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.