I don’t mean to alarm anyone, but it is time to light the pumpkin spice candles and start making Baked Potato Soup. Not just any potato soup. We shall make a knock-your-socks-off-and-drop-your-backpack-in-the-middle-of-the-hallway-on-your-way-to-the-table-so-someone-else-will-trip-over-it soup. Please light your pumpkin candle and let the soup making commence. A first-rate soup is more creative than a second-rate painting. – Abraham […]
Forty (Maybe) and Fabulous (For Sure). Gone are the days of the run-of-the-mill, over-the-hill parties. Here’s a 40th birthday party theme she will love! You know those life-long friends you couldn’t get rid of even if you tried? Yeah, I love those ones. Here are a few of ours. Taye is helping momma celebrate her […]
Meat Roll With Potatoes and Mushroom Gravy. Dear Vegetarians and Vegans, Please avert your eyes for we are about to embark upon the meatiest recipe I’ve ever made. I’m sorry. Love, Deanna And all the men said, “Meat and meat and meat and meat and potatoes? Amen.” Meat Roll With Potatoes and Mushroom Gravy Preheat […]
Memoirs of an Innkeeper With Koji Yakusho. I got a call. We had some special guests arriving from Japan. Memoirs of an Innkeeper With Koji Yakusho They brought this stunning candy. We were honored to have our guests. They were so kind and fun, and as we found out after a while, they were, um, […]
Mini Almond Mazarin Tarts With Fresh Fruit. Buttery crust and almondy filling but the real topper is the glazed fresh fruit. Fancy yet simple. Plain yet colorful. Mini Almond Mazarin Tart With Fresh Fruit Preheat oven to 350°F. 2 sticks (one cup) butter 1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar 2 cups of flour 1 teaspoon […]
Where there is Chocolate Pecan Truffles, there is a party. In a way, I guess you could call these party balls. Add dark cocoa powder, and you have a fancy party. I tell you the truth. Chocolate Pecan Truffles 16 ounces high-quality semi-sweet chocolate 1 cup heavy whipping cream 1 cup chopped pecans 1 cup […]
Mushroom Risotto. She is not always familiar, for she is foreign. She is not basic rice, for she is fancy. She is not pasta, for she is temperamental. Mushroom Risotto 1/4 cup olive oil 1 cup sliced or diced fresh mushrooms 1 medium yellow onion, diced 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1 1/2 cups Arborio rice […]
I love things that are simple & beautiful at the same time like these lovely Yogurt Parfaits. Perfect for a Saturday morning. Or Sunday. Or Monday. Or Tuesday. Or Wednesday. Or Thursday. Yogurt Parfaits Yoplait Boston Cream Pie Yogurt (or vanilla pudding or your own favorite yogurt ) 2 cups of fresh mixed berries 1 […]
Perhaps this should be called Indulgent Chicken Marsala. But I can’t help it. I love a breaded piece of chicken. And I love a gravy sauce. One would probably never guess I was born as far away as one can get from the south while still in America. Well, there was that one thing – […]
Sweet Red Cherry Pie. Summer at its best. That is unless you count the time I used dish soap so I could go faster on our Slip & Slide. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen our kids laugh as hard as they did that day nor have I embarrassed myself more – at least not […]
Outstanding in the Field Dinner Event at Full Circle Farms. The other day I was outstanding in a field. Well, we did a lot more than stand in a field, actually. We toured a farm, met new friends, had an outstanding meal from one of Seattle’s top chefs, and enjoyed wine. Lots of lovely wine. […]
Fresh Balsamic Cherry Salad is my happy place. He who likes cherries soon learns to climb. – German proverb. Yes, one learns to climb when one likes cherries. Why? Because one would want to put this cherry salad into the pretty bowls which are kept up on the top shelf in the cupboard. I spent […]
It is no surprise that after dotter took her strawberry cookies to work that she got a cookie order for a little girl’s birthday party. I may or may not have helped.
I had planned on trying this recipe years ago. Really. I did. I mean, who doesn’t rush to make a chocolate cheesecake? My first job was at a bakery. I didn’t have to wait until my forties to realize what a great job I had way back when. Nope. I was entirely grateful and savored […]
Homemade tortillas, please. Just, you know, a little bit decorative for the Fourth of July. Flour Tortillas 4 cups flour 1 3/4 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 cup bacon fat, lard, or shortening 1 1/2 cups lukewarm water Place dry ingredients and shortening into a bowl. Using a pastry cutter, cut the shortening […]
I love wheat bran muffins with every fiber of my being; but, I simply adore Honey-Glazed Bran Muffins. They are easy to make and a good-for-you breakfast treat that tastes like dessert. Honey-Glazed Bran Muffins Makes 12 regular-size muffins or 6 large muffins. Pecan Glaze 1/4 cup unsalted butter 1/4 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup […]
I introduce to you the longest route to a Reuben sandwich… but you can call her Ruby. A Reuben sandwich can be very simple. When made traditionally, it is a lovely stack of dark rye bread, corned beef, thousand island dressing, mustard, and sauerkraut. As you can see, I have broken a few rules and […]
Celery Jam. The looks of this post will not make you dance. If anything, it will probably have you sitting and staring at this screen in disbelief with your head tilted ever so slightly to the right. I promise you, though, when you try this you will understand. And even if after making it you […]
How to Cook Corned Beef. Corned beef is incredibly easy to make. This post is simply to advertise the fact that everyone can feel confident that they can make it. You’re welcome, corned beef industry. You’re welcome. How to Cook Corned Beef Preheat oven to 325°F. One 2.5 pound corned beef One seasoning packet that […]
How to Make Sauerkraut. This post is for the daring. For those who are not scared of fermentation. For those who happen to have some Himalayan pink salts laying around the house. How to Make Sauerkraut 1 medium head green cabbage, thinly sliced 1 piece of horseradish root, sliced (optional) 1/4 cup Himalayan pink salt […]
If you could use a little zip and zing in your life, I have the gift of Santa Fe Burgers for you. She is spicy and zesty. She is sauce-y and sweet. She doesn’t care about long walks on the beach or sunsets. She wants to party and sit by the grill with an electric […]
Everyone needs a recipe for perfect sugar cookies for decorating. Every once in a while Dotter gets the itch to make decorated sugar cookies. This always fills my heart with warm fuzzies and my tummy with sweet treats. For a moment I lost her so I called out her name and she popped up from […]
Tuna Pasta Salad The three-day weekend. A time for gardening. A time for barbecuing. And a time for pasta salad with tiny American flags in it. Tuna Pasta Salad 1 pound of your favorite-shaped pasta, cooked & cooled 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise 3-4 tablespoons mustard 2 cans of tuna packed in water, with juices 1/2 […]
These Cinnamon Rolls With Maple Cream Cheese Frosting are being brought to you after lots of practice. Practice making the dough. Practice making the filling. Practice making the frosting. And, well, you know. The practice of eating them warm out of the oven. I don’t mean to brag, but I’ve always been good at the […]
Trail Mix Oatmeal Cookies are a balance of both fiber and bunches of brown sugar hence what a cookie should be. Sometimes my posts are healthy and sometimes they are not. Today’s recipe is a mix of both. Please see the easy vegan change-ups if you prefer a vegan cookie. Oats and seeds and raisins. […]
Summer is only one month away and if there’s something we all need to know to prepare, it is how to make awesome Butterscotch Milkshakes. A great milkshake is all about texture & flavor. And maybe a little extra butterscotch sauce at the bottom. Butterscotch Milkshakes Makes two 15-ounce shakes. 1 cup loosely packed ice […]
The proof of a delicious Chocolate Pudding Parfaits is in the pudding. And the graham cracker crust. And the Irish cream enhanced whipped cream. These little sweethearts are lovely for a party. Individually decorated pudding parfaits topped with a wee bit-o-cocoa powder. You’ll need one pie pan or 8 eight-ounce mason jars or oven-safe ramekins. […]
How to Make Perfect Pancakes… and then one day it dawned on her that she owned a bed & breakfast yet there was not a basic pancake or maple syrup recipe anywhere on her blog. And so she had pancakes to solve the problem. But, you know, she only had one. How to Make Perfect […]
This Balsamic Red Onion and Sausage Tart is guest approved. It is savory with a touch of sweetness. It is the Balsamic Red Onion and Sausage Tart… With Fresh Herbs and Le Gruyère Cheese Perfectly Melted On Top. But, you know, I had to stop the name somewhere. Balsamic Red Onion and Sausage Tart Makes […]
The Pike Place Market Salad… with Salmon, Pear, Blackberries, and almonds. She is fresh. She is lovely and she is everything Seattle on one plate. While walking through Pike Place Market recently, I was handed some smoked salmon by a merchant. I took two steps further and was handed a piece of perfectly ripened pear […]
Moist, delicious coconut date squares. Holy moly, they almost make me want to return to the days of exclamation points. Cakey and chewy. Coconut Date Squares Makes 12 large pieces. Preheat oven to 350°F. 1 cup unsalted butter, softened 1 1/2 cups sugar 2 eggs 1 1/4 cups sour cream 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla 1 […]
Lemon coconut scones with cream cheese frosting are filled with refreshing lemon juice and topped with dreamy cream cheese frosting & toasty coconut. How to Make Scones Scone dough, just like pie crust dough, doesn’t like to be played with after the wet ingredients are added. Just mix the wet & dry ingredients until they […]
Fajita Pizza is the best of Italy & the best of Mexico all in one dinner. Fajita Pizza 1 recipe pizza dough 1 1/2 cups Mexican crema 2 cups jack & white cheddar cheese, grated 1 recipe Fajita chicken (below) 1 recipe Pico de Gallo Salsa 1 can black olives, sliced (optional) 1 bunch fresh […]
Behind the Scenes With the Best B&B on Evening Magazine. It all started with our window washer. I asked him… okay, I begged him to come clean the best B&B windows and he rearranged his schedule just for my top-secret shenanigans. His payment may have involved freshly baked scones. After all, it was an emergency. I decided I couldn’t be on […]
Blueberry Cream Cheese Muffins. The blueberry season opens in 72 days, 9 hours, 54 minutes and 28 seconds here in the Northwest. You know, either that or in about 2 1/2 months. I do believe, however, it is imperative to have a perfect blueberry muffin recipe for any day of the year. Blueberry Cream Cheese […]
Evening Magazine Visits The Old Hen Bed & Breakfast. We had some very special visitors this week at The Old Hen Bed & Breakfast. We invited some of our previous guests over for brunch. Oh, and King 5 Evening Magazine happened to stop by too. We’re being featured on Evening Magazine because we are a […]
About a year ago I promised to share my cherry limeade recipe from Dotter’s graduation. I have no excuses for the delay. But I come bearing glad tidings of fresh limes. And cherries. And pretty straws. Cherry Limeade 1 cup water 1 cup sugar 1 cups fresh lime juice (from about 7-8 limes) 12 ounces […]
Sometimes my recipe ideas are well thought out and planned and other times, I happen upon a miracle like Boston Cream Pie Napoleons while looking at the ingredients I already have on hand. This happened one-day last year while Jessica and her husband were visiting The Old Hen. This is the “this” that happened. Boston […]
Coconut Shrimp in Orange Sauce. Fresh. Fried. Sweet. Savory. The gang’s all here to please you. Although this recipe takes a little effort, it brings a big payoff with delicious flavors. Coconut Shrimp in Orange Sauce Coconut Shrimp & Salad Canola oil or vegetable oil One pound shrimp 1 teaspoon sea salt 1 teaspoon coarse […]
Two Cocktails to Welcome Summer – A guest post by the amazing Warren Bobrow. The Easter and Passover holiday weekend is now behind us. I’ve been dreaming of warmer weather and this past weekend although windy was just the taste I’ve been seeking. The lovely summer season to follow is filling my cocktail-driven wishes and […]
Oven Baked BBQ Pork Ribs. On a rainy day in Seattle, you can hear the raindrops fall upon the outdoor barbecue. To make things feel better and cozier and yummier, make these slow-cooked ribs and have friends over and play games. Or skip the friends and the games and just eat ribs. Oven Baked BBQ […]
Cornbread Muffins and Whipped Honey Butter. When I was little, the only thing I was allowed to order off the menu was grilled cheese and a glass of water. This was how my parents were able to take our family out to eat but still keep things within the budget. It might sound like I […]
Chicken and Spinach Lasagna With White Wine Alfredo Sauce. Does spinach get lost in the back of your refrigerator? Perhaps it’s time to just give in and make it cheesy and buttery and try for salads again next week. Chicken and Spinach Lasagna With White Wine Alfredo Sauce Makes about 8 servings. Preheat oven to […]
Was there ever a potluck where the seven-layer salad was not present when we were kids? Although similar, it seems everyone has their own special take on how a seven-layer salad should look. Mine? Well, I prefer 3 times 7 – hence an abundant 21 layers. The trifle bowl is the very best bowl for layered […]
The girls in our family were looking through old cookbooks this week. Almost everything in certain books were combinations of processed foods with corny names… naughty names even. If there is one dessert that every girl should know how to make, it’s Better Than Sex Dessert. Good Christian women call it “Better Than Robert Redford […]
Lemon Coconut Pancakes with Cream Cheese Syrup. When spring arrives, one must remember all things lemony and coconut-y and holy. And then add cream cheese syrup. And a sprig of mint. Amen. Lemon Coconut Pancakes with Cream Cheese Syrup Syrup 4 ounces cream cheese, softened 4 tablespoons butter, softened 3 cups powdered sugar Juice of […]
Cherry & Cream Cheese Bread Pudding. There are few things as beautiful as a perfect flavor combination. I didn’t realize it at the time, but that is something I was learning when I used to sit on a stool and watch the bakers do their magic on doughnuts, pastries, and bread. While all I could […]
Mud Pie or How to Make Friends and Influence People. My treasured mud pie recipe as seen on TV. Years ago, I decided to have a Christmas party. I didn’t realize it then, but the party would become a tradition and I’m convinced my friends are still in my life because of the dessert. Memorize […]
Layered Blueberry and Mango Smoothies. When it’s not enough to braise the roast, simply splatter some hot oil. And when polka dot burns on your face aren’t enough, grab the hot part of the pan for the win. Short story: I burned my hand today. So I decided to blog something cold. It just felt […]
If you like to see old castles, you will like to see the Craigdarroch Castle in Victoria BC. Here’s the CliffsNotes’ version of the castle history. Once upon a time, there was a rich guy. He decided to build a castle. Once upon a time, there was an architect. He decided to say yes to […]
