Are you like me? Have you so overindulged yourself over the past 2 weeks, that the idea of another cookie or rich whatever-it-is seems just too much? Not that the holidays weren't magnificent, because they definitely were. Friends, family, food, gifts, food, good times, togetherness, food. All wonderful in their abundance. But - enough, already. I need some veggies. Since we are in the middle of big winter storm, the garden is, of course, out of the question. So rummaging in the fridge, I ... Read More about Carrots with Rosemary and Thyme
Recipes
Reuben Sandwiches
I'm not sure what it says about my family that the majority of our traditions revolve around food. An aunt once said that we are the only family in the world that begins discussing what we will be eating for the next meal [or even the one after that] before we start eating the one in front of us. My Mom began making Reuben Sandwiches on New Years Day when I still lived at home. She had the corned beef simmering away in the crock pot all day on New Years Eve so that our thoughts of the year to ... Read More about Reuben Sandwiches
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bundt Cake
As you are reading this today, I hope that you are enjoying memories of a wonderful Christmas. We spent it up north, as we usually do, and this year Larry's Mom went with us, as it less than a month since we lost his Dad. It has been awhile since she could travel anywhere, because Larry's Dad was ill for so long, so she had never been to our older daughter's house before. As expected, it was a bit bittersweet for her, but I think it helped her get through a difficult time a little more easily. ... Read More about Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bundt Cake
Snowball Cookies
In a few days' time, we will be loading up the car and heading to our older daughter and son in law's for Christmas. I may have possibly mentioned how much we look forward to this every year in the Anadama Cinnamon Roll post earlier this week. But, this has not been an easy month for us. Larry's Dad passed away early in December, and things have been kind of a blur since then. It wasn't unexpected, as he had been in poor health for some time, and in some ways it was a bit of a relief because he ... Read More about Snowball Cookies
Anadama Cinnamon Rolls
Because we don't usually host Christmas at our own house anymore, I try to be a good guest by supplying a few treats when we show up for a week of festivities. Our older daughter and her family have a little less flexibility than we do, so we generally head up to the northern part of the state to spend a week or so in the land of grandchildren. It's a magical place where certain of the residents think you are about the best thing since sliced bread, and don't mind telling you so, even as early ... Read More about Anadama Cinnamon Rolls
Almond Shortbread
I have a terrible weakness for the rich, buttery taste of good shortbread, most recently, for Almond Shortbread. I taught Sunday School for years and each Christmas, the Mom of one of the families in the church made each teacher a lovely little shortbread cake. They were about 6 inches across with golden edges and little holes all over the top. Once all 3 of that family’s kids had gone through my 1st and 2nd grade class, I just happened to move into the Junior High class, which meant I got to ... Read More about Almond Shortbread
Chewy Chocolate Crinkles
Time to get out all of the baking sheets, mixing bowls, measuring spoons and the big bottle of vanilla extract! You know - it's Christmas Cookie time! My Mom always had this idea that we should eat a healthy diet, so for the majority of year, we really didn't get a lot of sweets. I know it sounds crazy, but we had to get by on stuff made with whole wheat flour, raw sugar and carob powder. Then came Christmastime and all bets were off - Mom baked mountains of all our favorites and for a few ... Read More about Chewy Chocolate Crinkles
Butternut Squash Quick Bread
One of the things that our garden produces in enormous abundance is winter squash. Our soil seems to be perfect for them, as the vines grow vigorously and if left to their own devices, will churn out tons of squash. We have learned not to plant quite so many hills, and also to trim them back throughout the summer, to ensure we not be quite so overwhelmed by them. Still, they are a big favorite of ours and little treats like this are one reason. Did you know that you can substitute an orange ... Read More about Butternut Squash Quick Bread
Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Whoopie Pies
I hardly know where to begin. These are ... epic? Is epic too strong a word for cookies? I might have thought so before I made these, but now I am thinking it just might be possible for a mere cookie to attain a sort of hero-like status. We shall see. A few years ago, my cousin sent me a recipe for Pumpkin Snickerdoodles, and I used a version of it on my old blog. I think the reason that he thought to send it to me, was because of our shared memory of our Grandmother, from whose kitchen issued ... Read More about Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Whoopie Pies
Brussels Sprouts with Peppered Bacon
I know that there are plenty of dedicated Brussels Sprouts haters out there. I can see you, curling your lip and shuddering. But - don't go yet! If you are haunted by childhood memories of slimy little grey-green orbs of mushy sprouts - stay right here, and hear what I say - you have been mistreated by whoever tried to get you to eat them. Those Brussels sprouts? Those were your Mama's Brussels sprouts! Today, we are going to cook fresh Brussels sprouts and there is simply no comparison at all. ... Read More about Brussels Sprouts with Peppered Bacon
Apple Crisp Bars
There is no big back story here - I love apple crisp, and I wanted to turn it into something a little more portable, like a bar. Apples have done very well around here this year, which has brought the prices way down, and it is really difficult for me to pass up a deal, so we've ended up with quite a supply of all my favorites - Northern Spies, Cortlands, Jonagold, Macintosh and Macouns. Later in the season, some of these varieties get a little softer, and they aren't so great for baking, but ... Read More about Apple Crisp Bars
Poached Apples with Caramel & Greek Yogurt
It's apple time here in Upstate NY - as it is in most parts of the country I would imagine. There are a lot of orchards in NY, and in fact it's the second largest apple producing state in the country. That's a bit of shock to some people who think NY consists of crowded, crime-ridden city streets, rather than the reality of acres of tree covered rolling hills. Lots of those trees have apples on them and we are happy to take full advantage of that. Ourselves, we just have a small hill with a few ... Read More about Poached Apples with Caramel & Greek Yogurt