apple of my eye ~

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TZCP6OqRlE       Calvados Apple Cheesecake Crust: 1 c graham cracker crumbs 1/2 c toasted pecans, finely chopped 4 T butter, melted 2 T brown sugar Cheesecake: 4 packages fat-free cream cheese 1 c sugar 1 tsp grated lemon zest 1 1/2 tsp vanilla 4 eggs, lightly beaten 3 T flour Apples: 1 1/2 c…

kindness & chocolate

Hot Chocolate Sponge Pudding with Mocha Sauce Sponge 1 stick unsalted butter 1 1/4 c sugar 1/2 c cocoa 4 medium eggs, slightly beaten 2 1/2 c flour splash of milk Sauce 4 T good quality instant coffee or 3 T espresso powder 4 T cocoa 1/2 c sugar 1 1/4 c boiling water Preheat…

the south is gonna rise again…

There is something sweet and very humbling to hear, “oh, my! that is better than momma’s!” ~ while very kind, I know this cannot be true ~ for it is the love of that momma that made the pie taste a little sweeter, the dumplings a little fluffier and those biscuits, light as air… Here’s…

mandorla

Paese che vai, usanza che trovi biscotti di mandorle           ciao a tutti! oggetto del tema di oggi è biscotti ~ che delizioso, biscotto croccante vedrete nonni e bambini, inzuppare nel loro bevanda preferita … oh, I’m sorry ~ I forgot my audience is primarily English speaking!  Anyway, as I was…

a soup & sandwich kind of day

Val’s Tomato Soup with Sweet Chile Sauce and Basil 2 20 oz jars of homemade tomato sauce or 3 large cans good quality crushed tomatoes 4 cloves garlic, minced 4 basil leaves, sliced in thin ribbons 1/2 bag dry (about 2 cups) Great Northern Beans, cooked 1 cup sweet chile sauce (homemade or Thai Sweet…

New Mexico chile for dummies

Saw this on a “liked” page on Facebook this morning – just wanted to share some great educational information with you – happy Sunday! http://www.focusnewmexico.com/chile.htm New Mexico Green and Red Chile… Visitors and newcomers to our state (those who think Chili only comes in a can), sometimes ask “What’s the big deal, It’s only Chile!”…

Here’s to your health!

Pineapple-Spinach Whole Juice Recipe 1 cup pineapple, cubed 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped 1/4 cup wheatgrass 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped 8 ounces of filtered water (or almond milk for extra protein, oj for tarter taste & vitamin c) 1/2 teaspoon of fresh, grated ginger (optional) 2 T chia seeds Start by adding the liquid…

Good Morning!

  Hope is a waking dream. Aristotle Happy Friday, friends! I hope you have a wonderful, safe weekend ~ get outside, eat good food, share a smile ~ enjoy! Fabulous Hot Cakes 2 1/4 cups unbleached  flour 3/4 cup  protein powder 3/4 cup unprocessed wheat bran 1/4 cup wheat germ 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt 5…

a black-eyed pea, black bean and 3 pebbles…

I know, I know ~ it sounds like a really bad joke… but this is the list of the “alien” objects in my bag of pintos this morning!  Thank goodness my Momma taught me to separate and rinse! Have you checked what’s in your beans lately?  =} From baked beans (ok, so not the healthiest…

val’s roasted chicken salad

                                  “chicken delight” by artist Peg Franken         This isn’t your typical “chicken salad”… you aren’t drowning it in a mayo base binder ~ it isn’t laden with jarred sweet pickles or relish ~ this chicken…

noté in italia 

I remember the night very well ~ we were sitting on the terrace (terrazzo) at trattoria alla Fontaniva in Italy… the kids were given an aperitif (a big deal to a 10, 8 & 4 year old… an even bigger deal for their Mommy, still new to the custom!) of Prosecco. Mikaela was the first…