Holiday Cookie Favorites
Kolacky
Almondina
Gingerbread
Cookie Cakes
Linguica, Fava and Onions
Many of you have followed my brother’s recipes. They’re amazing! He can make a Whole Wheat Bread to die for! His Pit Beef can’t be surpassed. His duck, now there is one amazing Wild Duck. But his passion is making linguica. So, a few weeks ago after spending 4 1/2 hours hand cutting 75 pounds of pork butt, putting everything together for marinating, and claiming this will be the best batch of Homemade Linguica yet! … And his very last go-at-it! HE FORGOT THE CUMIN! This ex-Arkansas Razorback isn’t into tears and he wasn’t when he broke the news but there was definitely disappointment in his voice. He is sending me some for Christmas and I’m sure it won’t need too much dressing up. He’s let me know he now has to make another batch … one last perfect batch.
If you’re into this recipe you might also like Peas Linguica & Eggs
Caramel Cake
An oldie with a mild caramel flavor. This 50’s Betty Crocker recipe has been revised just a bit. The natural flavor is wonderful. While not a special occasion cake exactly it’s great for a weekend dinner. The icing is creamy and the secret here is to beat until it reaches the correct consistency. This pretty much requires an electric mixer for best results.
When you’re not into chocolate and want something with a little flavor beyond a yellow cake this is the recipe for you.
Chicken Chili Soup
Melissa has been kind enough to share recipes in the past and here’s another. Melissa is my colorist, friend, and a perfectionist. So anything she shares with me I know will be delicious. We share common ethnicity and our love of Portuguese food. She loves linguica as much as I and gave me a quick pea soup recipe with linguica I’ll be posting soon too.
Forgive me Melissa if I tweak this a bit. If you are a true Portuguese cook you use your hands as measuring utensils and taste for correction. It’s perfect!
Try this too!
Cheeseburger Soup
This is an incredibly simple soup recipe. You may have all the ingredients to make it right now. I say step it up a bit and serve with a brioche hamburger bun on the side. The next time you are craving a cheesy cheeseburger give this a try.
If you’re into hamburger soups here is another delicious one!
National Cake Day 2017
Fabulous Cakes to give a try! And if you don’t see what you’re looking for in the list below click here for all cakes.
- Prune (or Date) Cake
- Banana Nut Cake with Caramel Glaze
- Banana Spice Cake
- Carrot Cake
- German Chocolate Cake
- Chocolate Cake Recipe
- Cream Cake with White Chocolate Frosting
- Best Coffee Cake
- Devil’s Food Cake
- Italian Cream Cake
- Chai Cake with Pecan Topping
- Coconut Cake with Caramel Rum Sauce
- Coconut Pound Cake
- Pound Cake
- Aunt Alice’s Portuguese Butter Sponge Cake
- Fav Spice Cake
- Lazy Daisy Cake
- Cinnamon Cocoa Sheet Cake
- Chardonnay Cake with Buttercream or Citrus Drizzle
- S’more Cake
- No Cheese No Bake Cheesecake
- More Please Pound Cake
- Gingerbread
- Spicy Pumpkin Cupcakes
- Pumpkin Pound Cake
Go To Food
My “go to” when I’m home on a rainy day, or when I’ve eaten too much over the Holidays, or when I’m looking for a no meat meal that satisfies. The ingredients are simple and nourishing. Today, I’m making one of my favorite soups, Basque Vegetable.
Keep this recipe handy for the perfect “go to.” You’ll love the simplicity. It’s delicious!
Try my soup recipes. You’ll love them!
Pasta “Fazool”
A Family’s Recipe
Pasta and Beans (Pasta Fagioli) is an economical dish with few ingredients. Eaten often by the Rizzo Family on meatless Friday’s and during Lent. When I assisted in putting this together I wasn’t sure just how flavorful the result would be. It is now on my list of favorite comfort foods. Vegan or vegetarian, or add a little Italian sausage if you must. It’s all perfectly good.
Pumpkin Pound Cake
It’s a birthday cake for a special friend! He’s so into “The Surprise Cake.” And Tomato Soup Cake is what he usually gets. This year I’ve been changing up everyone’s birthday cake. My bad! I came across this pound cake recipe, Land O’Lakes, and it just sounded so amazing. Land O’Lakes dairies are pretty prevalent around here, Tulare County. And my special friend’s mother only used Land O’Lakes Butter. Seemed like good reasons to give myself a pass and move forward. It was perfect! He loved the texture and the spicy pumpkin pie taste. And believe it or not it gets more moist with time. Did I say it has lots of butter! Give this Land O’Lakes Pumpkin Pound Cake Recipe a try. My only revision suggestion: Fold in 2/3 cup each raisins and chopped walnuts at the end of mixing. Happy Birthday Friend!
Try my spicy cake recipes:
Apple
Pumpkin
Banana
Chai
Mix Makeover
Bloody Beer Recipe
This is a meal … my thought when drinking! I love everything that goes into this drink! Low sodium … Not! Low salt V-8 Juice can be subbed for the Clamato Juice. Measuring isn’t really necessary. Here’s what I do. Chill your glasses for a few minutes first. This makes it easier to rub the rim in salt or Tajin (chile powder, dehydrated lime juice & of course, salt). Next add ice to your glass or not. Pour the glass 1/3 full with Clamato Juice, more or less. Fill the glass the rest of the way your fav beer. Splash a little of each of the following: Tabasco Sauce (or your fav hot sauce), Maggi Seasoning (Tabasco & Maggi to taste … a few drops might be all you need.) and lastly a true splash of Worcestershire Sauce. Stir. Add a lime slice or not. Maggi is delicious on so many foods. It does contain MSG as well as Clamato Juice and most brands of Worcestershire Sauce.
Pronouncing Worcestershire a challenge? Here’s a whole lesson including a little history if you’re into it.