Halloween has always been my favorite holiday.  Every year I try to come up with some new ways to decorate. I have been on the look-out for some Cinderella Pumpkins, but I have not had much luck. Here is a little white pumpkin I found and just added some copper ribbon and some burgundy and…

I have been waiting to make this recipe ever since I visited Felidia’s in NYC for my birthday in June.  We ordered a family style “tasting menu” and this was one of the pasta courses.  We were teased with only two of these delicious ravioli simply served in a butter sauce.  As soon as we…

You can eat pizza your whole life, and somehow never get tired of it.  Pizza Sfincione is a soft, Sicilian-style pizza, almost like focaccia, traditionally served on New Year’s Eve with a layer of crunchy bread crumbs on top.  Yes, we all need ANOTHER pizza recipe!  Although I love my thin-crust St. Louis Style Pizza…

This is a fun way to serve stuffed french toast. You can fill these with just about anything! I’m thinking these could also be a dessert! Ingredients 6 slices white or wheat bread Nutella, Strawberry Cream Cheese or any preserves 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter 1 egg 1/2 cup milk 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/2 tsp.…

Did you know that the first pies were often made from pastry that was intentionally barely edible?  Pastry was used as a method of keeping meats and fillings moist during cooking and also to seal the filling to keep it from spoiling. YUM.  Many believe the term “pie” has its beginnings from “magpie”, a bird…

Blood red and looking like a badly shaped tennis ball with a tail, beets are not high on the favorite food list.  Beets contain phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, iron, potassium, fiber, Vitamins A and C, niacin, and biotin and folic acid.  All those nutrients packed into an ugly looking ball with a tail.  I guess you…

This is one of the best Minestrone I have made.  I wish it made a bigger pot! 1/4 lb. pancetta, diced 6 cups chicken stock 6 medium garlic cloves, sliced 2 cups finely chopped onion 1 cup diced celery 1 cup diced carrots 1 Tbsp. finely chopped rosemary 1 (14-ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained (or…

This is one of my favorite ways to eat cucumbers.  A simple recipe with a little legend. 1 large cucumber, washed, trimmed and peeled Salt 1/2 cup sour cream 1 tsp. sugar 2 tsp. red wine vinegar 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh dill Run a fork down the length of the cucumber to form a pretty…

The finality of picking the last of what was left in my garden this year (sigh).  Still, we can save the best for last! My son loves these pickled green tomatoes and he’s given me subtle hints recently.  So here is the last of the garden – two quarts of pickled green tomatoes.  No processing…

The word hash comes from the French (but of course) hacher, meaning “to slice or chop up”.  A breakfast tradition, especially with a freshly poached egg on top.  Take away the eggs, add a green salad, and dinner is served.  By adding chopped cooked beets to the mixture, you get Red Flannel Hash, a Yankee…

You can eat pizza your whole life, and somehow never get tired of it.  Pizza Sfincione is a soft, Sicilian-style pizza, almost like focaccia, traditionally served on New Year’s Eve with a layer of crunchy bread crumbs on top.  Yes, we all need ANOTHER pizza recipe!  Although I love my thin-crust St. Louis Style Pizza…

I’ve been buying alot of fruit lately, and no one is eating it.  I bought a whole watermelon (not a huge one) and if I eat any more I’ll be floating down the street!  Instead of a fruit salad, I came across this sherbert recipe. It’s super easy and no ice cream maker necessary! You…

Taking good photos of food is not as easy as it looks.  Especially when you don’t have the proper equipment.  After some research, I learned some of the fundamentals; lighting, composition, angles, etc.  This is my first attempt at capturing texture, color and hopefully an appetizing photo.  The “vanishing” Craisan Oatmeal cookies were made last…

Sometimes I want to make something in the slow cooker – when I finally decide, it’s a little too late for the 6 hour wait.  So I turn to my trusty pressure cooker.  You can make this recipe two ways.  If you plan ahead, use the slow cooker – if you decide at the last…