Do you need to impress someone in your life? Do you need a way to show someone how much you appreciate them? Or do you just need to taste the richest, creamiest, most decadent cheesecake bar you’ve ever imagined? Then you’ve come to the right post. my friend. We don’t eat a lot of sweets…
Strawberry Zuccotto with Vanilla Crème Anglais
This cake is the essence of springtime. Here in LA strawberry season starts in April and the sweet smell permeates the produce section of every market through summer. At just a dollar a pint it’s impossible not to load up every time I go shopping. Even more tempting are the vendors along the Pacific Coast…
Conversation Heart Cakes
Brad and I first started dating two weeks before Valentine’s Day over a decade ago. After our first week together, he asked if I wanted to go out next Saturday. Of course I did! He asked me if I knew what day it was. Of course I did! Even though our relationship was new, we…
Cheesy Pepperoni Garlic Knot Pull-Apart Bread
We made this insanely decadent, buttery, cheesy garlic knot pull apart bread over the holidays so 1) the pictures aren’t quite up to standard since most of our lighting equipment was packed up and 2) the nutritional stats on these aren’t quite up to 2015, post-New Year’s resolution standard. It’s so ridiculously tasty I had…
Homemade Marshmallows: Vanilla, Chocolate and Peppermint
Homemade marshmallows are such a fantastic gift. Inexpensive but incredibly special, I’ve been making them for friends and coworkers the last several years. I set a record this year with 10 batches – 15 pounds – in a weekend. With a little assembly line action I got these down to less than 25 minutes of…
Pumpkin Cranberry Bread
It’s been almost exactly 15 years since I first realized how much I love cooking. My roommates had gone home for Thanksgiving week and I had the place to myself. I spent the time watching the Food network nonstop. One of the recipes I saw during that glorious week was this pumpkin bread. It was…
Apple Sausage Stuffing
If I could eat as much as I wanted of anything I wanted without any health consequences, I’d stuff myself with stuffing. I’ve never had a sweet tooth; my weakness has always been bread. Bread in any form is kryptonite for me but serve it up cooked in butter and herbs and I’m completely powerless…
Cornish Game Hen with Triple Cranberry Sauce
Go Gluten Free magazine asked me to adapt my favorite go-to holiday dish for their gluten-free audience and it was as simple as swapping a tablespoon of flour with cornstarch. I was also so grateful for a chance to update the pictures and simplify the sauce preparation. I don’t know if I’ll ever go back…
Voodoo Shrimp
You’re about to fall victim to some serious voodoo. Prepare to be enthralled by these shrimp. I’ve been having dreams about this sauce. It’s so crazy complex and flavorful I don’t even know how to describe it. Spicy, creamy, and just plain mesmerizing. Pictures will never do it justice. You need to get it in…
Stress-Free Crab Cakes with Roasted Red Pepper Remoulade
Summer is my favorite season. I love hot temperatures, sunshine, girls in dresses, and the smell of sunblock. My absolute favorite thing, though, is the long days. I love how easy it is to wake up in the morning with the sun streaming in and how late we can sit outside enjoying the neighborhood before…
