A Celebration of Food and my Culinary Adventures
The Ensaïmada, the official pastry from the island of Mallorca, Spain. A pastry set apart from all others by its recipe, time-honored process, and the use of lard. A traditional pastry dating back to the 17th century. The Ensaïmada tells of the history of the Romans and the Moors who once ruled Mallorca and then left their […]
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I have a confession to make. I didn’t like blueberries when I was a kid. I know, can you believe that? It was something about the texture and flavor that I didn’t enjoy. Now mind you, I wasn’t a picky eater when I was a kid. I can count on one hand the foods that […]
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The holidays are over. The tree has been taken down. The decorations have been carefully packed and stored away for the next Christmas season. This holiday season was filled with memories of friends and family gathering together to celebrate and share the most important gift we can give. Time together. It wouldn’t be a celebration without food. Food memories; that connection […]
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Double Stuffed Chocolate Cupcakes; Celebrates the idea of “more is better.” I start with a decadent chocolate cupcake and then fill it with a rich pastry cream, then dipped the top of the cupcake in ganache, next comes a piped swirl of the pastry cream on top the the ganache, and the top is dunk into the […]
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The Brownie. A true American baked good. Did you know the first recipe developed in 1896 as Brownies didn’t have any chocolate? Most people couldn’t imagine a brownie without the ubiquitous chocolate. But, by 1904, chocolate found its way into the revised Brownie recipe. Fast becoming a favorite treat to share with friends and family. Everyone has a favorite type of brownie they like. […]
Read More…What if there was a yeasted sweet dough that could be made ahead, frozen, thawed, filled, shaped into sweet or savory baked goods, and then freshly baked off. All, without waking up at 4 am to complete when hosting friends or family this holiday season. Guess what there is and I have the recipe for […]
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With Thanksgiving leftovers in the refrigerator and Christmas lights and decorations going up around the house. It is time to turn to the season of holiday baking and cooking. Instead of trying to figure out what gift to buy for someone. How about making homemade gifts instead? This coming month I’ll give you hints, […]
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‘Easy as Pie!’ A saying that we all have heard before, but for many home bakers why does making a tender, flaky, crisp, and oh so rich and buttery pie dough remain so elusive? Is it the recipe? Is it the ingredients? Is it the skill of the baker? The answer is yes to all of the […]
Read More…Cookies or Candy you decide for yourself. These delicious little Bon Bon Cookies are easy to make ahead and give as gifts. Add flavorings to the dough or change the filling to suit your own taste. My favorites are bourbon marinated cherries wrapped in chocolate dough dipped in chocolate ganache, and mint flavored dough wrapped around Andes […]
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The fields behind my home were glazed with frost as the sun came up this morning. Triggering memories of visiting apple orchards around Marshall, Michigan in the fall when I was a kid. Picking up an apple from the ground in the early morning. Covered with a light frost of frozen dew. That first […]
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