Baked Egg Nog French Toast

I’ve come to realize there are two reasons why my mom enjoys my visits to northern Michigan. The first is to provide the opportunity to see her ridiculously clumsy son do something that’s uncontrollably laughable. Like the time I collided into a tree that mysteriously jumped in front of me while walking on the sidewalk. [...]

Arugula Salad with Blue Cheese & Apples

Living on potato chips and Red Bull for the past two weeks was a real challenge. Balanced between my usual hectic holiday activities, I worked hard, and well into the late night hours, to finish projects for three graduate classes this semester. Now that everything is completed and grades are officially posted, preparing real food [...]

Apple-Cranberry Panko Crisp

I arrived home after a long day of activities to be greeted by a package on my doorstep. The box, measuring 24”X24”, contained a wide assortment of products from my friends at Kikkoman. We had such a blast last year hosting a Tasty Turkey Party and they asked if I was interested in testing a [...]

Spiced Rum Vanilla Extract

Baking cookies has always been a guilty pleasure for me. The first recipe I ever created was a monstrous cookie adapted from three distinct recipes. Even as an adult, I have a well-practiced system that ensures perfection each and every time. However, there is one special ingredient that makes my cookies even more unique than [...]

French Toast with Maple-Apple Compote

I’m a huge fan of a hearty breakfast on the weekends. By the time I wake up though, it’s late enough to be counted as brunch. Sophie woke me up early over the holiday weekend to go outside for private moment in the bushes. The extra time gave me a chance to whip up a [...]

2010 Holiday Dinner Highlights

Both Brent and my families are spread throughout the country which makes it difficult for everyone to connect over the holiday season. Instead of repeating the same approach I took over Thanksgiving where I ended up with an entire day spent in the kitchen and a massive amount of leftovers, I opted to cook a [...]

Classic Deviled Eggs

I attended a fancy fundraiser dinner a couple of years ago for a local charity I support. It was the type of event where I was required to slip into my pinstriped suit and perfect tie that complemented my chocolate brown eyes. Somewhere between the silent auction and Bohemian dance troupe, white-gloved servers passed trays [...]

Mini Brie Popovers

A vision of hosting a wine and cheese party sometime over the holidays has been dancing in my head recently. With a small gathering of guests bringing their favorite varieties, it’s a perfect way to try different wines while being surrounded by the warmth of the season. Of course, a wine and cheese party wouldn’t [...]

Kikkoman Tasty Turkey Party

Votive candles in small jelly jars reflected a twinkling glow along the walkway as my 12 guests arrived with monstrous appetites. It was an evening of foodie excitement that was sure to be full of tasty turkey, good conversation and a whole lot of wine. Many of my friends typically celebrate Thanksgiving with their families. [...]

Super Rich No Bake Bites

I’m the type of person who will go to the market to pick up a gallon of milk and end up with a trunk full of groceries. This tends to happen more often than you might think. Don’t laugh. I’m sure you have found yourself impulsively buying goodies because they were “buy one, get one [...]

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