Christmas is the perfect time for red velvet. It’s the festive color of the season, and it is just so fun. I’ve made Red Velvet Polka Dot Cookies and Red Velvet Surprise Cupcakes, and experiment with even more ideas. But this may be the most practical. Pound Cake is such a holiday staple – it’s easy to make, keeps well and freezes beautifully. Serve hefty slices with … [Read more...] about Red Velvet Pound Cake
Snacks And Starters
Spiced Dolly Bars
In the kitchen, surrounded by a surfeit of holiday baking supplies, I had a sudden craving for Hello Dolly Bars. I love Hello Dollies (or Seven Layer Bars or Magic Bars, whatever you call them), but they are not something I generally make, because I have lots of friends for whom it’s their standard recipe for to parties and weekends away. So I generally rely on others for my … [Read more...] about Spiced Dolly Bars
Tennessee Hot Browns
My mother used to make a dish she called Hot Browns on cold nights when we were kids. I loved hot brown nights. I didn’t know that Hot Browns were a real dish, something with a history and many fanatical supporters and traditionalists, I just thought it was something yummy my mom invented, specific to our house. I have to admit that my mom’s version was not … [Read more...] about Tennessee Hot Browns
Butternut Squash Pickle
The beautiful orangey amber cubes dress up any autumn platter. This is a quick pickle, one for the refrigerator not the canning process. Make it ahead of your holiday cooking as the flavor needs a little time to develop. Cutting the butternut can be a little time consuming, but a little patience and sharp, sturdy knife will pay off. I really prefer to have small pieces, … [Read more...] about Butternut Squash Pickle
Pumpkin Pizza Party (Pumpkin Pizza Dough and Pumpkin – Tomato Pizza Sauce)
I have always loved interactive food – where everyone gets to participate in the making and serving of a meal. The pizza party is a great example of this – roll out the dough, choose the toppings, assemble the pizza and watch while they bake. It’s fun for kids and grown-ups alike. Fall and Halloween are great times to gather around a fun kitchen project. When the … [Read more...] about Pumpkin Pizza Party (Pumpkin Pizza Dough and Pumpkin – Tomato Pizza Sauce)
