Yes sir, these are addicting. Sweet mini peppers stuffed with goat cheese, parmesan, cream cheese, and crispy bacon, baked until gooey and then drizzled with balsamic glaze. I'm talking last meal good. Oh yes, I could literally eat a party tray full of these riding in the car before arriving at said party. If you've got doubts, try them for yourself. You'll be giving me a long distance high-five in no time. What I really love about these - they're a great alternative to jalapeno poppers. As ... VIEW POST
Amaretto Cherry No Bake Cheesecakes
It's already in the upper 90's here in California and I've been refusing to turn the A/C on, like I'm on some sort of mommy Survivor type show. Mostly, because I'm afraid of the electric bill. So turning on the oven to bake a dessert? No thank you! Enter these cute little no bake cheesecakes. While doing cooking demos at the fair, I met the lovely family that runs Bob White Farms (a local cherry orchard). Not only did they fill the seats at my demo (so I wasn't talking to myself), but they ... VIEW POST
Honey Pecan Hand Pies
A friend asked if I would do some cooking demonstrations featuring local ingredients at the fair. An ounce of self-doubt set in. Speak in front of a bunch of strangers that aren't fully listening and just want to sit in a chair out of the beating sun? Then I told myself not to be lame and seize the opportunity to challenge myself. I decided to do an appetizer and a dessert: parmesan crusted goat cheese with basil oil and these beautiful hand pies. They have all the yummy flavor ... VIEW POST
Juicy Pork Chops with Agrodolce Sauce
Typically when you say "pork chop", I say "not interested." The majority of pork chops, at least that I've encountered, have been dry and tough (sorry, mom). That was before I was introduced to using a brine. A brine is heavily salted water that you soak meat in before cooking. It helps to break down the muscle fibers and keep the meat juicy...really juicy. These pork chops are served with an agrodolce sauce. Agrodolce is a traditional Italian sauce that has sweet and sour elements. In ... VIEW POST
Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
I stumbled upon this recipe late last night and made 'em first thing this morning. These pancakes pack all of the flavor of a baked cinnamon roll, while feeling less heavy and dense. They're also super easy to make. Go on, try 'em...you know you want to! Check out that short stack of deliciousness! YUM. ... VIEW POST
Caramelized Chicken with Jalapeno Cream
It's late...and I have to be up bright and early in a couple of hours. So let's just get to it, shall we? This sauce is incredible! Despite being a cream sauce, it tastes somewhat light and it has a refreshingly subtle jalapeno taste (says the one with oh-so-heavy spicy hand). I paired it with spicy fried rice, but Ryan and I both agreed, it would be better with pasta next time. When you pulse the fresh jalapenos, shallot, and garlic in the food processor. Try not to lean over the top, ... VIEW POST