Empanadas with Sweet Potato, Beans and Goat Cheese

These Empanadas with Sweet Potato, Beans and Goat Cheese came about when I was challenged to make empanadas for a friend. I was a little daunted, so of course I did a lot of research. While empanadas vary widely in terms of what’s in them and how they’re made and cooked (depending on who’s making […]

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Challah French Toast

What’s the big deal with Challah French Toast? Why would I be so specific about the bread? There are few breads better suited to French toast than challah. It’s tender and rich and super willing to hold lots and lots of egg batter. To made it extra special, I load my batter with orange zest […]

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Cherry Lime Scones, Heart-shaped for Valentine’s

Cherry Lime Scones, Heart-shaped for Valentine’s are a big deal in our house. I’m not the earliest of risers, and Marc eats breakfast immediately upon waking, so cooking brunch or breakfast for him is a rare thing. It’s really a guests thing. Complicating matters, Marc’s favorite meal of the day is breakfast. So, the best […]

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Grilled Havarti Dill Cheese and Tomato on Pumpernickle Rye

If I offer you a grilled cheese, chances are good that a Grilled Havarti Dill Cheese and Tomato on Pumpernickle Rye is what will wind up on your plate. I just call it, “Regular” Grilled Cheese. This fact has caused plenty of teasing over the years, and I have a book of grilled cheese recipes to […]

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Tamale Dough

I’m no tamale expert, unless you count eating them, but last year I adopted the tradition of making tamales for Christmas using Anna Zepaltas recipe (I really liked hers because it used part butter and part lard, rather than the traditional all lard. I think the flavor makes a superior tamale dough). I had never […]

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Danish Puffs

The second almond dessert of the week, as promised: Danish Puffs. The flaky crust, the custardy egg puff that is pâte à choux, the buttery sweet almond frosting, the crunchy almonds… such an amazing complement. My mom, sister and I used to make these on Christmas Eve and then we frosted them Christmas morning, while […]

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Happy Birthday Eggs Benedict

I wouldn’t do it often, especially for myself, but there’s no better way to say “I love you” and “Happy Birthday” than brunch. And brunch doesn’t get much better than Eggs Benedict. So today, instead of cake, I made myself what I really wanted: Happy Birthday Eggs Benedict. And I even made some spinach to […]

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English Muffins

Let me start out by saying that there’s absolutely nothing wrong with store bought English muffins. I highly recommend the Bay’s brand and use them 99% of the time. That said, it’s my birthday today, and I’m making Eggs Benedict. So I went all in and made the English Muffins too. It’s cold and snowy and […]

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Cornbread Stuffing with Cotija, Figs and Sage

When I set myself upon a Mexican menu, I knew that all of those cornbread stuffing recipes I’d seen over the years would finally have their day in my Cornbread Stuffing with Cotija, Figs and Sage. I started with a favorite cornbread recipe and subbed sage for rosemary to make it a little more Thanksgiving […]

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Pastry Dough for a Two-crust 9-inch Pie

I’ve been making this Pastry Dough for a Two-crust 9-inch Pie (from Fannie Farmer) FOREVER. There are lots of great pastry doughs out there, and you should definitely know a few, but if you’re only going to learn one, it should probably be this Pastry Dough for a Two-crust 9-inch Pie. It’s great for pies, quiche, […]

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Rosemary Potato Rolls

These Rosemary Potato Rolls come from a King Arthur Flour recipe. They’re really tender and savory and I love them with smoked salt, particularly when I’m making the more smokey version of Crab Corn Chowder. The Rosemary Potato Rolls are really easy and are quite elegant looking as a basket of golden knots. You’ll be proud of […]

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Corn Tortillas

I can thank my sister for finally setting me right and forcing me to start making my own corn tortillas. I’d put it off for a long time, but she was visiting and I was making my famous fish tacos and the family margarita recipe. When I pulled a bag of corn tortillas off the […]

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