This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please visit the disclosures and privacy policy page.
Dec 27, 2021

Multigrain and Seeded Sourdough Boule

This Multigrain and Seeded Sourdough Boule is a wonderful hearty bread filled with lots of whole grains and topped with a variety of seeds. 

Multigrain and Seeded Sourdough Boule in a pot.



This is a large loaf of bread that you bake in a Dutch oven. It includes sour dough starter, whole grains and seeds, and a combination of unbleached white and white whole wheat flour. It makes excellent toast, and lasts for quite a few days. It is really easy to work with this dough.

Lemon Curd Muffins

These lemon curd muffins begin with a lemony muffin spiced with cardamom and ginger that is filled with a tablespoon of lemon curd and then topped with an oat and pecan streusel and finally drizzled with a sweet lemon glaze. 

Lemon curd muffins on plates.

 


These muffins are lemon upon lemon upon lemon, which is always good. Add the crunch of the oat and pecan streusel topped with the lemon glaze and you will love every layer. 

Dec 20, 2021

Mexican Chocolate Cake

This Mexican Chocolate Cake is faintly spiced with cinnamon and cayenne pepper, reminding you of the flavors of Mexican hot chocolate. 

Mexican Chocolate Cake with sprinkles on top.



This cake is frosted with a mixture of melted chocolate chips and heavy cream that you spice with cinnamon, cayenne, and coffee liqueur or extract, and then you whip in a stand mixer until thick. 

Vietnamese-Style Chicken and Rice Soup (Instant Pot)

This Vietnamese-style chicken and rice soup is made with a stock that is flavored with ginger, spices, herbs, and garlic. Add lots of chicken, sticky rice, more spices, and fish sauce, and you have an amazingly satisfying and delicious soup. 

Two bowls of Vietnamese-Style Chicken and Rice Soup (Instant Pot).



Chicken and rice soup has always been one of my favorite comfort foods. This recipe elevates chicken and rice to higher level. 

Dec 18, 2021

Leek and Celery Root Soup

This leek and celery root soup makes an excellent dinner party or cocktail party appetizer. Who doesn't love a sip of hot soup on a cold winter evening.

Leek and Celery Root Soup in a glass



Greet your guests with a tray of these little two ounce sips of hot leek and celery root soup to warm them up. These little soups would be such a nice surprise, wouldn't they?

Dec 17, 2021

Viet-Cajun Seafood Boil

This Viet-Cajun Seafood boil is a delicious marriage of the flavors of the Gulf Coast and traditional Vietnamese ingredients. 

Viet-Cajun Seafood Boil in a bowl with sauces.

 


Viet-Cajun seafood boils are based on Louisiana crawfish boils with added traditional Vietnamese flavors, including lemon grass, fish sauce, and lots and lots of garlic. It's a delicious fusion with the flavors of the American South.

Dec 16, 2021

Ekmak | Syrian Sweet Bread

Ekmak is a Syrian sweet bread that consists of a soft dough shaped into a boat and filled with sweetened soft cheese, fruit, jam, and drizzled with honey. 

Ekmak bread stacked.


 
This ekmak is shaped like Georgian khachapuri. It's filled with cheese like khachapuri, but it is sweet instead of savory, and the dough is super soft and fluffy. 

Dec 14, 2021

Christmas Wreath Focaccia

This Christmas wreath focaccia is fun to decorate and even more fun to eat. 

Christmas focaccia bread in pan.

 


To decorate it, I used large flat leaf parsley (which I had growing in a pot on my patio), scallions, cherry tomatoes, mini pepperonis, mini sweet peppers, and, to add flavor, mini fresh mozzarella pearls. 

Dec 12, 2021

Cheddar Cheese and Pecan Crisps

These cheddar cheese and pecan crisps are the perfect appetizer to go with a sparkling white wine before dinner. 

Cheddar Cheese and Pecan Crisps crackers on a plate.



These crisps are deliciously flaky, light, and tender. They remind me of what the best cheesy biscuits would be like if they were a cracker. 

Dec 4, 2021

Bacon, Leek, and Cheddar Mini Quiches

These Bacon, Leek, and Cheddar Mini Quiches are perfect for a cocktail party, game day gathering... or even a portable breakfast. 

Bacon, Leek, and Cheddar Mini Quiches on plates



The combination of the bacon and leek flavors, along with the cheddar cheese is pretty amazing. 

Zimtsterne | German Christmas Cookies

These zimtsterne cookies are a crispy cinnamon almond cookie shaped into a star for Christmas. 

Zimtsterne | German Christmas Cookies with ties



I have seen several explanations of Zimtsterne (German cinnamon star cookies), the most common being that almonds and cinnamon were very dear in seventeenth century Germany, so these cookies were served only at Christmas as a special treat. 

Dec 1, 2021

Toasted Sesame Seed Crackers

These toasted sesame seed crackers are the perfect little savory appetizer treat. 

Sesame seed crackers stacked.

 


These little coin-shaped crackers are the perfect little nibble with a glass of champagne or sparkling cider. 

Nov 29, 2021

Eggnog Muffins

These eggnog muffins are flavored with the traditional sweet old timey holiday drink. 




I love the flavor of eggnog. It's wonderful for flavoring coffee, for dipping French toast, and, of course, served as a traditional Christmas drink spiked with rum, whiskey, or brandy. 

Nov 28, 2021

Crock Pot Loaded Baked Potatoes

This Crock Pot loaded baked potatoes recipe is a fun way to take your favorite twice-baked potato recipe and turn it into an easy, crowd pleasing, slow cooker casserole. 

Crock Pot Loaded Baked Potatoes with cheese.



These potatoes are loaded with cream cheese, sour cream, Colby Jack cheese, and lots and lots of bacon. They taste just like your favorite twice-baked potatoes, but without the potato skins. 

Nov 27, 2021

Make Ahead Beef Stew

This Make Ahead Beef Stew is so rich and flavorful. The beef is browned and then simmered on the first day, and then refrigerated over night to more fully tenderize the meat. 

Beef stew in bowls.



This make ahead beef stew is rich and flavorful. Plus, instead of chuck roast, the beef is boneless short ribs, my new obsession because they are so "beefy." 

Nov 20, 2021

Cranberry Crackle Tart

This cranberry crackle tart is a delicious combination of sweet meringue and tart fresh cranberries on a sweet cookie crust. 

Cranberry tart slice on a plate.



The tart also had a layer of sour cherry jam (you can use any jam, such as raspberry, blackberry, or strawberry) spread on the sweet pastry crust. This helps keep the cranberry juices from soaking through. 

Nov 19, 2021

Rum Cake with Glazed Pecan Topping

This rum cake with glazed pecan topping is a showstopper dessert that requires very little effort to make. 

Rum cake slice on a plate.



Make this rum cake the next time you are having a few folks over for dinner. Your guests will swoon over the heady aroma of the tender cake and the sweet sticky pecan glaze. 

Stir-Fried Scallops and Broccoli

If you love scallops, be sure to try this scallop and broccoli stir-fry. It's loaded with fresh vegetables and sweet tender scallops. 

Stir-Fried Scallops and Broccoli in bowls.

 



Along with broccoli, this stir fry includes fresh yellow squash, canned baby corn, and snow peas to round out the vegetable goodness. You can prepare it in a wok or, if you don't have a wok, a large skillet. 

Nov 16, 2021

Prosciutto-wrapped Cherry Tomatoes, Mozzarella, and Basil Bites

These prosciutto-wrapped cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil bites are the perfect appetizer when you want to serve something flavorful but easy to prepare. 

Prosciutto-wrapped Cherry Tomatoes, Mozzarella, and Basil.




These cute little appetizers are also super portable, so you can bring them to a potluck or a party without having to do a lot of prep when you get to the party. 

Hällakakor (Soft Scandinavian Flatbread)

Hällakakor is a soft yeasted flatbread from Sweden. It's super easy to make, and can be patterned by rolling it out with specialized rolling pins. 

Hällakakor in a striped towel.



You make these flatbreads decoratively patterned by first rolling them with a grooved rolling pin, and then rolling them with a hard tack pin (one that is carved in a large checkerboard pattern). 

Nov 15, 2021

Homemade Chicken Bone Broth (Instant Pot)

By making this homemade chicken bone broth in the Instant Pot (or any multi-cooker), you can produce this amazing magical ingredient in just an afternoon. 

Homemade Chicken Bone Broth (Instant Pot) in a jar



Chicken bone broth can be used for any recipe that calls for chicken broth or stock. Making it in the Instant Pot or multicooker takes much less time than in the slow cooker or the stove top, plus, you don't have to monitor it at all. 

Nov 12, 2021

Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Cookies

Chocolate peppermint crunch cookies - tasty chocolate cookies filled with mini chocolate chips and topped with crushed peppermint candies and a chocolate glaze. 

Chocolate Peppermint Cookies stacked.

 


These chocolate peppermint crunch cookies are the perfect holiday cookie and would be a great addition to a Christmas cookie tray. 

Nov 10, 2021

Cinnamon Spiral Cookies

These cinnamon spiral cookies are tiny bites of buttery dough laced with sugar and cinnamon and rolled up into cute little tandem spirals. 

Cinnamon Spiral Cookies.



The base for these cinnamon spiral cookies is made with cold butter, cold sour cream, and vanilla. It is mixed together quickly to create a somewhat flakey dough. It's not flakey like pie dough or puff pastry, but you can see a hint of layers, and the cookies kind of pull apart like palmiers. 

Nov 9, 2021

Savory Monkey Bread

You are going to love the "oohs" and "ahs" you receive when you set this savory monkey bread down on the table. 

Monkey bread on a plate.



These little rolls are flavored with a hint of herbs and coated in seeds. They are delicious warm and spread with butter or dipped in your favorite gravy, soup, or stew. 

Nov 8, 2021

Orange-Scented Alfajores

These orange-scented alfajores, sandwich cookies filled with dulce de leche, are so soft that they will almost melt in your mouth. 

Cookies on a plate



What are alfajores?

Allfajores are round sandwich cookies that are filled with dulce de leche and are popular in South America, especially Argentina and Perú, where they are a Christmas tradition. 

Nov 3, 2021

Candied Pecans

These candied pecans are subtly sweet, lightly crunchy, and perfect for salads, cheese and fruit boards, or just for snacking. 

Candied pecans in a jar.

 



All you need are three ingredients, the most important one being gorgeous pecan halves. Other than the pecans, you'll need powdered sugar and oil for frying. 

Oct 31, 2021

Pan de Muerto (Mexican Day of the Dead Bread)

This pan de muerto, or "Bread of the Dead," is a traditional Mexican bread served to honor loved ones who have passed away.

Pan de Muerto (Mexican Day of the Dead Bread) on plates.



This pan de muerto is made with a very buttery brioche-like dough, but sweeter. The resulting bread is super rich, yet very airy and light. 

Oct 30, 2021

Make-Ahead White Whole Wheat Poppyseed Buns

These white whole wheat poppyseed buns are the perfect dinner roll to grace your holiday table. 

Dinner rolls in a basket with a plated roll in front.




I first made these white whole wheat poppyseed buns for Thanksgiving dinner. While I'm an avid bread baker, this was the first time I actually served bread fresh out of the oven for a dinner party while juggling a main course, sides, and all of the other things that go into preparing for company. 

Oct 25, 2021

Peanut Butter Banana Muffins

These peanut butter banana muffins are easy to make and include chopped peanuts and mini chocolate chips in the batter. 

Peanut Butter Banana Muffins on a cake stand.

 

They are topped with a sprinkling of chopped peanuts and sparkling sugar for additional crunch. 

Oct 24, 2021

Sourdough Soft Pretzels

Soft sourdough pretzels are a wonderful bar snack that you can also make at home. 

Soft sourdough pretzels.



Serve these with a German beer and sweet mustard to celebrate Octoberfest. 

Oct 22, 2021

Chili con Carne

This chili is full of chunks of tender beef. If you like super meaty chili, definitely give this one a try. 





This chili is delicious piping hot in a bowl topped with your favorite garnishes, and it would also make a wonderful filling for soft tacos, quesadillas, or burritos. Or serve it with tortillas on the side to sop up all of the delicious sauce. 

Oct 20, 2021

Chocolate Jack Cake

This Chocolate Jack Cake, or Chocolate Whiskey Cake, with both strong coffee and bourbon whiskey in the ingredients, is moist and delicious, like a big round brownie. 

Chocolate jack cake slices



This cake is delicious on its own, and even better topped with sweetened whipped cream. 

Oct 18, 2021

Birria Quesatacos (Instant Pot)

If you love tacos, definitely make these Birria Quesatacos as soon as you can. They are made with the most succulent boneless beef short ribs. 

Fried birria tacos on a plate with consume.



Birria is a a stew that originated in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. It was traditionally made with goat meat and dried chilis stewed low and slow. 

Oct 16, 2021

Sourdough Pumpkin-Shaped Bread

This pumpkin-shaped sourdough loaf is fun to make and looks gorgeous on your fall-themed table. 


 


To get this pumpkin form, you slightly underproof the shaped loaf and then wrap it with string that you tie together at the top of the loaf. 

Slow Cooker Argentina-Style Beef Stew

This Argentina-style beef stew, made in the slow cooker, is loaded with tons of vegetables, and is a beef lover's dream as well. 

Crock Pot Argentina-Style Beef Stew.



This Argentina-style beef stew, made in the Crock Pot, is filled with beefy goodness. After all, Argentina is known for its excellent beef and South America is know for being the birthplace of potatoes, so why not a stew? 

Oct 15, 2021

Chili-Glazed Salmon for Two

This chili-glazed salmon with bok choy is crispy on the outside and perfectly cooked on the inside. 

Chili-Glazed Salmon for Two on a platter




This salmon dinner takes just minutes to make and is the perfect romantic dinner for two. You don't have to spend much time in the kitchen to create this delicious and nutritious dish. 
Oct 14, 2021

Pumpkin Spice Marshmallows

These pumpkin spice marshmallows taste just like a slice of pumpkin pie! 

This post and recipe were created for #HalloweenTreatsWeek! Dixie Crystals Sugar has provided a prize package but as always opinions are 100% mine.

Pumpkin Spice Marshmallows stacked.




These pumpkin spice marshmallows take the flavors of your favorite holiday pie and put them in a sweet, squishy, fluffy, puffy treat. 

Oct 13, 2021

Caramel Apple Cupcakes

These caramel apple cupcakes are perfect little packages for indulging your craving for cake and caramel apples. 

This post and recipe were created for #HalloweenTreatsWeek! Dixie Crystals Sugar has provided a prize package but as always opinions are 100% mine.

Caramel Apple Cupcakes with nuts and candies




This caramel apple cupcake recipe takes one of your favorite Halloween treat traditions and turns it into little bite-sized treats. 

Oct 12, 2021

Pineapple Buns (Bolo Bao)

These pineapple buns are light, soft, and airy. They are a Hong Kong bakery tradition. 

Bolo buns.

 


Oddly enough, pineapple buns do not contain any pineapple! They get their name because of the sweet crust on top of the bun. 

Oct 10, 2021

Peanut Butter Ghost Cookies

 These peanut butter ghost cookies are homemade peanut butter sandwich cookies coated with a vanilla candy coating and accented with mini chocolate chips. 

This post and recipe were created for #HalloweenTreatsWeek! A sponsor has provided a prize package but as always opinions are 100% mine.

Peanut Butter Ghost Cookies with candy coating.



These peanut butter ghost cookies are such a big hit with the kids. The combination of flavors is sweet and peanut-y, and the cookies will remind you of Nutter Butters. 

Oct 5, 2021

Wild Rice and Onion Bread

This wild rice and onion bread is easy to make, and amazingly delicious. 

Wild Rice and Onion Bread slices and half loaf.




I had wanted to make this wild rice and onion bread for a long time. I love the look of the wild rice throughout the bread, and I am crazy about onions in just about anything savory. 

Oct 2, 2021

Ancho Chili Chicken Tacos | Sous Vide Method

These Sous Vide Ancho Chili Chicken Tacos are so spicy and delicious.

Sous vide Ancho Chili Chicken Tacos.




These Sous Vide Ancho Chile Chicken Tacos are filled with tender chicken breasts cooked via the sous vide method in a chili sauce made from ancho chilis, Mexican oregano, garlic, brown sugar, and spices.

Broccoli Pizza with Provolone, Mozzarella, and Pecorino Romano

This broccoli pizza is a wonderful way to get in a full serving of vegetables while enjoying a slice of pizza! 

Broccoli Pizza with Provolone, Mozzarella, and Pecorino Romano sliced.




The crust on this broccoli pizza is really thin and incredibly crisp, and the combination of the cheeses, a garlicky white sauce, and the roasted broccoli is wonderfully flavorful. 

Sep 27, 2021

Whole Wheat and Sunflower Seed Muffins

These whole wheat sunflower seed muffins are spiced with cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. They are sweetened with brown sugar and grated fresh apple. 

Whole Wheat and Sunflower Seed Muffins on a cake stand.



These may look like traditional whole wheat muffins, but with the grated apple, sour cream, and spiced batter, these muffins are anything but. They are a sweet addition to breakfast, a midmorning snack, or afternoon tea, and the addition of salty roasted sesame seeds adds a little bit of crunch. 

Sep 20, 2021

Maple Cake with Maple Frosting

This Maple Cake with Maple Frosting is deeply flavored with dark maple syrup flavor in both the cake and the frosting. 

Maple cake on a cake stand with pecans.



With 3/4 cup of butter and 1/2 cup of maple syrup, the cake is super moist and flavorful. Each layer is topped with a frosting of butter, confectioner's sugar, and maple syrup. 

Air Fryer Croutons

These golden brown and crunchy air fryer croutons are perfect for topping your favorite soups and salads. 

Air fryer croutons in a bowl.



Making homemade croutons in the air fryer couldn't be easier. All you need is some stale bread, some olive oil, and seasonings. 

Sep 19, 2021

Swiss Chard and White Bean Soup with Basil Pesto

This Swiss chard and white bean soup with basil pesto is a quick and easy dish you can put together for a delicious lunch or light and nutritious dinner. 

Swiss chard soup with pesto on top.

 



This soup on it's own is very flavorful, but topping it with a basil and Parmesan pesto takes it to another level. The pesto is a take on French pistou, which does not contain pine nuts (or nuts of any kind), just olive oil, basil, Parmesan, and garlic. 

Sep 18, 2021

Sausage, Vegetable, and Bean Soup

This Crock Pot Sausage, Vegetable, and Bean Soup is loaded with spicy nutritious goodness. 

Sausage, Vegetable, and Bean Soup in bowls.



This soup is pure comfort food and super easy to make. 

Sep 17, 2021

Sweet Tea Panna Cotta

This Sweet Tea Panna Cotta, topped with a sweet lemony sauce, is an easy and elegant make-ahead dessert. 

Sweet Tea Panna Cotta with vanilla bean paste.

 



I received product samples from sponsor companies to aid in the creation of #FallFlavors recipes. All opinions are mine.

To celebrate fall flavors, this tea is flavored with vanilla bean paste and apple cider tea, and topped with a sweet and tart lemon dessert sauce. 

Slow Roasted Salmon with Garlic Butter and Herbs

Roasting salmon filets in a low oven results in a wonderfully tender, super moist, and evenly cooked piece of fish. 


 



Slow roasting salmon is a complete revelation. The fat in the salmon slowly melts while the salmon is baking, and the resulting fish is incredibly moist. This method is the perfect way to avoid dried fish.