Calling All Chocoholics...

Chocolate Lava Cakes

        I can barely contain my excitement. Thoughts are rushing through my head, all jumbled together and confusing… things like "oh my goodness - HOW can this BE?!"  and "chocolate heaven does exist"! Seriously. The following recipe is a real keeper, and I say this with complete conviction.

When "Easy as Pie" Makes Sense

        Sometimes I wonder who coined the phrase, "easy as pie." I've mulled those three words over in my mind countless times when working with pastry. Pastry, like pie crust for example, isn't too hard once you get the hang of it, but it's far from easy when you're just starting out. At least, it was for me. It took a long time before I knew what I was doing, but I loved homemade pie crust too much to simply purchase it store-bought.
        Then came puff pastry. Making your own puff pastry is supposed to be very time-consuming -- it can take over five hours of prep-time. There are some days when I'm perfectly willing to spend that amount of time in the kitchen. There are other days when I want to pop into the kitchen for only a few minutes, throw a few ingredients together and into the oven, be on my way, and pop back in half an hour later to find… magic. I love to find a meal that seems to defy logic -- so little time and effort is needed to produce it, yet the meal itself manages to be incredibly delicious.

Chicken Pie with Puff Pastry

Your Favorite Recipes of 2011

        Not too long ago, I realized something -- I realized that I have never before posted a recipe countdown. I'm talking about a countdown of the top 10 most popular recipes I have ever shared with you. Your favorite recipes, readers. There is no time more fitting for counting down the best of 2011, as chosen by you, than now -- just after the year's conclusion. So, erm... prepare for a lot of scrolling. Just click on the name above the picture for the recipe. Here we go…

#10.  Peanut Caramel Brownies

The Holidays and the Aftermath

       It was sad to see the holidays pass. I do look back at them with a smile when I remember the highlights -- the family get-togethers, the parties, the fun, the laughs, and the food. Holiday baking always comes to mind because it promises an entirely new range of seasonal baked creations. Think Christmas cookies, for example.
       I am now living in the aftermath of Christmas and New Year's. This part is not so fun, for me, at least. All that heavy eating never sits well with me, and it can take a while to fall back into healthier eating habits once again. Even so, I can look back on a wonderful year and welcome a new one.

        Of your holiday highlights, which do you remember most? Did you eat anything especially delicious? I know I did. Many times. Many cookies.

Snickerdoodle Cookies