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…

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…

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…

its time to make the doughnuts…again

Yes, it’s another post about doughnuts ~ but really, how cute is this little morsel?  I have searched and searched for a doughnut pan (baked [healthier] doughnuts) for quite some time.  I know I could have easily found one online in about a nano second, but I really don’t make time/spend time/money on me or…

Puff Pastry, anyone?

While taking classes in Italy, I discovered just how versatile puff pastry was ~ and when you make your own?  WORTH every pounding moment! However, to enjoy the following recipe for “Strudel di Vegetali, Caprino e Basilico” (vegetable strudel with goat cheese and basil) a trip to your local grocer is all you’ll need.  …

Spiced Eggnog Spritz Griddle Cakes

            “Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!” ― Dr. Seuss     This morning I was inspired by the snow glistening on the rooftops, the Christmas decorations all aglow, and the…

Chill Folks ~

        Ok, I looked this up, found it a wee bit interesting and wanted to share. What is the difference between chile and chili? As per dictionary.com: Chili and chile are both the pungent fruit of the capsicum, also called chile pepper or chili pepper. But chili is a shortening of chili con carne, a ground beef dish that incorporateschili powder or chili peppers…

Cooking with Friends

    “Friendship marks a life even more deeply than love. Love risks degenerating into obsession, friendship is never anything but sharing.” ―Elie Wiesel   Last week, I had a wonderful time cooking with and for the fine folks at the Mountain Home AFB AFRC… we had a bread baking class, lots of laughter, and a healthy dose…

Happy Halloween!

      Here is a sweet treat that is great from halloween to halloween and everyday in between! Enjoy ~ v Truffle Brownies 1 1/4  c butter (don’t freak out, it’s just butter!) 3/4 c baking cocoa 3 T flour 1 c + 1 T sugar, divided 4 eggs, separated 2 tsp vanilla Heat…