Sizzle and Smoke

Sizzle and Smoke, two of my favorite things about summer! I love the sizzle of the grill, the flavor it imparts, the relaxed feeling it lends to entertaining family and friends and the incredible smells from a backyard BBQ.

I am a girl-at-the-grill and I love to grill everything . . . from cocktails (grill your grapefruits for the ultimate pitcher drink!), to Grilled Jalapeno Poppers as a starter course, to dessert off the BBQ (my Grilled Peach Cobbler cooks while you feast!). The wonderful thing about grilling is that there is little preparation or you can do so much prep in advance, then grill in just minutes. Plan your menu, call some friends, and eat to your heart’s content. Or, with just a few quality ingredients you can be grilling dishes that come alive with flavor tonight.

I believe that every great cook and BBQ lover should have a few signature recipes that always “wow” a crowd. Whether it’s a perfectly cooked Balsamic Marinated Rib Eye Steak or my Cedar Planked Salmon with Soy Maple Glaze, you can be a BBQ guru in your own backyard (or patio). Keep reading, because you’re going to be a Master Griller in no time!

  • 30 RECIPES

  • TONS OF CHEF’S TIPS

  • GRILLING ADVICE & INSPIRATION

  • STARTERS, SAUCES, MAINS, DESSERTS and GRILLED COCKTAILS

A lean & Clean Cookbook

As a Chef, I love to cook and live to eat…and I eat for a living! So in between my gluttonous days, decadent dinners out and recipe testing and tasting, I eat Lean & Clean. And guess what?  I love how I feel when I make a healthy dinner, a meatless Monday meal or a very vegetarian lunch!  

This cookbook is proof that cooking and eating healthfully doesn’t require a ton of ingredients or loads of time in the kitchen. These are recipes that I make often; they’re simple to prepare and full of fabulous flavor. From Greek Turkey Tacos to Ginger Orange Glazed Salmon and my Chicken Salsa Soup, all of the recipes are satisfying (and good for you)!

I’m always mindful about the ingredients I pick when writing recipes - making sure that they are readily available at most grocery stores - and I’ve shared my best tips and tricks throughout the pages for using store-bought ingredients, when possible, to create great taste (be sure to look for my tips on the beauty of a jar of salsa!). 

I’m so excited for you to savor these recipes and I can’t wait to hear what you think of them.

    • 40 RECIPES

    • TONS OF CHEF’S TIPS

    • HEALTHY EATING ADVICE & INSPIRATION