Apparently chaos is my new Christmas tradition. Last year, I was due with Baby Ice on December 28th – though he granted my holiday wish and waited until after the New Year to arrive. This year, I’ve decided to up the ante and bookend the holidays with a move and the launch of a new[…]
Red, White and Blueberry Flag Cake
Red, White and Blueberry Cake Serves 10-12 Adapted from Martha Stewart Ingredients for the Cake: 1½ cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for baking sheet – stock 3 cups cake flour (not self-rising), plus more for baking sheet – $3.59 2 teaspoons baking powder – stock 1 teaspoon salt – stock 2¼[…]
Cinnamon Streusel Baked French Toast
Apple Cinnamon Baked French Toast Serves 6 Ingredients: 1 loaf of stale bread (I use Challah or a baguette) – $2.49 8 large eggs, lightly beaten – stock 2 cups of buttermilk (click here for buttermilk substitute) – stock ½-cup applesauce – $2.19 ½-cup sugar – stock 2 Tablespoons pure vanilla extract – stock Streusel[…]
Vegetarian Chili with White Beans & Wild Mushrooms
Vegetarian White Bean Chili with Mushrooms Serves 6 Note: Don’t use canned beans for this dish as the lengthy cooking time will cause the beans to lose their integrity. Additionally, if you don’t want to soak the beans overnight follow these directions for the quick-boil solution: Using a large pot, cover the beans with about[…]
Christmas Dinner Recipe Ideas
Over the years I have experimented with an inordinate number of Christmas dinner recipe ideas. Past favorites have included Turkey with all the trimmings and Roast Beef with Yorkshire pudding, but the all-time winner in our house is my Herb and Honey Marinated Filet of Beef. After the economy crashed in September of ’08, which[…]
Oatmeal-Blackberry Pancakes with Orange Zest and Greek Yogurt
Anyone who assumes the role of “head chef” in their home kitchen knows how difficult it can be to please the whole table. And my table, always includes a temperamental toddler who’s prone to wild deviations in taste. One day a food is in, the next it’s out. But when all else fails and everything[…]
Red-Wine-Braised Brisket with Dried Fruit
Red-Wine-Braised Brisket with Dried Fruit Serves 10 Ingredients: 2 cups robust red wine (I use Cabernet) – stock 5-6 lb. beef brisket (aka bottom round roast or pot roast) – $40.00 Paprika, kosher salt & pepper – stock 3 large onions (about 2 cups), chopped coarsely – $1.49 2 bay leaves – stock 3 sprigs[…]
Applesauce Oatmeal Muffins with Cinnamon Streusel
Applesauce Oatmeal Muffins with Cinnamon Streusel Makes 12 Ingredients for Muffins: 1½ cups old fashioned rolled oats – stock 1¼ cups whole wheat flour – stock ½-cup packed light brown sugar – stock 1 teaspoon baking powder – stock ¾-teaspoon baking soda – stock ¾-teaspoon ground cinnamon – stock ½-teaspoon salt – stock 2 Tablespoons[…]
Shredded Chicken & Figs with Marcona Almonds and Thyme
Shredded Braised Chicken & Figs with Marcona Almonds & Thyme Serves 6 Adapted from Food & Wine Ingredients: 2 teaspoons canola oil – stock 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (you can also use skin-on/bone-in, just discard bones & skin after cooking/before shredding) – $5.00 Salt & pepper – stock 1 large carrot, chopped –[…]
Hot Crab Dip with Old Bay Seasoning
Hot Crab Dip with Old Bay Seasoning Serves 10 Ingredients: 8 oz. whipped cream cheese, softened – $2.19 3 scallions (about ¼ cup), chopped fine – $0.99 ½ of a red bell pepper (2/3 cup) , chopped – $1.07 a heaping ½ cup grated Monterey Jack cheese – $1.09 ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese –[…]
Cinnamon-&-Sugar-Dusted Pumpkin Doughnut Muffins
Craving other pumpkin-spiced delights? Check out our Spiced Pumpkin Pancakes, Pumpkin Seed & Spinach Pesto, Pumpkin Risotto, Pumpkin & Ricotta Lasagna, and Curried Pumpkin Pie Soup Cinnamon-&-Sugar-Dusted Pumpkin Doughnut Muffins Makes 18 NOTE: Buttermilk Substitute (I never keep any on hand and always use this substitute): In a glass container, whisk together 1/3 cup milk[…]
Cheesy Zucchini Pie with Prosciutto and Sweet Onions ala Alyssa
Zucchini Pie ala Alyssa Serves 12 Ingredients: ½ lb. zucchini, scrubbed and chopped diced – $1.75 2 Tablespoons olive oil – stock 1 medium-large Vidalia onion, diced – $1.16 3 cloves garlic, minced – stock 3 oz. Prosciutto – $3.99 ½ cup shredded Fontina cheese – $2.99 ½ cup diced fresh mozzarella – $2.69 ½[…]
Pear, Pancetta & Gorgonzola Quiche with Toasted Walnuts
Pear & Gorgonzola Quiche with Toasted Walnuts Serves 8-10 Ingredients: 4 oz. diced pancetta (or bacon) – $3.69 1 extra-large shallot, diced – $0.79 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter – stock 1 Tablespoon brown sugar – stock 2 large ripe pears; 1 pear cut into chunks, 1 sliced thinly – $1.99 4 eggs, lightly beaten –[…]
Soft & Chewy Gingersnap Cookies
Thin & Chewy Gingersnap Cookies Makes about 20 Cookies Originally adapted from Wives With Knives Ingredients: 2¼ cups all-purpose flour – stock 2 teaspoons baking soda – stock ¼-teaspoon salt – stock 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon – stock 1 heaping teaspoon ground ginger – stock 1 teaspoon ground cloves – stock 1½ sticks of unsalted[…]
A Christmas Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake
Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake Serves 8 Ingredients: Dough: 1 package (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast – $1.99 1/2 cup warm water 1/2 cup lukewarm milk – stock 1/3 cup sugar – stock 1/3 cup butter, softened – stock 1 teaspoon salt – stock 1 egg – stock 3 ½ -4 cups flour – stock[…]
White Chocolate & Salted Cashew Cookies
White Chocolate and Salted Cashew Cookies Gently adapted from Allrecipes.com Makes 3 dozen Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour – stock 1 teaspoon baking soda – stock ¼ teaspoon salt – stock ¾ cup butter, softened – stock ½-cup and 1 Tablespoon packed light brown sugar – stock ¼-cup and 2 Tablespoons white sugar – stock[…]
Cranberry-Almond Coffee Cake
Christmas Cranberry-Almond Crumble Coffee Cake Serves 12 Note: This cake doesn’t just have to be for a holiday breakfast. We think it would be a gorgeous addition to the sweets tray at an afternoon tea party. And if you plan to prepare it for a holiday meal, it can be frozen ahead of time. Simply[…]
Leek and Apple Soup with St Andre and Sweet Potato
Mary Anne here. We really are cooking in these parts, although you’d never know it by the pitifully few posts making it to our beloved blog. It seems that I’m long on inspiration but short on time when it comes to formally writing my latest creations. Hurricanes and snow storms only serve to slow my[…]
Empanadas Stuffed with Lamb, Sweet Potatoes, and Montrachet
Mary Anne here. These were created in the heat of July, when Mariel still had the glazed look of a zombie, and Lil Man was on a feeding frenzy 18 hours out of 24. In need of quick meals that could be delivered as fast as take-out, I conjured up these “emapanadas,” which more than[…]
Finska Kakor, aka Finnish Cakes with Sweet Butter and Almonds
Mary Anne here. Mariel’s BFF is getting married in May, and naturally we’ll be hosting her bridal shower. Mariel’s gal pal is like the second daughter I never had, and so of course I want the party to reflect how much we love her. One of the best ways to express our devotion is through[…]