My version of Spanakopita is probably not true to the classic Greek version. But then, as I have mentioned before, I feel recipes are jumping off points for creating food that fits you, your family, and your lifestyle. When I first became aware of filo dough, I...
This recipe has been a family favorite since my children were little toddlers. It is still one of Erika’s favorite treats. The smell of the cinnamon immediately makes everyone ready to rave about your culinary skills. Contrary to the message on the kitchen...
WARM UP WITH SOUP My husband Allen used to tease me about having a "three degree comfort zone". I get too cold if the temperature is under 70, and too hot if the temperature is over 72. In Michigan, I start feeling cold in the fall. That usually starts in...
WHAT IS TEMPEH? I wanted to give a quick run-down on tempeh as a meat alternative and wanted to have a photo. So, I contacted my daughter to see if she had some she could loan me. I knew Erika usually had plenty of plant-based products on hand. In fact,...
BAKED BEAN HEAVEN I often post recipes that my husband Allen liked. However, I don’t think anyone likes this casserole as much as my son, Karl. Last time I made it, I gave it to him to take and finish cooking at home. He sent me a text, “I really love that baked...
The very easiest and favorite appetizer! I love it when an appetizer only has a few ingredients, takes almost no time to get ready for company, and doesn't involve cooking. Allen and I used to enjoy this for dinner on hot summer nights when we didn’t want to add heat...
MARINATE FISH IN BOURBON WHISKEY Although I have always used salmon in this recipe, you can certainly adapt the marinade for other fish. Some good substitutes for salmon include Arctic Char, Cod, Haddock, Bluefish, Mahi Mahi, Tilefish. Now that I think about it,...
Start with a soft cream cheese dough that is not sweet, then add a sumptuous filling made with toasted nuts, milk, and sugar, and what do you get? Melt-in-your-mouth-better-pop-another-one-right-away-kind of cookies! These are one of my must-haves for the Holiday...
ALMOND STRIPS My husband Allen absolutely loved these cookies. Most people like the additional sweetness of the almond flavored drizzle of icing, but not Allen, so I always had to make some sans drizzle. Over the years, I came to prefer them that way myself. The...
It is a little disconcerting to bring a new recipe to a gathering with good friends and the first bite causes- COMPLETE SILENCE. Now, you do have to know your friends well to interpret exactly what the silence means: Wow!Ooh-Yuck!OMG this is so good... I was lucky to...
You can freeze baked or unbaked cookies to prepare ahead for upcoming holidays and events. Here are some guidelines that I find helpful when I need to be organized prior to major get togethers, or if I want to have special treats ready to give to others. I have also...
ASIAGO CHEESE BREAD We used to drive 40 minutes to get Asiago Cheese Bread from Vic’s in Novi. Allen and I would wander around the store in search of specialty foods, deli meats and treats in their store. Even though I made lots of homemade bread, we always ended up...