The beauty of Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Doughnuts might seem too fancy to accomplish at home but it’s not as hard as it seems. With the right recipe and steps (for example, NEVER underestimate the importance of a preheated deep fryer), you can make these gorgeous flared masterpieces at home. The biggest secret is in allowing the […]
The leaves are almost gone but fear not, for I bring you glad tidings of fallish, mapley joy which shall last you throughout the Christmas cookie season called Maple Leaf Sandwich Cookies. Move over acorns and junipers… it is time for the maple leaf sandwich cookie to shine. Maple Leaf Sandwich Cookies Preheat oven to […]
Family is over for the weekend and bless-ed Bavarian Cream Doughnuts are the answer. They are, in fact, the answer to more things than one might even think. So while your family piles up on the sectional sofa to re-watch Star Wars – the good ones, not the new ones – for the gazillionth time, […]
Pressed Dill Potato Slices & Dill Dip. I admit it. I love to have fun with my food. This is especially true when I’m getting ready for a dinner party. What could make potatoes more fun? Well, I suppose almost anything would make basic spuds more exciting but I promise you that these pressed potato […]
Grandma Leonia’s Orange Bread. This week I want to go back in time. Back to my pink bedroom with pink curtains and my white chenille bedspread. I want to go back to my Holly Hobby nightgown and homemade, knitted slippers that hurt my feet when I tried to walk in them. I’d even be willing […]
White Cheddar Cheese Ball. The best hors d’oeuvres are gorgeous, filled with flavor, easy to make, and able to be prepared ahead of your dinner parties. This cheese ball has it all. She is gorgeous, gourmet, and practical to prepare. Party on, my friends, party on in style. White Cheddar Cheese Ball 8 ounces cream […]
Glazed Pecan Danish. Happy. Happy. Joy. Joy. That’s how I feel every time I make pecan glazed danish for breakfast. Sweet. Nutty. So many adjectives. Adjectives people have used to describe me to be perfectly honest. Still trying to decide how I feel about that. Glazed Pecan Danish Makes 12 large danish. Danish Pastry 1/2 […]
Gingerbread Cookies With Apple Bourbon Frosting Gingerbread Cookies With Apple Bourbon Frosting Gingerbread Cookies Cream together: 1/2 cup butter, softened 3/4 cup brown sugar Add: 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon 1 tablespoon ground ginger 2 teaspoons ground Jamaican allspice (or allspice will work fine) 1 tablespoon ground cloves 1 1/2 teaspoons ground nutmeg […]
Sweet and Spicy Cornish Game Hens With Cornbread Stuffing. When I was single, I used to go for long drives in my pumpkin-orange, ’76 Chevette. I would drive until I got lost and then find my way back, making stops along the way to experience new stores and new restaurants. In losing myself, I would […]
Black Bean Salad. If I were voted president, the world would be less consumed with guarding wetlands and more focused on saving cilantro fields for I have never met a cilantro dish I have not loved. Of course, if I were voted into office, Nutella crepes would be on the food pyramid, every ladies’ restroom […]
Ham and Cheese Quiche. Amen. They say Real Men Don’t Eat Quiche, but real men like this ham and cheese quiche. It’s simple, delicious, and surprisingly manly. Ham and Cheese Quiche Serves 6-8. Preheat oven to 350°F. 1 Pillsbury pie crust (or 1/2 this homemade recipe) 10 large eggs 1/4 cup heavy cream 1/3 cup flour 8 ounces […]
Sometimes there are just not enough words to describe the good things in life. This especially applies to butterscotch desserts. These pretty pumpkin-spiced butterscotch pudding parfaits made their debut this week at the Puyallup Fair. I demonstrated these and a few other cozy fall recipes in the home arts department. If you were there, thank […]
Nutella Crepes Topped With Fresh Berries and Almond Whipped Cream. Because no American can get enough French crepes. Because it’s Sunday. Because they are darling. Just out of the pan crepes filled with Nutella, topped with homemade whipped cream, fresh berries, slivered almonds, and dusted with powdered sugar. Because, well, just because. Nutella Crepes Topped […]
Homemade Blackberry Pie. If there’s one thing a girl needs to know how to bake, it’s a Homemade Blackberry Pie. The good news is that it’s easier than it looks. Not to mention, it’s practically free if you have berries growing nearby. Don’t worry, you don’t have to make it perfect. There is something, well, […]
Have you heard met Parisian Hot Chocolate (also known as Le Chocolat Chaud) yet? Well, now you have. You’re welcome. Parisian Hot Chocolate Makes about 4 six-ounce servings. 2 cups whole milk 1 teaspoons vanilla 10 ounces 65-70% chocolate (I recommend Valrhona Chocolate Guanaja 70%), broken or chopped into small pieces Dash of flaky salt […]
Pumpkin Pecan Cream Cheese Bread Pudding With Warm Caramel Sauce Because you can never get enough pumpkin after Labor Day. Because guests are oooing and ahhhing over this bread pudding once again. Because I meant to blog this two years ago when I created it. And because I finally found my handwritten recipe, I’m sharing […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Frozen Lemonade Tarts are the best way to celebrate Girl Scout cookie season! I was a Girl Scout. I remember earning badges, skits that made us laugh, and quite literally crossing over the bridge from Brownies over to Juniors. I even remember learning how to cover matches with wax to protect them from the rain […]
Cream Horns and Chocolate Covered Strawberries. It’s my birthday. It’s not a big deal, really. I don’t mean to brag, but I’ve survived quite a few. One involved being snowed in but that was okay. I just pretend I’m Laura Ingalls Wilder (we share a birthday and we’re soul sisters). I’m pretty much a first-born […]
I’m not sure today’s Sunrise Orange Juice post is so much a recipe as it is a cute a hostess with the mostess tip. I discovered this by mistake while making breakfast for some of my first guests and it became the norm at The Old Hen B&B. Sunrise Orange Juice 6 cups orange juice […]
We don’t ask much from our waffles, really. Do we? I mean, we want them to hold their shape when we decorate them. We want them to be flavorful – but not too flavorful should they outshine their toppings. And most of all, we want them to be crispy on the outside and tender on […]
This Chocolate Almond Heart Cookies recipe is Adorable and simple. These sweethearts are a perfect gift for friends this Valentine’s Day… that is if they even make it out of your very own kitchen. Chocolate Almond Heart Cookies This recipe makes about 36 mini heart cookies. Cream together 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter 1 cup […]
Tater Tot Casserole. Once upon a time, there was a little girl who adored church potlucks. She really couldn’t decide which she loved best, hugs from snuggly grandmas, or their comforting dishes that sat upon the potluck table. One dish always stood out in the crowd, okay, maybe two. The first was blackberry crumble bars. […]
Hollandaise sauce can make the home cook cry. Don’t ask me how I know this. I just do. Here is a sure-fire recipe that will not make you cry and will have your friends & family begging for the recipe. Again, I just know. You’re welcome, friends & family. Hollandaise Sauce 6 large egg yolks […]
A favorite dish at my B&B is my rolled omelet. And because it is Christmas. And because I love you, I am posting the recipe today so you can make it for your loved ones tomorrow. This recipe plays well with Orange Blueberry Scones for the perfect brunch. Rolled Omelet Preheat oven to 350°F. 12 […]
Maple Boy Doughnuts. If you’re looking for a special Christmas morning breakfast, you have come to the right place. These adorable little boys have become a tradition at family gatherings. Everyone loves them and all of their mapley goodness. This recipe makes about a dozen Maple Boys. These are perfect for making on Christmas Eve […]
Goat Stuffed Pig with Pear Pan Gravy. Thanksgiving is for Turkey, Christmas is for Fancy A guest post by Libbie Summers – Culinary Producer, Food & Prop Stylist, Recipe Development, Writer Even though my hog farming grandparents had a ham on the Thanksgiving table, the star of the show was always a turkey. The Thanksgiving […]
