I tried to up my glam factor this week with liquid eyeliner. Despite working through every tutorial at The Beauty Department, my cat eye is far from the cat’s meow. Thankfully, I did manage a new culinary success by adding some glam-factor to everybody’s favorite- the chocolate chip cookie. Chocolate chip cookie peanut butter cheesecake…
Mango Coconut Chia Pudding
Remember Chia Pets? As a kid, I always wanted one of those sprouting pottery animals. Who knew that the chia “fur” they were growing was actually nutritious? I checked out Amazon today and sure enough, found my new Chia Pet crush. Chia pudding is made from those same chia seeds. When the chia seeds are…
Simple Peppermint Mocha
Starbucks pulls peppermint mochas from their menu way before most of us are ready to say goodbye. I say adios to my pocket change every time I step in their door. For both of these reasons, I came up with a quick and delicious solution- a three-ingredient simple peppermint mocha. This peppermint mocha has all…
Easy Blackberry Mousse Parfait
Summertime calls for cool, refreshing, desserts that don’t require big time commitments. This easy layered blackberry mousse parfait is the perfect way to celebrate berry season. Creamy, velvety blackberry mousse layered atop light & invigorating homemade blackberry gelatin is an easy dessert to whip up for picnics, grad parties, barbecues, and all the fun summer…
Melt and Pour Chocolate Fudge
Melt and pour fudge has been in my recipe arsenal from the inception of my recipe arsenal. Years ago I clipped this recipe from a teen magazine, probably next to a page highlighting Taylor Hanson…likely the reason I picked up the mag in the first place. This is the easiest most fool-proof fudge recipe ever…
Nectarine Brown Butter Cobbler for Two
This week a Swissy friend came to visit for the weekend. We hadn’t seen one another in four years, so it was lovely to catch up and to introduce her to Francavilla del Mare. The weather meant our beach picnic plan was a no-go, but we still had a good time over Cool Runnings, pizza,…
Italian Hot Chocolate
Lava thick, rich, luscious, dark chocolate… EATEN WITH A SPOON! Italy knows hot chocolate. They rock hot chocolate, oh do they! Italian hot chocolate, thick enough to be served always with a spoon alongside, is in a whole ‘nother league than North American (and most other) hot chocolates & cocoas. Chocolate Pudding and Chocolate Milk…
Imported Flavor
Last week, I had a carton of rock-hard nectarines at my disposal, and no great ideas for how to ripen them without them turning into mushy brown-fleshed ickyness. Longing for “home-style” desserts, I opted to make a cobbler out of these potentially juicy, sweet fruits. Thankfully, the unconventional method of preparation for the cobbler recipe…
Pastillage: Playdough for Grown-ups
I have a rant. Toddlers in preschools everywhere are constantly scolded for the same offense: eating Playdough. Why is it that curiosity is chastened whereas adults have good fun rolling and shaping fondant, gumpaste, and the like all the while popping bits into their grown-up mouths? Shouldn’t we share our little secret with the kids?…
Peanut Butter Cup Panna Cotta
Last night, on a whim, Husband and I took dinner to Brother-in-Law. (Aside from enjoying B-I-L’s company, my other self-seeking reason was to make use of his food processor. Shhh, let’s keep that between us.) Since I had little notice, a quick dessert prep was the order of the afternoon. Panna cotta, perfect! The unconventional…
