If there’s one food that instantly evokes Greece, it’s souvlaki. At its simplest, souvlaki is grilled meat on skewers, but you’ll also find it served directly on sticks, wrapped in pita, or plated with sides. This guide explains what souvlaki is, how it differs from gyros, the varieties you’ll encounter in Greece, and how to … Read more

Making Sourdough Discard Pizza Dough is one of my favorite ways to use up sourdough discard. It yields a delicious, thin, crispy crust and is perfect for an easy homemade pizza night. The dough needs just over an hour of rise time, so you can start in the afternoon and have pizza ready for dinner … Read more

Three simple words that evoke the comforts of childhood for many Greeks are makaronia me kima — spaghetti with meat sauce. This classic family dish is hearty enough for adults yet very kid-friendly, and it’s a staple in Greek home cooking. Ingredients 1 lb lean ground beef 1 lb onions, finely chopped (a few small … Read more

We’re excited to reveal our teen son’s completely redecorated bedroom. If you missed the build-up, there is an introduction and a series of posts showing how we completed a surprise week-long makeover while our son was away. The project involved planning, salvaging materials, targeted purchases, and some DIY creativity to transform a cluttered teenage space … Read more

The Sidecar is a timeless Prohibition-era cocktail built on Cognac, Cointreau (orange liqueur), and fresh lemon juice. Lighter and more refined than a Whiskey Sour, the Sidecar highlights the fruity, oak-driven depth of Cognac balanced by bright citrus and a hint of orange sweetness from the liqueur. It’s an easy-sipping classic that’s perfect for a … Read more

This Creole shrimp and grits pairs perfectly spiced shrimp, a bright Creole sauce that’s spicy but not overpowering, and creamy white Cheddar grits. It’s classic Southern comfort with a New Orleans sensibility. Creole cuisine grew out of Louisiana’s city culture and carries clear French influences. In this recipe you’ll find French techniques — a brunoise … Read more

These Orange Shortbread Cookies are rich, buttery, and brightened with fresh orange zest. A touch of honey adds floral depth, turning a classic shortbread into something unforgettable. The dough is easy to handle and requires no chilling, so you can bake these as soon as you mix the batter. The key to the bright flavor … Read more

This compact DIY bookshelf end table is perfect for any bedroom—especially a nursery. It’s simple to build and can be completed for under $40. Over the past few months I shared several projects I made for our nursery, including DIY shiplap and a blanket ladder. One last piece was missing: a compact bookcase end table … Read more

This galette was a last-minute, improvised bake that turned out wonderfully. Yes, there are a lot of rhubarb recipes here lately — I can’t help it. I’m utterly obsessed. The first time I made this galette the crust was a little rough and there was a dramatic strawberry–rhubarb juice spill in the oven. It was … Read more

Photos by Tom Pitera | Styling by Erika Pitera A More Flavorful Take on Pumpkin Pasta Servings: 4 Total Time: 30 minutes Effort Level: Simple Many pumpkin pasta recipes can taste flat or cloyingly sweet because plain pumpkin purée is mild. The secret to a balanced, flavorful sauce is layering savory and aromatic elements. This … Read more