Secret Recipe Club: Spiced Apple Bread

  Yay!  It’s my favorite day of the month, I get to reveal my Secret Recipe Club assignment for November. I’m honored to be a part of this diverse international group of food bloggers.  In case you forgot, everyone in the Secret Recipe Club gets “assigned” a blog from which we are supposed to pick a dish to cook.  But, it’s all done in secrecy.  It isn’t until the ultimate reveal day (today) that everyone showcases their dishes and discovers who’s been their secret foodie link.  This club has provided me valuable exposure to blogs I … [Read more...]

Thanksgiving Recipes

Whether you're hosting a Thanksgiving feast or you're merely a guest required to bring an assigned dish, I've compiled some recipes to help fill in the blanks and take the stress out of the prep. You can take your pick from appetizers to sides to main dishes to desserts.  I promise you'll find tasty, easy to make recipes.  After all, if I can make them, anyone can. So why not plan ahead and get cooking? And remember to celebrate FOOD and family, and to give thanks. APPETIZERS Baked Brie Hot Crab Dip Mexican 7-Layer … [Read more...]

Thanksgiving Pot Roast

photo credit: when the dinner bell rings I’m in Thanksgiving mode right now.  I’ve been catching myself leafing through the tab with Mom’s recipes earmarked  “dishes to compliment a Thanksgiving feast! “  I was so eager and even more intimidated when I found some scribbled Pot Roast instructions. I must admit, in the past year I’ve definitely gotten more comfortable handling big slabs of raw meat.  I cooked my first Flank Steak (and have cooked about 10 since).  I’ve braised my first brisket.  I’ve cleaned and roasted a whole chicken.  I’ve … [Read more...]

Thanksgiving Dessert Menu

I have the fondest memories congregating en famille on those cool November days.  Our Thanksgiving celebrations were usually pot luck style.  Since my family is so large, everyone was responsible for a dish, as to not overburden the already gracious hostess. My aunt’s kitchen was always bursting with fall colors and smells wafting from the crowded stove and overworked oven.  Her dining room table was cluttered with all sorts of delicious cakes and pies and cookies and brownies.  As the afternoon hours ticked away, her kitchen would fill in … [Read more...]