I got this recipe from Allrecipes a few years ago when I was planning a brunch after my son was born. I love it because it makes two pies, so you can either feed a crowd, make one for your family and take the other pie to someone else (it makes a great post-baby dinner… Read Post

Let’s cut the fat. I don’t expect a million (or even any!) comments on this post, and some of you may wonder why I’m dedicating a day to the subject, and are frowning because there’s not a fun new recipe up, but properly cutting in butter or shortening is crucial in making crusts, pastries, biscuits and… Read Post

The public has spoken–faux rotisserie chicken it is! Don’t worry, my little pretties, we’ll have Texas Sheet Cake soon. So I’ll admit that one of my greatest fears in life is raw poultry; it all stems back to my mom telling me not to put my toothbrush on the bathroom counter when I was little… Read Post

Whew! It’s been quite a week; all this virtual party-throwing has made me tired. Luckily, I have a whole lot of food and a DVR with The Office, Lost, 30 Rock, and Grey’s Anatomy on it. I’d better hurry and eat it all before my husband comes home from his business trip. So the last… Read Post

This is my most favorite drink. Ever. Maybe I’d feel differently if I drank (as in alcohol), but there is nothing I love more than a warm, breezy afternoon and a pitcher of Brazilian lemonade. I didn’t try it for a long, long time because I was very put off by putting sweetened condensed milk… Read Post

Don’t run away! Cream puffs are super easy! You, too can make pastries! The very best part (well, aside from eating them) is that you can totally customize how big your cream puffs are and you can even make giant shells and use them to hold chicken or tuna salad and totally win friends and… Read Post

This is super-simple, but it’s always handy to have on hand; let’s say I’ve seen chocolate dipping go horribly wrong when people use butter or margarine instead of shortening or cooking oil! You can dip fruit, graham crackers, marshmallows, cream puffs, or your finger in this chocolate and it will maintain a nice, smooth consistency…. Read Post

Guacamole is something that you don’t really need a recipe for. In fact, I’ve never in my life actually measured anything out when making it, and it’s really best to do it to taste but I realize that instructions like “add a little of this and a little of that” don’t work for everyone so… Read Post

Hate measuring out honey, corn syrup, and other sticky substances? Here’s a hint: spray your measuring device with a coat of non-stick spray before you measure whatever you need and it will slide right out, mostly mess-free. And now you know.

I’ve had Monte Cristos on several occasions in my life; nearly all of them while at some eating establishment with the word “diner” in the title and where someone says “You’ve got to try their Monte Cristo”.It never occurred to me to try these at home until my friend Dawn, who is a great cook,… Read Post

Okay, I’m throwing Sara a fast one because this is not what was planned for today. But I’ve come to realize that Johnny’s garlic bread seasoning isn’t available everywhere. This week, I have literally checked out every store in my area that supposedly carries Johnny’s and no one has it. And as much as I… Read Post