I didn't realize that tart, dried cherries taste really good in scones. I've been cognizant of a bag of dried, tart cherries sitting in my pantry that I bought at Trader Joe's quite a while ago, occasionally throwing them in salads. But now they are making a play in my scone recipe.
Continue reading "Cherry Scones" »
If you're thinking about how to prepare your turkey, here's how I season chicken, turkey, and other kinds of poultry. You can apply this technique at the last minute, as well as a few days before, while the turkey waits in the refrigerator. What I get is golden, crunchy skin and moist meat underneath. Roasted chicken is the meal my kids would choose if stranded on a desert island.
Continue reading "Dry Brine" »
A whoopie pie is a great treat for anyone who likes cake and frosting, and portability. These are easy to stash in a lunch bag or wrap up for later. They even taste great right out of the refrigerator. Here are two recipes for the whoopie cake, spiced and chocolate, and two frosting recipes as well - marshmallow and creamy.
Continue reading "Whoopie Pies" »
This recipe serves as a muffin or bread recipe, and it calls for a few fresh oranges, or today, it was clementines. Since I'm a huge fan of clementines, as is the rest of the clan here, as soon as they appear in markets, I buy about two bags of them a week. They disappear rather quickly - about three a day for each of us, but they can be stored in the fridge to last a while longer if you find you have too many.
Continue reading "Orange Cranberry Muffins" »
Almond flour makes great muffins. Here is a current favorite, based on this banana bread recipe. Protein rich, gluten-free, and naturally sweetened. Geez, I sound like a commercial.
Continue reading "Banana Blueberry Muffins" »
Brownies are definitely not seasonal. I can eat them any time of year. So you might be thinking, how does one turn a brownie into something healthy? It's not hard, and, for a treat, this recipe provides a great shot of protein and nutrients.
Continue reading "Brownie Heaven and the Tour de France" »
Psst... I have Grandma Rose's rugelach recipe. I think. But, I'm not sure. Many years ago, I asked Rose for all her recipes - or at least her most coveted recipes. A week later, I received a small, yellowed paperback book in the mail.
Continue reading "Grandma Rose's Rugelach" »
I love macaroons for so many reasons - apart from the fact that it is a treat and is so easy to bake. I'm willing to try anything containing coconut after reading about its health benefits.
Continue reading "Macaroons: Lemon, Vanilla, and Chocolate Kissed" »

Chocolate biscotti reminds me of chocolate cookies I had as a kid, like Oreos and chocolate sugar cookies. I use a good amount of fair trade cocoa in this recipe, but you can probably go with a bit less and still get delicious results. Although you don't need to add much to these, some nuts or chocolate chips make a great compliment to the crunchy, chocolaty goodness. Dunking in a cup of tea or coffee works too!
Continue reading "Chocolate Biscotti (made with almond flour)" »
Biscotti go great with a cup of tea, coffee, a glass of juice, or dunked in just about anything. This recipe uses almond flour, but the technique is the same as most biscotti recipes - bake, slice, and then bake again until crispy. If you like them softer and a bit more cake-like, don't bake them as long during the second time around in the oven.
Continue reading "Biscotti (made with almond flour)" »
Donuts back east meant Dunkin' Donuts, and donuts in the Seattle area mean Krispy Kremes. Uh, this was a hard one to avoid, especially since there is a drive-through KK not far from our path home when I shop big. I am guilty of bringing them to class as birthday party treats when the kids were younger. No more though.
Continue reading "Donuts" »
This moist banana bread is good on its own, but we like it with chocolate chips. Walnuts, cranberries, or cherries would be delightful as well.
Continue reading "Banana bread" »
I love scones. I used to buy a chocolate chip scone on my way to work in midtown Manhattan - I can't remember where, but it was a little coffee shop that everyone rushed in and out of on their way to work on any given weekday.
Continue reading " Raisin Walnut Scones" »