Cooking Method: Mixing

Hotel Citadel Celery Salad

I recreated this incredibly addictive Celery Salad, inspired by a dish from the Hotel Citadel in Jerusalem. Celery often takes a backseat, but in this salad, it shines. The combination of crisp celery, sunflower seeds, pistachios, almonds, and dried blueberries (or cranberries) creates a satisfyingly fresh and crunchy texture. The tangy lemon honey dressing perfectly complements the salad's flavors.

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Crispy Rice Salad

Crispy Rice Salad is a refreshing, crispy, crunchy, tangy, spicy, sweet, herbaceous, hearty, colorful and satisfying. The rice is baked in the oven until crispy, which is the star of this salad. It's a perfect meal for a warm summer night. You can add chicken or shrimp for a more substantial meal.

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Boat Dip

I stumbled upon a Boat Dip recipe online and couldn't resist giving it a shot. With my kids heading out for a camping trip,I packed them off with a tub of the dip and a bag of Fritos. It was a huge hit! They raved about it, so it's officially a new family favorite. There are countless variations out there, but this one is a real winner.

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Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar Bread Dip

Elevate your classic olive oil and balsamic bread dip with the sweet and savory punch of sun-dried tomatoes and parmesan cheese. This simple appetizer comes together in minutes.

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Pepperoncini Aioli

I made this Pepperoncini Aioli to use as a dip for grilled artichokes. It was a huge hit. It's a delicious and versatile condiment that packs a punch of flavor. It's essentially a classic aioli infused with the tangy heat of pepperoncini peppers. It's perfect for dipping fries, chips, or vegetables, spreading on sandwiches or burgers, or serving alongside grilled meats and seafood.

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Benedictine Dip

Our friends Leila and Kevin invited us to their Kentucky Derby party. She served this delicious Benedictine Dip, which was invented by the caterer and restauranteur Jennie Carter Benedict in Louisville around the turn of the 20th century. The dip combines cucumbers, red onions with cream cheese and mayonnaise. Initially, it was a spread for tea sandwiches, and over time, Benedictine spread went beyond sandwiches and became a dip for crackers and crudité.

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Bunny Mary

The Bunny Mary is a playful twist on the classic Bloody Mary, featuring carrot juice as the key ingredient. It's a savory and refreshing brunch cocktail, perfect for Easter celebrations or any time you're looking for something a little different. Like the Bloody Mary, there are many variations on this cocktail. You can tweak it to your own taste.

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New Orleans Coleslaw

New Orleans coleslaw is a unique and flavorful take on classic slaw. It's characterized by its creamy, sweet, dressing, and toasted pecans, which give it a signature flavor and crunch. There are so many versions of this slaw, this one has mayo, buttermilk, maple syrup, and vinegar, which coats the shredded vegetables.

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The Diamond Dog Cocktail

David Bowie was

David Bowie is the artist that has been a huge influence in my life. He taught me a lot of things, mainly to be myself. It never occurred to me to imagine life with a finite body of his work.

I have been a major David Bowie fan since the '70s. I even had the opportunity to meet him when I worked at WNET in New York. My friend Melissa actually picked up his cigarette butt (Marlboro, which is probably why he got cancer).

He also wrote me a thank you note for writing him a letter that I gave to a stage hand to deliver while he was doing The Elephant Man in New York.

There was also an infamous night my friend Jessica at the Café Luxembourg.  It was a Sunday night in the '80s.  We were at the bar about ready to leave when I told her to ORDER MORE DRINKS!!!  She said she was tired.  I told her that David Bowie just walked in and WERE NOT LEAVING UNTIL HE DID! We stayed for another couple of hours breathing in the same air that he was breathing!  Yeah, I know it's ridiculous.  We did not bother him.  We were way too cool for that!

I used to be able to do a pretty amazing imitation of David Bowie dancing on stage - ditto Boy George and John Cougar Mellancamp.  Maybe if I had a few of these cocktails, I could do it again!  Oh, and by the way, this cocktail was created at the George V Hotel in Paris, France.

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Fried Pickle Dip

Because my family is into anything to do with pickles... I made this Fried Pickle Dip, which is a creamy, tangy, and savory dip made with dill pickles, cream cheese, sour cream, and ranch seasoning. It is a popular appetizer or snack, and is often served with potato chips, pretzels, or vegetables.

By Leslie Blythe