A Festive Holiday Buffet- I have prepared and served buffets for 12 people as well as 150. The basics are the same, and numbers should not intimidate you. Catering is expensive and often does not meet your expectations, so why not do it yourself?
A Holiday Feast- It is fun to go all out on a gala feast for the holidays, enjoying specialties that are not part of the daily fare. This special dinner for eight offers several cook ahead options.
A Tasty Holiday Tradition- Every year, right after Thanksgiving, I fill my grocery cart with
delectable goodies that will fill my kitchen with wonderful smells.
It's the time of year when I bake, and bake, and bake some more.
Appetizer Veggie Pizza- Whether it's for a party at the office or a holiday gathering, this is a perfect appetizer. Topped with fresh vegetables and cheese, you just can't go wrong.
Appetizers for the New Year- The holidays bring all kinds of opportunities for munching. Whether you are entertaining a crowd or simply looking for some fun recipes, these will do the trick.
Cherry Delight Breakfast Cake- This cherry cake is great for breakfast or dessert. It will make a nice surprise breakfast for Mom on Mother's Day. Don't forget a cup of coffee or tea to go along with it.
Chocolate Chip Espresso Cookies- If your mom loves coffee and chocolate chips, you will definitely want to make these fabulous treats for her on Mother's Day. They are chewy and gooey and have a distinct mocha flavor she will thank you for!
Christmas Coffee Cake- You'll need a couple extra hours to make this cake
on Christmas morning due to rise time, but the wait
is worth it! Enjoy this gooey cake as an easy
Christmas breakfast for you and your family.
Dreamy Chocolate Cake Balls- If you are looking for a decadent and delicious recipe that will look great and your kids can help make, then this is it. Rich and swet, these cake balls are a perfect gift plain or dressed up with drizzle.
Enjoy The Holidays Without Gaining Weight- Unfortunately, the average adult does a little too much celebrating during this time of year, which leads to extra baggage when the New Year rings in. Festivities that include indulging in extra helpings, snacking on seasonal treats, and little to no workout time all contribute to the increase in dieters in January.
Festive Beverages for the Holidays- Whether you are celebrating at home with your family, or throwing a large get together, special punches and beverages add a festive touch to the holidays.
Festive Cucumber and Dill Salad- One of my favorite dishes served during the holiday season while I was growing up was a simple cucumber salad made by my grandmother. She only served it on Thanksgiving and Christmas, and we looked forward to it with much anticipation each year.
Gifts from the Kitchen- Here we go into gift giving season. For many folks, money is tight, so gift giving needs to be thoughtful. With a little planning, gifts from the kitchen can be cost effective, personal and delicious!
Holiday Gifts to Make Now & Give Later- The holiday gift giving season is just around the corner. This is the year to get personal and offer delicious gifts from your kitchen. Instead of turning to the typical tins of cookies, fruit baskets, or popcorn buckets, try something a little more unique that your friends and family will truly appreciate.
Homemade Nuts and Candy- Nuts and candy make wonderful Christmas gifts for that hard to buy for
person, or as an addition to gifts you may have crafted or purchased.
Family and friends love homemade treats! I have found homemade candy and
nuts are a perfect gift for men and teenagers. Place in tins and attach
a gift tag for a simple, but tasty gift.
Mini Cucumber Sandwiches- These mini open faced cucumber sandwiches have been around for as long as I can remember. From office parties to family gatherings, they are a tasty and refreshing addition to any appetizer tray.
Nanaimo Bars- These delicious cookies are a staple of local cafes in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. These bars freeze well, so it's nice to make extras to keep in the freezer for anytime you want a quick treat. Before cutting the bars, if you dip your knife into hot water to heat it, it will help make the process neater and cut easily through the chocolate.
Orange Rolls for Breakfast- Cinnamon rolls, sticky buns, orange rolls, whatever your preference, they are all delicious but generally require hours of prep and rise time. These orange rolls are much quicker, meaning you are satisfied sooner!
These make an ideal breakfast treat for Easter, Mother's Day or Father's Day!
Packaging Homemade Goodies as Holiday Gifts- Cookies, brownies, and homemade candies are wonderful gifts from the heart. But what are some fun and pretty ways to wrap your treats? Try some of these ideas when wrapping up your holiday gifts.
Pull Apart Cornmeal Dinner Rolls- Winter weather means lots of meals in the slow cooker and plenty of piping hot soups and stews. What better accompaniment for a warming bowl of soup or stew than homemade rolls? These pull apart dinner rolls and the perfect size to dip into soup!
Rack of Lamb Dinner- Ah! The last hectic week before the holidays! All the shopping done? The gifts all wrapped? Stockings hung? Good!
Now, settle back and take notes. Here's an elegant dinner for two for you and someone special to you to create this week ...
Sugar Cookie Decorating- This is the one time a year that people are most likely to take out all the stops in their holiday baking. For many that means big messes and bigger headaches. As an accomplished sugar cookie baker, I have some great tips to make it more fun than hassle.
Valentine's Day
Not too far from now, Cupid will be shooting his arrow at love birds all over! Visit our Valentine's Day section for fun crafts, great recipes, or gift ideas, you'll find it all here. Here are a few examples to get you started...