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Red Velvet Cake

 I wanted my 100th post to be somewhat special and what better way to commemorate the milestone than with Red Velvet Cake. My mom’s birthday is tomorrow and there are two cakes our family makes: Carrot and Red Velvet. More often than not, Red Velvet wins. Our Red Velvet is classic. It’s made with a ton of Crisco and no cream cheese in sight. Cream cheese frosting overpowers the essence of the cake. Red Velvet Cake was originally named for the reaction that would occur between cocoa powder and the acidic vinegar and buttermilk. The red color in the cocoa would become pronounced. However, today with dutch-processed cocoa and a…

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Chicken and Gnocchi Soup

 Since starting at the advertising agency, my first “real-world” job, I’ve come to a realization: Thank god I cook. Not only are my lunches better than whatever Lean Cuisine just exploded in the microwave, it also gives my coworkers and I something to talk about. I don’t have a child. I have no idea what closing on a house is like. I can’t complain about in-laws coming to visit, but I can share a good slow cooker recipe. Until you get to know people better, food is a great way to bond. This recipe was passed along by my mom’s coworker. I probably would have overlooked it without a recommendation.…

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Mexican Chocolate Streusel Cake

 At mile 21 of Sunday’s Walt Disney World Marathon, I used a visualization technique to survive the final, painfully long leg. I envisioned myself sprawled out on my couch come Monday, swaddled in fuzzy blankets, Downton Abbey‘s season two premiere streaming off my DVR, and a freshly baked dessert sitting on my lap. “Matthew… Chocolate… Couch… Matthew… Chocolate…” I didn’t know what I would make but I knew it would involve chocolate and cake. I think this recipe was a bit of serendipity. Not only did the cake meet the first two criteria, it also happened to be the creation of Rick Bayless, a Chicago chef. As you know, my…

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Scalloped Potatoes

 The holidays have come to a close and now my sights are set on Sunday, my first full marathon. I’m trying to be more conscious of my eating before the big day which seems to have translated into rationalized second helpings of carbs. I should begin monitoring intake on Thursday or Friday, but I’m going the overachiever route. I made these scalloped potatoes last night and to be honest, I’m not usually a white potato person. I prefer sweet potatoes. However, these were so amazing I’m second-guessing my allegiance. As long as you have a food processor or mandoline, they couldn’t be easier. While they’re decadent from the heavy cream,…

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Ham & Swiss Quiche

 It’s a family tradition to purchase a Honey Baked Ham for Christmas. We then manage to eat variations of ham recipes for the next week. One of my favorites is the Christmas morning quiche. It’s easy to make, albeit a long bake. However the creamy, rich slices are well worth the wait. This makes a great entree if you’re entertaining.

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Doughnut Muffins

 Let me begin with a disclaimer similar to the chocolate croissants: I did not make these. I would probably have been frightened away by the amount of butter. They melt in your mouth! I’m a sucker for Williams Sonoma ready-made decadent breakfast treats. These doughnut muffins are dusted in a light cinnamon sugar coat and are delivered frozen to your door in two half dozen packages– forced portion control. They are delicious. It’s the week before Christmas and the pace feels sloth-like. I’m saving my baking and cooking energy for Christmas cookies on Friday and the holiday menu Saturday, which means until then– doughnut muffin easy foods.

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Chicken Scaloppine

 Thankfully, the above photograph of last night’s meal is free from the dreaded blurry black spot. What spot? Oh, just the one that appeared after I dropped my camera on the tile floor. I managed to maneuver my foot enough to catch a bit of its fall. However, it still fell about four feet. I should probably not be allowed to have nice things. The likelihood I’ll drop something, or spill something on it, is very high. But, a quick google search enlightened me to a whole community of clumsy folk. The black spot was the result of a speck of dust landing on the sensor. I removed the lens…

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