Stories

Kelsey Gibbs | Coastal Cupcakes

Kelsey Gibbs | Coastal Cupcakes

Five Minutes with Kelsey Gibbs, Manager of Coastal Cupcakes: “When I go to other cities, I always try their cupcakes. I have to find a cupcake shop to see what they are doing. I have become really familiar with the whole cupcake culture. We’ve been 

Kathy’s Pear Almond Tart

Kathy’s Pear Almond Tart

Employ your inner artistic self to layer the pears over the almond cream in this elegant pear almond tart for a dessert that is a beautiful as it is delicious.

In search of… The Best Shrimp and Grits in Wilmington NC

In search of… The Best Shrimp and Grits in Wilmington NC

The search for the best shrimp and grits in Wilmington NC starts with an appreciation of the history of the dish.

Think morning, hours before the sun rises. Crews of local shrimpers, headed out for a hard day at sea.

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Fanny Slater | Orange, Lavender & Figs

Fanny Slater | Orange, Lavender & Figs

Five Minutes with Fanny Slater, author of the cookbook Orange, Lavender & Figs, and winner of The Rachael Ray Show Great American Cookbook Competition: “This food thing, it’s always been a part of who I was. I just loved taking moments from my childhood and 

Split Pea and Parsnip Soup

Split Pea and Parsnip Soup

This soup can be made in a slow cooker or on the stove top. These instructions are for the stove top, as that’s how I made it. If you want to use a slow cooker, I recommend cooking the vegetables first in a sauté pan – this process gives the veggies a layer of complexity you won’t get if you just throw everything in the slow cooker.

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Apricot Almond Goat Cheese with Peach Mango Preserves

Apricot Almond Goat Cheese with Peach Mango Preserves

Apricot Almond Goat Cheese with Peach Mango Preserves Combine roughly equal measurements in a shallow dish: Crushed roasted, salted almonds Chopped dried apricots Chopped fresh parsley Roll a 4 or 8 oz log of soft goat cheese in the mixture so that it is completely coated, 

Cucumber Cream Cheese Sandwiches

Cucumber Cream Cheese Sandwiches

If you’ve ever been to England and enjoyed a proper tea, you know that cucumber cream cheese sandwiches make a regular appearance on the savory table. Every once in a while, I get a craving for these simple, lovely little sandwich bites. They go equally 

Easy One-Pot Pasta

Easy One-Pot Pasta

If I’d known making pasta could be this easy – without all the draining and straining mess – I’d have been making pasta this way for years. I don’t know if I’ll make it the “old way” again…this is easy, quick, and delish! And it makes a TON of food.

Ingredients:

  • 1 12 oz. bag pasta
  • 1 28 oz. can diced tomatoes
  • 4 C vegetable broth
  • 1 medium white onion, sliced
  • 6 garlic cloves, sliced
  • 1 t dried oregano
  • 1/2 C chopped, firmly packed fresh basil
  • 2 C fresh spinach, chopped
  • 1 t salt
  • black pepper to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
  • nutritional yeast (optional)

Preparation:

  1. Place all ingredients except nutritional yeast in a large pot.
  2. Cover and bring to a boil.
  3. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until pasta is slightly al dente (check the directions on the bag of pasta), stirring every few minutes.
  4. Remove from heat, cover, and let stand for 10 minutes.
  5. Stir just before serving.
  6. Top with nutritional yeast, if desired.
  7. Enjoy!
Caffeinating the Port City, one Coffee Cup at a Time

Caffeinating the Port City, one Coffee Cup at a Time

Yes, they were having a chuckle about me before I walked in the door.