This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please visit the disclosures and privacy policy page.
May 29, 2017

Cheesy Zucchini and Basil Muffins

These Cheesy Zucchini and Basil Muffins are savory and moist, and are perfect with a salad or soup for lunch or a light dinner. 


These Cheesy Zucchini and Basil Muffins are savory and moist, and are perfect with a salad or soup for lunch or a light dinner.

These zucchini, Parmesan, cheddar, and basil muffins are loaded with two kinds of cheese, zucchini, basil, and whole wheat flour. They are topped with a dash of cayenne pepper and a sprinkling of pine nuts.
May 24, 2017

Pressure Cooker Asian-Style Boneless Short Ribs

These Pressure Cooker Asian-Style Boneless Short Ribs are so tender and intensely flavored. 


These Pressure Cooker Asian-Style Boneless Short Ribs are so tender and intensely flavored.



Beef short ribs are pretty much my new favorite cut of meat. They are so rich and flavorful, and are excellent braised or cooked in a slow cooker. They are just so "beefy!"
May 23, 2017

Starfish Cookies

These Starfish Cookies are silly and fun, and all of the sprinkles on top hide the fact that they are made with 100% whole wheat! 


These Starfish Cookies are silly and fun, and all of the sprinkles on top hide the fact that they are made with 100% whole wheat!

I let my grandsons taste test these starfish cookies to make sure they were tasty. My oldest grandson usually comes home from school to our house, where Mr. Kitchen, who is retired, feeds him snacks and supervises homework. Mr. Kitchen later picks up our younger grandson from after school care, and feeds him snacks too before their dad or mom pick them up.
May 20, 2017

Tomato and Melon Soup

This Tomato and Melon Soup is perfect for a light lunch or as an appetizer for an alfresco summer dinner. 


This Tomato and Melon Soup is perfect for a light lunch or as an appetizer for an alfresco summer dinner.

This tomato and melon soup is so light and refreshing, and is the perfect combination of savory and sweet.
May 19, 2017

Ahi Tuna Poke

This Ahi Tuna Poke is so easy to make and is ready in 15 minutes. The flavors are irresistible, and the dish is so light and refreshing. 


This Ahi Tuna Poke is so easy to make and ready in 15 minutes.

Poke (pronounced poh-keh) is a Hawaiian dish typically made with raw fish marinated in sesame oil and soy sauce, tossed with sweet onion and sea salt, and seasoned with sesame seeds and other flavors.
May 17, 2017

Cherry Cobbler with a Sugar Cookie Crust

This Cherry Cobbler with a Sugar Cookie Crust is so delicious served warm and topped with vanilla ice cream. 


This Cherry Cobbler with a Sugar Cookie Crust is so delicious served warm and topped with vanilla ice cream.

While Cherry Cobbler topped with biscuits is delicious and authentic, I was completely thrilled with this sugar cookie take on a cobbler. I've got to admit that this cherry cobbler with a sugar cookie crust would have a hard time competing with its biscuit topped cousin when just warm from the oven. Especially for traditionalists.. and Southerners.
May 16, 2017

Shubbak el-Habayek | Iraqi Sweet Bread

Shubbak el-Habayek is an Iraqi sweet bread. The name, translated, means The Lover's Window!


Shubbak el-Habayek | Iraqi Sweet Bread



 This is a fragrant bread, with orange blossom water, rose water, cardamom, and mahleb.

May 12, 2017

The Spring Fling Cocktail

This Spring Fling is a lovely and refreshing gin cocktail. 


This Spring Fling is a lovely and refreshing gin cocktail.

I'm a huge fan of The Kitchen on Food Network, and it's a part of my Sunday morning routine. First, CBS Sunday Morning (brain food, and one of the best secrets on television), and then The Kitchen.
May 9, 2017

Sfoof - Lebanese Turmeric Buns

These Sfoofs are lovely yeasted buns colored with turmeric and flavored with anise seeds, mahleb, and orange blossom water, and then studded with pistachios. 


These Sfoofs are lovely yeasted buns colored with turmeric and flavored with anise seeds, mahleb, and orange blossom water, and then studded with pistachios.

These Sfoofs are fragrant and sweet, but not overly so. When they were baking, our house was filled with an amazing aroma from the anise seeds, mahleb (also spelled mahlab), and orange blossom water in the dough.
May 6, 2017

Macarons with a Chocolate Buttercream Filling

These Macarons with a Chocolate Buttercream Filling are so gorgeous, pretty much fail-proof, and delicious! 


These Macarons with a Chocolate Buttercream Filling are so gorgeous, pretty much fail-proof, and delicious!

I love the recipe for these macarons. Yes, there are a few extra steps to guarantee success, but it is totally worth it.