I find myself examining every photograph differently now. When I look at a cookbook, magazine, or internet, I look how the photographer styled the food, what they used as a background, and the way it was lit up. I bookmark styles that I really like and try to use them later in my own photographs….
Decadent Delights
Peach Pie Crumble with a Carmel Whiskey Sauce
I used to hate pie. Cooked fruits were not my thing. Then, one day a few years ago, I was served a piece of homemade pie. It was life changing. The flakiness of the homemade crust and the perfectly sweet and not over cooked apples, changed my pie perception for ever. I am now a…
Brownie Bites
Oh my gosh…it feels like forever since I have posted something, and even longer since it has been of a baked good! Hopefully, things will get back to normal here soon. Anyway, on to the more important things: Brownie Bites. Growing up, my mother was a health freak. Should would go to the grocery store…
House Guests and Tarts
Lemon Shortbread Tart. I could stop there, but I will explain where my love of this tart has come from. There is this Swiss chain market called Migros. It has some of the most amazing prepackaged tarts ever! Actually all of their pastries are pretty darn good. Usually we have influx of family and friends…
S’mores For The Peanut Butter Lover
On Tuesday nights, during summer, my family and I meet at the beach for a BBQ and a bonfire. It is always a nice time to catch up and relax. This past Tuesday, we decided to change things up a bit and add some peanut butter to our S’mores bar. So what happens when…
Enzo Olive Oil Tour- And A Giveaway!
My favorite stop on the Frenso Farm Fruit Trail tour sponsored by the California Farm Water Coalition was the ENZO Organic Olive Oil Facility. Being Italian, olive oil is a staple in our household. The fact that it was organic merely increased my love for this place! We toured the groves and the processing and…
Carnival Funnel Cake
Every year, the city in which we live, is graced the San Diego County Fair aka the Del Mar Fair. And when I say graced, I am being totally facetious. Most people love going to the fair to ride the rides, eat the deep-fried Twinkies, or tour around all of the new “as seen on…
CrockPot Cheesecakes
I love throwing parties, yet I hate preparing for them. I always take a week to prepare my meal, but the day of, I am stressed out beyond belief. Cleaning, shopping, cooking ALWAYS gets done at the last minute. And getting ready….pfff…totally overrated, mascara and wet hair is a tell-tale sign that your hostess has…
Fifty Shades of Neglect and Oreo Rice Krispie Treats
I admit it, I have fallen into the craze of the book series Fifty Shades of Grey. I wasn’t sure I would like it, but once I moved past the all of the sex, it is quite an intriguing story of love. A word of caution though, do not start this book in public. I…
Date Night and Salted Caramel Butterscotch Pudding
After having just finished a way too loaded semester full of ridiculous papers, nuclear weapons free simulations, and redesigning the United States Welfare system, I feel as if I need to reconnect with everyone in my life. I kind of feel like Paige from The Vow, but instead of my memory being erased by an…
Sea Salt Caramel Vanilla Bean Cupcakes
At the end of every semester I feel really guilty. Come finals week, I usually only have condiments and expired milk in the fridge. My children’s vegetable intake consists of ketchup and tater tots, and they have to fish through a couch full of clean laundry to find a clean sock. Once I finally come…
World Peace Cookies and The Dalai Lama
“It is very important to generate a good attitude, a good heart, as much as possible. From this, happiness in both the short-term and the long-term for both yourself and others will come.” -Dalai Lama Last week I had the honor of attending a lecture given by the 14th Dalai Lama. Not only is he…
Psychedelic 7 Layer Italian Cookies
Traditionally, these cookies are the colors of the Italian flag: red, white and green, and coated on top and bottom with luscious chocolate ganache. Well, I am a mother of 3 and rarely get a night out, therefore I live vicariously through my food. While making these, I had the music blaring, and a nice…
Sprinkles Strawberry Cupcakes
When Sprinkles Cupcakes opened in La Jolla (a mere 15 minute drive from my house) a year and a half ago, I was elated. I was one of the insane people who waited in line for 2 hours (with a toddler) and bought every flavor. I am still, to this day, trying to work of…
Tequila Coconut Lime Cream Bars
Spring has officially begun, thank goodness. You know, those 2 days out of the year that San Diego gets rain is overwhelming, and the three months out of the year that we have to endure harsh 60 degree weather is depressing. Don’t get too jealous, we Californians pay a hell of a “sunshine tax”. So…
Cupcakes In A Jar- The Only Way To Eat Um
There is a certain magic about eating a cupcake out of a jar. You don’t have to worry about the frosting mustache or crumbs all over your shirt. The best part is, you get an extra layer of filling. Being encompassed around glass, the cupcakes guard their moisture and freshness for days. They also freeze…
Lemoncello Berry Pie
Growing up I used to hate it when the people responsible for bringing desserts would show up to the party with store-bought pie. I always thought it was such a cop-out! If you say you can bring a dessert, that automatically means that you can bake and that you will be bringing something homemade…and it…
A Day To Remember
Let me give you a bit of background history about my husband. He cannot sit still for longer than three minutes and 27 seconds. Our weekends are anything but restful, because he is constantly go go go. After the birth of our last child (4 months ago) my husband decided he would take time off…
The Hawaiian French Macaron
If you haven’t yet noticed, I love making French Macarons. I think it is because they are so incredibly temperamental that if you do the slightest thing wrong, your whole batch is a flop. A tiny bit of egg yolk…your egg whites don’t stiffen, or if you over beat them the end cookie will result in…
Cookie Inspiration
I have been on a total cheesecake kick lately probably due to the chirping birds and flower buds screaming spring. Ever Easter my grandmother makes two of the most amazing cheesecakes ever! Roaming through the 99cent Only Store this week I came across a nifty bag of Nutter Butter pieces and my brain went crazy…