I’ve always wanted to grow lavender but I know it’s happiest in hot, dry, sandy soil - none of which we have in East Hampton. Recently, I came across a variety called Phenomenal, which does so much better in wetter climates. I was thrilled when it came back this year (with a few replacements!) and I now have a whole crop of the most gorgeous purple flowers. You can cut long stems, wrap them with string or raffia, and hang them upside down to dry in your closet or bedroom. The scent will transport you to Provence - but without the jetlag!

My Oven-Fried Chicken is the best of all worlds.  I marinate the chicken in buttermilk so it’s moist, then fry it quickly on the stove so it’s crispy, and finally, I roast it in the oven so it’s not at all greasy.  Even better, I can do the messy part (the dipping and frying!!) before guests arrive and just throw the chicken in the oven to finish cooking before dinner.  My whole July 4th menu is on my homepage. Have a happy – and safe! – holiday!

The side dish I’ve made the most over the years is Orzo with Roasted Vegetables.  It’s an all-in-one side - pasta, roasted vegetables, feta, and pine nuts with a lemon vinaigrette.  In the winter, I serve it with a rack of lamb but in the summer it’s perfect with grilled steak or chicken.  

A lot of people ask about my favorite places to visit in the Hamptons. “The Hamptons” is actually a string of historic villages including East Hampton, Bridgehampton, and Southampton on the south coast of Long Island, and each town has its own special character. There are so many wonderful places to visit in the Hamptons that I can’t possibly list them all, but here’s a list of some of my favorites!