Baking and Cooking Blog – Evil Shenanigans

Orange Chocolate Stout Cake

I love beer. I know, not exactly shocking if you know me.  So many of my recipes are born of the odd craving, and this one is no different.  One afternoon, during a particularly stressful day at the office, I found myself craving a nice, stout beer.  I was also thinking how nice a slice [...]

Smoked Salmon Pasta

When you have the best ingredients you do not need to do much to make them shine. While in Seattle for IFBC I picked up some lovely Alder Smoked Salmon.  On its own it is fantastic.  One subtly smoked, tender taste had me happily handing over my cash.  Once I got it home I decided [...]

IFBC 2010, or What I Did on My Summer Vacation

Stepping out of the airport a chilly breeze carries the scent of salt water as well as a delicious shiver of anticipation down my spine. I have arrived in Seattle for the International Food Bloggers Conference and consumption is the only thing on my agenda.  Before me stretches three days of excellent of food, wine, [...]

Chocolate Cheesecake Brownies

I’m something of a brownie junkie. That said, I am very specific about what I want in a good brownie, and I’m sad to admit I am not satisfied with most coffee shop or bakery brownies.  Give me deep, dark, intense, and fudgy brownies and I am a happy woman.  These needs do not change [...]

Chocolate Dipped Lime Cardamom Cookies

When it is hot out I find lime to be most refreshing. Even in cookie form, lime flavored treats seem to taste the best when the temperature outside starts to soar.  We are in the middle of a heat wave in the Dallas area, so I am all about refreshing at the moment.  Since I [...]

Creamy Mushroom Soup

Sometimes you just need some comfort. Yesterday was not a great day for me.  In fact, it was terrible.  Before I got home I decided that a nice, warm, creamy bowl of soup would fit the bill.  I have been craving mushroom soup for a few weeks, ever since having some rather superb mushroom soup [...]

Peach Cream Pie

I recently went on a road trip to Hot Springs, Arkansas. One of my road trip rules is to find off-the-beaten-path places to eat.  I prefer to eat where the locals eat, since they often have the most unique, and tastiest, food.   Why eat at a chain place, or, even worse, a fast food window?  [...]

Japanese Shortcake Jelly Roll with Chocolate Whipped Cream

I spend a fair amount of time shopping in Asian markets. I love the fresh produce, meat and fish.  The whole experience is an adventure for me as I discover new ingredients, flavors and snacks.  One of my favorite discoveries are Japanese Cake Rolls.  They are soft sponge cake filled with a delicate layer of [...]

Beef Shawarma Meatballs

Not long ago I had lunch at a little Lebanese restaurant and I discovered some really wonderful new dishes. One of these was shawarma, a meat mixture that is marinated in a spice blend, placed on a spit, and slowly grilled.  It is sliced thin and served with pita and other fresh garnishes.  It is [...]

Coconut Mango Rice Pudding

What do you do when you have a mango approaching over-ripeness and a half a can of coconut milk? I don’t know about you, but I turn it into rice pudding!   Mango and coconut are a perfect flavor match.  I love, for example, chunks of ripe mango with some toasted coconut scattered over the top.  [...]