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

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

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

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

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

Well I’ve gone and done it!  Made the best gluten free Oatmeal Cookie – ever.  The thing is, I wasn’t really trying for a best in the baking department, I was trying to use up some of the 20 or so half bags of flour I have accumulated, I swear they procreate in the dark… Continue reading

  Today, I had planned on sharing a chicken and wild rice soup recipe, however I didn’t love the picture I captured at all – that happens, quite a bit judging by all the snaps sitting on my desktop screen that probably won’t get imported.   Instead, seeing that it’s well into the new year,… Continue reading

I am in the fortunate situation of celebrating Thanksgiving twice every year.  Once in October with my Canadian side, and again in November with all my American friends and family. Some years it is exactly the same dinner both times.  Other years, we vary it slightly to reflect the food allergies or aversions of our… Continue reading

If we were to poll dessert lovers about their summer favorites, strawberry shortcake would rank right up there—probably in first place. But anyone who’s enjoyed key lime pie on a hot summer night is likely to place this dessert first. It’s certainly my preference. The cool creaminess of this pie that packs a delightful citrus… Continue reading

There are a few gluten-free baked items that really intimidate me.  Croissants, Angle Food Cake and Cinnamon Rolls, for some reason they have always seemed daunting to me.  And, today I have finally ticked one off the list. Gluten Free Cinnamon Buns –  as it turns out, not very hard to make at all.  In fact… Continue reading

While my kitchen may be awash in various types of cookbooks, I rarely use them as intended.  For me, they are more of a resource.  I flip through the pages, linger over the fabulous photos, looking for inspiration rather than instruction — most days. However,  this recipe that Ina Garten created is cake perfection.  I followed the instructions… Continue reading

I know that I have mentioned a few times before, that there are few foods that I don’t like.  And that really influences what I share here.  Why would I spend the time and energy to cook and photograph something that I don’t particularly like, right?. Up until last week, it didn’t occur to me… Continue reading

Last week, I found myself out picking blueberries, in a field not less than 3 miles from my house. That field has been there the whole 22 years we have lived here, and I never even knew it existed before.  How is that possible? It’s so cute, you drive up, collect your little quart or pint… Continue reading

We went to our first picnic last week, a sure sign that summer has finally arrived.  I was put in charge of sides for the festivities. So tell me, do you consider desert a side?  Or more in a category all of it’s own?  Well, I wasn’t sure either, so at the last minute the… Continue reading