Fruit and Granola Tart #BrunchWeek

This beautiful tart is perfect for brunch.  The crust can be made up to two days in advance, and it only takes minutes to fill and top it for serving.

Welcome to Day 2 of Brunch Week.......

I is for Italian Ice

Italy's version of a sno-cone is made with real fruit instead of just flavoring the ice with colored syrup.  It is a delightful, healthy treat.

I is for Italian Ice.....

BLT Eggs Benny #BrunchWeek

Candied Bacon, Spicy Arugula, Acidic Tomato, Savory Egg, and Bright Hollondaise for an explosion of flavors and textures in each bite.

It's time for Brunch Week 2025.......

Caramel Apple Tea Rub for Pork #SundayFunday

Boneless pork chops are seasoned with a caramel tea rub, pan-fried, and topped with sautéed apples.  This rub is very versatile and can be amended for use on any amount and/or cut of pork you desire.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are having a Tea Party......

Marinated Bean Salad, A Movie Review, and The Weekly Menu including Easter

This quick and easy salad, inspired by the Netflix Original Movie The Life List, goes together in a flash, starting with purchased marinated bean salad.

Shrimp Dip #SundayFunday

I had some leftover shrimp in my refrigerator.  There was not enough to make a meal or to put out as shrimp cocktail, so I made this dip as an appetizer for a family gathering.  It was a huge hit.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are sharing Seafood recipes today......

Two Italian Dinners, Two Wines from the Italian Alps, and a Book Review #ItalianFWT

The Italian Food Wine and Travel bloggers are visiting the Italian Alps today.  I have two wines from grapes grown in this area and two dishes that pay homage to the towns in the area.

I will start with a dish commonly found in the Alto Adige area that I served with a wine made in the USA with grapes imported from the foothills of the Italian Alps.

Sourdough Sandwich Bread and the Weekly Menu #LitHappens

This Sourdough Sandwich Bread is simple to make, but it does require an overnight rise so you need to plan ahead.

I was inspired to bake this bread while reading The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek.

Oka a'i #EattheWorld

This delicious tuna ceviche is a popular Samoan dish.  Make sure you use sushi-grade tuna and give yourself an hour or so before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

We are traveling to Samoa today as we Eat the World.......

H is for Hamburger

Lean Hamburger meat stir-fried with red peppers, carrots, jalapenos, and scallions in a savory, flavorful Thai-inspired sauce, served over steamed white rice and topped with a perfectly fried egg.

H is for Hamburger......

Carrot and Thyme Sourdough Boule #BreadBakers

A Rustic Sourdough Boule flavored with Shredded Carrots and Thyme is the perfect addition to your Easter Feast.

It's time for the Bread Bakers.........

Smoked Salmon Dip and a Book Review #SundayFunday

I love serving brunch buffets when celebrating with a large group of people.  I like having an assortment of dishes to offer my guests.  This smoked salmon dip is a perfect addition to the buffet.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are serving up Brunch today......

Anchovy Pesto Toast and the Weekly Menu #CooktheBooks

Pesto and Anchovies are combined and placed onto sourdough bread, sprinkled with Mozzarella and toasted before being finished under the broiler. 

I was inspired to make this dish after reading The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club by Helen Simonson.

Apple Corn Muffins #MuffinMonday

Savory Corn Muffins studded with bits of fresh apple.  These muffins were perfect with pan-fried pork chops topped with sauteed apples.

It's time for Muffin Monday.......

Grilled Cheese and Avocado Sandwich #SundayFunday

Three types of cheese and creamy avocado stuffed between two thick slices of buttered bread and grilled to ooey, gooey perfection.  Perfect for Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch or a light Dinner.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are sharing Grilled Cheese Sandwiches today.....

Pasta Portofino, A Book Review, and the Weekly Menu

I had almost forgotten about the Dan Armstrong/Oscar Cozy Mysteries until my friend Cam posted a review of 3 books of the series, reminding me that I had fallen behind.  So I ordered Murder in Portofino, the 8th in the series, published in August 2024.

Mixed Berry Lemon Loaf #SpringSweetsWeek

Delightful Lemon Loaf studded with three types of berries and topped with a delicious crumble.  This loaf is perfect for all your springtime celebrations.

Today is the final day of Spring Sweets Week......

G is for Garlic

Skinless, bone in chicken thighs, cooked in a garlic and honey sauce that reduces to a wonderful, sticky glaze.

G is for Garlic.........

Nutella Stuffed Crescent Rolls #SpringSweetsWeek

Looking for a quick and easy pastry for your Easter or Mother's Day Brunch?  Look no further than these no muss, no fuss stuffed Crescent Rolls, requiring only 2 ingredients and 15 minutes.

Welcome to Day 2 of Spring Sweets Week.....

Irish Apple Cake #SpringSweetsWeek

I served this Irish Apple Cake as dessert on St. Patrick's Day but it is a delicious dessert that is perfect for anytime.  Dense, yet moist, stuffed with apple slices and served with a creamy, custard sauce it is a little taste of heaven.

Welcome to Spring Sweets Week......

Greek Lamb Meatballs #SundayFunday

Flavored with Feta cheese and fresh mint, these tender lamb meatballs can be browned on the stovetop and then transferred to a slow cooker to finish cooking in a savory sauce.  Perfect for a large gathering when you want a make-ahead meal.

The Sunday Funday bloggers are sharing lamb recipes today.....

Garlic Butter Salmon and the Weekly Menu

Welcome to Fish Friday, Lenten edition.  Fish Fridays are a constant struggle for me.  My husband likes fish, fried.  He will eat shrimp occasionally, but also prefers it fried.  He will eat scallops once in a blue moon.  He will eat calamari, fried, of course.

So I am constantly looking for fish/seafood recipes that he would like that are a little healthier than the fried foods he prefers.

Orange Blossom Cocktail #Movies and Munchies

This cocktail made with freshly squeezed orange juice,  flavorful gin, and a touch of sweet grenadine syrup is the perfect way to welcome in the Spring.

I was inspired to make this cocktail after watching Wild Mountain Thyme, our Movies and Munchies film for this month.....

Easy Pretzel Ring with Beer Cheese Dip #SundayFunday

This is a super simple way to make pretzels starting with refrigerated biscuit dough.  Make a ring of dough in a cast iron skillet.  Fill the inside with beer cheese.  Bake and serve in the same pan.  So easy and so good.  

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are celebrating St. Patrick's Day.......

Grilled Gruyere and Sweet Onion Sandwich, a Book Review, and the Weekly Menu

I am nearly to the end of the Gamache series written thus far.  Today I am reviewing the 18th in the series, A World of Curiosities.

This book was written in 2022.  There are two more currently available, released in 2024 and 2025.  I look forward to those.

F is for Farro

This colorful, nutritious, and tasty bowl is a perfect Lenten meal.  It is meatless yet hearty and filling with fiber from the Farro, protein from the beans, and vitamins and antioxidants from the vegetables.

F is for Farro........

Swiss Onion Rye Batard #BreadBakers

Delicious, hearty rye bread stuffed with sweet onions and Swiss cheese.  This recipe makes one large Batard or two smaller loaves.

Welcome to the March 2025 edition of Bread Bakers......

Roasted Eggplant Salad #EattheWorld

Roasted Eggplant mixed with diced tomatoes and red onion is a perfect addition to your grazing board.  Schmear it onto crostini, fresh sliced baguette, or crackers and enjoy.

We are traveling to Moldova as we Eat the World......

Panera Copycat Turkey Chili #SundayFunday

This delicious soup is nutritious, filled with lean turkey and tons of veggies.  It is also gluten and dairy-free as is the version offered at Panera Restaurant.  This is my adaptation of their recipe.

Amy of  Amy's Cooking Adventures invited the Sunday Funday Bloggers to share Fast Food Copycat Recipes.......

Nutella Hot Chocolate , A Book Review, and the Weekly Menu

I just finished reading The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods.  It is a fantastical tale of parallel worlds in which a bookshop is the catalyst between the 1920s and modern day.

Celebrating Women in Wine with Delta Airlines #WinePW

 We were traveling to Maui from LA last month.  Our flight was very early and we had been up for a few hours when the food and beverage service began.  I asked for an orange juice and a sparkling wine so I could enjoy a Mimosa with my Biscoff Cookies.

Swedish Meatballs~~Recipe Redo #SundayFunday

Beef and Pork combined with spices to make tender, juicy meatballs in a savory gravy.  I like to serve mine over egg noodles but they are just as delicious over mashed potatoes if that is your preference.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are sharing Meatball recipes today......

Brioche French Toast Casserole, A Book Review and The Weekly Menu

Buttery egg bread soaked in custard, studded with raspberries and almonds, sprinkled with brown sugar, and baked to warm, toasty perfection.

I was inspired to make this delicious dish while after reading The Madness of Crowds by Louise Penny......

E is for Escargot

This is not a beautiful dish but it is delicious and much easier than trying to serve the snails in shells.  Serve them with a crusty baguette to soak up all the delicious buttery, herb, sauce.

E is for Escargot.....

Small Batch Sourdough Muffins studded with Chocolate Caramel #MuffinMonday

These tasty little muffins are made with sourdough and chocolate-covered caramels left from Valentine's Day.  Since I was using Valentine's candy I decided to use my heart-shaped silicone muffin pan.

It's Muffin Monday.......

VORP #SundayFunday

What the heck is VORP you ask?  Well, we have all heard of GORP the synonym for Trail Mix, VORP is my version using leftover Valentine's Day Candy as one of the key ingredients.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are sharing recipes to help you use up that Leftover Valentine's Day candy sitting in your pantry.

Supremes De Volaille Aux Champignons, the Weekly Menu and A Book Review

Tender, boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a savory mushroom sauce.  Easy to make and elegant to serve.

I was inspired to make this iconic recipe from Julia Child after reading A Murder Most French.....

Hamburger Hotdish and a Book Review #LitHappens

This quick and easy casserole was a favorite when I was young.  I forgot all about it until I was reading The Five Wishes of Mr. Murray McBride in which this dish was served up for dinner one evening.

Vegetable Enchilada Casserole #SundayFunday

Fresh vegetables, roasted and then layered with corn tortillas, salsa, and cheese for a hearty, meatless casserole that will please even the most stubborn carnivores.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are sharing Fresh Ideas Using Vegetables this week....

Shrimp Pad Thai, The Weekly Menu and a Book Review

This quick dinner is perfect for those days when you walk in the door, starving, but have forgotten to take anything out for dinner.  

You will have made and eaten this dish in less time than it would take to phone and have it delivered. 

D is for Dates

This savory dish has a touch of sweetness from the dates tamed down by the tartness of vinegar.  It is not a beautiful dish but it is an amazingly delicious dish that is ready in less than an hour.

It's time for the letter "D" in the 2025 Alphabet Challenge......

Brioche #BreadBakers

Delicious, tender, buttery, egg bread that takes very little hands-on time, with all the kneading done using your stand mixer and dough hook.  Start this bread the day before as it requires a night in the refrigerator.

The Bread Bakers are sharing French bread recipes in honor of Valentine's Day....

Chile Garlic Oil Noodles #EattheWorld

This Meatless Noodle dish from Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, reminds me of an Asian version of the more familiar,  Pasta Aglio e Olio.

We are visiting Myanmar this month as we Eat the World.....

Cheesy Crockpot Tater Tots #SundayFunday

 I was going to make cheesy potatoes one night for dinner but when I went into the freezer to grab the frozen hashbrowns I normally use I discovered I was completely out.  However, I did have a huge bag of tater tots and thought potayto, potahto....why not?

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are sharing potato recipes today......

Preparing for a Multi-Celebratory Family Dinner and the Weekly Menu

Our eldest son, Chuck, is on his way home form Virginia.  It has been 4 years since he has been home and we are celebrating.

Razzles for Breakfast #MoviesandMunchies

This month's pick for our Movies and Munchies group was 13 Going On 30, chosen by Camilla of Culinary Cam.

A Sauvignon Gris from Bordeaux paired with a Chicken Stew from Zambia #Winophiles

When I purchased this bottle of Sauvignon Gris from Bordeaux, I had intended to pair it with the Crispy Salmon and Lentils that I made as our Welcome Home dinner on Friday.

Dark Chocolate Filled Crepes and a Book Review

Tender Crepes filled with store-bought hot fudge sauce, topped with ice cream and drizzled with additional hot fudge.  An easy and impressive dessert.

I was inspired to make these crepes after reading All The Devils Are Here......

Roasted Vegetable Crepes #SundayFunday

Tender Crepes enfold savory roasted vegetables and creamy cheese, topped with a Red Pepper Coulis.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are celebrating Candlemas today......

A Welcome Home Dinner courtesy of Ina Garten and the Weekly Menu #CooktheBooks

Tender French (green) Lentils sauteed with fragrant vegetables and topped with Crispy, Oven-Roasted Salmon Fillet.