You have probably been making Hot Chocolate without a recipe for your entire life – for many, hot chocolate can mean dumping a few scoops of a mix into a mug, adding a few glugs of milk, and heating the whole thing in the microwave. Hot Chocolate is like pancakes.  Both aren’t hard to make…

Freshly fried corn tortillas make simple chips and dip or salsa extra good. 1 pkgs. corn tortillas Nacho Spice* Romano Cheese Canola oil Stack tortillas and cut into quarters. In a medium saucepan, heat about 1/4″ of canola oil. Fry chips about 30 seconds on each side until golden brown. Remove from oil with a…

The Polish Easter Babka celebrates the return of the egg to the diet after the Lenten Fast. Babka is always at the Easter Feast.  This is a Babka of a completely different sort.  Don’t be intimidated by the lengthy directions, I just wanted to make it as easy as possible!! Proofing Sponge  1/2 cup warm…

I grew up with my mother making this dish on “no meat” Fridays’ during Lent.  We would have these crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside pancakes with chilled applesauce.  They make a delicious appetizer.  A beloved standby at Hanukkah. Ingredients: 4 large Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled 1 medium onion, peeled Lemon juice 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 cup milk…

A lacy golden omelette with crunchy vegetables and fresh shrimp, Egg Foo Yung deserves a second look. I doubt you will ever get take-out again! Gravy: 1-1/2 cups beef stock 1 Tbsp. minced garlic 2 Tbsp. oyster sauce 2 Tbsp. soy sauce 1 Tbsp. cornstarch 1/2 tsp. cracked black pepper Ingredients for the Egg Foo…

Some recipes are one and done – but this one keeps you coming back for more!  An Italian comfort food favorite, Pasta Fagioli has been on many Italian tables on a weekly basis.  It’s filling, nutritious, and if you can find the best ingredients, this is more than a simple pasta and bean soup. San…

Home made play dough is easy to make, easy to store and fun to use.  When I was a teacher at the YMCA, I had a class of 2-1/2 year olds.  As most teachers know, you usually have to spend your own money for supplies for your classroom.  I would make this play dough for…

These chicken fingers are not your average.  I used the spices and method from my Perfect Buttermilk Fried Chicken recipe.  Crispy and crunchy with the most delicious dipping sauce!   For the Dipping Sauce: 1/2 cup mayonnaise 3 Tbsp. Dijon Mustard 3 Tbsp. Honey 1/2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice Combine all ingredients and refrigerate until ready…

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love;  where there is injury, pardon where there is doubt, faith;  where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled…

This month for the Secret Recipe Club , I was paired with Bean of Without Adornment  and her Gluten-Free kitchen.  Bean has a lovely philosophy on life, and beautiful photography which shines through on her blog!  I am not familiar with gluten free cooking, and don’t have many of the ingredients for her recipes, but…

Easter is still a while away, but we are going to have alot of hard-boiled eggs to deal with.  I finally found the perfect way to boil the eggs: Place your eggs in a pot and cover with cold water by 1 inch. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, then cover, remove from heat…

We all know that chicken soup is closely associated with comfort and well-being.  In Jewish households, its earned the nickname Jewish penicillin.  Some matzo balls can be “belly sinkers”.  In this recipe, we add a little seltzer or club soda to ensure that they turn our light and airy. 1 – 3 lb. whole chicken…