A Festive, Fun (but easy!) Dessert - Chocolate Obsession Cake

I've been making this delicious chocolate cake for almost as long as I can remember. I'd love to tell you that Chocolate Obsession Cake is it's original name, but I would be telling a lie............. a BIG lie..............

Pork and Chorizo Chili w/ Black Beans and Black-eyed Peas

I'm thinking, after making this delicious chili, that perhaps......... I've finally "arrived"!..............

Granny Smith Apple & Avocado Salsa

Although we had a lovely Christmas and a nice break, it's really fun to be back on the blog again.  I'm so excited to share this fabulous, unique salsa recipe with you...............

Provencal Herb-Garlic Cheese Spread & Merry Christmas Wishes from The Café Sucré Farine !!

A Christmas gift to you, dear friends of The Café ............one of our all-time favorite recipes for a savory yummy treat with a sweet memory...................

Two Appetizers You Want to Have Stashed Away!

I don't know about you, but appetizers are the one thing that I tend to forget about...............

Red Velvet Cupcakes & a Happy Birthday for Lilly!

Lilly's was our Christmas baby, having been born two years ago on the 17th of December .................

A Delicious Dessert Because............. The British are Coming!!!!

The British are coming?...........really?......... well, kind of............ at least to our house.......you see, my daughter and her family are arriving tomorrow from their home in London. While they're all full-fledged, American citizens (ex-pats), they are coming from Britain and we're beyond excited to have them here for the holidays........ so I'll say it one more time "The British are coming!!!!  whooooohooo! ..........

A Guest Blogger ........ with a Fun Recipe - Starbucks Gingerbread Loaves!

You are in for a wonderful treat today! I am featuring guest blogger who is honestly, one of the best cooks I know................

Perfect Glazed Carrots & Cranberries

When my husband asked me what I would be blogging about today, I told him "Perfect Glazed Carrots". He looked at me kind of funny and, being my most honest critic, said "Aren't you being a bit presumptuous, calling them PERFECT carrots?" "Nope", I replied...................

Roasted Garlic and Parsnip Mashed Potatoes

There's nothing better than good old-fashioned mashed potatoes! ....................well, that's what I thought until I took a spoonful of these old-fashioned mashed potatoes with an new-fangled twist!........................

Banana-Pecan Cinnamon Rolls w/ Butterscotch Drizzle

I don't know about you, but it seems like I always have a few past-the-prime bananas hanging out in my fruit bowl.............

Sea-Salted Honey-Maple Shortbreads

Are you still looking for that one special dessert for the holidays?....... Simple yet elegant. Fun but fancy. Make ahead and versatile. Freezable. Throw it together in minutes. Dress it up or down. Great for gift giving. Sure to be a hit with all. Unique......... Are you still looking? I was too until today..............

Claire's Incredible Crackly Chocolate Swirl Cookies - with Mint!

My daughter mentioned to me several years ago that she was thinking of starting a blog. A blog? What in the world is a blog? At that time, thought "blog" was one of the dumbest words I had ever heard............... but look at me now!...............

Three Holiday Must-Have Recipes! Day 3 - Pleine de Surprise Quiche

Pleine de Surprise Quiche - if you speak French you might be thinking "Full of Surprise Quiche?.............. really?" Really! This delicious cheese and egg tart has an interesting surprise  ingredient that you very well probably have never experienced in quiche -  but first a little story.....................

Cranberry-Avocado Salad with Candied Spiced Almonds and Sweet White Balsamic Vinaigrette

Once you try this delicious salad you'll find yourself craving it again and again! It's bright, fresh and beyond versatile .....................

Candied & Spiced Almonds

Over the next three days I'll be sharing a treasure of what I call,  Little Black Dress recipes - versatile and economical, simple and savvy....invaluable on their own and fabulous combined for a Christmas lunch, a family brunch or a fun casual dinner - Oh, and did I mention delicious?............

la Béte Noire - The Black Beast!

The black what?!......... Did you say beast? Yes, that's exactly what I said - it's actually the literal French translation of la Béte Noire............... If you are a chocolate lover you will totally understand why this dessert has such a crazy name; its dark, deep, intense, rich, silky .............. well, just beastly delicious!............. but I'm thinking of renaming this extraordinary dessert.................

Clementine-Cranberry Marmalade

Is anyone out there particular about their marmalade? Well I am! ....................