My exploration of Rome’s typical pasta dishes starts with the seemingly simple, yet incredibly delicious Tonnarelli Cacio e Pepe. This traditional dish uses three simple ingredients Tonnarelli pasta (also known as spaghetti alla chitarra), grated cacio, and freshly ground black…
A Poisonous Escape
Of course, I had to include a tiki-style drink to my novel collection of cocktails. A Poisonous Escape is a delicious concoction I imagine would be served at the Poison Ivy tiki bar scene in A MISTAKE INCOMPLETE. It’s probably…
Cyn Cyn Punch
The Cyn Cyn Punch is another cocktail I created inspired by my first novel THE LOVE FOOL, and was first printed in the Book Club Edition released in August 2020. This cocktail is a refreshing sipper that my character Teddy…
Bird Club Daiquiri
This daiquiri twist is another cocktail inspired by my book A MISTAKE INCOMPLETE. I wanted to create a cocktail that could be found on the menu of the birdcage-inspired bar to where Elena leads the crew early on in the…
The Side Eye
The Side Eye is another cocktail inspired by my debut novel THE LOVE FOOL. This cocktail honors the plump black cat that frolicked among the ruins of Largo Argentina. I named it The Side Eye because of the surly look…
We Were Never Together
For this cocktail, I was inspired by my first novel THE LOVE FOOL. This recipe was featured in the book club edition of THE LOVE FOOL, and in the summer 2020 issue of Sip the Magazine. The color of this…
Risotto Beatrice Quasi-Sbagliato
Inspired by a scene in my novel A MISTAKE INCOMPLETE, this was the risotto a hopeless, distraught, and disappointed Beatrice cooked to distract herself from her thoughts. The recipe follows the technique for a classic saffron risotto – otherwise known…
Ten Noir Films To Watch
This post has been updated on January 31, 2024. As you may have read in many marketing pieces, interviews or heard in my livestream, my novel A MISTAKE INCOMPLETE is inspired by classic and modern film noir; which I enjoy…
Ginger Negroni Spritz
For this take on a quasi-Negroni, I swapped vermouth with Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur – a French liqueur made with ginger, vanilla, and honey, offering a sweet and spicy flavor to the drink. I also spritz up the cocktail…
Summer Snowman
This winter-inspired cocktail was created for a special appearance on the Sips and Songs with Jacyn and Joey – a musical live-stream series in 2020. I was asked to create a holiday/winter concoction using a nut-based milk substitute. Inspired by…
Il Ladro a Riposo cocktail
The mint and licorice flavor of Fernet Branca mixed with whiskey and honey gives this drink a subtle resemblance of a refreshing iced tea. Topped off with a club soda turns it into a refreshing autumn sipper. In creating this drink, I imagined…
Paccheri with mushrooms, goat’s milk, and thyme.
This dish is my take on the well-known Paccheri with mushroom and cream sauce. But, I swapped heavy (and fattening) cream for healthy and flavorful goat’s milk. The tang of goat’s milk was not as overpowering as one would think,…