The Foodie's Journey to Florence, Italy

Day 3 of my adventures in Europe brings me to Florence, Italy — the part of my trip that I was dying to experience. Day 1 in Florence, Italy was so long that I’ve broken it into two parts. This is Part 1 | The Foodie’s Journey to Florence, Italy, which shares my adventures navigating from Amsterdam to Florence, my first impressions of Florence, and details about how I found my first meal.

Dutch Donuts and Van Gogh

The largest museum in Amsterdam, a rainy afternoon canal ride, and my first Dutch cappuccino are some of the highlights in Part 1 of my second day in Amsterdam. See how I ended up in Amsterdam’s restaurant district and my thoughts on Dutch donuts! Stay tuned for Part 2 of this post, where I dive into more of my restaurant reviews.

Easy Pumpkin Soup

This week, I decided to use the leftover pumpkin puree from my pumpkin whoopie pie recipe and make an easy pumpkin soup. Perfect for an impressive first course or as the main entree, this one-pot soup is an easy weeknight meal.

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

Inspired by on-the-go Halloween treats, I decided to take a classic East Coast dessert and put a fall twist: Pumpkin whoopie pies! Learn how to make these delicious treats, rich with fall flavors like cinnamon, pumpkin, nutmeg and cream cheese frosting!

The Pioneer Woman's Biscuits and Sausage Gravy

Starting with a large container of whole wheat biscuits, I was reminded of a delicious breakfast I had with my best friend during our trip to Massachusetts. This week, I decided to re-create the Biscuits and Sausage Gravy, by following The Pioneer Woman’s recipe. Quick, one-skillet cooking for a hearty dish, you’ll want to try this one!

Julia Child's French Onion Soup

The temperature in New Jersey this week finally dropped into fall. Heavy rain and overcast skies took over a few days this week, causing the bearable 60-degree weather to feel cold and raw. Inspired by Julia Child (after watching Julie & Julia last week), I decided that I was going to make soup: French onion!

Strawberry and Cream Hand Pies

Creamy vanilla filling, fresh strawberries, and small little pockets — this week, I’m excited to make an on-the-go dessert. These strawberry and cream hand pies are great for a morning commute or with a cup of coffee. Customize the recipe based on your favorite flavors or try making my version!

A Tea-riffic New Jersey Tea Room | High SocieTea

High SocieTea is a charming tea room in Wayne, New Jersey. My grandmother first took me to this tea room several years ago, and I’ve been going back ever since. On a stormy day, I decided to visit again, to see if my memories hold true to the wonderful experiences I’ve had in the past. I’m excited to share that High SocieTea is just as wonderful, and they have some new additions to the menu.

My Grandmother's Teacups

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "There is a great deal of poetry and fine sentiment in a chest of tea." Lately I've been reflecting on the people who've influenced my love of food and passion for time spent around a table. My grandmother is a major influence, especially when it comes to tea, and the traditions she's instilled in me.

Cinnamon Knots with Cream Cheese Icing

After a long wedding weekend and a hectic Monday at work, I came home craving something sweet and warm. Inspired by Pinterest, I decided to make cinnamon knots with cream cheese icing (basically, an imperfect version of cinnamon rolls). Steaming from the oven with tangy icing, these cinnamon knots were what I needed after a long day!