It’s holiday time and that means baking lots of family favorites! For me, I look forward to meat pie (a French Canadian fave), homemade caramel with pecans, gingerbread cookies and raisin pie, to name a few. Raisin pie was always at Christmas gatherings when I grew up. It was easy to spot on the buffet…
raisins
Raisin Cake
I called my mom this week to confirm history and details of an old family cake recipe. I hadn’t realized my husband heard my conversation but when I hung up he said “I bet your mom loves it when you call her about recipes.” His comment got me to thinking how she and I have…
Spicy Pumpkin Bread
It’s a gloomy, rainy day in southwest Florida due to a front coming through, but hopefully it will bring some cold, holiday-type air with it! Despite my strong desire to simply curl up on the couch with a blanket and my cats, I decided to be somewhat productive and headed to my kitchen. So, with…
Empanada-Inspired Stuffed Peppers
When I moved to Florida 20 years ago, a friend took me to a Sarasota strip mall where they sold empanadas. I had never had anything like those tasty little meat/dough morsels, but quickly found them to be one of the most delicious things I had ever eaten! I would sneak back to that place…
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…
Boston Brown Bread
As a kid, it was a magical thing to watch my mom make this Boston Brown Bread. It was steamed in a coffee can or an old B&M Beans can (apparently, this is the ideal size, according to my mother). Sure, she could have bought an already-cooked bread in a can at the grocery store,…