Now that I have the attention of the entire state of Minnesota, please allow me to expound.

This is one of the most clever ideas I’ve seen out of the King Arthur Flour Baker’s Circle lately.  (And they’re no creative slouches over at King Arthur.)  In the most recent e-newsletter* from their test kitchen they included [...]

This is the cook’s time of year -the holiday season; the time when we pull out all the stops in our culinary repertoires.  This is when cooks everywhere extend themselves to create the most spectacular and succulent savories and sweets that they can possibly turn out of their kitchen.  It is time to ‘wow’ your [...]

From as far back as I can remember, Christmas Eve was all about snacking–we would have a table loaded down with various cold meats and cheeses, special dark and light rye and pumpernickel breads, my mother’s Christmas punch, lots of chips and crackers with accompanying dips and spreads, and of course, platters of cookies. While [...]

Okay, we’re getting down to the finish line here, and if you are like me, you have found that you have missed a couple of folks you wish to gift, and today is NOT a day you want to spend going shopping. So, you have to take a look at what is left from all [...]

I think this might be a case of saving best for near the last, except that I didn’t know they’d be so dadburned good when I made them last night.  I didn’t even really plan on making them, but I had to play with some coconut I had in the pantry.  My sister’s kids have [...]

They don’t call them quick breads for nothin’!  Here are a couple of recipes I’ve used to great acclaim over the years, and my source for these is my mother–a great baker in her own right.  These two breads in particular have been appreciated as Christmas gifts by my own family, and I just shipped [...]

A jar of vanilla sugar is one of the most underrated and sublime items to keep in your pantry.  A sprinkle on top of cookies or muffins, or in coffee or tea takes something that’s already good and transforms it into something amazing.  If you’re wondering how to procure this ambrosia I have a couple pieces [...]

I remember coming across this recipe years ago–it was an instant hit then, and its been the same in all the years I’ve shared it since. These creamy, buttery mints are easy to put together, store well, and make a lot, so there is plenty to share. I usually make a double batch at a [...]

Have you seen ‘Merry Christmas, Mr. Bean’?  I love Mr. Bean.  If I weren’t married to the suave and debonair Evil Genius I might have a crush on Mr. Bean.  I’m just that kind of dork.  And one of my favorite Mr. Bean lines ever comes from this , my favorite,  episode.   Can someone please [...]

Only have a few minutes in between things to do today, but I thought I would pop this in–makes a nice quick hot appetizer for unexpected company, and a nice gift for friends who might like this kind of dish. As a gift, pack the spread into a jar or place it in an appropriate [...]