Winter Dream Hot Chocolate

by Sally on February 20, 2012 · 3 comments

in Beverages,Dessert,Travel

With the warmth of spring still a ways off, here’s an adult hot chocolate recipe that will warm you to your toes. It doubles as dessert and an after dinner drink all in one. To hot chocolate add Amaretto and Baileys liqueurs, then top with whipped cream and a dusting of nutmeg and chocolate shavings. Like it’s name, it really is a winter dream. [click to continue…]

A dessert that is actually good for you? That would be dark chocolate dipped strawberries. You can indulge and not feel guilty. Chocolate dipped strawberries are the perfect treat for Valentine’s Day or any special occasion. Don’t spend a fortune for fancy berries off the internet; make your own, save a bundle and have fun. [click to continue…]

Pan Roasted Halibut with Lemon Caper Vinagrette

January 29, 2012

Pan-roast halibut filets in a hot non-stick skillet and finish them with a brief steaming in white wine. To finish the dish, make a lemon-parsley-caper vinaigrette to use as a sauce. You’ll have an easy and healthy dinner on the table in a matter of minutes. If you enjoy eating fish but think it’s hard, try this easy technique.

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Mushroom and Herb Pasta Sauce

January 22, 2012

This is an amazing tasting sauce. My absolute favorite pasta sauce. A recipe I thought I’d save for a future cookbook. But it seemed the right thing to share with you now. I’m crazy about mushrooms. For years I have made a mushroom pasta sauce, or mushroom marinara, that uses lots of parsley and other herbs. A staple in my house for years, I used to make double batches and freeze it in jars because we ate it so much. It was always handy for [...]

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Liquid Gold: Homemade Chicken Broth

January 16, 2012

This year, step away from the box – boxed chicken broth, that is. Simmer chicken pieces (or bones) for a few hours with carrot, onion celery and herbs, then strain, cool and freeze. The house will smell heavenly and you will have “liquid gold” in the freezer to use for fantastic soups, stews, risottos and more.

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Healthy Smoothies

January 8, 2012

  Smooth, creamy and bursting with fruit flavor, protein smoothies are an easy to make healthy breakfast option. Another nice thing about smoothies, you can customize them for your nutritional and taste preference. Whirl ingredients together in a blender at high speed and enjoy. If you are in a rush, smoothies are easily transportable. Mine often end up being consumed in the car or at my desk. My favorite flavor is raspberry-banana, but you can use strawberries, mangos, blackberries, blueberries or a combination. Create your personal favorite flavor.

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Homemade Almond Milk

January 1, 2012

Happy New Year! If you have a goal of eating more healthfully this year, here is an easy, healthy recipe for homemade almond milk. It’s a great alternative to cow’s milk in your diet. We use it every morning for our breakfast smoothies. It’s good over cereal, oatmeal, or just for plain drinking. Homemade sure beats the stuff in a box, and it’s simple to make. What isn’t better homemade? It tastes better and is better for you.

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Endive Leaves with Green Goddess Cream

December 27, 2011

Crisp, refreshing and pleasantly bitter, endive leaves make the perfect palette for herbed cream cheese reminiscent of classic Green Goddess salad dressing.  These leaves make an easy, light appetizer for New Year’s Eve and other celebrations accompanied by a glass of Champagne or sparkling wine.

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Golden French Onion Soup

December 19, 2011

A steaming bowl of French onion soup topped with melted Gruyere cheese – classic comfort food and a dinner solution for the craziness of this holiday week. Made ahead, it re-heats beautifully after a busy day of shopping, wrapping and getting ready for Christmas.

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ScanPan CTX Cookware Giveaway!

December 16, 2011

As I mentioned in the recent post, Great Gift Ideas for the Cooks in Your Life, the ScanPan is my favorite non-stick pan for making eggs, omelets and other dishes. The other night I used it to make one of our favorite dinners - seared jumbo sea scallops to top risotto. With the ScanPan CTX, my omelets slide right out and my scallops get a golden crust and don’t stick. I love this pan. It’s the best non-stick I’ve ever used.  Thanks to the nice folks at [...]

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