Archive

I love talking about the science and especially chemistry that goes into baking and cooking. So indulge me for a moment while I share an outstanding clip put together by the fine folks at TED. It's short, you'll enjoy it, and maybe even learn a little about what happens when you bake cookies and more.

This is the time of the year when your slow cooker can be an incredible blessing. How else can spending 15-20 minutes of hands-on time give you a warm, spicy chicken curry dinner that is brimming with tender chicken, fresh garlic and ginger, and oodles of vegetables all swimming in an inspired curry sauce that will have you making it over and over?

It's the middle of our holiday season and everyone is finding the best and brightest ways to be festive and jolly. In my part of the world, that means finding good ways to keep warm. Look to us to help you find great ways to warm from the inside out.

I love gift-giving that involves using my kitchen magic and enjoying return gifts that showcase the talents of my friends and family. In that spirit, I'm sharing my easy truffle recipe. Yep, I mean it. These are simple to put together and get rave reviews every time!

In the middle of the busiest time of the year, I offer you a no bake frozen cheesecake that will have friends and family alike smiling and lifting their glasses in a toast to the fantastic dessert you've shared with them. Merry Christmas!

Sometimes, you want a meal that can act as a flexible filler during a busy week. Maybe you are caught up in holiday preparations and you want to be able to make a fast dinner during the week or you have people visiting from out of town and you want a special brunch dish. It's nice to have recipes that will work in both cases.

It's time for a lesson in cleaning out your refrigerator without feeling like a garbage disposal. A method for getting rid of those must-go items while making dinner seem like a gourmet adventure? It's all within reach. You just need to be able to think outside the box while taking a look inside your fridge!

Combining oven-roasted tomatoes and baked, breaded cheese transforms pasta into a flavorful, creamy dish that you will want to curl up with and savor. It's a great potluck dish that appeals to vegetarians and carnivores alike. Just in time for the holidays!

I'm not really a football fan, but I am a fan of the tradition of gathering together and enjoying all manner of snacks and small bites. So, in the spirit of camaraderie that brings fans of all kinds together, I'm offering a warm, cheesy dip that will have everyone cheering.

The secret to warming yourself from the inside out? Good, comforting soups. But, in this day and age, who has time to spend hours simmering a soup on the stove? You don't need to if you have a slow cooker on hand. Get a hearty soup that will have you and yours smiling without spending much time in the kitchen.

Move over, caramel. Candied apples can come in all kinds of varieties. One of my favorites is a multi-layered treat featuring the flavors in s'mores. They take a little time to make and are a beautiful mess to eat … and are worth every minute and every napkin required!

Bacon is very hot right now. You might even say sizzling! (I couldn't resist!) But have you spent any time investigating how well-suited it is as a wrapping for your favorite foods? Consider it the most delicious ribbon for keeping your favorite foods together in the pan, oven, and/or plate!

As everyone gets ready for Thanksgiving, you will find lots of turkey recipes here and elsewhere, but don't forget to use that turkey carcass. Rich, delicious turkey stock is just a slow cooker and a good night's sleep away! It's even more to be grateful for this holiday season.

Don't leave the vegetarians joining you for Thanksgiving dinner out in the cold. Instead, consider some perfect meatless dishes that will have everyone grateful for those options! And no one will be happier about those choices than the turkey!

Mix up tradition this holiday season with cookie bars that have been infused with pumpkin caramel and sprinkled with fleur de sel. They are just the right mix of fancy and fun. Kids and adults alike will enjoy them and they can be made several days before any gathering. This recipe is something to add to your thankful list!

I love baking and I love cinnamon rolls, but I don't love baking cinnamon rolls. What to do? Concoct an Apple Cinnamon Roll Cake that blends the best features of cinnamon rolls with the season's finest apples and a recipe that takes a few minutes to assemble and leave your home smelling wonderful.

The thing about comfort food is that it tends to consist of tried and true dishes that are well-loved, but entirely predictable. Sometimes it can be great fun to take one of those dishes -- like Tater Tot Casserole -- and give it a makeover. In this case, this is "Nacho" Mother's Tater Tot Casserole!

Quick! Before it's too cold to grill (wait, is there such a thing?), it's time to pay homage to the Midwestern art of grilling everything from brats to ribs with a flair that's just part of life in places like Wisconsin, Illinois, and Missouri. It's a perfect opportunity to hone your skills for tailgating season.

Relive a bit of summer with a chowder brimming with the flavors of buffalo chicken and summer's finest sweet corn. It brings together flavors you think of when the last days of summer arrive and the chill of autumn that we're enjoying right now.

The flavor combination of ginger and pears is hard to beat -- particularly when they meet in a tasty crumb cake that's equally at home served at brunch, as an afternoon snack, or after a hearty dinner. What's more, it loves company in the way of a cup of coffee or tea!

With nights falling earlier and cool weather keeping us inside, it's time to go to the movies without leaving home! Pick out your favorite flick, cuddle up on the couch, and get some season-perfect movie snacks ready to enjoy. Popcorn gets a warm peanut butter glaze and pumpkin seeds get the sweet treatment for a result that will have you smiling.

Sometimes there's really no substitute for a good burger. And when that burger comes stuffed with bleu cheese and wrapped in bacon … well, that's just bliss. Before you decide that sounds like too much work, take a look at your collection of plastic containers and get ready to enjoy being at the top of the food chain!

Everything from grilling to slow-cooking with a Crockpot can bring your family a healthy, low-fuss meal each evening. And a surprising tool in the battle to do just that are the apps you can use on your smart phones or tablets.

Just in time for Halloween, we're sharing a super simple recipe for candy corn-inspired popsicles. If you are wanting something cool and fun, yet festive, this is the way to go. Makes a great Halloween party treat or just a super cool after school snack for the end of the month.

If you like Jalapeño Poppers as an appetizer, consider trying the same blend of flavors on pasta. You won't be disappointed! A delicious, creamy cheese sauce gets kicked up a notch with the addition of sautéed fresh jalapeños and even some jalapeño powder, for the hot heads among us.

Caramel apples are an autumn treat. Get all of the flavor without the mess when you put together your own peanut butter caramel dip for slices of apples. It comes together in minutes and is equally at home as an afternoon or on your fall party table.

Avocados are simply delicious. Eggs, also, are simply delicious. But when you put them together and give them some time in a hot oven, they become the foundation for a delicious breakfast or brunch dish that will have you drooling.

When Momma said, "You are what you eat," she was right on target. You can actually plan your diet for beauty and better health. Before you turn up your nose, you should know that this miracle diet isn't one of flavorless deprivation. You may already be eating some of the foods that are naturally engineered to keep you looking and feeling great.

"Oh no, I couldn't possibly have another delicious cookie." How often do you hear that? Yeah, cookies are amazing and I'm here to share another great recipe for a family-approved chocolate M&M cookie that your kids can help you make. Cookies: bringing families together.

Everyone has their favorite candy bars. It's time to introduce the cookie inspired by my own. A soft, almond-scented cookie that's chock full of coconut, chocolate chips, and slivered almonds brings the best parts of Almond Joy candy bars to the party.