Holiday Gifts

Salted Chocolate English Toffee with Toasted Almonds for a Homemade Father’s Day Gift

Salted Chocolate English Toffee with Toasted Almonds for a Homemade Father's Day Gift

June 10, 2013

I’ve loved toffee since I can remember…I mean I actually remember when my mom would take me to the neighborhood ‘five and dime’ and all I wanted (and begged for) was a Heath bar. Every. Single. Time. True confessions? I took one once when she said no and put it in my pocket. I had [...]

Citrus and Vanilla Bean Butter from the book ‘Flavored Butters’ by Lucy Vaserfirer

Citrus and Vanilla Bean Butter from the book 'Flavored Butters' by Lucy Vaserfirer

May 7, 2013

This was a tough assignment for sure; this reviewing of a book all about compound butters. First there was the huge effort of deciding sweet or savory…that was almost unfair so I decided to try both before making a decision. One savory version using caramelized onions was terrific; we used it on baked potatoes and [...]

‘Irish Coffee’ Cake and a Great Cause for Children – St. Baldrick’s Foundation

Irish Coffee Cake with Irish Whiskey and Espresso

March 4, 2013

I first published this post a couple of years ago and thinks it’s worth sharing again. Yes, this is now something that hits closer to home but it also hits family’s everywhere and I’ve long had such great respect for what St. Baldrick’s does in the fight against cancer; I did a fundraiser for them [...]

How to Make Dulce de Leche (Cow Milk) or Cajeta (Goat Milk) Caramel

How to Make Dulce de Leche or Cajeta (Goat Milk) Caramel

January 30, 2013

If you recall, I recently tried my hand at making goat cheese. I loved it but with almost 5 gallons of goat milk remaining in the freezer, I had a burning desire to make something else…and it didn’t take a lot of convincing for me to turn to Cajeta. Dulce de Leche (milk candy) is [...]

Gingerbread Kahlua Date Nut Bread with White Chocolate for #TwelveLoaves

Gingerbread Kahlua Date Nut Bread with White Chocolate

December 3, 2012

I’ve got the holiday spirit…or spirits if you will! It’s time for the monthly #TwelveLoaves challenge and it should come as no surprise that I lobbied for BOOZE in BREAD! Not that I knead (some bread humor!) to wait until December to make my baked goods and breads boozy but is there a more perfect [...]

How to Make Raspberry Liqueur for a Raspberry Cosmopolitan

How to Make Raspberry Liqueur (Chambord) and a Raspberry Cosmopolitan

November 23, 2012

I’ve been bitten by a bug the past couple of years that has infected me with a burning desire to make my own liqueurs. Not only great for my own use but they’ve been the star of my holiday gift baskets. I started in 2010 with Cranberry Liqueur and I’m still smitten. Delicious, gorgeous AND [...]

Maple, Bourbon and Bacon Spiced Walnuts

Maple, Bourbon and Bacon Spiced Walnuts

November 1, 2012

I used to be nuts for pecans. Then something magical happened and I changed my allegiance to walnuts. Toasting is to blame. There is a difference and it is called huge.

Red and White Wine Jelly – Cherry Cabernet and Lemon with Rosemary Chardonnay

Red and White Wine Jelly - Cherry Cabernet and Lemon with Rosemary Chardonnay

September 28, 2012

You know I love my cocktails right? I love making them as much as any dish; they are creative and fun and add something special to a get together with friends. But want to know a secret? I drink wine more. It’s true! Cocktails are special but require some planning and often special mixtures and [...]

The Best Limoncello is Homemade Limoncello!

The Best Limoncello is Homemade!

May 25, 2012

Limoncello. ‘The Elixir of the Gods.’ Tart, sweet, served bracingly cold; it’s the perfect liqueur for sipping after dinner. Add some Prosecco and berries like I recently did with this Limoncello Cooler and you’ve got an a gorgeous apertif. It’s well known the very best is made in Sicily but that should not stop you [...]

Homemade Chocolate Liqueur and a Valentine Martini

Homemade Chocolate Liqueur and a Valentine Martini

February 3, 2012

I’ve done a lot of liqueurs lately haven’t I? Cranberry Liqueur and Coffee Liqueur for the holidays and in my case made to give to friends and family as holiday gifts. I’ve got Limoncello in my brewing facility (OK, garage) that will be ready for summer but for right now? How about Chocolate Liqueur made [...]

Wood Butter – A Recipe for Your Utensils!

Wood Butter - The perfect thing for your wood bowls and utensils.

November 28, 2011

Several months ago Wendi with Bon Appetit Hon, did a post on Wood Butter; like you I had a moment of Huh? What? Well, typically called Spoon Oil, Wendi had decided that Wood Butter fit better and I agree; leave it to another food person to put the perfect name on this elixir that is [...]

How to Make Cranberry Liqueur and the Perfect Champagne Cocktail for the Holidays

How to Make Cranberry Liqueur

November 20, 2011

This is one of my favorite things to make over the holidays yet because I put it on my blog a couple of years ago, it has for the most part languished in the nether world of being there but no one knowing it. As I work to finish the batch for this year along [...]

Better than Kahlua – How to Make Coffee Liqueur

Who needs Kahlua when you can make your own coffee liqueur?

November 18, 2011

My youngest daughter Lauren works at Nordstrom’s in their Visual Merchandising department; she is one of the elves that work behind the scenes for weeks in preparation for the big reveal of all things Christmas the day after Thanksgiving. I won’t say it’s not hard for me that we don’t spend the holiday together but [...]

Sage and Caramelized Shallot Brown Butter on Pumpkin and Sage Biscuits

Sage and Caramelized Shallot Brown Butter on Pumpkin and Sage Biscuits

November 14, 2011

I’ve mentioned to a couple of friends that I was developing some compound butters for Kerrygold, my favorite butter for baking. They were unfamiliar with that phrase and though I could explain it easily enough the fact is that I think what’s come from this effort deserves a new name. I can’t help but think [...]

Cocoa, Cayenne and Espresso Roasted Walnuts

Cocoa and Espresso Roasted Walnuts

September 30, 2011

As soon as I saw Jen Schall at My Kitchen Addiction post a recipe for almonds with a crispy coating that included cocoa, I knew I would be using that recipe as inspiration for my own appetizer for this week. I used to be all pecans all the time but I’ve been awakened in the [...]

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