Cool off with Chef Todd’s Strawberry-Rum Cooler—a refreshing blend of ripe strawberries, lime, and ginger paired with white and dark rum, finished with ginger beer and a citrusy garnish. The perfect summer cocktail!

Brown butter + peanut butter + chocolate = match made in heaven. Made in just 1 bowl, these crispy-edged, gooey-centered vegan cookies are nutty, salty and sweet.  If you’re feeling adventurous, swap an equal amount of tahini for the peanut butter! 

In honor of my Dad, I made his favorite recipe - Bacalhau à Brás, which he often cooked when I was growing up. Every bite brings me back to when I was a kid seated at the dinner table.

It’s such an easy recipe - cod mixed with onions, fries, and eggs, that’s it. If there is a recipe to make someone fall in love with cod, it has to be this one!

These waffles were a result of an excess of overripe bananas, which I am sure we all have had plenty of during our time home. 

They are also healthy-ish, being made with whole wheat flour, coconut oil, and nut milk. They are topped with slices of bananas, toasted coconut flakes, and walnuts for added texture and flavor! 

Pastéis de Bacalhau, also known as codfish fritters, are a beloved traditional Portuguese dish. These savory fritters are crafted from a blend of shredded codfish, mashed potatoes, onions, eggs, and parsley. The mixture is shaped into quenelles using two spoons and deep-fried until crispy and golden brown. Perfect as a snack, appetizer, or main course, Pastéis de Bacalhau pair wonderfully with a fresh salad or rice. Try these delightful fritters and savor the authentic flavors of Portugal.

I've crafted the ultimate dessert by merging two of my favorites: cheesecake and espresso martinis! Introducing the Espresso Martini Cheesecake, a delightful fusion of tangy, sweet, and boozy flavors. With a chocolate cookie crust and a creamy filling made from espresso and coffee liqueur cream cheese, this cheesecake is sure to satisfy any craving. To elevate it even further, I've topped it with a coffee liqueur glaze and a dollop of whipped cream. Perfect for any occasion—brunch, dessert, or a cocktail party!

Introducing Brazilian Lemonade, a delightful summer beverage that’s sure to become your new favorite. This drink is a perfect blend of creamy, sweet, sour, and frothy flavors.

Tip: Avoid over-blending to prevent bitterness; the goal is to extract the lime flavor. For the best experience, serve this drink immediately.

For an adult twist, add a splash of tequila or Cachaça, a Brazilian spirit, for some extra fun. Enjoy!

I'm sharing my updated Butternut Squash Salad. My mom said it tastes like Thanksgiving in a bowl, so you know it's good!

This salad has roasted butternut squash, pomegranate seeds, sliced apples, candied pecans, pepitas, and last but not least, bacon! Dress it with a bright apple cider vinaigrette and dig in. It serves two or one if you're really hungry.

Serve it as a side with chicken or steak, top it off with a boiled egg, or enjoy it as is. For a meatless version, leave out the bacon.

This summer, I added a new addition to my garden, Hot Portugal Peppers! I had never seen them before and was so excited to try it. Hot Portugal chile peppers are considered one of the easiest chili peppers to grow, as they ripen quickly. These peppers are moderate to hot and have a SHU of 5,000-30,000. 

The SHU, which is the Scoville Heat Unit, measures the heat or spiciness in foods. This pepper is similar in heat to a serrano and jalapeno peppers, which can easily be substituted in this recipe. 

What I really love about this chicken is how similar the taste is to the BBQ chicken I eat in Portugal. Classic Portuguese BBQ chicken is lightly marinated at the end with flavored oil, like Piri or lemon, this marinade has both.

 Also, the marinade has garlic and paprika, a common flavor base for many Portuguese dishes. The two differences are white wine is used more often in the place of the lemon juice, and they use regular peppers as opposed to chili peppers. 

Notes:

• Remove the seeds from the peppers for less heat.

• Always remember to avoid touching your face and wash your hands after handling chili peppers.

• Substitute the Hot Portugal Peppers with Jalapeño, Cayenne or Serrano peppers.

Chocolate and extra virgin olive oil, two ingredients that are good for your heart... So what better to pair them up and create a brownie. It definitely makes me feel better when I reach for a second or third piece!

This is a New York Times recipe and is my go-to brownie. The olive oil helps balance out all the sugar and chocolate and enhances the chocolate flavor. I love this recipe because it is indulgent but not overly sweet and is chewy and fudgy on the inside but crispy on the outside.

It's important to use a mild olive oil in the recipe, any oil that is too robust and sharp in flavor will overpower the chocolate flavor.

How can we make this brownie even more delicious? Top it off with a handful of caramel corn! Other than your dentist... who does not love a crunchy salty and sweet caramel corn? Salted butter and sea salt at the end helps to balance the sweetness from the corn syrup and brown sugar.

Add a scoop of dulce de leche ice cream to make this dessert an even more perfectly balanced treat!

These Chipotle Orange Chicken Tacos are packed with bold flavors—tender, shredded chicken thighs in a smoky orange sauce, topped with a refreshing spicy pineapple slaw. Perfect for your next taco night!

Chipotle Braised Chicken Tacos feature tender, smoky chicken simmered in a flavorful tomato-chipotle sauce. Topped with creamy avocado, fresh pico de gallo, and crumbled cotija cheese, these tacos are perfect for any taco night!

Caldo Verde is a comforting Portuguese soup made with creamy potatoes, hearty kale, and flavorful chorizo. This easy recipe is perfect for cozy dinners and packed with traditional flavors.

Fluffy buttermilk pancakes with a hint of cinnamon, served with melted butter and maple syrup. These easy, homemade pancakes are perfect for breakfast or brunch and can be frozen for later!

Elevate your side dish game with these creamy sweet potatoes topped with nutty brown butter and crispy sage. Perfect for holiday dinners or a comforting addition to any meal!

These tender, slow-roasted lamb shanks are braised in a rich wine sauce and served over creamy Parmesan polenta. A comforting, elegant dish perfect for a cozy dinner or special occasion.

Enjoying a refreshing cocktail in my backyard has been my favorite thing to do this summer.

Usually, I would have been in Portugal at this point during the summer, and as sad as I am to put off seeing my family, this pandemic has definitely made me appreciate my home and enjoy my backyard more. This past year some old trees were cut down on my neighbors’ property and even without realizing, he did us a great favor because those trees were casting a shadow on our pool!

So after 10 years of being in this house, we finally have sun all day shinning on the pooI! Thank you, neighbor! I have to say that swimming in a warm pool with a margarita in my hand.. is paradise!

This time I gave a summery twist on a classic by adding fresh watermelon juice!