Lemon Posset
It’s almost impossible to believe that lemon posset, a silky soft dessert, shares a name with a medieval cure-all of hot curdled milk and ale. Prescribed as a cold remedy throughout the 14th and 15th centuries, the original posset was more medicine cabinet than dessert bowl. Thank the ingenuity of 19th-century British chefs for rescuing…
Hummingbird Cake
This is such a pretty cake it’s hard to imagine any leftovers. And, it’s relatively easy to make. The frosting might take a bit longer if you want to decorate it as shown. I don’t usually bake cakes, not that I don’t like them, but because there’s just the two of us and we’d be…
Shrimp with Garlic and Chili
I had been missing Asian food and when I saw this recipe I knew this was the answer to my hankering. There’s something about a subtle heat/spice that awakens all the senses. I’m not a fan of over-the-top heat or spice especially if it makes me uncomfortable and unable to enjoy what’s on my plate. …
Ooey Gooey Cocoa Brownies!
The brownie was born in the United States and while there are many stories as to its origins, everything points to Fannie Farmer. In 1905 she adapted her chocolate cookie recipe to a chocolate bar cookie baked in a rectangular pan. The brownie is classified as a bar cookie rather than a cake because…
Lentils with Oven-dried Tomatoes and Gorgonzola
In our house, we love lentils thanks to our time in Asia and consuming with much pleasure the Indian dish – dhal. I could eat dhal until the cows come home! Lentils are a very good source of cholesterol-lowering fiber. They also provide slow-burning complex carbohydrates and can increase your energy by replenishing your iron.…
Oven-Baked Cabbage & Speck Frittata (frittata al forno con cavalo e speck)
I adore the holidays but after massive food consumption, I’m ready for lighter meals. This Italian dish is perfect for scaling back but full steam ahead with flavor and nutrients. Cabbage has cholesterol-lowering benefits and is an excellent source of vitamin K and C as well as a good source of vitamin A. For more…
Fried Zucchini Sticks
There are recipes that immediately grab your attention, like this one did. You know right away when the list of ingredients hits all the check marks which says it’s gonna be delicious. This recipe hails from Mindy’s Meals on Heels. A site where Mindy aims to to teach parents how to feed their children by…
Saffron Tagliatelle with Spiced Butter
Hello and happy 2013! I thought about what would be my first posting for the new year and this dish rallied me back into the swing of things…it will awaken all of your senses! I kid you not, this is an absolutely scrumptious meal to make. Saffron comes from the crocus flower where each flower…
Camembert and Cranberry Tartletts
These simple and elegant-looking tartletts are the perfect finger food. They are delicate and small enough to eat without too much fuss or mess. You’ll Need: mini fillo shells (already cooked) cranberry sauce Camembert, rind removed Preheat oven to 350° (180c). Cut Camembert into small pieces – small enough to fit easily in the shells.…
Candy Cane Meringue Kisses
According to Snopes.com the candy cane came to being in Europe during the latter part of the 17th century but they were plain white. The red stripes appeared in the beginning of the 20th century. Christmas cards produced before 1900 show plain white canes while striped ones appear on many cards early in the 20th…
Eggplant Croquettes
Croquettes are not something I make frequently as I find them a bit time-consuming and fidgety. Having said that, my taste buds are well rewarded for the effort. According to Wise Geek, croquettes originated during the Roman empire where they used a pastry-like coating around meat or vegetables to create a dish known as rissoles. …
DIY Place Card Holders – A Bit of Whimsy
I’m always looking for ways to enhance the setting of a table. For me a pretty table tells your family and friends that time and effort went into every little detail. I like the use of a place card – a little detail – but tells your guest they are special. Of course store-bought ones…
Caramelized Endive with Gruyère
Cultivated chicory is found in these three categories: Radicchio – variegated red or red and green leaves Sugarloaf – looks like cos lettuce with packed leaves Belgian endive – small head of cream-colored, slightly bitter leaves Belgian endive is grown completely underground or indoors in the absence of sunlight in order to prevent the leaves…