My recent summer road trip to Massachusetts was especially great because my husband had never been there. One of our best days was our drive through Cape Cod to enjoy beaches and lighthouses. We didn’t have lodging, so it was a daring adventure during peak season. What were we thinking? But my husband has a…
Dessert
Strawberry & Chocolate Icebox Cake
Florida strawberries are in season, so I’m getting my fill of them. I love these tasty, fragrant little berries in salads, smoothies, pie, muffins and, of course, classic shortcake. Somehow, though, “National Strawberry Day” on February 27 got away from me. Ironically, that was the day I picked up a bunch of berries at the…
Valentine’s Day Heart-Healthy Chocolate Bark
When Valentine’s Day rolls around, I always think of my dad because, on that special day, he always gave me a sweet card, flowers, and a little heart-shaped box of chocolates. He made me feel so special, and that feeling carried into adulthood, especially during the years when I didn’t have a boyfriend on the…
Vintage Calamondin Cake
I must admit, I don’t use boxed cake mixes, but I thought I’d put aside my baking morals after finding this recipe for a vintage-era cake that seems to have been extremely popular in the 1940s-50s (gosh, it even got published in several newspapers!). I’m not sure where it originated, so if you happen to…
Key Lime Pie Bites
Recently, my husband and I attended a party at Old Florida Outdoor Center in Englewood, Florida, to celebrate their 6-month anniversary. If you haven’t visited this beautiful store on Dearborn Street, you must go soon! The owners, Kenya and Danny Leonard, carry beautiful Florida art, offer several creative classes, schedule kayak rentals & guided walks…
Mini Pear & Fig Galettes
Armed with one remaining sheet of puff pastry, one overripe pear and some fig jam that’s been in my fridge too long, I set out to make a dessert. And since pears and figs make a naturally good team, I knew I couldn’t go wrong with whatever I came up with. . . I love…
Old-Fashioned Date Nut Bread
My family has a few cooking traditions around the holiday season and one recipe on the “must make” list is this delicious date-nut bread. It’s moist, dark, crunchy, not too sweet, and very tasty when topped with soft cream cheese. And if you really want to be authentic, it’s best to enjoy it as a…
Yummy Sweetmeats
I’m pretty well-versed on my family’s traditions and recipes, so it’s not too often that I find something that stumps me. But that’s just what happened recently while going through the dessert section of my grandmother’s recipe box. It was titled “Lebanese Sweetmeats” but I didn’t remember her ever making what appeared to be a…
Apple Cake with Cream Cheese & Bourbon Cream
It’s officially Fall, but it certainly doesn’t feel like it in southwest Florida. In spite of our high temps, I’m still moving ahead with my Fall traditions! One of them is this delicious, fresh apple spice cake. I love the smells that emanate from the kitchen when it’s in the oven — comforting and definitely…
My Grandmother’s Banana Bread
My banana trees recently produced a huge bunch that have finally ripened after many weeks of watching them closely to keep the squirrels away. This variety is sometimes called ‘apple’ banana (I think the origin is Cuban) — they’re not only sweet, but they also reveal hints of delicate apple. Their skin is thinner than…
Honolulu Date Squares – A Family Favorite
Since the weather has been getting a tad cooler in southwest Florida, I’ve been thinking about holiday desserts and Fall-inspired dishes. One of my favorite holiday desserts is a family favorite we simply called “date squares” and they were especially delicious when they came out of my grandmother’s kitchen. They have a gooey, sweet date…
Pear Crisp
I love pears — poached, chopped in a salad, or as a snack while the juice drips down your arm. I especially love them baked in a warm dessert with a little vanilla ice cream! We’re fortunate to have access to pears year-round, but they’re especially delicious this time of year. Pears are one of…