Tart Cherry & Chocolate Chip Bread with Orange Crumble

For Veterans’ Day this year, I experimented with flavors in this quick bread, using whole rather than chopped dried tart cherries, chocolate chips, unsweetened applesauce for a smooth texture and a fresh orange crumble on top. It’s raining in Seattle today. (Surprise, surprise.) A great day for a slice of warm and a bit gooey … More Tart Cherry & Chocolate Chip Bread with Orange Crumble

In the virtual kitchen with juliyya: Blonde Brownies & No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Oat Drops

Sometimes the title says a lot. Two girls were making different cookies at the same time with me via Skype, getting ready for camping take-alongs. The oldest made the chocolate no-bakes which require bringing ingredients to a boil and undivided attention and a bit of fatherly supervision at the critical time. The youngest made her … More In the virtual kitchen with juliyya: Blonde Brownies & No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Oat Drops

In the virtual kitchen with juliyya: Chocolate Chip Chews with health benefits

Some may ask what health benefits could be in a chocolate chip cookie? The obvious health benefit is that most (all in my kitchen!) are made with semi-sweet chocolate chips. Dark chocolate has been scientifically proven (I believe in science!) to contain powerful antioxidants and may reduce some common health risks. Do a web search … More In the virtual kitchen with juliyya: Chocolate Chip Chews with health benefits

It’s zucchini season in local gardens. 3 types of Garden Zucchini Muffins.

A couple days ago one of my sweet gardening neighbors rang to ask if I would loan a couple muffin pans so she could make — for the first time! — a batch of gluten-free and dairy-free zucchini muffins for her friend’s birthday. She brought me one of the finished muffins, which had a lovely, … More It’s zucchini season in local gardens. 3 types of Garden Zucchini Muffins.

Sour Cream Coffee Cake with Mini Chocolate Chips, My Recipe

Sylvia, the 90 year-old lady who kindly gives me a ride to the grocery store every week and who has a flower garden and cat both of which I very much admire, told me that she’s very fond of my coffee cakes, by which she means my coffee cakes, quick breads, muffins and hyped-up versions … More Sour Cream Coffee Cake with Mini Chocolate Chips, My Recipe

Peanut Butter & Banana Muffins with Mini Chocolate Chips: recipe

There was one lonely and ripe banana in the kitchen. What to do? Bake something, of course. A recipe for peanut butter muffins in my quick bread recipe files served as the inspiration for these moist, lovely and fast-made muffins. I highly recommend. In the “old days,” the peanut butter was mixed with the dry … More Peanut Butter & Banana Muffins with Mini Chocolate Chips: recipe

Juliyya’s Cherry Chocolate Coconut Sourdough Cake, Chocolate Cream Cheese Icing

“There’s a lot going on in there,” said a neighbor looking at a huge chunk of cake on its way to his family for dessert. Indeed. The cake has sourdough starter in it for one thing, so there’s a flavor that only an experienced palate will detect as well as adding moisture and density. The … More Juliyya’s Cherry Chocolate Coconut Sourdough Cake, Chocolate Cream Cheese Icing

Whoop-tee-doo Chocolate Shard Cookie, V.1, Seattle’s Theo Chocolate

A lovely neighbor gifted me with two bars of Seattle’s own Theo Chocolate, a pure and dark variety, which, in this house, means “Bake something with it.” Some people have suggested a deficit in the planned cookie menu for MsChef in Seattle upcoming shops, namely, a chocolate chip cookie. I’ve resisted because that cookie is … More Whoop-tee-doo Chocolate Shard Cookie, V.1, Seattle’s Theo Chocolate