April 17, 2012

Catching Up

There has been so much going on that I have a backlog of posts to get put up and I almost don’t know where to start. The end of March was busy with my almost-daughter-in-law coming in to town for a visit before heading to Japan to be with #1 son, my daughter’s 30th birthday party and my #2 son’s graduation from Air Force boot camp in San Antonio. I got back expecting to take a breath and catch up – and got a fabulous rush assignment for a large number of recipes and images.  Then it was Easter. Now it is my birthday week and there is all sorts of coolness going on. Like the birthday present that I got from the husband on Saturday… a week early but…

bmw

Yes. It is. A BMW convertible. Adorable. And of course, red.  SAH-weeeet.

Well, that was a shock. And there have been whispers about more birthday magic…  He got me a subscription to Bon Appetit … and I thought that was awesome… apparently it was only the beginning. Continue reading →

Like it? Share this post
Email
Pin It

Leave a Comment

Filed under Chit-Chat

Tagged as , , ,

April 11, 2012

Making White Chocolate Bowls for July 4th

I know, right? It’s a little on the early side for this but I was doing an article for a client and decided to go ahead and try an idea that I had been tossing around in my head for awhile.

You do see a lot of chocolate bowls these days. They are a cute way to serve ice cream or other cold desserts. Most of the bowls that I have seen have been made from milk chocolate but there is really no reason not to branch out a little… is there?

white chocolate bowls

I really wanted to see how the white chocolate would work and if you could add texture and color with other ingredients… like … you know… sprinkles.

Guess what? You can! Continue reading →

Like it? Share this post
Email
Pin It

4 Comments

Filed under Dessert

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

April 10, 2012

Southern Caramel Cake with Jack Daniels

Caramel cake is a Southern specialty that you can find in almost any community or church cookbook below the Mason Dixon. Jack Daniels is a classic Southern mash whiskey and it is one of those things that finds its way into numerous Southern recipes from cakes to cookies. Praline is certainly Southern in both flavor and origins. What happens when you combine them all into one magnificent cake?

caramel cake

Suddenly you will say y’all. The front porch will be referred to as the veranda. The theme music from Gone with the Wind will play whenever you sweep down the stairs. And your irritating neighbors? Well, bless their hearts. Continue reading →

Like it? Share this post
Email
Pin It

Leave a Comment

Filed under Cake, Dessert

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , ,

April 4, 2012

Tex-Mex Meat Loaf

Meatloaf is one of those foods that people either love or hate. It can be wonderful – moist, tender, flavorful… or it can be dry, tasteless and boring. it depends more on the cook than the ingredients, really. Meatloaf is a pretty standard formula of meat, vegetables, liquid, spices, and binder.  If over baked it will be dry, it is as simple as that.

meatloaf

My mom did not make meatloaf very much but back then, in the final days of classic diners, I discovered the dish on a car trip and i instantly fell in love.  Continue reading →

Like it? Share this post
Email
Pin It

2 Comments

Filed under Main Dish, Meat

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

March 26, 2012

Chocolate Cream Pie Cupcakes

Is there anyone reading this, right now, that does not like chocolate cream pie? A show of hands please?

Yep, I didn’t think so. For most of us chocolate cream pie is an adventure in connecting with our inner piggy. Sweet and crunchy graham cracker crust, creamy chocolate filling and that cloud of perfect meringue piled on top – well that creates something even most restaurants can’t screw up.

cupcakes

When I was a kid I was addicted to those commercially created chocolate fried pies. Maybe they were something we only get around here but OMG they were sooooo good. I was so excited when I got my driver’s license because not only did it mean freedom – it meant I could pick up one of those fried pies on the way to school without my mother pointing out the zit-producing potential of what I was eating… for breakfast…. Continue reading →

Like it? Share this post
Email
Pin It

Leave a Comment

Filed under Cake, Dessert

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,