Sunday was Mark’s 65th birthday so I invited a few of his close friends over for a casual lunch and chat and cake. One of the attendees had a birthday two days prior, so we sang the song to both and they both blew out a candle. Someone asked how this cake is made. “Easy. … More Pineapple Upside Down Cake, 2 Methods, 1 by Navy Seal
I hosted a small, casual luncheon birthday party on Sunday for Mark’s 65th. I made hot, soft sourdough garlic bread with Montana Starter #1 served with a dipperful of Tomato Khanooj. Eggplant is roasted. Red sauce is made. The two are chopped to bits in a food processor, the same as baba khanooj, only different. … More Tomato Khanooj or Eggplant Parm Dip
Having seen a friend’s post on Facebook yesterday concerning the requirements for items children bring to school to share on Valentine’s Day, I had sighed a little sigh. No gluten. No dairy. No peanuts or tree nuts. No candy. No sugar. Shortly thereafter, I agreed by text to an order of baked goodies for Valentine’s … More Valentine Goodies for children to take to school, now with gluten, dairy
I knew before the big Christmas bake that there would be another chocolate cake early in the new year as well as which cake it would be. Since I’m thinning the recipes in five, count ’em, five, recipe boxes, it includes recipes for various chocolate cakes. With leftover cream cheese and starlight mints from the bake, … More Birthday Cake by Proxy Tradition: Starlight Double Delight Cake
There was much fun and mixing in my kitchen this week in preparation for the birthday party of a young girl who will be six. She wanted a snowman cake, the description of which changed several times over the course of several days and, indeed, right up to the last moment when she decided that … More In the kitchen with juliyya: Adorable Snowman Cake for a birthday
Earlier this summer while walking home from the Ballard Viking Days with some neighbors, I picked up a party cookbook at one of the pick-up/drop-off free book bins. There was a recipe for a chocolate party cake featuring three layers, lots of butter and chocolate, lots of work and plenty of time to get ingredients … More Chocolate Party Cake. No party.
I love a potluck because it’s fun to make something for a crowd once in awhile as well as dig into something special made by other cooks (and chefs.) Seattle has block parties once a year for Neighborhood Watch and my block participates. New residents and people who’ve lived here longer take the opportunity to … More Seattle Night Out: Block Party Potluck with Spicy Eggplant Parm Dip, Rustic Garlic Bread and Blackberry Ice Cream
That gorgeous garden of bamboo and palm brushes right up to the wide kitchen window in my new home. It’s the biggest kitchen with the most counter, cabinet and floor space I’ve ever had to myself, and lots of decisions. If you’ve ever had three-quarters of your kitchen needs in boxes in another room … More A New Kitchen, Neighbors, Home Ec 101
There is esprit de corps or playoff fever in the Pacific Northwest with the Seahawks fighting for another big trip and the 12s going all blue and green. Some folks are immune, but they keep their heads down. For the rest of us, two words end conversations. My pre-game preparation began here, with the easiest recipe … More I’m In with Cranberry Orange Scones in Seattle Colors
Today is my adorable downstairs neighbor Hannah’s third birthday. I like to make their birthday cakes and asked what type of cake she might like. She’s seen only chocolate (spoken in a whisper?) and angel food with strawberries in one form or another, so when offered the choice between the two, she chose STRAWBERRIES! It is my … More Winter Birthday, Strawberry Well Cake
Ms Chef in Seattle 