Blueberry Chai Spice Crunch Pie I know you’re probably thinking chai spice in a blueberry pie? Hear me out- it’s the magical blend of the spice’s cinnamon, ginger, clove, cardamom, black and white pepper that come together in just the perfect amounts that make this amazing blend. I use this spice blend in my chai…
Lemon Bar Macarons
It’s lemon season here in Arizona and my ginormous lemon tree is busting with lemons. It’s one of my favorite times of year as I not only cook with lemons, but bake all sorts of lemon desserts. I married both of my two favorite desserts; the macaron and a lemon bar. These might be my…
Chinese New Year Fortune Cookies
You’ll never know the importance of Lunar New Year unless you are Asian or married to one. Mine is obviously the second reason. It’s amazing though how accurate Chinese astrology animals match up with personality traits. I’m a rabbit and I can say that it does line up with the character of my spirit. My…
Lazy days…and Happy New Year.
I’ve been absent fora bit, due to my computer died several weeks ago, and with several projects going on in the house, a bit of a bathroom renovation (I got a new walk in whirlpool tub- as I am physically disabled) and it was an insurance battle to get that done. (Thank you Jesus). My…
The Homer Project. (My Sourdough Starter)
A few years ago I became obsessed with making sourdough bread. I started reading anything and everything I could get my little hands on about the sour. I lived in San Francisco for a little over 14 years, and the sour was calling me. Like for real, screaming at me Holla girl, holla back. Back…
Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins
Just like the ‘You know who’ coffee shop without having to get dressed, because muffins taste way better in your robe and slippers. It’s a fact… So, are we tired of pumpkin treats yet? Nope. Can’t stop, won’t stop. At least for a while, or until Christmas, or my cravings start for everything peppermint candy…
Pumpkin Cannoli with Recipe for Homemade Ricotta Cheese
Last year I attempted to make a pumpkin cannoli but my filling was too loose even with straining my ricotta cheese it wasn’t as thick as I wanted, so I took to the web looking at recipes for classic cannoli’s to see why. I found several Italian peeps saying the trick was to make your…
Snickers Chocolate Cake
People laugh at me when I say I make my own Birthday Cake, but it’s something I love doing, and have done for several years now. There’s a certain calmness knowing you don’t have to worry about if the decoration is perfect, or the flavor is not something someone else doesn’t quite like, because well;…
Passionfruit Cheesecake
I never knew what passionfruit was until pastry school. Ever since, I have been obsessed with the flavor and love it immensely. It’s something that is hard to describe; but I’ll try. It is tangy, sharp but a pleasant floral fruity taste. If you are a lemon or citrus lover you will like passionfruit. If…
Black Forest Cream Puffs
I feel like cream puffs don’t get as much love as they should. Their first cousin the eclair does, but not sure why the simple and understated cream puff does not. I’m about to change that; or a least try with this elegant recipe that uses the fresh harvest of cherries that are in stores…
Easter Milk Chocolate Malt Cadbury Macarons
Do you know how therapeutic it is crushing candy into tiny pieces after a mind bending day at work? Yeah. Therapeutic, I’m here to tell ya. I normally don’t buy Cadbury during other times of the year; although their chocolate is amazing. There’s something about these tiny little eggs that dare you to…
Peppermint Candy Cane Macarons
Okay, I have a confession- I still have leftover candy canes from last year. I mean, it’s not like they go bad…. Put them in a food processor or plastic bag and smash them into small pieces and get baking. I’m part of a monthly book club/potluck and I’m asked often to bring macarons….
Blood Orange Poppy Seed Loaf
Lets face it-there are certain fruits or foods which given their name do not exactly evoke a tasty image. Case in point, the blood orange. I mean….how could one get excited over something with the word blood in it if you’re going to be shoving it in your mouth? Well, these little beauties lend the…
Rose Macarons
Do you love rose flavored treats? I do. What better way to celebrate Valentines day than having a rose flavored treat. I was so inspired I even treated myself and picked up some pretty pink roses. I just love sneaking in a little rose water with different desserts when possible. Try it in blueberry pie…
Pumpkin Spice Whoopie Pies
I must admit- I’ve never really been into whoopie pies until last year when I made my first batch. I suddenly occurred to me that you know that trick everybody does where they take their cupcake and tear off the bottom and place it on top of the frosting to create a sandwich? well…it’s kind…
Lemon-Vanilla Cake (Speckled Easter Egg Cake)
I haven’t made a layer cake in a while, but for some reason I was feeling it. My lemon tree is dropping lemons like grenades every four seconds right now as it’s time for the ol’ tree to shed all of it’s lemons, so after making what seemed like endless pitchers of lemonade, I decided a…
Red Velvet Brownies with White Chocolate Cream Cheese Icing
Happy Valentines Day. Do you know where your sweet tooth is? That’s right- it’s still in the same place you left it, no-not at the dentist’s office-but right in the back of your mouth. Your mouth is calling for something red and sweet. It’s okay, you are allowed to indulge today-no need to feel guilty. Your…
Peppermint Marshmallows
Some treats evoke a sense of cozy. Marshmallows are cozy. Fluffy, soft, sweet- what’s not to like. This is the season of joyful and cozy eating and indulging. Just go with it. Forget the diet for now. Just once in your life you need to make homemade marshmallows. I think Christmas time is the perfect…
Hatch Green Chili & Cheese Quiche
You can see how flaky this crust is…it’s divine. Are you a spice girl? Or spice dude? I am. I love spice, and I love green chili. I was fortunate to live in New Mexico for 4 months-years ago- during the [Hot Damn!] part of Summer. The silver lining of triple digit summer heat? being able to buy…
Jamaican Meat Pies
Several years ago I went on a Caribbean cruise with a stop in Jamaica. It was a quick stop and I really, really, really, wanted to go on this agricultural tour, so I signed up since I’m a total geek when it comes to things like that (I love anything that involves a working plantation where…
Mini Rose Cupcakes With Sugared Rose Petals
This is my new favorite way to bake mini cupcakes-in “party cups”. The cake does not stick and they push right out- no peeling of paper needed. Perfect for a party! I was in one of those girly, pretty in pink kind of moods today, so decided to make mini rose cupcakes. You can pair the…
Strawberry-Lavender Valentine Hearts
In honor of upcoming Valentines Day- I decided to post a few (or many) thoughts about love- with a side of cookie. Love is complicated. Love is necessary. Love is food. Love is a kiss. Love is making the time. Love is communication. Love is admitting you screwed up. Love is taking care of someone. Love is not…
S’more Martini
Do you ever go blank when your waitress or waiter ask you what do you want to drink? You KNOW you want a cocktail; but you want something different or something fun and special. I love it when restaurants or bars carry a specialty drink list-and especially if they include a picture of the cocktail!…
Happy Chinese New Year 2013: Taiwanese Pineapple Cakes
Happy Chinese New Year 2013 to all my Asian friends, and especially my Taiwanese husband, and family! I’ve always wanted to make these, so this year I finally gave it a shot. Taiwanese pineapple cakes are really more like a cookie, but they are usually referred to as cakes. Some people also refer to them as…
Mini Raspberry-Vanilla Bean Cheesecakes
In the late summer of 1998 I moved to San Francisco from New Mexico. I had been living in the “Land of Enchantment” for a short time when I was a traveling Nurse. I still remember the long drive through the central valley of California on my way to San Francisco and seeing all the fresh…
Raspberry Tart with Passion Fruit Cream
A Tale of Two Tarts… I love, love, love Raspberry season! One of my favorite summer desserts is a simple raspberry tart. You can be creative and make all kinds of fillings. Standard pastry cream, mascarpone cream, 50/50 mixture of pastry cream and lemon curd, or one of my favorites white chocolate pastry cream. This time…
