It probably come as no surprise to everyone that we are having a much smaller gathering for Thanksgiving this year – just like most of the country.  We still want to make a fuss, cook way too much, and spend quality time with certain family members.  You too I bet. These circumstances happen to work… Continue reading

In the past, my go-to-no-fail recipe for Oatmeal Cookies was always the one printed inside of the Quakers lid.  They may not even print it there anymore, it was that long ago. Once I found out gluten was not my friend, I converted the recipe to a gluten-free version.  It was fine, an okay oatmeal cookie,… Continue reading

Have you heard about this famous Plum Torte originally published by Mariam Burros in 1983 for the New York Times? It was so popular that it was published every year from 1983 to 1989, by then the editors felt it had been featured enough.  Apparently not, according to all the backlash they received, after making… Continue reading

Last month, I finally nailed down a chocolate chip cookie that I think is an all time winner.  Of course, that recipe will be in rotation here forever… This led me to think that we don’t have a go-to peanut butter cookie recipe.  Without any ripe fruit in the fruit bowl vying for a delicious… Continue reading

This last week I attempted to create a go-to Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie.  One that you could depend upon, knowing they would turn out fabulous every time you baked them. Made from easily-accessible ingredients, ones that normally lived in my pantry and fridge.  That way, I could just whip them up at a moments… Continue reading

This Raspberry Pecan Tart falls firmly into the “if it worked make it again, just change up the flavor a bit” category.  As you may know, not all gluten free baked goods turn out, even those you may have made many times.  It’s all chemistry honey, and perhaps some astrology too, because at times I… Continue reading

We are a family of foodies, that’s a given.  So much so that when we eat out and have had a memorable dish, we try to re-create it at home, just for fun.   My latest attempt was to try to re-create “Tate’s” ginger zinger cookies.  They are my absolute favorite, with the perfect balance of… Continue reading

Every fall I feel it my privilege/duty/compulsion to add to the many millions of recipes for something fall-ish, pumpkin-ish, pear-ish, or apple-ish.  Perhaps this recipe is exactly the one you have been searching for?  I certainly hope so. How could you regret making this super moist Pumpkin Cake, it has just the right amount of… Continue reading

Two circumstances lead to the creation of  these Lemon Cheesecake Brownies.  The first, I had a container of mascarpone cheese in the fridge nearing its expiration date and wanted to use it up.  The second, while chatting with a friend I discovered her husband was going to be out of town and she would all… Continue reading

For the last few years I have defaulted to three super easy desserts to serve at dinner parties.  If you entertain you know it’s more than enough work to come up with a menu, shop, cook a fabulous meal, and set a beautiful table.   Last year it was pears that I popped into the oven… Continue reading

Last week one of my favorite food blogs, Smitten Kitchen, shared a vegan coconut cake.  Made with just 6 ingredients; one bowl, baked in a round cake pan for just 30 minutes.  Could it really be that simple? I admit, I was skeptical since I’ve had so many epic fails trying to conjure up baked… Continue reading

Growing up, I remember every year at the Holidays there were certain treats that we never saw any other time of the year.  One such treat was a red tin of shortbread cookies, the one with the little paper cups separating the different cookies – although I always felt that they all tasted the same… Continue reading

If there is one thing I can tell you about gluten free baking, it’s that if it works, keep doing it.  A mantra I have stood by through and through, and the reason why I have posted 8 slightly different variations of cheesecakes – so far. Baking gluten free is not always as simple as… Continue reading

A few years ago, I made my first attempt at baking scones and came up with this Blueberry Scone Cake, while really good, and everyone gobbled it up without any question as to its provenance, I felt I hadn’t nailed a traditional scone.  That’s the thing with gluten free baking, sometimes it’s an epic fail,… Continue reading

Every year around this time, I get the urge to bake.  It seems like ages since I last turned the oven on.  Lately, it has been too hot to even contemplate any form of baked good; that is until this week.  Yippee! This endeavor dovetailed nicely with the banner crop we have of zucchini this… Continue reading

This week, I have been experimenting in the kitchen with a grain free-gluten free-dairy free-nut free muffin.  So far, this darn muffin troubles me.  Sure, I have come across a few recipes online with fabulous pictures of such muffins, which makes me wonder why mine won’t work?  They look good, but the middle of the… Continue reading

I first heard the word “Vegan”  about 30 years ago, back then I thought if you were a vegan you lived off of alfalfa sprouts, avocado and brown rice.  And, the baked goods they consumed certainly contained carob. Things have changed hugely in the kitchen since then.  Baking vegan solves a lot of food allergy issues… Continue reading

My husband who happily eats everything without compliant, recently pointed out that I tend to gravitate to cheesecake when making dessert for dinner parties or holidays.  “just an observation, that’s all” he said, which is code for please make more, he does really love any type of dessert. When entertaining, any steps you can accomplish… Continue reading

My daughter regularly texts me obscure grocery items that she wants purchased – by me of course.  Last month it was: matcha powder, cocoa nibs, jackfruit and cardamon pods.  All with the intention of creating something she most likely has seen on Pinterest. Most of the time these specialty items are used once, then languish in the… Continue reading

Although fall has arrived, I feel it is not my job to bombard you with all things pumpkin.  We can thank Starbucks for starting the Pumpkin Latte craze.  Although it certainly doesn’t stop there, at the grocery store today I spotted Pumpkin Spice Instant Oatmeal, Pumpkin Spice Cheerio’s, Lucy’s Pumpkin Patch Cookies, I draw the… Continue reading

I have posted a lot of cheesecake here – mainly because I love them,  also because you can adapt them to so many occasions.  Dinner party?  This Meyer Lemon Ricotta Cheesecake or Key Lime Cheesecake marry well with any menu. Holiday? Try this Pumpkin Pie Ricotta Cheesecake or equally as festive Pumpkin Cheesecake with Candied Nut… Continue reading