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From the owner of JCT Kitchen, comes a new restaurant in the heart of downtown Decatur, No. 246. In less than six weeks of it’s opening, Chef Drew Belline has worked his magic here, creating one of the most inspiring Italian menu’s in town! While the restaurant boasts a casual elegance, yet cozy ambiance, the food itself is […]

11 courses at No. 246

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Sometimes hidden jewels can be found in your own backyard! Many of us travel thousands of miles to different corners of the world in search of the perfect vacation spot. After living in Atlanta for over 14 years, I discovered one right here in Georgia. Blairsville is located in north Georgia, less than two hours […]

Active weekend around Atlanta

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It was love at first sight. We met in Rome, at a local café, while I was wandering around the cobblestone streets on a warm summer evening.  I admired its smooth body, dense structure and luscious high intensity. The moment it touched my tongue, I knew that we will have a relationship for life. Since […]

My love affair

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A few days ago I visited one of my all time favorite restaurants in Sandy Springs, Fanoos Persian cuisine. I had spoken to the owner, Jalal on several occasions before asking him to share some of his delicious Iranian recipes with me. This turned out to be my lucky night! Jalal gave me the pleasure […]

Inside the Persian kitchen

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Grits are a favorite in the southern US. It’s mainly eaten for breakfast, similarly to porridge, although it has made its way on to the dinner plate as well. You will frequently find grits served as a side with seafood (shrimp, catfish or scallops). Cheese, bacon, fried onions or butter may be added to dress […]

Where to find the best grits in the south?

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After a long wait of eight months, I finally got to watch my episode of The Marriage Ref air on TV. We (hubby and I) invited a few friends over for a viewing party this past Sunday evening. There was a themed menu and a lot of excitement in the air. I asked the host […]

The Marriage Ref theme party

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It all started last year, when my husband and I were watching the first season of The Marriage Ref on NBC. Being Jerry Seinfeld fans, we enjoyed the mature harmless humor that the show produced. Even then, in his heart still wanting to appear on a show, my husband said “We are too normal for […]

Being on The Marriage Ref….

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Linda Watson helps people save money, eat well, and make a difference by cooking seasonal food from scratch at less than the food-stamp allowance. Her book, Wildly Affordable Organic is all about delicious recipes that are made from scratch using fresh ingredients. Why good? “Because you will save money and feel better” she says. You will […]

Cooking for good!

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Whitney Miller, Season One Winner of America’s MasterChef made an appearance at The Cook’s Warehouse in Decatur, Georgia this Friday, signing her new book MODERN HOSPITALITY: Simple Recipes with Southern Charm.  I had the pleasure of talking to this delightful young lady, who has wowed America with her rare combination of youth, beauty and talent. Chef Gordon Ramsey was […]

Southern Belle and MasterChef

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brunch recipes

Do you have days when you crave for breakfast for dinner or brunch on a weekday? I recently had one of those, where I did not want to eat the usual lunch fixings for lunch. Since I work from home, I have the luxury to cook my own meals on most days. So, on a […]

Healthy Brunch – Not Just For Sundays

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I love themed parties! In fact, I always try to create a theme around any dinner party I host. It helps me keep the menu together, try new recipes and make things interesting for my attendees. In the past, I have organized a game night, pool party, grill day, just tapas, wine and cheese, TV […]

Hawaiian Dinner Party

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Who says ravioli can only be served as a savory dish? With homemade dough, fresh blueberries and soft mascarpone cheese, this dessert has all the components that will want you coming back for more. Did I mention it was also deep fried? It tastes like a freshly made fried blueberry pie, only a lot more […]

Finger Licking Blueberry-Mascarpone Ravioli

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One of my favorite drinks during summers in India was Rooh Afza, a refreshing rose concentrated drink. Rose flavored syrup that came in a bottle was added to ice cold water or milk and served over ice and found at every household. It was a perfect break in the hot afternoons; especially when guests came […]

Blue Afza

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Bowl of Blueberries to use in a healthy blueberry recipe

Honey-Blueberry Gelato Starts With Healthy Blueberries! With 2 gallons of blueberries from picking at Sidney Roland Blueberry Farm over the weekend, I have been contemplating how to put them to optimal use. Over the next few days, I will be posting healthy, totally original, finger-licking good recipes; that use my fresh-picked, pesticide-free, for a good cause […]

Honey-Blueberry Gelato: A Healthy Blueberry Recipe

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Its berry picking season in Georgia and I happened to come across a farm which allows you to pick your own blueberries for a good cause. Located only 70 miles from Atlanta, the Roland Farm grows varieties of blueberries that are available for picking from June to September for only $5 a gallon! Sidney Roland, […]

Blueberries for Belarus

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green papaya salad

(serves 4-6) A Thai inspired dish that is common at many restaurants. This is my version of a simple, easy to make, yet flavorful salad that can be had as a side accompanying meats, fish or rice. 1 small green papaya, unripe 3-4 cloves garlic 1 green chili 1 ½ tablespoon sugar 1 lime, juiced […]

Green Papaya Salad

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It had been a wish for a long time to eat at Babbo Ristorante Enoteca in New York City. I have read a lot about this Mario Batali’s famous establishment. All famous food writers and restaurant critics have raved about the place over the last decade. Therefore, it seems only natural that I needed to […]

Pasta heaven at Babbo

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While walking down the streets in Manhattan yesterday, my eyes were magically drawn towards rows of colorful teeny tiny sugary treats against the backdrop of a stork white store. With the doors wide open inviting me in, I was intrigued and had to look closely at what I was seeing. There were cupcakes, but not just […]

Bite size art in the city

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It’s summer already and the mercury is rising. One of my favorite things about summer is fresh watermelon. It is cool and refreshing on a hot summer day. Watermelon is low in calories, but not in sugar and offers tons of vitamin C, A and B. In fact sweet, juicy watermelons are actually packed with […]

Watermelon 3 ways

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The second Emory conference on Religion, conflict, and Peacebuilding 2011 took place this past weekend. Yesterday, Dr. Kiran Bedi gave a public talk on “Contemporary Issues and Practical Solutions” that included her movement against anti-corruption in India. Her fame started when she issued a parking ticket to the Prime Minister of India (Mrs Indira Gandhi) and […]

Heroine from India

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