Year: 2014

Cranberry Eggnog Salad on crystal plate

Family Traditions – Cranberry Eggnog Salad

Last year I read a piece in Southern Living magazine that had me laughing out loud. “Taking Sides” by Allison Glock described a formidable family tradition in the form of The Cranberry Salad, a side dish that nobody liked but was made and served each Thanksgiving day as a matter […]

A square slice of Gingerbread Coffee Cake in front of a red Christmas Wreath.

Gingerbread Streusel Coffee Cake

Crushed ginger cookies add texture to the streusel crumbs as a robust blend of holiday spices lends festive flavor to this Gingerbread Coffee Cake. Warm from the oven it makes a nice addition to a weekend or holiday breakfast. It tastes great with a warm cup of coffee or Mulled Cider.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Cranberries

Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Cranberries with Pecans

Discoveries on the Produce Aisle Last week I found stalks of Brussels sprouts for sale in the produce section of Sprouts market. A generous quantity of individual sprouts adorned each stout central stalk budding out from the base where each leaf had grown. It caught me by surprise. I don’t […]

Gingerbread Scones

What Anticipation Tastes Like I think my favorite flavor of the holiday season is ginger. Christmas wouldn’t taste or smell like Christmas without spicy notes of ginger and cinnamon wafting through the house and lingering in the kitchen. A pinch of ginger is the perfect way to dress up favorite […]

Plain Old Fashioned Mashed Potatoes

This recipe is for the kind of Mashed Potatoes we prefer in my family; fairly thick and with the occasional rustic lump of unmashed potato or bit of potato skin. Flavor with salt and pepper, along with butter, for an indulgent side dish to serve alone or with gravy. Writing […]

Meringue Torte with Chocolate filling on a glass plate beside an embroidered napkin, a heart shaped ornament and two silver forks.

Meringue Torte

I love February. I like the way it sounds, beginning with a frisky fricative followed suddenly by the pairing of two unlikely mid-word consonants in a mismatch that invites us to think before speaking. I like the way it begins with that famous rodent checking the shadows for promises of […]

Chocolate Tofu Mousse in two white Japanese tea cups beside an iron teapot.

A Simple Amaretto Chocolate Mousse

Silken Tofu makes a wonderful addition to this Simple Amaretto Chocolate Mousse. The recipe is super easy, wholesome and delicious…plus few would ever guess the secret ingredient in this creamy smooth chocolate mousse unless you told them.

Old-Fashioned Spaghetti Sauce

A good tomato sauce is at the heart of many wonderful meals.  Seasoned with garlic, onion and herbs, a rich tomato sauce is a classic. My family just called it Spaghetti Sauce while using it to pull together a variety of recipes. It is delicious on its own over a […]

Four Cinnamon Toast Biscotti arranged on a white saucer beside cinnamon sticks and a coffee cup.

Cinnamon Toast Biscotti

What makes Cinnamon Toast Biscotti special is the topping added during the second bake. After cutting the loaves into thick slices and toasting one side, brush the biscotti with a bit of butter. Then sprinkle each cookie with cinnamon and sugar, like a slice of Cinnamon Toast.

Aunt Hen’s Cinnamon Toast

This is not exactly a recipe. It’s more like a memory. Or maybe a mindset, intent on those old-fashioned basics, pared down and well executed. And it’s not exactly news. It’s been written about by food bloggers everywhere, some who have great thoughts on the matter, some who get right […]

A serving of Hominy Au Gratin Casserole served on a small blue plate beside a serving basket

Details, Details: Hominy Au Gratin

Much like Macaroni and Cheese, Hominy Au Gratin is a straightforward casserole that speaks of comfort and satisfies big appetites on a budget. Even if you don’t have fond childhood memories of hominy, I think you’ll enjoy this introduction to nixtamalized corn à la Julia Child.