Ever since I made that zebra cake months ago, I have been completely fascinated by the possibilities that this method allows. Zebra cheesecake, zebra cupcakes, zebra layer cake...I totally want to try all of those. Enter pinterest and the ideas seriously don't end! Then I saw this Zebra Bunt Cake on Bakers Royale, and I was totally infatuated. Combine zebra style with my favorite kind of cake (bundt cake, duh) and you have a gorgeous and winning dessert. Best thing about this cake? It looks gorgeous, but it totally tastes amazing too! The zebra style does take an extra couple of minutes, but I think it's well worth it. If you're confused about how to get the pattern, scroll down for my … [Read more...]
Spaghetti Cheese and Spinach Pie
You know how they say that you don't fully appreciate what you have until you don't have it anymore? Well I eat chicken for supper pretty much every night of my life, and I only really think about it once a year, during the nine days. (For my non Jewish readers, we are currently in a time period called The Nine Days (of mourning) in which many observant Jews traditionally don't eat meat or chicken, among other restrictions.) For most people, this isn't a huge deal. They pull out the fish dishes and eat those for a week. I'm not sure if I've mentioned this before, but I despise fish. Seriously, can't touch it, can't serve it, can't even smell it. Dairy? Well sure, I love pasta as much … [Read more...]
Homemade Iced Mochaccino
Coffee is a very serious and important part of my life. Let me explain. I like to say I am not a caffeine addict. And honestly, I believe that I am not. Sure, I have three cups of coffee every weekday morning, and I am grumpy like you-don't-want-to-see if I don't get my coffee. (And unproductive, but my manager reads this blog on occasion, so we aren't going to talk about that at all.) Suffice it to say, I start my day off with coffee. Piping hot in the winter, and even the fall (I'll have to remember to post that when (if?) the weather gets cold again. When the weather gets hot, and scalding hot drinks aren't quite as desirable, I bring a huge cup of ice into work with me, and make my … [Read more...]
Cookie Dough Thumbprint Cookies and a Cookie Dough Lover’s Cookbook Review
I can't begin to tell you how excited I am to have been given the opportunity to review The Cookie Dough Lover's Cookbook, by Lindsay Landis (of Love and Olive Oil Fame). I have been a fan of Lindsay's for ages, and from the minute I picked up this book I was amazed by her creativity and ideas. At First Glance: I loved this cookbook from the moment I picked it up. Before I even read any of the recipes, I noticed that the pictures (all taken by Lindsay herself- speak of talented!) are unbelievably eye-catching and drool-inducing. It's hard to look at this cookbook when you're on a diet (trust me, I had to do it!) because you will want to make every single thing in it. And you won't like not … [Read more...]
Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
I know that many people out there are not very big fans of Nestle Toll House cookie. I am not one of those people. I think that Ruth Wakefield was a genius, and I never found any need to change it up. Sure, I made some fun plays on chocolate chip cookies from time to time, but the basic recipe never failed me. One day I had a radical idea of trying a couple of chocolate chip cookie recipes to see if anyone had improved on the original. Shortly after that, I discovered this recipe, claiming to be the best chewy chocolate chip cookies in the world. Sounds intriguing, doesn't it? I decided I had to make them. Then I got busy making a whole ton of other types of cookies, and my plan of … [Read more...]
Honey Mustard Chicken, a Review of Fresh and Easy Kosher Cooking, and a Giveaway!
Giveaway Closed I know, I know, another cookbook review, so soon after my last one! Considering my great love of cookbooks, you can imagine how thrilled I was to be given the chance to review another cookbook. Fresh and Easy Kosher Cooking is extra special to me, because it was written by the very talented Leah Schapira of Cook Kosher fame, someone I have gotten to know well since starting this blog. Her knowledge of flavors and foods never ceases to amaze me, and it definitely comes through in her cookbook. At a first glance: This book is not your mother's old-fashioned kosher cookbook. This cookbook has eye catching recipes, international influences, and innovative recipes that … [Read more...]
Homemade Free-Form Lollipops and a review of Sprinkle Bakes
I can't tell you how excited I am to have been given the opportunity to review the Sprinkle Bakes cookbook, by Heather Baird. I'll admit right of the bat that I'm a tad biased. Not because of the review copy I was sent, but because I am a huge fan of Heather's blog. The first recipe I ever saw of here's was this Flaming Strawberry Cupcake. I was so taken aback by it's beauty and drama, that I was rendered speechless for a couple of minutes! I've been a fan of the blog since, and am thrilled to own the cookbook. At First Glance: The book starts with the simple and moves on to the more elaborate. Before it starts with the recipes, there is an explanation of various tools and techniques … [Read more...]
Kasha with Onions and Mushrooms…and a Cookbook Review
Often when I read cookbooks, I make mental notes such as "I'll make this when I have lots of spare time" or "I'll make this when I have guests and don't want to serve something too dietetic." Rarely do I read cookbooks thinking "I must make this!" and "Wow I really want to try that!" Those of you that have been reading this blog for a while know this already, but for those who don't, let me explain how I cook: super fattening and over-indulgent desserts which I don't touch because I am perpetually on a diet and then I make relatively healthy real food, which is what I eat because I am perpetually on a diet. Pay attention. Back to cookbooks, here's why that was important to know: I finally … [Read more...]
Cookies and Cream Biscotti
This recipe was originally going to be posted before Passover. I made them a couple of weeks prior to the Holiday, and was going to post them as a great way to use up a package of Oreos that you might find in your cabinet. Then they didn't get posted. Mostly because I was already on to Passover recipes. I have to say, if there's one great way to celebrate the ability to bake again (after Passover) this has got to be it. Not only does the recipe use flour, but it used oreos too- a totally non-Passover ingredient. If you are on the lookout for a great recipe to get you started after Pesach, or if you (like me!) think that all foods can be improved with the addition of Oreos, or you simply … [Read more...]
Marinated Tri-Color Pepper Salad
I've mentioned before how that simplest things in life are often the best, right? Well, this is one of those best, simple things. Marinated Tri-Color Pepper Salad Ingredients: 1 red pepper 1 yellow pepper 1 orange pepper 2 scallions 2 Tablespoons olive oil 1 Tablespoon Vinegar 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon sugar or sweetener Pinch black pepper Instructions: Dice the peppers and place in a small bowl. Slice the scallions very thin, and add to bowl. Add the oil, vinegar, salt, sugar (if desired) and pepper. Toss to evenly coat everything. Place in fridge and leave to sit for a couple of hours or overnight. Note: you don't have to use all three … [Read more...]