Appetizers

Dukkah – An Exotic Journey

The look and feel of the shop was everything I aspire to in my own kitchen; organized while being generous, interesting yet at the same time useful, efficient but full of texture and fragrance.

Sweet Cherry Salsa fills a curvy bowl from Mud Pie beside a wooden bowl filled with tortilla chips.

Sweet Cherry Salsa

Sweet Cherry Salsa draws on ginger, as well as peppers, to create a spicy warmth. Then it brings in notes of citrus and a splash of balsamic vinegar to lend depth to the sweet tang of ripe red cherries. To make the transition from a starter to a meal’s sweet conclusion, you might even add a few bites of dark chocolate.

Sweet Strawberry Salsa fills a small glass bowl on a wooden tray served with chips for dipping.

Sweet Strawberry Salsa

Sometimes I just can’t follow a recipe to save my life. Last weekend I set out to make Alanna’s Strawberry Salsa. Then, with additions and substitutions of cinnamon basil, fresh ginger, pineapple and a splash of balsamic vinegar, I had a fresh fruit salsa that was fragrant, tart-sweet, and just a little bit spicy. By adapting a good recipe to the realities of my kitchen at the moment I created my own Sweet Strawberry Salsa.

Marinated Bourbon Steak

I wish I could say I knew enough about photography that you could see my success.  Gladly I am a little better at choosing recipes than camera settings for low light situations…

Rosemary Biscuits filled with slivers of country ham, topped with rosemary flowers on an antique plate.

Wonderful Little Rosemary Biscuits

You may think biscuits sound rather ordinary but, in the moment, they may turn out to be the best thing you ever tasted. Try some of these fragrant little Rosemary Biscuits for yourself to see if you agree.

Spicy Hot Brie

The simplicity of this recipe for Spicy Hot Brie, nestled in a baking dish and topped with flavorful herbs and spices, recommends it for a casual celebration. Serve this melty warm appetizer with crisp crackers or a crusty baguette.

Crab and Avocado Salad with Pomegranate Arils

Jeweled Crab and Avocado Salad

Pomegranates are the most festive of fruits. Their beautiful garnet skin is the very color of Christmas cheer. Not only is the color of a pomegranate regal but the shape is that of a plump orb topped with a jaunty little crown, suggesting royalty. Like the best jewelry boxes, the […]

Candied Bourbon Bacon Bites served on a wood tray.

Candied Bourbon Bacon Bites

To a Kentucky girl with a heart for traditional Kentucky flavors, this recipe for Candied Bourbon Bacon Bites stands out as both special and uncomplicated. In fact it uses only three ingredients most Kentucky cooks are likely to have on hand: bacon, brown sugar and bourbon.

Derby Classics – Benedictine Spread

Benedictine Spread is a delightfully fresh tasting spread for tea sandwiches. It makes a perfect addition to a classic Derby Day celebration, a Mother’s Day Tea or any spring gathering. It can also be served as a tasty dip for fresh vegetables or as a spread for crackers. As my sister-in-law promised, it is easy to make and surprisingly delicious.

Tea Sweetened Kumquats

Cute Fruit Aren’t they cute? In appearance Kumquats resemble miniature oranges. They are bite-sized and a cheery golden orange color. Shaped like tiny suns they hint of warmth and light. They are like the memory of a dream in this cool grey stretch of springtime in the Pacific Northwest. The […]