by TT on February 1st, 2012 | Desserts, Recipes
While it may seem silly to be planning your Valentine's Day menu so much in advance of the day, there are some definite benefits. First, there's no need for last minute panic and shopping. Second, you have the opportunity to try the recipe before the actual day, so that you are able to perfect it. Third, if you make a sample round of the dessert, you get to eat an extra dessert!
This week's dessert idea is a wonderful combination of wine, pears, almonds, and mascarpone. Not only is it a delicious dessert, but it also has a beautiful presentation.
by TT on January 30th, 2012 | Soups & Stews
Having one person that is vegetarian in our house doesn't make meal planning difficult, usually. When there are four or more of us for dinner, I simply substitute the meat item with a non-meat protein, and everyone is happy. In fact, quite often I make two of the non-meat protein, as I enjoy a good number of vegetarian items.
The tricky times are when there are only three of us dining. It feels more cumbersome to make two different entrées for a party that small. Our of deference to our vegetarian, I make a meal that is vegetarian and (hopefully)
by TT on January 18th, 2012 | Desserts, Recipes
If I asked you what food you think of when I say Valentine's Day, I would be willing to guess that most people would respond, "Chocolate." Although I am not an adoring fan of that addictive treat, I appreciate that most people, such as my children, are. So, what better way would there be to continue our Valentine's Day series than with a second chocolate treat?
This week's recipe comes to us courtesy of
Chef Greg DeMichiel, who has been featured on WE TV's
My Fair Wedding and VH1's
Famous Food. With his recipe for Flourless Chocolate Cake you will
by TT on January 16th, 2012 | Breakfast Dishes, Recipes
My husband and I went to a fabulous winter farmer's market this past Saturday. Both the quantity and quality of products available were amazing. In addition to typical items, such as chicken eggs and root vegetables, there were veal, lamb, goat, ducks, pâté, lobsters, mushrooms, and greens. Being a bigger market, there were more cheeses and baked goods available than usual.
Obviously, visiting this farmer's market was quite a treat for us. Not only did we get to make some great purchases and sample some yummy tidbits, but we also found sources for illusive items, such as homemade sausage and
by TT on August 30th, 2007 | Desserts, Recipes
My best friend, in an attempt to keep me up to date with current events, sent an email to me a few weeks ago. In this email she let me know that today, August 30th, is Toasted Marshmallow Day. To me, it seems like the perfect day for this holiday. It's the end of summer, the temperature has soared into the upper 80s with lots of humidity, and a cookout with marshmallows is what is needed.
If you choose to celebrate this fine holiday and disregard your care of your
dental implants, there are many options. You could go simple
by TT on August 27th, 2007 | Breakfast Dishes, Healthy Cooking, Recipes
With the week of vacation ending, a healthy diet is required. Too many mornings of full breakfasts and too many nights of large dinners have encouraged me to return to my usual healthy eating.
Never having been a person who is able to skip meals, I always eat breakfast. Sometimes it is simply a bowl of cereal, but quite often I crave something different. It needs to be something easy to make, filling, and not calorie-laden. A favorite choice of mine is a breakfast wrap.
I find breakfast wraps to be a perfect breakfast choice. I can use an assortment of ingredients
by TT on August 24th, 2007 | Recipes, Salads
My family and I have spent the past week on vacation in the Mid-Atlantic states. We have been to the beach several times and enjoyed the usual beach fare: french fries, ice cream, Italian ice water, caramel corn. Travelling by car with four children, there also have been numerous stops at fast food restaurants for pizza, fried chicken, and more french fries.
The vacation has been a success, except for the weather. Though when you are somewhere between the ages of six and eleven, overcast skies and chilly temperatures don't stop you from jumping in the waves
by TT on August 23rd, 2007 | Desserts, Recipes
Fondue is one of my favorite dishes to make. Of course, if I make a cheese fondue, it's not very popular with the kids. That is saved for a grown-ups only night. A bottle of wine, a plate of veggies and bread, there's not much more that we need.
When it's the kids' turn for fondue, I switch to dessert. How can you go wrong with a pot full of melted chocolate? It's a favorite with all of the kids, but my nine year old, Sam, is my faithful assistant. She has always loved to cook with me, no matter what the
by TT on August 10th, 2007 | Appetizers, Recipes
Recently, there was a merging of two families, expanding my household from two to four children. At the initial meeting of the four children, I decided a little cooking might be a good ice breaker for the girls. Plus, a fun snack in the middle of the afternoon would work for all six of us.
I wanted to make something that would require very little grown-up interference. I also wanted the recipe to allow for multiple hands assisting in the process. Breadsticks seemed to be the obvious choice. Rolling out the dough is shared easily, as it takes a bit of
