Simple, Decadent Chocolate Truffles

The holiday season is the perfect time to indulge and I can’t think of a more fitting way to do that than with decadent chocolate.  Now when I say decadent, I mean the quality stuff with at least 90 percent cocoa, because after all we are talking chocolate truffles.  And now is not the time to worry about those extra calories, because it’s Christmas. This recipe for truffles is so easy to make and if you are looking for something...

Roasted Chestnuts – A Fall Treat

Each year from mid to late September my property is blessed with manna from heaven! This is the time of the year when rich, reddish brown beauties, along with their spiny green housing (which are abandoned once they ripen), litter our property waiting to be gathered and stored away for the season. The downside to this fall harvest is the incredible mess that is left behind, however, quickly forgotten once I pull the first batch of roasted chestnuts from the...

What to Do With All Those Apples

It’s apple-picking season! From apple pies to luscious butters, this all-time favorite fruit is how we Americans officially kick off the fall season. And as much as we love apples, the question of what to do with them once we pick or buy them seems to never go away. Each year around this time, my husband and I head out to the country for our annual apple picking to stock up for the winter baking season and begin my fall...

Hearty Thai Seafood Stew

  What I love about my southern upbringing is the appreciation I acquired for all types of wonderful food. From every area of the globe, you name it, if it is good, I will most likely make an attempt to cook it. This recipe for Hearty Thai Seafood Stew is made southern style with loads of crabmeat, shrimp and clams. I also use roasted garlic which adds a richness that takes it beyond its traditional flavors. And although chili paste...

Port Smothered Lamb Chops

If you are a meat-lover but you know you need to limit your intake of red meat, then this recipe is for you.  Lamb, the other red meat, in the form of lamb chops is lean and  a wonderful go- to for a quick and easy meal that will have you in an out of the kitchen in under 30 minutes. This recipe for Port Smothered Lamb Chops is very basic, flavorful and with the addition of a good port,...

Peachy Spicy Grilled Chicken Wings

It’s the middle of summer and if you hurry you can enjoy what is by far one of the best things about this season! My husband and I headed out to Great Country Farms located in Bluemont,Virginia recently with sun hat in hand to pick peaches in preparation for my summertime ritual of making peach butter and other delicacies. I always look forward to this outing because it reminds me of my childhood and the fond memories of watching my...

Honey Lemon Sage Ice Cream Custard

Oh the lazy hazy days of summer… And nothing cools off a hot summer day like the refreshing flavor of ice cream. During this time of the year, my garden is overflowing with sage, which means I get to create delicious new recipes in order to take advantage of the abundance. When most people think of sage, they immediately think of savory dishes such as stuffing at Thanksgiving. However, being the kind of cook who likes to explore the possibilities...

Luscious Coconut, Lemon, Lavender Ice Cream

It’s hot outside and I can’t think of a better excuse to make up a scrumptious batch of coconut, lemon, lavender ice cream. And to make this even more tempting, the garden is bursting with lavender blooms that are beckoning me to come harvest some of their deliciously fragrant florets. The wonderful thing about growing lavender is not only the beauty it lends to the garden but also the many other uses, including adding it to flavorful recipes. This recipe...

Penne w/ Spicy Mushroom Medley

  This recipe is by far one of my favorites when I am in the mood for pasta.  The richness of portobello mushrooms and the mouthwatering flavor of roasted garlic and sweet peppers will have your family begging for seconds.  If you prefer not to use cream, coconut milk makes a great substitute and gives the overall flavor of the dish a tropical richness that lends itself to decadence of the savory kind. ingredients 1 box whole grain penne pasta 1...

Floral Essence Strawberry Muffins

One of the best things about spring is the abundance of fresh, juicy, sweet strawberries.  From salads to desserts, to eating them fresh or, one of my favorites, baking them up in a batch of mouth-watering muffins, strawberries are the hit fruit of the season.  To make it extra special I add  a hint of rose water to tantalize the senses in a way that is sure to bring you pleasure. When I had my bakery, this was by far...

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