Italian Plum Jam

The question was asked. A neighbor with a fruit-bearing tree and fruit that could be wasted. What shall I make with the Italian plums so ripe that they’re no longer suitable for snacking? Plum ice cream? Plum crisp? Plum pie for Little Jack Horner even though it’s a bit early? Italian plum jam? Yes, but … More Italian Plum Jam

Small Batch: Pineapple(from frozen) Ice Cream V1

Someone requested that I have a go at making pineapple ice cream  and someone else recently on holiday in the tropics mentioned looking for it while there. Temporarily out of fresh fruit because of unwillingness to go outside in Seattle heat and having whipping cream in fridge set to expire, I looked in the freezer … More Small Batch: Pineapple(from frozen) Ice Cream V1

Mexican Chocolate Brownies & garden art for a birthday girl

Having discovered a neighbor’s taste for Mexican chocolate, I decided to surprise her on her birthday today, August 12th, with some fudgy brownies made with Ibarra chocolate, well-known to bakers.  A little goes a long way, so the icing was a simple, plain fudge. She loved them. In honor of her birthday, in addition to … More Mexican Chocolate Brownies & garden art for a birthday girl

Cinnamon Apple Pecan Crisp with Plum & Nectarine Compote Ice Cream

Two sour nectarines and two sour plums plus lemon, cinnamon and sugar simmered into a lovely compote, chilled and what have you got?  Well, experimental ice cream. Four kinds of apples, definitely organic, no pesticides, a few creepy crawlies (which have now found themselves at their new home in the compost) and it’s time to … More Cinnamon Apple Pecan Crisp with Plum & Nectarine Compote Ice Cream

Seattle Night Out: Block Party Potluck with Spicy Eggplant Parm Dip, Rustic Garlic Bread and Blackberry Ice Cream

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

Spicy Turkey Pepperoni Red Sauce con Lasagna Noodles

Pepperoni con Penne, a fast dinner entree which won the hearts of family members underwent an experiment today. Typically the spicy red pepperoni sauce is made by the time the pasta water has come to a boil and the penne is cooked. Today I made the simple sauce of turkey pepperoni fried in olive oil … More Spicy Turkey Pepperoni Red Sauce con Lasagna Noodles

In the kitchen with juliyya: Butterscotch Chewy Bars

My eight year-old kitchen companion yesterday is heading off today to a family vacation where there will be boating and fishing and friends. Such occasions need cookies, she and I agreed. We discussed some possibilities before settling on this cookie which has no butter or margarine or shortening or oil and is made in a … More In the kitchen with juliyya: Butterscotch Chewy Bars