My Mother's Brisket (but not really)

There are many things one can say about brisket, but dull is not one of them. Brisket is a piece of meat that just keeps on giving. Think about it. You’ve got your bbq, your stews, your Jewish versions, and you can even grind it into hamburger. And soup. Well, you see what I mean. In our house brisket was always the most talked, debated? about subject of the dinner table. Was it sliced

Ilse's Passover Mocha Nut Cake or more simply Ilse's Cake

I’m not sure how my Papa Alex fell in love with our beloved Ilse, but I believe it had something to do with her cooking. I was young when my Bubby died and I know my Papa was very sad. However it wasn’t too long until he found Ilse and we all discovered that the way to a man and a family’s heart is through their stomachs. Ilse was a tremendous comfort to Papa which made me comfortable

Ziti Al Fresco

Her return meant Ziti Al Fresco. Beautiful, spicy, rich, warm and basily, (it’s a new word) Ziti Al Fresco. The adjectives suit her and also the ziti. Yes, my daughter is home. There is no better feeling. At least until my son gets home. And then that is the best feeling because it means we will all be together at least for a short while until one of them leaves me again. I don’t know

The Only Gingerbread Waffles

Gingerbread Waffles
My kids are coming home soon. Truly, I can’t wait. I am even washing the slipcovers in preparation. Yeah, call me crazy. Now if I could just stick the dogs in the washing machine, too. But no, just ain’t gonna happen. In spite of all my frantic cleaning of the house, which yes, I do realize they won’t even notice, I am still cooking and finding good things for you to make.
 

Holiday Spritz Cookies




Spritz Cookies







Spritz Cookies



Spritz cookies are definitely a holiday tradition. It doesn’t matter whether you are making cute little Christmas trees or pretty pink poinsiettias. They are a fun cookie to make. I’ve eaten them for years and not just at the holidays. My third grandmother used to press them out of the little star shaped disc and made long wavy shapes. They were

German Apple Pancake

My morning started out rough. My car didn’t start. I think it felt ignored the last 6 days as I didn’t venture out because of the COLD weather. I am sorry car, but you made me miss the Macy’s morning sale. Now I will probably have to buy you a battery, but I don’t think Macy’s sells those. So instead of being at Macy’s I am now at home writing this blog. It is a good one about German

Sweet and Hot Green Onion Mustard



The Original Recipe in my Mom's handwriting
The holidays are here and that means mustard. It began years ago when a family friend delivered this mustard to our door every year with little Pepperidge Farm Toasts to slather it on. Yummy, yummy. Very yummy. So yummy, that I try to make it also during the holiday season. It is great served with dried sausages or on kosher salami. Super duper on

Fool's Toffee

The Toffee


Thirty years is a long time. Some years go faster than others. Some keep you wishing that they were already over. Some you wish you could repeat. You may wonder where this is going. Well, I’m one of those food bloggers that push the average age of food bloggers up-kind of way up. And this week I made it to thirty years of marriage. A milestone in my book. I should have something

Lotsa Garlic Pasta or Pasta 4444

It is one of those days-again. I haven’t gotten to the grocery so I’m left with my pantry and a few staples. My staples always include garlic and pasta. I make sure I never run out of these because then I’m guaranteed that I can eat. Actually with pasta there are many ways to go but today I’m sticking with the basics. Aglio olio as the Italians would say. I’m not sure that my recipe is

Cranberry Chipotle Wonton Cups

Ready for the tummy!







Thanksgiving is almost here and if you are like me there are always last minute things to do. This year is a quiet one for us but I still like to try new things. Of course we love all our favorites but it is always fun to try something new. Since it is the day before I wanted to try a simple appetizer that was quick and delicious and pretty. Something your friends

Pumpkin Brown Sugar Muffins

I’m lucky I’m alive. Really. I went to the grocery store today. I didn't realize it was such a dangerous place. Just be careful. It is dangerous out there. And be particularly careful of old ladies with carts. Carts can be lethal weapons. It began in the baking aisle. It was packed. Needless to say I only needed sugar so I began to maneuver around everyone congregating by the spices

Pecan or Walnut Shortbread Bars

Walnut Shortbread Bars






Just a bite. Make it a sliver. Oh, how I admire those people. I always wonder if they really mean it. I mean usually I really want a giant piece but I try to be polite. After all, I could go back for more. I guess it has to do with self control. Something I’m not particularly good at.  But I try, I promise, I really do try. And of course, some days are better than

Mushroom Lovers Pastry

Gorgeous Mushrooms


I LOVE mushrooms.  There, I said it.  My dreams are of eating fresh porcinis in Italy and gorging until I can’t take it anymore. “Make me suffer.” I would say.  Did I mention that I was being fed by the muscular, to die for model in the Ralph Lauren Polo ads?  The tall, dark and handsome one? Who I think I read was married and has two children and really plays polo. Well,

Frozen Cranberry Salad

Frozen Cranberry Salad

I’m supposed to be cleaning the house today.  Needless to say my day just isn’t working out as planned.  Instead of cleaning I’m thinking about cranberries which makes me think about Thanksgiving and then my brain wanders off to thoughts of the  Macy’s Thanksgiving’s Day Parade and then I remember about how quiet my house will be this year. Yeah, I know some years are

Bread Your 8 Year Old Can Make or 5 Minute, No Knead Artisan Bread

5 Minute Bread
 I don’t know where I’ve been but it has been some time since the book, “Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day” has been published. Well, actually it has been, like, from 2007 because I looked it up. I clipped out a recipe from the newspaper about this bread and I don’t know how long it has sat waiting for me to bake it, but my guess is it sat for maybe, oh, about 4 years. OK, I

Sloppy Jose

Sloppy Jose


When the weekend rolls around I’m ready to chill. I don’t really want to cook-I’d rather try some new restaurant but sometimes that’s just not in the cards. I don’t really want to go to the grocery along with everyone else and so I’m stuck with what is on hand. Sometimes it isn’t much, but sometimes not so bad.  But I also want something easy and soothing and maybe something with

Sugar Cake

Sugar Cake
 It was one of those days that began with a special surprise from a certain dog that shall remain nameless. I guess she was worried maybe I forgot to wake up. I didn’t...


And then my dear friend Commander Bill from the Disabled American Vets called. He’s been calling now for over 30 years and his voice never changes. I feel like saying, “Bill, if you want to come clean out my crawl

The Easiest, Most Awesome, Party Chicken in the World or Chicken Marbella

The Easiest, Most Awesome, Party Dish Chicken in the World or Chicken Marbella

(Adapted from Silver Palate)



I’m feeling really generous today. I don’t know why but I guess I can think of a few good reasons. Many of you may not know that I am a CASA volunteer which means I am appointed by the courts to be the eyes, ears and voice of a child during the court process. Often these are

Mexican Garlic Lime Shrimp

As I look outside my window again I see my world engulfed in snow. Lots of snow. Denver had one of the best fall seasons that I remember, but now Mother Nature seems to make us want to pay. Suddenly I find myself thinking of all those warm places I’ve been and have yet to go. No, I don’t want to shovel. Most likely it will melt-soon, I hope.



Which leads me to think of Mexico. Beautiful

Microwave Caramel Corn (Believe It)

The aroma of caramel corn is imbedded in my genes (or should I say jeans?). The smell of sugar cooking is one that’s hard to ignore. In this case my first memory of the blessed stuff is going to the Paramount movie theatre in Kankakee for the Saturday matinee. My mother used to drop us off in front and right next door was a tiny candy kitchen that made fresh, ooey, gooey, caramel corn

Fudge Pie

Fudge Pie has received a lot of press lately. It is featured as the winning dessert in the novel, “The Help”(www.amazon.com/thehelp), (a good read, btw) where everyone wants Minny’s secret recipe. In my life it has always been part of my husband’s requests as he grew up with the fudge pie his mother made.  Hers was a very good recipe that reminded me of a baked brownie. Though it has been a

Green Chile

Three days ago the weather was beautiful. It was even hot outside which allowed us to have margaritas and cigars (well, some of us) on the deck. Today it looks like this! Typical Colorado and the truth is we had an awesome fall which means we were a bit overdue for what showed up overnight.  And the other truth is that the meal I served then would have been a better choice for a

Fall's Bounty

I love Fall. Maybe it is the air when the evenings get chilly, or the leaves change color or the pumpkins shine in all their glory. Maybe it is because I can hear the football games from Littleton Stadium and it sounds like everyone is having a great time. Or because I love the sound of the drums. Or because Thanksgiving is coming and I love smoked turkey. Fall also brings the smell of green

Sage Roasted Chicken with Bread Salad

What hasn’t been said about Judy Rodgers famous roast chicken? OK- Judy Rodgers of the Zuni Café in San Francisco. Yeah- I know you don’t know her, you were probably racking your brain, like who is Judy Rodgers? Well, it doesn’t matter as long as you have this recipe. I first ate this in Denver at a restaurant that unfortunately is no longer there. But the food memory stayed and I

Onion Lover's Twist

It all began with challah-an onion lover’s challah. I think I was 20-ooh-I was really 20-once. But back to that challah and the person that baked it with me, my grandfather’s new wife’s daughter-in –law. (What a mouthful.) When you want to get to know someone one way to really get to know them is to cook, and boy did we. I learned about her and she about me and together we made something