Baking and Cooking Blog – Evil Shenanigans

Sweet Potato Cupcakes with Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting (Just Desserts Challenge)

Oh goodness, this is our second Top Chef Just Desserts Elimination Challenge … Challenge! On the last episode of Top Chef Just Desserts the cheftestants were challenged to create bake sale goodies.  I love bake sale goodies, as my thighs will attest, so I was all in on this one.  Bake sale treats are meant [...]

Indian Dinner Party

I am celebrating! Aside from making it into the 3rd round of Project Food Blog – thank you all for your votes! – I am celebrating the release of a new book by my favorite fiction author, Deanna Raybourn.  Her Lady Julia series, set in Victorian England, feature the exploits of Lady Julia and private [...]

Carrot, Cardamom and Coconut Soup

I always carry with me a book I call my ‘Inspiration Book’. This is the place where I jot down ideas, or flavors, so when I get back to my home kitchen I remember what it was, exactly, that inspired me.  This little book has served me well, and it is directly responsible for this [...]

Snowball Crème Brûlée

Have you ever watched a cooking reality show and wished you could participate, but without the crying, alcoholism, or life-shortening stress? Well, I certainly know I have, and I decided to do something about it!  Welcome to my inaugural Top Chef Just Desserts Elimination Challenge …. Challenge!  The purpose of this challenge is to re-create [...]

Schweinshaxe, Spätzle und Rotkohl (Pork Knuckle, Spaetzle, and Red Cabbage)

I was lucky enough to make it through to the second round of Project Food Blog!  Many thanks to the generous people who voted for me.  Your reward is something delicious! Last year my husband and I went to Bavaria.  Munich to be precise.  A good part of my family came to America from the [...]

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Is there anything better than a well made pound cake? Pound cakes are highly satisfying and wonderfully versatile.  I’ve served pound cake for dessert with whipped cream, I’ve served them with fresh berries for breakfast to great acclaim, and nothing beats pound cake for an after work/school snack.   Pound cake can also be the base [...]

Breakfast Bread Pudding

What happens when you combine breakfast and dessert? Answer: Magic!  I had actually been contemplating the breakfast/dessert idea for a while.  What spurred me into action was the email from the folks at FoodBuzz to let us know that Nature’s Pride would be holding their Bread Ambassador program again.  Nature’s Pride will select a few [...]

Salted Honey Lavender Shortbread

Lavender, as an ingredient, is a little controversial. Most people I know either love it or hate it.  There is little room in between.  With its clean floral aroma, and a flavor that reminds me of rosemary with out the vociferous pine aftertaste, lavender can be delightful if used properly.  As with anything, too much [...]

Project Food Blog – Defining Who I Am?

Let’s be honest, you and I, because if we do not have honesty, what do we have?  I’m not sure about this whole Project Food Blog thing. First, let me explain what Project Food Blog is. Project Food Blog is a set of challenges that will test the blogging mettle of the 1,000+ contestants.  Each [...]

Paneer Potato Cakes

In the last few months I have discovered a few new ingredients that I absolutely love! The first of these is a spice called asafoetida, a deeply pungent smelling spice that, when cooked, adds a smooth onion flavor.   A little of this spice makes a big difference as far as complexity of flavor is concerned.  [...]