My Cinnamon Rolls

My children are delighted the twins are old enough that I’m back in the kitchen more. Until recently, they thought that cinnamon rolls were just a treat for the mall. Much to their delight, Thanksgiving morning I made chocolate chip cinnamon rolls, and now they’re asking for them every morning. I don’t have time to make them every morning but their persistence did give me the inspiration for this blog. There is an art to making cinnamon rolls. Getting the dough to rise properly, rolling it out just so that it’s not to thick and making sure that you don’t … Continue reading

The Food Blog’s Shopping List and Tidbits for March 1 through 9

As many of you know, the bloggers were on a break for a little while. They came back right about the time I left for vacation so if you’ll allow me, I am playing catch up. This is the promised grocery list for March 1st through 9th. You can look forward to another list at the end of this week! Earlier this morning I posted an introduction to this new feature. I hope that it is useful and you enjoy it! Please feel free to leave comments below! Tidbits: Don’t forget to check out the Best Peanut Butter in the … Continue reading

Ask a Food Blogger: Scalloped Potatoes vs. Potatoes au Gratin

I must admit I’m really combining a question I received along with a post in the forums. The question was: Are scalloped potatoes and potatoes au gratin basically the same thing? In the forums, a family member asks: Does anyone have a really good recipe for scalloped potatoes? I am cook Easter dinner for my dad and he wants scalloped potatoes. The Difference Between Scalloped Potatoes and Potatoes au Gratin Scalloped potatoes are a milk based potato dish. The potatoes are usually sliced very thinly although what technically makes it ‘scalloped’ is the milk base. A gratin on the other … Continue reading

Pecan Caramel Cinnamon Rolls

This is not the easiest recipe in the world and you will definitely earn your accolades. There will be no fibbing about how you spent hours in the kitchen–you will indeed spend hours in the kitchen making this. However, if you like baking bread or you want something absolutely heavenly for breakfast. . .this is it! This is actually a combination of three recipes: the best sweet roll dough I’ve ever made (handed down from my grandmother), my own cinnamon roll filling, and a topping made with ice cream that I got from Quick Cooking several years ago. If you … Continue reading

Easy Make Ahead Easter Brunch Recipes

Growing up there were three things we always did as a family on Easter Sunday: Go to Mass, have an Easter egg hunt and gorge on a huge Easter brunch. Regardless of how early he had to wake up, my dad always made sure our Easter Sunday included our favorite sweet and savory brunch dishes. Since we went to early Mass, my dad had to time his dishes just right. Most of the brunch items that he made were put together the night before or very early Sunday morning and placed in the refrigerator. Then, when we returned from church, … Continue reading

Unbeatable Brunch Dishes

Nothing beats a leisurely Sunday brunch, especially on a cold winter’s day. Whether you are cooking for your immediate family or hosting a brunch for extended family and friends, these simple recipes will get you out of the kitchen with plenty of time to enjoy the company of your loved ones: BRUNCH HUEVOS RANCHEROS Ingredients: 2 cups heirloom tomatoes, diced 1 small onion, diced 1 clove garlic, minced 2 tablespoons lime juice 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1/4 cup butter, divided 4 (6-inch) corn tortillas 3/4 cup Mexican … Continue reading

Italian Bread for The Bread Machine

Here is a great little recipe that is full of flavor. If you don’t have a bread machine, you can always make this bread by hand. When you think of Italian bread, you probably picture a long white roll of white-type bread that has a nice crispy outside and a fluffy middle. While I love traditional italian bread, this recipe produces something a little different. This is a soft bread that takes its flavor from traditional Italian herbs. It is fragrant and wonderful; a very savory bread. I first made this bread to use up some fresh Italian oregano that … Continue reading