The most refreshing drink in all the cocktail kingdom is the Mint Mojito cocktail. She is light, beautiful, and more daring than she appears. If your mint has taken over your garden space as mine has, it is time to entertain your neighbors with mojitos. And fast. Mint Mojitos 3/4 cup sugar 3/4 cup fresh […]
Cheesy Beef and Bean Burritos. Our pre-fourth of July weather has settled in this week. Sunshine doesn’t normally commit in Seattle until July 5th. After that, summer is perfect. But, for now, it is burrito weather. And that ain’t half bad. Things are looking brighter this week, though. I’m convinced it’s because I made a simmer-all-day […]
I love a dark, moist German Chocolate Cake. The real magic, though, might be the penuche topping. I can still almost see it on top of my great aunt & uncle’s bar… a 9X13 pan of chocolate cake – all messy and perfect and messy. German Chocolate Cake Makes one double-layer 9-inch round cake or […]
Bloody Mary Cocktail. Of all the outlandish, hilarious, and awesome names of cocktails, the one that bothers me the most is my very favorite drink… the Bloody Mary. You know what. We’ll just call her Mary. After trying Marys out in various locations, I have found one common ingredient which makes or breaks my Mary. […]
Pineapple Upside Down Cake. I collect old church cookbooks. I figure if you can’t trust the old recipes of good, Christian women trying to show off to their congregation, who can you trust? One day I went hunting for a pineapple upside-down cake that would not harm any boxed cake mixes. I, of course, started […]
One of my favorite Scandinavian treats is the Raspberry Almond Mazarin Tart. It is rich and regal yet one of the easiest things one could make for friends… the perfect dessert. Raspberry Almond Mazarin Tart Makes six 4-inch tarts. Preheat oven to 350F. Crust 1/2 cup butter 1/2 cup powdered sugar 1 egg yolk 1 […]
Homemade Carrot Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting. I admit, my memories of carrot cake are a bit abnormal. When a bakery shelf becomes your natural before-school nap habitat, you catch glimpses of bakers taking full sheet cakes out of a room-size, Ferris-wheel oven. You watch your mom carefully remove parchment papers the size of a […]
Emergency Chocolate Cupcakes With Cream Cheese Frosting. I’m so proud of my kids. I’m proud of them because of who they have worked to become. While I’m also proud of their accomplishments, there are too many to list. Last night I received a typical call from Dotter getting ready to accomplish something again. It went […]
I’ve had a fantastic Southwest salad and I’ve had some horrible ones. One restaurant served theirs covered in a vinaigrette – heavy on the vinegar. I couldn’t eat it. I puckered up, pecked at it, cut my losses, and left the place $18 poorer and pretty darn hungry. So, because I love you, I present […]
Southwest Rub. One has not lived until one has entered into a simple shop at Pike Place Market in Seattle and asked an old Mexican woman which spices to buy if one were to want to cook authentic Mexican food. How she sold me a basket full of spices without speaking a single word of […]
Eggs Benedict with homemade hollandaise sauce. I’m on a kick lately. Back to basics… the traditional, if you will. The basics are good for the soul. Here are some others I’ve been in touch with lately: Take road trips. Be happy. Be kind. Be silly. Keep learning. There’s something about going back to the basics […]
Penuche Coffee Cake. Life is about breaking the rules. Like, who says penuche is only for German Chocolate Cake? For new readers, I worked in one of the Seattle area’s most popular bakeries back in the eighties & nineties. It is where my love of all things small business, all things sugar, all things Scandinavian, […]
Maple Nut Ice Cream. I have fond memories of my parents taking us kids to Baskin Robbins. When I was little. I could never understand why they chose to eat maple nut ice cream when there were 31 perfect flavors such as root beer float and peanut butter & jelly right under our noses. And […]
Chocolate Chip Mint Ice Cream. I have to be honest, I wasn’t a fan of homemade ice cream the first time I made it. In fact, my ice cream maker sat in the top of a barn for about 8 years after the overwhelmingly creamy, ultra-thick blackberry misadventure of 2006. The recipe had too much […]
Here’s the answer to your prayers… Fresh Roasted Restaurant Salsa. I haven’t met a soul yet who can resist Mexican restaurant salsa and chips. We get full before our meal comes. Amirite? How spiffy would it be to make your own salsa at home and have the power of making your salsa as mild or […]
This super dooper easy salad option flew off my radar for years. In fact, this very post has been a draft in my reserves waiting for me to publish since 2012. And then I saw how gorgeous it was again and here we are. If you dislike Miracle Whip, please avert your precious eyes. If you […]
Old-Fashioned Date Bars. The date. Strong and subtle. Pair him with sugary, oats-y goodness and you have the perfect escort for your next potluck. Old-Fashioned Date Bars Preheat oven to 350°F. 1 pound dates, pitted & diced (pre-chopped in the package is fine) 2 cups water 2 cups sugar 3 cups oatmeal 1/2 cup flour […]
This Magic 7 Layer Bars recipe has a creative Halloween twist at the end. At a potluck this weekend I had memories of a classic – Magic Bars. No church cookbook (or blog) would be complete without this recipe so let’s have some church. Magic 7 Layer Bars Preheat oven to 350F. 3 cups graham […]
White Limoncello Chocolate Cocktail. My friends on the east coast are shoveling snow while I’m over here in the Northwest with my door open to let the sunshine pour inside. This calls for a drink that brings us all together. Ahhhhh. I know, right? Winter and summer come together to create this dreamy springy cup […]
Chocolate Chip Cookies. Basic but not boring. Golden brown disks filled with dreamy chocolate nuggets. Childhood memories all in one perfectly baked cookie. Deliciousness that makes the whole household come to a complete halt almost as fast as homemade rolls or bacon. Chocolate Chip Cookies 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter 1 cup white sugar […]
Spinach Salad With Honey Mustard Dressing and Fried Onion Crisps Glory. glory. I didn’t think I could love it any more than I do. And then I added homemade crispy, sweet fried onion strips. And. my life was complete. And, the point of having a salad in the first place became obsolete. Here’s a recipe […]
I’ve always disliked squashed squash. Pumpkin ravioli? Meh. Soup? Even more meh. Overcooked? There are not enough mehs in the world. But I’ve wanted to like it. I’ve tried with my whole heart. I’ve even ordered it at fancy restaurants to be sure I wasn’t judging my squash over a bad recipe. But, I’m not […]
As the oldest child, I remember having special privileges – privileges like staying up late with mom to watch Dynasty. Once a week, we would make lemon bars, snack ourselves into the world of shoulder pads, and male stunt doubles in awful wigs playing the roles of over-privileged, fighting women. Lemon bars never made me […]
Money was tight. Sweet tooths were still alive and well. Potatoes were plentiful. The answer was potato candy. Depression Era Potato Candy 1 large russet potato A small pot-o-water 2 pound bag of powdered sugar 1 cup cocoa powder Yellow food coloring (optional) Peel and cut potato. Boil until soft enough to poke a fork through very […]
It’s authentic. It’s simple. It’s Apple Barley pudding. Irish Apple Barley Pudding 6 cups water 1/4 cup barley 4 large Honeycrisp apples, peeled, cored, and sliced Juice of one lemon 1/4 cup sugar Vanilla whoop cream (omit for vegan option) Bring water to a boil. Add barley and apples. Simmer for about 30 minutes or […]
This Dessert Terrarium With Baileys Irish Cream Pudding is as creative as it is delicious. Dessert Terrarium With Baileys Irish Cream Pudding 1 cup powdered sugar 1/4 cup cornstarch 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 1/4 cups whole milk 3/4 cup Baileys Irish Cream 4 large egg yolks 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 12 vanilla & chocolate sandwich […]
These Peppermint Patties will please everyone. Whether it be a brunch treat, an addition to this year’s Christmas cookie platter, or for no reason at all, everyone will be coming back for more. Every once and a while nothing will do except for a mint. A peppermint. A chocolate-covered peppermint to be exact. I have just […]
Baileys Irish Cream Iced Coffee Baileys Irish Cream Iced Coffee 4 ounces Baileys Irish Cream 8 ounces quality coffee 1 ounce Irish Whiskey Ice (optional) Baileys whoop cream 2 fresh clovers Brew coffee and stir together with Irish cream & whiskey for a loverly hot drink. For a chilled coffee, place Irish cream, coffee, and whiskey in a shaker with […]
Irish Lemon Pudding. Who doesn’t love a lemon dessert? Perfect in every way, this pudding is no exception. It’s called a pudding but starts out like a souffle and ends like a cake. Irish Lemon Pudding 1/4 cup butter 2/3 cup sugar 4 eggs, separated 1 cup flour 4 lemons, zest & juice 2 1/2 […]
This delightful Strawberry Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting is nothing short of fabulous. Strawberry Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting Strawberry Cake Preheat the oven to 350°F. 1 box Betty Crocker Supermoist White Cake Mix (16.25 ounces) 1 three-ounce box strawberry Jello 4 eggs 3/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup flour 1 cup strawberries, diced 1 cup […]
Flower Pot Pudding Dessert. Psst. Don’t tell the others, but these flowers are actually hiding dessert. Never mind soil, how about homemade chocolate pudding? That’s garden work even I can get into. Find the prettiest garden shovel you can find and have fun serving up your tricky dessert. These can also be made in mini pots […]
Emoji Cake Pops haz all da feelz for Valentine’s Day. Cake pops + emojis = Valentine’s treats. Nothin’ could be sweeter. Emoji Cake Pops You will want a sturdy styrofoam block or a Wilton Cake Pops Stand before entering the world of cake pops because you will need to prop them up after dipping. Either of […]
Grilled Nectarines With Cream Cheese Filling. This sexy little vixen was featured on New Day Northwest recently. You must try. Like, today. Grilled Nectarines With Cream Cheese Filling Nectarines Olive oil 3 ripe but firm white nectarines Filling 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature 1/2 cup powdered sugar 1 teaspoon lemon juice Garnish (all optional) […]
It’s strawberry season – a time for strawberry soup, strawberry tarts, and, of course, the ever-popular and completely adorable strawberry cut-out cookies. This year I thought I would jazz things up with a wee bit o’ rum for you. You’re welcome. The mojito is, perhaps, one of the most beautiful drinks. Ever. Add fresh strawberries, […]
Coconut French Toast with Orange Cream Cheese Syrup. What is extremely popular and a perfect breakfast for Mother’s Day or any day? This. This Coconut French Toast with Orange Cream Cheese Syrup is the talk of the town this month. There is nothing quite like her. She is nutty. She is comforting. She is refreshing. […]
Dotter’s owl-themed birthday party was such fun. It seems like just yesterday we celebrated Dotter’s 16th birthday. I told her and son they must never grow up but neither one of them listened to me. Son now towers over me and Dotter celebrated her 20th birthday this weekend. Cheese Fondue – Click here for the […]
When I was a little girl, the only thing I would eat at restaurants during breakfast time was strawberry and whipped cream-covered pancakes, waffles, or French toast. I was a picky palate and my grandparents spoke my language. I was their oldest grandchild and used it to my advantage when holding a breakfast menu. Oatmeal? […]
Ground Turkey Tamales With Enchilada Sauce. Tamale. Tamale. I love ya’ tamale. Only, you know, today is tamale. And tamale is today. Oh, who am I tryin’ to kid? I love tamales today. And every day. And tomorrow. And you will too… especially making them at home. Ground Turkey Tamales With Enchilada Sauce Prep Soak […]
Peanut Butter Pie. This post is simply a classic peanut butter pie presented in a very spectacular mini and high-calorie fashion. But, you know, calories don’t count if the dessert is a mini. And you share it with a friend. And you square dance enough. Mini Peanut Butter & Chocolate Pies With Maple Whipped Cream Peanut […]
Blueberry Pancakes. I’ve never been one to get into food “holidays”. I mean, who celebrates Bread Machine Month? Please rise. National Pretzel Day? That’s just twisted. National Melba Toast Day? Anyone? Anyone? National Caffeine Awareness Month? Zzzzz. National Kahlua Day? Well, okay. Maybe that one is worth celebrating. But what kind of innkeeper would I […]
I made Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato Quiche again today. This may or may not have resulted in a Hobbit-like second breakfast. Sweet baby Jesus, this is good. It’s bad for you. it’s good for you. It confuses the mind and comforts the soul. It is BLT quiche. Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato Quiche 1 Pillsbury pie […]
I present to thee something legendary Linzer Cookies. Linzer Cookies Makes about 18 sandwich cookies. 1 cup high-quality unsalted butter 2/3 cup sugar 1 tablespoon almond extract 1 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 egg 1 teaspoon baking powder 2/3 cup almond flour 2 cups flour 2/3 cup raspberry or strawberry jam 1 cup powdered sugar Mix […]
Shortbread Cookies With Pink Frosting are a special treat. A basic shortbread cookie requires no eggs. In fact, in the original Greek translation, “shortbread” means “no eggs”. Okay, not really, I just love to play Balderdash once in and a while off the game board. I also like to talk like Raj from Big Bang […]
Streusel-Topped Banana Bread With Maple Frosting. It’s been a long time since I’ve made banana bread. I keep tossing brown bananas into my freezer for smoothies but it’s been even longer since I’ve made smoothies so the freezer full of bananas. I was simply forced to make banana bread this week. I didn’t really have […]
Waldorf Salad. It appears I am not the only person on the planet who has the gift of making incredibly healthy food unhealthy. I am happy to carry on the tradition which has obviously been going on for decades. The proof? The Waldorf Salad – a must for every holiday table and a perfect snack […]
Yeast Biscuits and Country Gravy. When I am at my normal post, you will not see biscuits and gravy at the inn… until today. Today, the gravy was made with fresh herbs. Today, the biscuits were light and fluffy and moist. Today was lovely. Yeast Biscuits and Country Gravy Serves about 10 people with leftover […]
Sometimes seemingly simple things aren’t so simple like making perfect scrambled eggs – one of the most common and delicious dishes in all of the breakfast kingdom. Here’s an easy, gourmet twist on this breakfast comfort food just on time for your next breakfast. Perfect Scrambled Eggs With Fresh Herbs 3 tablespoons olive oil 12 […]
It is Christmas cookie baking time and thumbprint cookies are the perfect choice. Thumbprints are the gems of the cookie kingdom. Thumbprint Cookies Makes 18 small cookies. Preheat oven to 350°F. 8 ounces unsalted butter, softened 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed 1 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/3 cup […]
Ever since we were featured in Evening Magazine, these homemade danish pastries have been my most requested recipe. It simply whisked across the screen for 30 seconds and people were in love. I don’t blame them. I figure I’ve frosted 58,923 of these in my life so far. They were popular at Scandia Bakery when […]
Making marzipan candies with my mom is one of my favorite childhood memories. Sometimes things look good for you but they’re not. You know, like Caesar salad and sledding from the back of an SUV. And, now, marzipan treats made to look like fruits and vegetables. I talked my mom into reliving one of my […]
