Category Archives: Snacks

Toasted Coconut Marshmallows

October 16, 2012 By in Dessert, Snacks Tags: , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment
Toasted Coconut Marshmallows

Toasted Coconut Marshmallows

Yum! Yum! Yum! That’s about all I have to say about these Toasted Coconut Marshmallows. Well…almost all I have to say about them. I purchased a new stand mixer a while back and was searching for the perfect first stand mixer recipe. After all, you have to break a good piece of equipment in properly, right? I was also searching for a finger food dessert for a party I was attending. After some thought and a serious sugar craving, I knew Toasted Coconut Marshmallows would be a hit at the party. I was right! These little babies were flying off the platter and received raving reviews!

With the season turning to candies and desserts for all those parties and family gatherings you will be attending, you will want to make up a batch of these delicious marshmallows. They are sweet, pillowy and irresistable. They also can be stored for a few weeks in an airtight container – so make some now!

Toasted Coconut Marshmallows Recipe Continue reading →

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Meyer Lemon Bars

January 5, 2012 By in Dessert, Snacks Tags: , , , , , , , , 3 Comments

Meyer Lemon Bars

There simply is nothing like a lemon bar. You have the tart lemon surrounded by that mildly sweet flavor that is truly addictive. The sprinkling of powdered sugar makes them so attractive too. Do you want to try an even sweeter version of the much craved lemon bar…go with Meyer Lemon Bars.

Now is the time of year when you can find meyer lemons at specialty food stores and farmer’s markets. When you find them, grab them immediately! Grab extra too! They are well worth it just to have the experience of the perfect lemon bar. These Meyer Lemon Bars have an addictive shortbread crust, an almost but not quite cakey texture, and that oh so sweet and slightly tart lemon filling. If you are unable to find meyer lemons (sigh), you can use this recipe for the standard lemon bars. They will just be more tart and will miss that unique orange flavor that is the hallmark of the meyer lemon. Either way, you are going to love it!

Meyer Lemon Bars Recipe Continue reading →

Fresh and Simple: Radishes with Dill Butter and Sea Salt

December 13, 2011 By in Appetizers, Side Dish, Snacks Tags: , , , , , , , 1 Comment

Fresh Radishes with Dill Butter and Sea Salt

Sometimes the simplest of foods are the most satisfying. These fresh Radishes with Dill Butter and Sea Salt are the perfect example. Delicious and peppery radishes straight from the farmer’s market combined with a homemade compound butter and a coarse salt…so easy, yet so tasty. What more is there to say?

Radishes with Dill Butter and Sea Salt Recipe Continue reading →

Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Tartlets

December 7, 2011 By in Appetizers, Side Dish, Snacks Tags: , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Phyllo Tarts

Need a quick and easy yet elegant appetizer this December? These Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Tartlets are your answer! A few ingredients and some help from pre-made phyllo tarts make these bite size appetizers speedy, simple, and scrumptious.

I was planning my contributions to a big family dinner recently and decided that I was tired of the pre-dinner starvation ritual that we all go through. You know it…about four hours before the big dinner, people start hovering in the kitchen, begging for something to hold them over. Everyone was “smart” and decided to forego lunch in preparation for the gluttony to come for dinner. No one thought about how hungry they would be while they waited on the big meal. My response at this meal? Here…have a Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Tartlet. They were a big success but were gone way too quickly!

Note:  If you are feeling ambitious, make your own phyllo tarts with phyllo sheets, butter and a mini muffin tin. Just cut small squares of phyllo, layer two or three decoratively in the mini muffin tins with butter brushed on each in between. Bake until golden brown. Done.

Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Tartlet Recipe Continue reading →

Pumpkin Week! Day Two – Pumpkin Whoopee Pies with Maple Cream Filling

November 1, 2011 By in Dessert, Snacks Tags: , , , , , , , , 3 Comments

Pumpkin Whoopee Pies with Maple Cream Filling

It is day two of my pumpkin exploration! My one and only objective is…No Pumpkin Pie! Today’s dessert not only gives me a new way to use pumpkin, but it also gives me an excuse to eat a creamy filling. It could be whipped cream, mousse, or in this case a Maple Cream Filling, but if it’s creamy I am all over it. My brain tells me to run the other way in an effort to protect my naturally curvy (such a nice way to say it!) hips while my heart and taste buds beat down my brain in a fight club style epic event. My brain rarely wins.

These Pumpkin Whoopee Pies with Maple Cream Filling have all of the aspects of a delicious dessert without any fuss. There is a cake-like cookie, the pumpkin taste that is so seasonal and comforting, and then the creamy, maple filling. Enjoy!

Pumpkin Whoopee Pies with Maple Cream Filling Recipe Continue reading →

Pumpkin Week! Day one – Pumpkin Seed Brittle

October 31, 2011 By in Dessert, Snacks Tags: , , , , , , , 2 Comments

Pumpkin Seed Brittle

Every fall, I work myself into a cookng frenzy. Something about the cooler weather, the colors of the leaf turning (Note I said leaf. That is not a mistake. Here in Florida there are not turning leaves.), and honestly, the millions of commercials with so many delicious looking dishes make me want to cook up a storm. This year I decided I needed to get to know the pumpkin. I have always resisted the pumpkin. Every November dinner I attend has a pumpkin pie, which is delicious but not all that exciting. My goal was to cook up a variety of pumpkin dishes without ever thinking about the pumpkin pie. So, I give you Pumpkin Week! This week will be devoted to everything pumpkin….sans the pumpkin pie.

I kick off this week with a recipe that is so simple but will make your family and friends think you slaved away in your kitchen. Pumpkin Seed Brittle is a wonderfully sweet way of using a part of the pumpkin that so regularly gets discarded. This nutty brittle has that sweet and salty flavor that works perfectly as a snack to have around the house, or as a unique gift to wrap and give to your friends and coworkers. Next time you have a few minutes to spare (that’s about all it takes to make), try your hand at some Pumpkin Seed Brittle!

Pumpkin Seed Brittle Recipe Continue reading →

Last of the Seasonal Strawberries: Easy Strawberry Jam

October 23, 2011 By in Breakfast/Brunch, Dessert, Sauces and Dressings, Snacks Tags: , , , , 1 Comment

Easy Strawberry Jam

As we move from summer into fall, the last of the seasonal strawberries should be savored. Our grocery stores have a few left so grab some quickly and make some Easy Strawberry Jam. This strawberry jam will give you another few weeks of summery strawberry goodness as you begin to bundle up and wonder if we are in for a hard winter (well, not me really…I live in Florida!). I hope you enjoy!

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Jalapeno Pickle Chips

October 17, 2011 By in Appetizers, Side Dish, Snacks Tags: , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

Jalapeno Pickle Chips

My sister and I have different tastes…I observe this just about any time we order a sub sandwich or visit a salad bar. Her subs and salads consist of black olives, pickles, hot peppers, cheese and oil and vinegar. My subs and salads have one thing in common with hers…cheese, and not the pepper jack kind. So when we went to a specialty grocery store recently, my sister about fainted with excitement when she saw that they offered homemade jalapeno pickle chips. They somehow disappeared within a few hours of her getting home so I decided to try my hand at some Jalapeno Pickle Chips. I really didn’t want to have to visit this grocery store every weekend.

These Jalapeno Pickle Chips are so easy and are perfect for sandwiches, salads or just for snacking. If you are like my sister and love tangy pickles combined with a kick of heat, give these Jalapeno Pickle Chips a try!

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No More Biscuits in a Can!: Homemade Biscuits

October 2, 2011 By in Breakfast/Brunch, Side Dish, Snacks Tags: , , , , , , Leave a comment

Homemade Biscuits

For years I have slaved over a hot oven making canned refrigerated biscuits! I spent so much time twisting open the cardboard can waiting for the pop sound telling me I am ten minutes closer to somewhat satisfying, perfectly round biscuits. After today that hard work is over! I finally took the time to make homemade biscuits and found out that they are so simple and way more delicious. I literally took about twelve minutes making the biscuits from scratch and another ten minutes baking them. That’s it!

These biscuits are so simple yet they are so crispy on the outside and flaky on the inside. The recipe is also full of ingredients I am going to bet you have in your pantry right now. So, take about 20 minutes out of your day and give in to piping hot, flaky biscuits!

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Orange White Chocolate Chip Cookies

September 29, 2011 By in Dessert, Snacks Tags: , , , , , 1 Comment

Orange White Chocolate Chip Cookies

For reasons I will not bore you with, I can no longer eat chocolate. Yes, I know…a travesty! So these days I am always looking for some kind of chocolate substitute. I haven’t found the perfect alternative yet but I will always be looking. Until then, these Orange White Chocolate Chip Cookies are simply delicious! They are buttery and creamy with sweet white chocolate and a background flavor of citrusy orange. Kind of shortbready (we will all just pretend that shortbready is a word). I really enjoy them and think you will too! Give them a try this week and let me know what you think!

Orange White Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe Continue reading →