I love taking classic items and kicking them up a notch (or three?). One of my favorite lunches to make is a classic grilled ham and cheese. While there’s nothing wrong with simply throwing some random ham and cheese slices between pieces of bread and grilling it – we can do better than that! When you want the ultimate grilled cheese experience, it’s important to focus on the best ingredients available and that’s why this one stars Eckrich Black Forest Ham.

While fresh guacamole scooped out of an avocado and mashed right in front of you is almost always the best option, that's not always possible and it's expensive. So, I've been a fan of Wholly Guacamole for a while now for parties, tailgates, and other opportunities when I just need to whip a relatively healthy and great tasting snack together. But what about bag lunches and road trip snacks? Thankfully, Wholly Guacamole has introduced their new Snack Cups to fill that space!

When you are young and still on the "chase", date night is something you look forward to but over the years it can become redundant, expensive, or just something to put off until next week. Unfortunately, as wonderful as marriage and long-term relationships can be there's a trap that you need to avoid called complacency. Here's some tips to overcome that and impress your date with how much you care for her.

Asking a chef or cook what their secret recipe is one of those things that I generally try to avoid. After all, there's always more to a great meal than simply a set of directions. That being said, after trying some of the famous Gator Gumbo at Peace River Seafood in Punta Gorda, Florida I just had to ask for the chance to share it with you guys. It's THAT good... and what's even better is that they even have a pet alligator in the pond out back... because of course they do, It's Florida!

When I first got contacted by the folks at Biena I thought this was a joke - flavored chickpea snacks? Seriously? While I like hummus and I enjoy garbanzo beans when I can find them in a salad bar. However, not once had I ever thought of them as a snack food tossed in flavors like Habanero and Rockin' Ranch... much less Girl Scout Thin Mint! Yet here we are. I have a dozen or so bags on my table and I can't decide which one I like best. 

Eggs Benedict is one of my all time favorite things to eat and I know that's true among many of my friends as well. It's a special dish that is generally reserved for special occasions and restaurants. However, it's easier to make at home than you might imagine.

Genoa, Nevada is a perfect town to visit for any guys looking for a taste of what the west was like before being tamed. If you venture just around the corner from the Mormon Station and Nevada's oldest bar though, you'll find one of the finest foodie spots in Nevada. The Pink House seemingly doesn't fit here but at the same time it works perfectly. Not only is the building itself one of the oldest structures in Genoa but it was about striking out into unfamiliar territory and trying new things. That's exactly what you'll find here today...

Fogo de Chao is hands down one of my favorite restaurants. Not only do you get a never-ending parade of meats but the place is fun and imaginative when it comes to creating seasonal updates to the menu. We were invited to check out their new Spring Menu this week, so how could I resist when it includes three new cocktails to try!

The other day I was wandering around my local Ralph's grocery store trying to figure out what to buy for lunch. I was hungry and creative - a combo that tends to be expensive for me. As I wandered through the sauce aisle I realized that nearly every time I buy a bottled sauce I'm disappointed in the flavor, thickness, etc. So I thought to myself, "why can't I make a sauce that matches exactly what I love?" While this sauce ended up turning out great and was ultimately "wife approved", sometimes the journey of creation is exciting in itself. You can always learn from your mistakes, adjust the proportions and make things distinctly YOURS!

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. The following content is intended for readers who are 21 or older. #LobsterfestCelebration #Lobsterfest #CollectiveBias

It's that time of year again - Lobsterfest is back at Red Lobster and it's time to celebrate. While I once lived in a small lobster town in Massachusetts where eating lobster was as common as grilling burgers, there's still something special about eating this delicious animal. This year though is even more special since Red Lobster is celebrating it's 50th anniversary and so it should be no surprise that everything is bigger and better than ever.

Las Vegas was once the land where everyday people could escape their everyday reality and be whoever they wanted to be for a few days. Today, the strip is dominated by elite restaurants, fancy shops, and pretty much anything expensive that you can imagine. It's a great place, but what's missing is that "Las Vegas Magic". Luckily, that still exists at a few places and others are creating new experiences that make you feel like a celebrity - without spending like it. That's exactly how I felt when Mirage Las Vegas invited me to stop by to check out their Chef's Table Experience at the Cravings Buffet.

March has begun and that means that it is unofficially Irish Heritage month - even if that's mostly celebrated by St Patrick's Day traditions such as green beer and leprechauns as well as more palatable ones such as a corned beef and cabbage dinner.  Variations on the classic corned beef and cabbage recipes have been what I've eaten for St. Patrick's Day for the past 30+ years, so it's time to try something new and explore Irish culture a bit while doing so.

Las Vegas has been a foodie town for generations and despite the fancy new places that open up every week, there are still some classics left in town like the Golden Steer Steakhouse. Founded in 1958, it saw the golden years of "Old Las Vegas" and a list of celebrities a mile long, including: Frank Sinatra, Muhammad Ali, Tony "The Ant" Spilatro, Natalie Wood, Nat "King" Cole, Joe DiMaggio, Elvis Presley and Mario Andretti. In 2009 Bon Appetit Magazine even featured it in their feature, "The Best Steaks On Earth." Now, they are revealing some of their famous recipes and we've got a few samples to share!

I absolutely love olives - black, pimento or cheese stuffed, in a martini, or crushed into a tapanade - they are simply delicious. While I knew that they were a Mediterranean treat, I didn't realize the percentage that come from Spain till I had the chance to chat with Paula Sanchez, responsible for promotion and marketing at Olives from Spain!

Buffalo wings are one of the most popular snacks for football parties - or even just snacking anytime. However, they tend not to be very healthy. Even when grilled vs fried, there's a lot of fat in the chicken skins. As a healthy alternative though, why not try cauliflower instead? These Buffalo Cauliflower Wing Bites are not only a more healthy alternative to traditional wings but they taste great and provides an excellent source of vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, vitamin B6, dietary fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids among other nutrients.

Las Vegas has some of the best bars and some of the best restaurants in the world but no matter how much talent and desire to be the best... most are good at one or the other, not both. During a visit last night to Libertine Social inside of Mandalay Bay, I was treated to an experience that frankly I wasn't expecting based on the relatively unassuming entrance.

Typically when we think of summer grilling season, the featured meat is steaks, burgers, sausage - and maybe chicken. Rarely though do I hear people talking about grilled buffalo-style party wings but these are amazing on the grill and a bit healthier than frying or even baking in the oven. Of course, that health benefit typically goes out the window when you cover them in sauces. It's all about personal responsibility though and I love options that allow people to make choices.

For most of you, winter is in full swing right now and that means it's time to warm up with a steaming bowl of hearty soup. I've also found that for some reason there seems to be a lot of spiral cut hams on sale right now. Perhaps it's just that "after the holidays" inventory close out, but who am I to complain. My only problem was that I end up leaving an awful lot of meat on the bone after eating the slices. So, instead of throwing them out - let's make soup!

To many people "turkey" is just basic - bland, dry, and not that exciting.  but I like to take things over the top and experiment a bit. So that's what I did here with an innovative twist on the classic breakfast sandwich.

This recipe might seem a bit odd at first, but it ends up being a delicious way to eat your veggies in a whole different way. It's quick and simple to make these Curry Roasted Peppers, Peas, and Carrots and they make a fantastic "movie snack" too!