Demolish me ~

Uno non può pensare bene, amare bene, dormire bene, se non ha mangiato bene. Mrs D has asked for my assistance translating another FANTASTIC recipe!  Wow ~ what a flavor explosion! The only thing I did differently, was add 1/4 c of almond flour to the cake flour… I knew it was already going to…

Scotch-Krispie Cookies

Tis the season of ~ mixing and tasting ~ baking and sharing… Here are today’s offerings… I only wish I could share the yummy smells permeating throughout my entire house. ~ Bath & Body would have a new best seller! Scotch-Krispie Cookies 1 c crisco 1 1/2 c packed brown sugar 3 T buttermilk 1 T vanilla…

Happy Birthday!

Today is my son Andre‘s birthday!  It is tradition for me to make (go figure) a meal and dessert, aka birthday cake, as per the birthday celebrant’s request.  Over the years it may have been pasta and jello (12th birthday, Wichita Falls), or beef tenderloin with horseradish butter and German Chocolate Cake (this year).  As I…

Cooking with Val

This summer was full of change, challenges and more importantly, blessings in abundance. Our daughter graduated from college, our son was an ROTC Field Training selectee, we drove through 4 states (love Arches Nat’l Park in Utah!) to our 11th assignment, we spent some amazing quality time together and with friends and family. Arches National…

Coconut Carrot Chunk Cupcakes

  Coconut Carrot Chunk Cupcakes ~ how is that for a culinary alliteration? We had a function last night at a friend’s house; an early tailgate for the upcoming BSU v AF game ~ what to make, what to make?  The host needed a salad and dessert, so I made a HUGE bowl of Napa…

Lavanda

There’s a few things I’ve learned in life: always throw salt over your left shoulder, keep rosemary by your garden gate, plant lavender for good luck, and fall in love whenever you can William Shakespeare We recently attended a sweet lavender festival just outside of Boise Idaho… With the windows open, the 100 degree temperature…

Berries, bread, blessings

We recently went to Ohio to visit family and… well, family. The DaBramo family has been in my husband’s life for a long time – with Christine being the loving, caring chauffeur, cook, confidant, counselor to a group of kids who at one time or another, needed at least one of these services! When Tony…

Celebrations ~

                It’s coming down to the wire folks!  The packers will be arriving in 2 days, thus starting the Lombardo family’s next big adventure: Mt Home Air Force Base, Idaho! This weekend, as we prepped the patio furniture and pizza oven, I stopped so I could keep a…

Turkish Delight

I had the most wonderful opportunity to guide some amazing women through a cooking journey yesterday… They were a group of strong, capable and caring gals, each with their own strengths ~ we found a common bond or two; formed a new bond or two. I feel blessed, and certainly enriched by your company! Thank…

Dunk Me!

Biscotti:  a crisp cookie or biscuit of Italian origin that is flavored usually with anise and filberts or almonds —usually used in plural History of Biscotto: Biscotti was originally made as a”long-shelf-life” food (very dry and containing no fats) for travelers and was carried by the Roman Legions to battle. Today’s biscotti are a far cry from…