Recipes

[Updated Recipe] Almost no one turns down a brownie.  Honestly, why would they?  Brownies are a delicious, easy-to-eat, simple pleasure.  Limitless variations of this classic treat exist: from dense, gooey, fudge-like squares, to light, cake-like frosted treats.  Although the brownie supposedly was created in 1893 by The Palmer House Hotel, the first well-known brownie recipe […]

I wanted to write a post about Poke bowls because of their current popularity and also because Poke (pronounced POH-keh) will always remind me of Hawaii, a special place and the home to my uncle Ben, who passed away unexpectedly last week.  I must confess, it’s been a sad week for me.  Loss is always […]

Bananas are delicious.  A perfect food, some would say, loaded with vitamin B, that even comes in their very own traveling case.  We buy bananas to eat them, but bananas are tricky.  In the grocery store, it takes time to select the perfect bunch, I often grab them last as it takes some thought.  Not […]

Power bars, protein snacks, and energy drinks are all some of the products you see on store shelves selling “power” and “energy.”  Don’t be deceived: most don’t have either; many are not healthy; and most of us avoid equating sugar with energy.  A good friend of mine from college, a marathon runner, a mom of […]

To me, hearty soups are good all year round, not just on a rainy winter day.  Soups are comforting and soul-healing, they say.  They are also not all that hard to make. The word “soup” comes from the French “soupe” (meaning “soup” or “broth”), which derived from the Latin word “suppa” (meaning bread soaked in broth) and also from a […]

It’s almost Easter and this is a treat for all ages.  This is not my recipe, but I have been making it for years and had to share it.  The original cake recipe is called “Umbrian Chocolate Cake“, or in Italian Torta di Cioccolato di Olio di Oliva, and comes from the cookbook Ciao Italia in Umbria.  The author, Mary […]

According to my oldest son, he does not like chicken. Untrue really; he’s just particular when it comes to chicken.  This, I can relate to. Most chicken is over-cooked.  Nothing overcooked tastes good.  But chicken, in particular, is the worst because it becomes dry and flavorless.  Chicken must be moist, slightly soft, and juicy–never, ever dry. […]

If you eat matzo during the eight days of Passover (or just want a fun cooking project with kids) try making this easy homemade matzo recipe, it is so good, that you may never go back to the store-bought stuff. This recipe can be made will regular all-purpose flour or whole wheat flour, both are […]

Passover is approaching, as is the scramble to come up with a dessert to bring to the Seder you’ve been invited to.  Preferably a dessert that is not the flourless chocolate cake that you made last year.  Try this recipe.  This is a cross between a true sponge cake, a classic French genoise, and a […]

If you are unfamiliar, watermelon radishes are supremely beautiful. Their deep pink/magenta color is eye-catching and adds a real pop to any ordinary salad. Watermelon radishes are considered a heirloom Chinese Daikon radish and a member of the mustard family (along with arugula, broccoli, and turnips–who knew!). Typically, watermelon radishes are available during the spring and […]

When I started my blog, I had no intention of voicing political views.  So this will likely be my first and only post referring to anything political.  I strongly believe everyone is entitled to their opinion, whatever that may be.  But “Dump” cookies are delicious; I’m no fan of Trump; and the rhyme is too […]

My husband is not a cook. He will, however, if asked, make a dish or meal without hesitation and often rather enthusiastically. He will often return from a trip to the grocery store with a vast assortment of condiments and pickled products and, if we are lucky, the complete ingredients for whatever recipe he decides […]

I did not grow up eating this, my husband did; I ate pot roast.  Short ribs are a cut of beef taken from the brisket, chuck, plate, or rib areas of a cow. In essence, they are the short portion of the rib bone, which varies in thickness.  Short ribs come in two ways: (1) […]

The timeless allure of oatmeal chocolate chip cookies traces back to early 20th-century America. These chewy, comforting treats have been gracing cookie jars for generations, embodying a perfect blend of heartiness and sweetness. These are hands-down a family favorite and I am confident that will never change. I have elevated the classic recipe with a […]

Everyone needs a good basic waffle recipe on hand for Sunday mornings.  Buttermilk waffles, the epitome of breakfast indulgence, owe their magic to a tangy, creamy secret: buttermilk. This acidic marvel not only imparts a subtle tang but also tenderizes the batter, resulting in irresistibly light and fluffy waffles. Buttermilk’s Brilliance The acidity in buttermilk […]