Kumquats are in season now through April, and while they're at their peak a little longer, I'm stocking up to use them in everything from salads to marmalades. My current favorite application? In a cocktail. To make this effervescent drink, muddle the kumquats to release their juices and aromatic oils. You'll find that the brightness from the citrus marries well with ginger syrup, which delivers Read more

March is such an interesting time of year for seasonal eating: Fall and Winter fruits and veggies are still hanging around the markets, and fresh Spring produce is making an appearance as well. Soon you'll be stocking up on asparagus, artichokes, and strawberries, but consider taking advantage of the last vestiges of the colder season while you still can with tiny, sweet-tart kumquats.The Read more

When hosting a dinner party, it's fun to introduce guests to interesting ingredients and exotic flavors. Keep the majority of the menu familiar, then throw in one unexpected element in the form of a specialty cocktail that highlights kumquats. My friends and family have little experience with the miniature citrus fruit, but they'll love to sample it in a vodka pomegranate punch. Part of the punch Read more

In my opinion, a Valentine's Day dessert should include chocolate. Since I'm hosting a Chinese New Year-themed dinner on Singles Appreciation Day, I've found the perfect dessert: chocolate kumquat Spring rolls! These deep-fried packages of goodness are filled with a rich kumquat dark chocolate. The rolls can be made in advance and are easily fried just before eating. To check out the delectable Read more

In many regions of the country, finding a wide variety of beautiful blooms in the Winter months is sometimes challenging. Instead of sticking with the same mix of roses or carnations, fill out your bouquets with a variety of your favorite citrus instead. I particularly love the look of these gorgeous arrangements spotted on The FlowerSchool's blog. Head to green markets, farmers markets, or Read more

Creed Fleurissimo has always been known as the fragrance created for Grace Kelly to wear at her royal wedding, but it's not the only scent inspired by the late princess. In 1966, Gucci designed the Flora scarf for Grace, and in 2009 Gucci came out with a same-name fragrance inspired by the woman and the fabric. I recently tried the newest member of the Flora fragrance family, Flora Eau Fraîche, Read more

Orange-toned goldenberries, also known as gooseberries or Incan berries, have been cultivated in South America for centuries and revered for their health benefits and mouth-puckering sweet and sour flavor. A handful of goldenberries provides a hefty dosage of antioxidants, and in traditional folk medicine practices, goldenberries are believed to help maintain a healthy weight, ward off disease, Read more

Over the weekend at the Food Network's South Beach Wine and Food Festival, I attended a packed demo led by Rachael Ray. The self-proclaimed "burger and taco girl" sipped a kumquat margarita while she made fish tacos and a French bistro-inspired burger in a slinky black dress. Instead of focusing on teaching the crowd how to cook, Ray declared that "we're going to have a nice chat," and invited Read more

I used to think cold weather meant the world was relegated to eating apples, pears, sweet potatoes, and butternut squash. But as I grew older I was introduced to a cornucopia of Winter produce, from blood oranges and kumquats to kale and leafy chicories. One of my top picks is übernutritious escarole, a greenish-white chicory that's not quite as bitter as radicchio and frisée. Escarole is Read more