Every year since I was four the Christmas Elf has come to visit on December 1st, (well not every year – there was that 14-year stretch when there weren’t any kids around.) But for the past three Christmases, the Christmas Elf has come to visit on December 1st. During my childhood he would usually leave
December 16, 2010
Short URL12 days of christmas, baking, christmas, cooking, dinner, family, food, frosting, recipes, seasonalDinner, In the Kitchen, Ingredients, Lunch, Recipes, Seasonality, Winter
I could never understand why my mom DREADED making sugar cookies. We were just decorating them, right? I never realized how long it took just to get the cookies to the table. And because my mom was a former cake decorator, we couldn’t just spread frosting on the cookies and call it good. Nooooo, we
December 15, 2010
Short URL12 days of christmas, baking, butter, christmas, cookies, dessert, family, food, frostingDessert, In the Kitchen, Ingredients, Inspirations, Seasonality, Winter
I’m a sucker for a traditional English tea. Maybe it’s all of those classic novels I was forced, (yet now read by choice) to analyze in high school. Maybe it’s the fact that my mom – although born in California – exhibits oddly English behavior. (Although to be fair, she’s read the same novels I
December 14, 2010
Short URL12 days of christmas, baking, christmas, cookies, family, food, inspiration, seasonal, teaIngredients, Inspirations, Seasonality
This past Sunday I had the entire house to myself. The weather was a little chilly, (for Southern CA at least) and I felt like cooking. Knowing that we had a busy week of holiday-oriented activities on the calendar, I decided to make all of the dinners for the week which was relatively easy (I
December 9, 2010
Short URL12 days of christmas, bread, christmas, cooking, dinner, family, flour, food, ingredients, inspiration, local, menu planning, protein, recipes, seasonal, starch, vegetableDinner, In the Kitchen, Ingredients, Recipes, Seasonality, Winter
This is actually the first year I’ve experienced my town’s Christmas Parade and let me tell you – it’s everything you would expect from a small town parade. The whole town lined Main Street (yes, it really is called Main Street) and I think there were at least 12 fire trucks, 10 marching bands, every
December 8, 2010
Short URL12 days of christmas, christmas, cooking, family, food, menu planning, protein, recipes, roasting, seasonal, side dishes, starch, vegetablesDinner, In the Kitchen, Ingredients, Recipes, Seasonality, Winter
Alright, I know most of us have already moved on to Christmas shopping/decorating/light hanging, etc. And, I totally meant to post this on Friday, but I was still nursing a serious pie-hangover. But, I made the family wait to eat until each dish had been photographed and if I don’t use the pictures they will
November 29, 2010
Short URLbaking, cooking, dinner, family, food, roasting, seasonal, success and disaster, ThanksgivingIn the Kitchen, Ingredients, Seasonality
Yesterday I waxed poetic about the similarities between the Super Bowl and Thanksgiving. And as much as I would really love to create another analogy for my Thanksgiving feast, I really just want to get on the road. We’re taking Madison to Knott’s Berry Farm for her first time today. But, I also don’t want
November 23, 2010
Short URLcooking, dessert, dinner, drinks, family, food, ingredients, menu planning, seasonal, side dishes, Thanksgiving, vegetableAutumn, Beverages, Dessert, Dinner, In the Kitchen, Ingredients, Menu Planning, Recipes, Seasonality
This is one of my favorite holiday cooking stories. Ever. Last Christmas my “gift” to my family was 10 days of gourmet meals – really. (More on that in future posts, promise!) Anyway, on my one night off from cooking an entire meal, (I was still responsible for popping the popcorn – stovetop NOT microwave
November 11, 2010
Short URLdinner, fail, family, flour, food, pizza, success and disasterDinner, In the Kitchen, Ingredients, Recipes
I first saw this recipe on season 4 of Top Chef. One of the Best. Shows. Ever. I’ve been a die-hard fan since season 3 when Trey was sent home for restaurant wars. This past Christmas I received the Top Chef: The Quickfire Cookbook and immediately read it cover to cover. (I don’t usually do
November 10, 2010
Short URLdinner, family, food, ingredients, inspiration, recipes, top chefDinner, In the Kitchen, Ingredients, Inspirations, Recipes
Well. My answer is kinda neither. And sorta both. Let me explain. I think when it comes to making smart, healthy and sustainable food choices people should consider not only organic or local, but seasonal as well. This explanation could get a little long, but bear with me – I swear you’ll look at how
November 9, 2010
Short URLfood, Food Issues and Politics, ingredients, local, menu planning, organic, seasonalFood Issues and Politics, Ingredients, Seasonality
Cooking For Madison 