Christmas Recipes

Eggnog Quick Bread

Capture the flavor of the holidays with this irresistible quick bread, which makes a lovely gift and is perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack. The quick glaze adds a hint of decadence and a snow-capped look but is purely optional.     Several times over the years, I’ve seen the claim that a perfect…

Spiced Pecan Chex Mix

This sweet and savory spin on the classic snack mix is easy to make and hard to resist. Perfect for gift giving too!    Why is it nearly impossible to replace a favorite pair of shoes? You know, the shoes that are really comfortable and go with everything, but their near perfection wasnโ€™t apparent until…

7-Minute Holiday Caramel Sauce

7-Minute Holiday Caramel Sauce is a holiday twist on my classic recipe, and adjustments for classic and salted variations are included in the recipe header. Easy and foolproof!   As I was purchasing my favorite vanilla bean ice cream a few months ago, a friendly cashier asked me if I had tried a flavor called…

3-Ingredient Cinnamon Ornaments

Three simple ingredients come together with ease for a project that’s fun for adults and kids alike. Once dried, you can decorate as desired or opt for a rustic look. Great as a gift and the aroma will last for years!    Choosing the right gifts for the many special people in our lives can…

Jeweled Cranberry Orange Relish… and a Thanksgiving bonus recipe

A cup of jewel-like pomegranate seeds and an orange-enhancing splash of triple sec take classic cranberry relish to new heights!   When I was growing up, my family spent every Thanksgiving at my maternal grandparentsโ€™ house. My grandmother graciously opened her home to family, and any friends with no family. She put all the extra…

William’s Habanero Hot Sauce… and a hot sauce taste test

Though we often cheat and hope for no frost (or April snow, as was the case this year), the safe time for backyard planting where I live is always said to begin on Motherโ€™s Day. Ever since my husband and I bought our first house, weโ€™ve planted a garden. There is something so satisfying about…

Muesli Baked Oatmeal

If you were to choose your career all over again, what would you be?  I  love what I do, but I could have been very happy as a scientist.  Given my love of experimenting in the kitchen, a career in the lab would have suited me well. Though it’s not exactly research for a new…

Simple Vanilla Syrup

A deliciously easy (and economical) way to sweeten homemade iced coffee, lattes, and a variety of other drinks and desserts. For basic simple syrup, simply omit the vanilla.   Have you ever added sugar to a glass of iced tea, stirred vigorously to dissolve it, only to find a puddle of semi-dissolved granules at the…

Beef Pot Roast

Thereโ€™s something special about the aroma of a roast as it slowly cooks to fork-tender perfection. The savory smell is homey, comforting, and makes me want to curl up on the sofa with a good book. Curiously, I recently read that oneโ€™s sense of smell accounts for 75 to 95 percent of a foodโ€™s perceived…

(Slow Cooker) Chocolate Peanut Clusters with Sea Salt

A big batch of these sweet treats is easy to make in your slow cooker. The portion-controlled bites are hard to resist…and perfect for sharing!     Amidst all of the goodies we enjoy throughout the holiday season, thereโ€™s a special delivery that stands out from all the rest. Itโ€™s a cookie care package sent…

Winter Porridge

The formula for the basic porridge is easy, and you can prepare it in advance for speedy breakfasts throughout the week.   I’ve always been amazed by people who go sockless in cold weather. When my feet are cold, everything is cold. So, it’s remarkable that, since the beginning of fall, I’ve only worn socks…

Almond Flour Shortbread Cookies (low sugar and really easy)

These small bites satisfy a sweet tooth with minimal sugar and the added benefit of wholesome fats and protein from the almonds. What’s more, the dough can be quickly mixed by hand with minimal ingredients.   There’s something special about shortbread. I’ve always had a soft spot for its buttery goodness, mild sweetness, and subtle…

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