Specially Processed American Meats

DISCLAIMER:  I am either going to lose a few readers or gain a few readers with this post. Please don’t judge too harshly 🙂 Some of you may know that I DO NOT eat processed foods – do not, will not, eat from a can (seemed Seuss-worthy)! On any given day, my pantry may hold canned…

Going to the Birds… and the Hippo, and the Rhinoceros

Animal Crackers     Shirley Temple ~ you will be missed!   Animal Crackers by Christopher Morley. “Animal crackers and cocoa to drink, That is the finest of suppers I think; When I’m grown up and can have what I please I think I shall always insist upon these. What do YOU choose when you’re…

Polpette & Busiate

There are hundreds of cuisines in Italy, not to mention the regional specialties. Then of course you have family secrets ~ the one thing you won’t find, spaghetti and meatballs. Oh, you can have a rich red wine-laced tomato sauce to dip the polpetti, or find miniature versions, almost like the Italian version of […]…

Arabian Nights….

    “One must always welcome guests sincerely, with a certain effusion of the heart, for when they come to your table they must already be happy with you.” ‘La Petite Cuisine’, du baron Brisse (1870) Tony and I have been watching a lot of Chef Anthony Bourdain on Netflix lately. It satisfies Tony’s love…

Not your Momma’s meatloaf…

A house is not a home unless it contains food and fire for the mind as well as the body. Benjamin Franklin In my family, we are pretty evenly split, as far as who is on the meatloaf love-band wagon, and those who cringe, gag and basically run at the mere mention… Meatloaf – did…

Polpette & Busiate

  There are hundreds of cuisines in Italy, not to mention the regional specialties. Then of course you have family secrets ~ the one thing you won’t find, spaghetti and meatballs. Oh, you can have a rich red wine-laced tomato sauce to dip the polpetti, or find miniature versions, almost like the Italian version of…

Buona Pasqua

History of Pane di Pasqua Bread has a religious significance on the Italian Easter table, for Christ is often referred to as “the bread of life.” Hand-fashioned egg-decorated breads vary from region to region in Italy and go by many different names. But the commonality of baking whole eggs twisted or braided into bread is…

Mel’s Magic Meat

      Yes, Mel’s Magic Meat ~ not to be confused with Magic Mike, as several things have yet to be verified… his dancing! I’m referring ONLY to his dancing! Sheesh! All kidding aside, Mel is the active duty Guy-In-Charge at the Airman & Family Readiness Center where I volunteer.  He is a self-professed…

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…