• Jalapeno Cranberry Sauce

    Are cranberries your thing?  I feel like you either are or you are not.  Well this girl… BIG fan.  A few of my favorite recipes are these Cranberry Bran Muffins & Cranberry Bars.  I  have to say though, this Jalapeño Cranberry Sauce is definately in my top 3 now.  Cranberry Love! There is just something about these tart little berries that I cannot get enough of.  I love them in desserts, as a garnish, in drinks and definately as a side.    They are so easy to use and so festive. In this sauce the cranberries are truly the star but withe a little kick.  The jalapeño and spices bring…

  • Mary’s Flourless Chocolate Cake

    Flourless Chocolate Cake is a must in my family and this recipe is the only one I use now. It started with a flourless birthday party… This past year my sis-in-love found out that she feels best when she does not consume gluten.  Now I am not going to lie this kinda freaked me out when it all first happened, but eventually I decided to embrace it.  My first challenge was finding a delicious, decadent cake for her family birthday dinner and that is when I started working on a recipe for a Flourless Chocolate Cake. After several tries and several taste tests we finally found the RIGHT recipe… and…

  • Beer Braised Short Ribs

    Short ribs = comfort food for me and when it is cool outside ALL I want is comfort food.  Plus the calories don’t count in December… right? Let’s prep… The key to this dish is building flavors upon flavors.   It starts with browning the short ribs, then the veggies & herbs and then the braising liquid and then the gravy.   It starts with the ribs.  For this dish I used boneless as that it what looked the best at the butcher.  They were about 3-4 inches long, and about 1 – 1 1/2 inches thick.  If you wanted to use bone in you can, just may need to…

  • Gingerbread Muffins

    It is Gingerbread season and I am 100% jumping into it!  First recipe is muffins… nothing like waking up to the hint of gingerbread in the air. Let’s get gingerbread spicy! The secret to anything gingerbread is the spice blend.  Too much ginger and it can be too spicy, too much cinnamon and it drowns everything else out.  Too many cloves and you can’t taste anything else, it is all about balance.   These muffins have the perfect balance of spice and will be the perfect Holiday treat. A little extra crunch… For me a good muffin is tender, moist and full of flavor.  A GREAT muffin has a fun…

  • Gluten Free Thanksgiving Dressing

    Thanksgiving is just around the corner… like literally AROUND the corner and I have the BEST dressing recipe ever (& it is gluten-free)!  Yep I said… THE BEST! It is all about the gluten free bread… In my opinion what makes this dressing the best is the bread! Surprise, surprise it is made with gluten free bread!  I know I was shocked as well.  The gluten free bread is naturally already drier in consistency and once you toast it to a golden brown it truly does become the perfect bread to carry all the dressing seasonings without getting too mushy. So how did this dressing happen you ask?  Well, last…

  • Cookie Butter Blondies

    Cookie Butter is all you need to take blondies to the NEXT level!  LIKE NEXT, NEXT LEVEL! Cookie Butter Love! Have you had cookie butter?  Are you a fan?  If you are not, I am not sure we can be best friends, but we can be friends… but be warned I will probably try to make you fall in love with cookie butter.    Not sure what I am talking about… no problem.  It is basically speculous cookies (think mild gingersnaps) whipped into a delicious peanut butter/nutella type spread.  There is just something so delicious about the slightly spicy, creamy, gingery, warm yumminess of cookie butter.  I use it on…

  • Monster Brownies – A Boooo-rific Sweet Treat

    Halloween is just a round the corner and that means it is time for Monster themed treats… and these Monster Brownies are just what this Halloween needs.  A Monster Brownie with Options The beauty of these brownies are all the options.  First – you can use a box brownie mix if you would like.  If you have a favorite one use it…I would recommend one that bakes up a bit on the darker chocolate side just so the marshmallow web stands out more, but whatever you have on hand will work. Second – you can make this gluten and dairy free.  Just replace the flour and butter with your diet…

  • Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

    It is pumpkin season and these Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies are the perfect Fall treat. Pumpkin + Chocolate = Must Make I am all about pumpkin anytime but when you throw chocolate to the mix… well I am ALL IN.  I love pumpkin pie spice (especially this Trader Joe’s version) and chocolate together.  I first fell in love with spiced chocolate when I made these Mexican Spiced Brownies several years back. I love how the spices really mesh with the bitterness of the chocolate and enhance each other.  I know that sounds very foodie but try it… you will see what I am talking about. Extra Chocolate… Please Can there…

  • Pumpkin Maple Scone

    You need a Pumpkin Maple Scone in your life right now!  LIKE NOW! Scone Time! I am a scone girl for sure.  I just love how they are the perfect cross between a biscuit, cookie and muffin all in one cut little triangle of yumminess.  For me a good scone is not too sweet, not too dry and light, not too heavy. If you have had very many scones there is a chance you have come across a tough scone here and there, and for that I am so sorry.  It can definately damper your opinion of these delicious little brunch treats, but I hope you will give them another…