Peppers!

I’ve been growing peppers for the first time this year on my patio. I have learned that just because you don’t have a garden to grow veggies in does not mean that you can’t grow them. I think growing peppers in planters is easy.

They are getting huge! I had to get a tomato plant holder to keep the limbs from snapping because the peppers are so heavy.

I read that you pick them before they reach too large a size, thus encouraging the plants to produce more fruit. So I will be sure to do that! But when picked too young, they tend to be a little bitter, lack good texture, and just don’t taste good.

Pepper Tips: Peppers like consistently moist but not soggy soil. Water them whenever the top of the soil is dry. Peppers also like the sun and thrive in heat.

I cant wait to cook with them!

Welcome To DC!

I had two friends moved to DC recently - Martha Collins Grace and Anna Ramsey. So I decided to host a girls luncheon to bring some of my friends together for them to meet people in the city. And I am always looking for an excuse to have people over.

My Aunt gave me this beautiful china for my wedding - so I was excited to put it to use and welcome them to my city! I spent hours planning my menu and cooking. Since my new job at Delight Gluten-Free Magazine. I have been greatly introduced to the gluten-free world and cooking outside my comfort zone. I planned a gluten-free menu (minus the ham rolls) to widen my cooking skills and test some awesome recipes. Not to mention, Anna is gluten-free!

I 1st made a Gazpacho and put shrimp and pickled okra on top. I created the recipe as I went by throwing things in the blender and hoping for the best. It really turned out. I have been eating it all weekend! It made a TON. I got some inspiration from Coastal Living. But they were totally different. I served in these adorable tea cups.

I also made Carrot Ribbon Salad with Lentils and Stuffed Patty Pans (Squash) - which I found off this incredible website I just found. I will be cooking a lot more from this site. The recipes turned out beautifully. I really recommend making these the next time you have guests over. Since squash is almost out of season - you can stuff a tomato or pepper with the same recipe. Would be just as good.

Martha Collins brought a delicious chocolate chip pound cake. I can't stop eating it! And I made mini cheesecakes. It was a successful luncheon!! Next time I need to remember to photograph my guests and not just the food! Cheers!

New Job

I recently started a new job with Delight Gluten-Free Magazine. Delight is a fun, foodie international  magazine filled with gluten-free recipes, mouthwatering pictures, lifestyle advice, and great resources for anyone living gluten-free.

My new boss, Vanessa is an amazing mentor. I am so lucky to have an incredible boss and friend. I know I will learn a lot from her. As well as being the Executive Editor, she consults for a variety of gluten-free food manufactures and is an active member of the Advisory Board of the Celiac Disease Center at Children’s National Medical Center. I am so excited to learn from Vanessa - I feel like I am now able to use my passion and love for the food industry and truly make a difference in someone's life. I cant wait to also get involved with Children’s National Medical Center.

I have been with the company for a little over a month and I have already learned so much about the gluten-free world. And let me say, it is a WHOLE new world of cooking. I LOVE it. It is an amazing fit for me and I love every minute of working for this company. Be sure to check out the Winter Issue - I wrote some piece interesting articles including an interview with Kevin Gillespie from Top Chef. I am also write a Gluten-Free Beauty Column. It will come out in November.

The past few weeks we have been busy developing recipes for the Winter Issue and I am diving into the new routine with Delight. They are having me test recipes, develop recipes, write, edit and much more. Every day is a new day with a new task and food adventure.

The Fall Issue just hit the shelves last week. You can buy it here. Even if you are not gluten-free the recipes are fabulous. You will not be disappointed.

Cheers to a new chapter in my life. I am excited to see where it will lead!