My mom was not much of a baker. At our house, all cookies were chocolate chip (from the recipe on the bag of chips) or spritz cookies at holidaytime. Her cakes were from boxed mixes. (She still calls them “stupid cakes” because “any stupid fool can make one.”) That was pretty much her dessert repertoire. Mom did have one dessert that always wowed the crowd, Roulage Léontine, from Dione Lucas’s 1964 classic, The Gourmet Cooking School Cookbook. While I’ve updated the recipe and called it ... read more
What If You Use Baking Powder Instead of Baking Soda?
What happens if you use baking powder instead of baking soda? I found out by accident when making my favorite banana bread recipe. I was distracted. Yes, I know I should know the recipe by heart at this point. Also, I should have noticed when I took out the baking powder that something was wrong. But I didn't realize my mistake until it was too late. That said, I had a moment of indecision. Should I throw the batter away or wait to see what would happen? I did a quick bit of research. ... read more
Appetizer Heaven – Caponata
For me, appetizer heaven is Caponata. An Italian dish with eggplant, onions, celery, tomatoes, and olives, it is one of my "go to" appetizers. Whether it's a big party, a potluck, or just a compulsion ... read more
Tips for Saving Broth or Soup
Whether you have a lot or a little, use these tips for saving broth or soup. You won't be sorry and you'll have broth or soup to use as the basis for lots of meals in the chilly winter months. ... read more
Passover Seder Menu & Recipes 2026 (5786)
I intended to go small and be simple this year, but never mind. We'll use my family's Baskin Haggadah, and remember fondly family friend Marty Segal's comment every Passover, "same as last year, ... read more
Simple and Easy Lemon Curd
Some things are life changing. And so it was for me with this Lemon Curd. Before, I had always made lemon curd on the stove. Hoping that I would not turn my egg-based lemon curd into scrambled eggs by ... read more
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