoms, gingersnaps, double-chip pecan (use this recipe and add in peanut butter chips and pecans), lemony slice & bakes, bourbon balls, butterscotch blondie bars and double chocolate peppermint surprises. I made a bunch of the dough ahead of time and put it in the freezer. Yesterday all we had to do was defrost the dough and put the cookies in the oven. I think I will use that strategy again, since it was virtually no mess and no stress. The surprise hit... lemony slice and bakes. Everyone was raving! What are your favorite Christmas cookies?

East Coast Cioppino

Cioppino is a fish stew invented in San Fransisco. The dish traditionally uses whatever was caught that day (think dungeness crab, mussels, haddock, squid, etc) and adds the catch into a wine and tomato based soup. I spotted a recipe for cioppino in Bon Appetit and had to try it. Being that I live in Florida and would rather cook with local ingredients, I figured I would switch the recipe around a bit and make a East Coast version of the classic. I hope you enjoy!

Santa's Little Helper... A Guest Post From Brewery Reviewery

I have a special treat for everyone today! Nate from Brewery Reviewery was kind enough to write today's post giving us all some great gift ideas for the craft beer neophyte. When you check out Brewery Reviewery you will see Nate knows his stuff!  The website is up to its 164th beer review! So without further ado, here are some great gift ideas from Nate....