 |
Monday, 30 December 2013
Pots de Creme!
Friday, 27 December 2013
Dungeness Crab Cocktail with mustard sauce!
 |
| Perfect for your New Years Eve or New Years Day dinner! |
My daughter hosted Christmas day dinner this year and asked me to make a few starters. Thinking over the last few years of Christmas dinner, and remembering being pretty full with appetizers by the time dinner was served....because they are just too yummy to pass up! I thought to make lighter choices. I ordered my Dungeness crab at Freshies, here on Mercer Island, Washington state. When Wee Bear went to pick up the crab, they shelled it right then and there!! So fresh, so sweet and delicious, nothing compares to fresh Dungeness crab! I served in a small glass shooter style vessel with a tiny seafood fork. Or, for a casual option, a large party or just to save on time cleaning up, plastic wine glasses, with the detachable bases works well too!
Sunday, 22 December 2013
Friday, 20 December 2013
Brie filled Brioche! Perfect for the holidays!
Brioche may be one of my very favorite breads. Whether I bake or eat it, there is so much pleasure associated to a homemade brioche. Think about the immense happiness that arises from biting into the sweet, soft, airy bread which, after one roll, invites you to a second one. For me, however, it starts with the smell, the yeast which ferments and diffuses its wonderful aroma in the whole house. As a kid, whenever my Mom used to bake a bread or yeast pancakes, I would hang out in the house, never going too far! Then I would sneak in to smell it, every now and then, lifting the towel covering the dough discreetly so as to check the puffiness of the dough. It was pretty fascinating actually.
Wednesday, 18 December 2013
Horseradish mashed potatoes!
Just in time for Christmas, I am offering a recipe you will use again and again! I can't say I've turned my nose up at any mashed potatoes, but these mashed potatoes take it to a new level! This recipe for horse radish mashed potatoes will become a regular! Perfect to serve along side your Christmas Prime Rib, steaks, roast beef, or braised short ribs. The horseradish gives this mashed potato recipe a wonderfully spicy kick. Yummmmmmmy!
Sunday, 15 December 2013
Hangover Cures! Just in time!!
Most of us have experienced this sluggish, head achy feeling or an intense bout of physical illness from a Holiday party, a night out on the town or a Spring break weekender- our bodies tell us when we’ve taken it one drink too far, and it’s a physical reaction to alcohol that we all call a hangover. Today I give you some natural cures!
Friday, 13 December 2013
Sausage stuffing bites! Quick Party appetizer!
Thanksgiving is over, that box is checked and we are two weeks into December......and guess what??? I want stuffing!! I love stuffing! It is the essence of the bird! My mom made a very simple, delicious stuffing of grocery store bread, celery, onions, turkey seasonings and giblets, oh my... was it tasty! She would stuff the bird the morning of Thanksgiving and transfer it to the oven to cook with a muslin cloth blanket. It filled the house with such a warm and wonderful aroma, it was delicious! I loved stuffing then, and I am still crazy about stuffing!
Monday, 9 December 2013
Baby Boy shower ideas! Waiting for Cooper!
Baby showers no longer have to be the same old boring affair. A baby shower is a celebration of babies, family, and friends. Finding the right combination of gifts, food and themed decorations will make for some memorable and fabulous fun for the parents-to-be and their guests.
Friday, 6 December 2013
Cinnamon Ice Cream- David Lebowitz
 |
- When I was a kid I assumed that cinnamon was sort of opposite of mint. I reasoned that this was a basic and irrefutable rule of the universe.
Cinnamon possessed heat through spice as obviously evidenced through cinnamon tooth picks we bought at the local candy shop and the warm sensation and flavor cinnamon imbued when I
sprinkled it over applesauce or my peanut butter toast. It made logical sense to me that the
heat of cinnamon was therefore the opposite of the chill inducing mint.
Simply put: cinnamon = hot.
Monday, 2 December 2013
Pumpkin Pancakes with Cranberry syrup!
Over the holiday weekend, because we had a house full of our children and grandchildren, I made a batch of pumpkin pancake batter and some cranberry syrup.Yum!! Let me tell you it went over big!! Oh my, these are probably the best pancakes ever!! And the cranberry syrup was outstanding.
 |
| Our Grandchildren Jacob, Julia and Emma with Jacob and Julia's Dad, Ross. Each of our Grandchildren have their own personalized place mat, plate and bowl with a different theme, that stay at Grandma's Teapot's home for their visits. They love it! |
Saturday, 30 November 2013
Turkey Day Leftovers!
The Thanksgiving dinner was amazing and I couldn't hardly wait to dive my fork in when it was served. TT roasted the moist and delicious turkey....it was devoured completely! Amy and TT hosted the perfect Thanksgiving dinner! With relatives present, the new focus...the cousins, our Grandchildren. They played and played, with even the youngest getting in on a sing along to "The Wheels on the bus"! We joked how our children have changed, from night clubbing in Cabo San Luca's, when we lived there, to now, diaper stations, early dinners and bedtimes, nursing area's and playing, playing, playing on the floor with everyone! Everyone was laughing and enjoyed the day!
Monday, 25 November 2013
Thanksgiving! We are ready!
Are you hosting a Thanksgiving Dinner this year? Are you freaking out about how you are going to get it all done?
Relax! It's not about putting on the "perfect" dinner party. Remember it's about gathering with family and friends and giving thanks.
Thursday, 21 November 2013
Pumpkin Creme Brulee!
Crème brûlée is one of my Mother's all-time favorite desserts. Admittedly, it may be more 1980s than 2013, but any custard--especially one topped with a crackly caramelized sugar shell...well, it's sugar and it caramelized, what's not to like?
Sunday, 17 November 2013
Easy Pumpkin Muffins ~ Figure Friendly!
Thanksgiving is almost here, and I am loving all the pumpkin, cranberry and apple flavors of the season. The weather has been cold but, relatively dry and the colorful leaves have been eye candy. Pumpkin flavored food has become one of my Fall favorites, however, pumpkin flavored Greek yogurt........not so much! It even sounds weird to me! But, anything else pumpkin...I'm in!
Friday, 15 November 2013
Veal Ragout! Comfort food 101!
Slow cooked or in the oven, this delicious, hearty dish will warm up any Fall or Winter evening! I served over basmati rice (Wee Bear's favorite) but, you can serve over buttered noodles, mashed potatoes or spaghetti squash...YUM!!
Monday, 11 November 2013
The Great Pizza Smack Down!!
 |
| My adult children- Holly (Tink), Dustin (TT) and me! |
Friday, 8 November 2013
Southwest Salad with spicy Chipotle dressing
Monday, 4 November 2013
Bigos - Hunter's Stew in a Slow Cooker!
Bigos known as a hunter's stew, is a traditional meat stew, typical of Polish, Lithuanian, Belorussians and Ukrainian cuisine, and is the Polish National dish. I learned to make this in my cooking classes with Eva Kenly in February of 1994. I was taken by this dish the moment I tried it, and wrote on the recipe, "Excellent, must do", I have made this many times since.
Thursday, 31 October 2013
Butternut Squash Soup! Jean Georges Vongerichten
Soups, stews, and chili's are on the minds of many as the fall cooking season rolls around.
This Butternut Squash Soup is Jean George's recipe, that I was privileged to observe in a cooking demo, years ago. Ten plus years later, I went to the famous Jean George's in New York, (Trump Hotel Central Park, first floor) and had this very soup!! Ever since then, I’ve fallen in love with Jean George's Butternut Squash Soup. In fact as I write this, October is only half way, and I’ve already made it twice! The only recipe that I will ever use for the rest of my life belongs to Jean-Georges Vongerichten. And today, I will share it with you. It’s not a secret, actually. I’ve come across the recipe in a few places, including a demo that he did on Good Morning America in 1998! The first time that I made it, I was pleasantly surprised at the short ingredient list and simple preparation method. Is it possible that something so amazingly delicious could be this simple to make? The answer is, Yes! Everyone raves about this soup!
Monday, 28 October 2013
Fast and Easy Halloween Treats Part 2!
 | ||
| Hot cocoa for the kiddo's on Halloween morning or when they come back from Trick or treating, to warm them up! Adapted from- Taste of Home |
Friday, 25 October 2013
Fast and Easy cookies and treat's for Halloween!
Halloween treats that offer no tricks, just treats! If you want to put together a fun Halloween party for the kids or even the adults. And you don’t want to spend a day and a half baking fancy treats. You might like some of the fun Halloween treat ideas, I’ve collected for you today.
 |
| These are so cute! Little bundles of un-dead goodness! |
Tuesday, 22 October 2013
Halloween Peppers stuffed with Butternut Squash Risotto
My favorite season is Fall! And, October is one of my favorite months! There is just this feeling in the air, cooler in the evenings and lovely crisp mornings. The leaves are turning and pumpkin patches start to pop up which always puts a smile on my face. Fall foliage, warm woolly sweaters, crackling fireplaces...... Oh, who am I kidding. I live in Scottsdale, where today it's 84 degrees (no joke) and we are wearing flip flops, shorts and a sunglasses. But I digress. Let's talk about something important that happens in October, rain or shine. That's right..... Halloween! Suddenly toward mid October, witches, ghost's and scary goblins start popping up on the neighborhood houses.....so fun! I like to get busy in the kitchen with the bounty of Fall fruits and vegetables, so many ideas....so little time! Today I am offering a tasty and festive dish....
Thursday, 17 October 2013
Zucchini Meat Loaf Provence
When Fall and Winter come marching in with a chill in the air....I think .....meatloaf. It was one dish I had a lot growing up. I didn't even think about putting zucchini in my Mom's recipe, until I tasted this in one of my cooking classes, years ago. It keeps the meatloaf very moist, and the best part is that the kids don't even notice the vegetables! My kids loved this growing up and Wee Bear goes a little crazy every time I make it.
Monday, 14 October 2013
Extreme Banana Bread!
This is not your typical banana bread. Although the ingredients may be the same, this recipe packs 5 bananas in the batter (and one for the top). It's quite possibly the best banana bread you will ever make!
Recipes for ultimate banana bread abound, but because they include an overload of bananas for flavor, the bread’s texture is often soggy. I wanted a moist, not mushy, loaf that tasted of banana through and through. Let's face it, it's banana bread, you're not painting a masterpiece! It's not a special occasion dessert, it's a very clever way to use over ripe banana's that would of been thrown out, into a pretty descent mid morning snack!
It
is not a special-occasion dessert. It is a quick and clever way to use
up bananas that are too brown and mushy to eat. It is a way to turn
something you would have thrown away into a pretty decent midmorning
snack. - See more at:
http://www.davidwalbert.com/2010/06/06/pretty-good-banana-bread/#sthash.SkHd46tO.dpuf
It is not a special-occasion dessert. It is a quick and clever way to
use up bananas that are too brown and mushy to eat. It is a way to turn
something you would have thrown away into a pretty decent midmorning
snack. - See more at:
http://www.davidwalbert.com/2010/06/06/pretty-good-banana-bread/#sthash.SkHd46tO.dpuf
It is not a special-occasion dessert. It is a quick and clever way to
use up bananas that are too brown and mushy to eat. It is a way to turn
something you would have thrown away into a pretty decent midmorning
snack. - See more at:
http://www.davidwalbert.com/2010/06/06/pretty-good-banana-bread/#sthash.SkHd46tO.dpuf
It is not a special-occasion dessert. It is a quick and clever way to
use up bananas that are too brown and mushy to eat. It is a way to turn
something you would have thrown away into a pretty decent midmorning
snack. - See more at:
http://www.davidwalbert.com/2010/06/06/pretty-good-banana-bread/#sthash.SkHd46tO.dpuf
Wednesday, 9 October 2013
Paccheri pistachios, dried tomatoes & ricotta ... Cibo Squisito!
Paccheri are very large tubes. In fact, they are so large that they collapse when cooked, trapping inside them whatever they have been sauced with. The name means "slaps", because they supposedly make a noise like slaps, when lifted by a fork. You'll hear the "slap" in the following recipe!
Saturday, 5 October 2013
Pumpkin Cookies with Penuche frosting!
I made these easy drop cookies a couple weeks ago for a football party at Sweet One and TT's house, they are so soft and chewy. Then, I posted a picture the other day on Twitter and you all went a little nuts!!
Monday, 30 September 2013
Crispy pork cutlets with lemon caper aoli!
Wee Bear loves schnitzel, and over the years I have tweeked the recipe, changed the sauce and accompaniments, just to keep it interesting! When I spotted this recipe, I knew we were only a meal away from a new taste treat.
Friday, 27 September 2013
Rosemary Chicken Chowder
I have a delicious recipe for you all today! This is officially my new favorite soup. So, so delicious. And so easy to make!
Sunday, 22 September 2013
Roasted Tomato thyme butter bruschetta!
Roasted Tomato Butter with Fresh Thyme
My neighbor and I both, have lot's of tomatoes on the bush that are calling to us, "pick me, pick me!"
Thursday, 19 September 2013
Chicken pot pie! For Autumn!
The arrival of Fall and the cooler weather always prompts me to fire up the oven and make these delicious 'Chicken Pot Pies". I wouldn't think of baking these during the Summer 90 degree weather, but, as soon as the weather starts to turn, I am thinking mmmmm I want to re-visit and taste this delicious sauce inside a yummy crunchy crust. I can hardly wait to cut out the little chicken that I lay on top the crust....I am smiling.
Sunday, 15 September 2013
Custom "Dream Nursery" for Madison!
 |
| You won't find this on the pages of "Pottery Barn Kids" or "Zulilly"! This is a custom nursery! |
It’s your baby’s bedroom, but in the beginning, it will be you who’s staring at the walls through tired eyes while you rock, feed, change and play with baby. Here are some secrets to assembling the nursery of your baby’s -- and your -- dreams.
Wednesday, 11 September 2013
Safari themed baby quilt! For Madison!
Miss Madison Lee is now 6 weeks old, and just beautiful. She's got such a sweet, good-natured temperament, and we all have fallen in love with her over and over. Mom and Dad are doing great, as are all the pet's!
Holly asked me to develop and design a custom nursery for Madsion last Winter. The first thing we did was decide on color's, working with her and Nate we decided on pale yellow walls and lavender trim.
Sunday, 8 September 2013
Million Dollar Chicken!
Next time you want to impress your friends and family with your cooking prowess, make this!! Next time you want to make juicy flavorful chicken, make this!! Next time you want to have a mouth party, make this!! Do you get what I am saying?
Thursday, 5 September 2013
Easy Oatmeal Apricot Bars!
I splurge every once in a while when I am shopping at Pasta and Co. in Bellevue, Washington and I buy a apricot bar. I love them and thought........Hmmmm I should make a few for my daughter, as she has been wanting sweets with oatmeal. She could have them for a yummy dessert or a fun breakfast treat. They are quite tasty and the apricot is a nice change of pace from my normal flavor palate. I made up a batch and served in a dessert buffet for a party we recently had, then, I packaged up the left over's and sent them home with her. She and Nate were so happy!
Friday, 30 August 2013
Monday, 26 August 2013
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake Bars!
What happened to the lovely warm weather we have been having here in Seattle? I have spent most of the Summer in flip flops, shorts and capri's only to wake up this morning to a definite chill in the air. A fire in the fireplace, on the veranda chill! The good news in this is, we now have an excuse to turn on the oven and bake up something delectably good!
These chocolate chip cookie dough cheesecake bars are a mouthful.....of deliciousness! Just picture a bottom layer of graham cracker, a middle layer of creamy cheesecake, and a top layer of classic chocolate chip dough. Does this sound too good to be true? They are for real and are so easy to make! You are only a few steps to reality!!
Friday, 23 August 2013
Lactation Chocolate Chip Cookies!
"This recipe is great for mothers who are breastfeeding. It helps to keep your milk supply up or increase your milk supply. Use more brewers yeast and oatmeal if you are wanting to increase your milk supply. You can use more chocolate chips if you like or any kind of chips," says Noel Trujillo. You can also safely eat these cookies during pregnancy in preparation for breastfeeding.
Monday, 19 August 2013
Watermelon and Spinach Salad!
One of the great things about the summer is the availability of local
produce, that I have talked about in many of my blogs. Nearly everyone loves watermelon and with the seedless varieties,
they’re really great to use in salads. I love this salad that was introduced to me at Pearl Laguna spa. It is low fat, low calorie, vegetarian and gluten free...........and it is full of flavor!!
Friday, 16 August 2013
Hatch Pepper aoli and stuffed hatch peppers!! Oooh lala!
 |
| Delicious hamburger's with "Hatch chile spiked aoli", "Chorizo stuffed Hatch peppers" and Billy's favorite potato salad.....our Monday night dinner! Yummy? YES!!!! |
Monday, 12 August 2013
Black and White Bowtie pasta salad!
Friday, 9 August 2013
Chicken Wellington with mustard sauce!
This is a delicious main course recipe. it may take a little time to prepare but it is well worth the effort.
The bonus to this recipe is that it is freezable after cooking so that couples can make it once and have enough for multiple meals.
Monday, 5 August 2013
Tink's Roasted vegetables!
Here's a RECIPE that doesn’t require a recipe! The dish’s name itself tells you the whole story. But, there are always questions, such as: peel first, or not, or how hot should the grill be, and what do I dress the vegetables with?
Thursday, 1 August 2013
Delores Broken Hearted Chicken
Far be it for me to revel in someone else’s misery. I get no pleasure out of other people’s heartbreak…....well, until now!
I came across this recipe and honestly, it was the picture that grabbed me. I’m not even sure I noticed the name of the dish until later. I decided to make it and, as suspected, it was delicious, what's not to like? Garlic, bacon, sherry and chicken. This chicken is some of the most succulent I have ever had.
Monday, 29 July 2013
JJ's Ooey Gooey Chocolate Brownies
These are the best brownies you will ever make, decadent and delicious and they are quick to make! Seriously....pinky swear, the best! No more words, just run, don’t walk, to your nearest store and grab some Ghiradelli ground chocolate and make these!
Friday, 26 July 2013
Secret Agent Huckleberry Bars!
The original recipe is "Secret Agent Raspberry Bars" and is in Chef Michael Schlow's new cookbook, "It's About Time". But, I have been on a huckleberry roll, so I used some huckleberry preserves I had. You can use what ever seedless jam you like.
Monday, 22 July 2013
JJ's Peach and huckleberry crisp!
Every June it happens-large bins of beautiful peaches arrive at the market. A lot of people in their haste to taste summer, grab a bagful of the pretty rock-hard fruit and take it home. And every year, they are disappointed.
Thursday, 18 July 2013
KFC Chicken (mock)
♥ Baked KFC Chicken ♥
Did the secret get discovered? KFC's secret recipe? It is very close and it is also baked...not fried! Wee Bear and I enjoyed this delicious baked chicken, that I found on my Facebook feed.
Monday, 15 July 2013
Cinnamon Pin Wheels!
Have I got a treat for you today! I don’t know if I was craving cinnamon rolls or what, but, I decided, I am going to make a cookie that tastes like a cinnamon roll! Brace yourself friends, you will NOT be able to stop
eating these, they are that good!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)