Category Archives: RECIPES

PIZZA BIANCA. PIZZA ROSSA. PIZZA PERFECTION.  

Lo and Behold—my photographer son, Mark Katzman, has started cooking. He’s not been interested before—and why should he have been, being married to a fabulous cook, Hilary Skirboll, who puts glorious meals on the table that would eclipse any effort on his part. Nevertheless he is cooking, but not just cooking ordinary stuff—he’s going for […]

BEAUTIFUL LIVING FROM CAL-A-VIE

I don’t know Terri Havens, but I am astounded by her creations. Everything that Terri touches seems imbedded in splendor.  I love the georgous Cal-a-Vie Health Spa that she and her husband own in the lavender-scented hills of Southern California. I adore the spa’s majestic setting, the flowers, the French antiques, the bedrooms, the public […]

BEST LEMON MINI BUNDT CAKES

Many years ago my husband and I were at the top of Nohoch Mul Pyramid at Coba (Yucatan Peninsula) admiring the view when we heard a voice drift up from below, “Ya ba wor it?” the voice asked. Looking down we saw a small old woman, hands like parentheses around her mouth, shouting up to […]

BEST EVER LAMB BURGER

Mary had a little lamb And spinach topped with cheese. She also had some buttered bread And seconds on the peas. She had some cream of celery soup,  And fluffy mashed potatoes, And lots of Roquefort dressing On thickly sliced tomatoes. She had a wedge of apple pie, A piece of chocolate cake, A slice […]

KEY LIME PIE

We met in Miami when I was barely into adolescence. Despite being tender and impressionable, I fell deeply in love. Even today, much older and shamefully experienced, my desire remains passionately alive and unrelenting.  Granted the object of my affection is as rich as sin and rich is a powerful aphrodisiac, but rich isn’t all. […]

3 BEST COCKTAILS FOR NEW YEAR’S EVE

I’m getting sloshed on New Year’s Eve. It’s the only way to end the terrible, horrible, no good, really bad 2020. I’m loading up on cocktails. But not just any cocktail. My cocktails must be spunky enough to chase away doom and gloom and usher in the light and bright.  I’ve come up with three […]

YALANCHI SARMA by NANCY MEHAGIAN

Nancy Mehagian filled her life with an abundance of travel, sex, drugs and food. For a peek at her passion-filled, delicious life and a copy of her favorite recipe for Yalanchi Sarma (chilled Stuffed Grape leaves), read on:

BEN POREMBA and OLIO’S EGG SALAD RECIPE

Ben Poremba is a most unusual man–chef, restauranteur, entrepreneur, world traveler..well the list goes on. Sweet Leisure interview him and secured a recipe for one of his favorite dishes, Egg Salad as served at Ben’s Olio restaurant.

PORTO’S BAKERY & CAFE AND ROPA VIEJA

California’s iconic Porto’s Bakery & Cafes are now selling frozen goodies nationwide. These Bake at Home treats delight and we are grateful to have them available when not able to get to the bakery in person. On the other hand, the favorite Cuban dish, Ropa Vieja is only available in the cafe, but you can also make it at home as Porto’s gave us the recipe.

RUNAMOK MAPLE TIRAMISU

Laura Sorkin is a farmer, a writer, a recipe developer, a cookbook author, a wife, a mother of  two teenagers and the co-founder/owner (with husband Eric) of Runamok Maple, a company producing a variety of artisan syrups that are setting the standard not only for pure maple syrup, but also those creatively enlivened with flavor. […]