Cheesy Corn Cornbread

Posted by Kathy on October 25, 2016

There is just something about fall. If you know us, it is the season for us to be out and about at shows and holiday events to meet you and talk about our Slow Cooker Cake Mixes. This year, it is also the season for us to finish a new cookbook. Whew!

We have had the most beautiful, mild fall—with warm, sunny days. The weather is kind of a tease, or a maybe it is just hiding what is to come. We know cold, snowy days will come soon enough. To chase that chill, and to enjoy a bit of comfort at the dinner table, we turn to lots of soups, stews, chili, tacos and everything warm for dinner. It seems when days get busier, a bowl of soup, like Roxanne’s recipe last week, or this Texas Style Soup seem perfect. Chili, like this one, is the ideal dinner for any fall night.

But what do you serve with chili? This Cheesy Corn Cornbread is the yummy, easy answer. [Read more…]

Cappuccino Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins

Posted by Roxanne on April 12, 2016

We have all had at least one, I hope, and some have been blessed with many. What? Why wonderful teachers, of course! Our daughter had the opportunity to experience English and grammar from a remarkable teacher who is devoted to her students and teaches with a passion. During the 2 years that she was able to receive instruction from Molly Totoro, my husband and I commented on several occasions that we wished we could have been so fortunate to have such an excellent English teacher. Mrs. Totoro made reading, writing and grammar come alive.

My heart skipped a beat when I recently read Mrs. Totoro’s blog. She featured a family favorite muffin. The reason for the heart skip was the source of this family favorite. Mrs. Totoro credited the book Mostly Muffins that was co authored by Barbara Albright. Barbara was a professional colleague and a kindred spirit that I admired. My recollection of Barbara from meeting her at professional meetings was that she was one special lady, always with a smile and a zest for life. Barbara was inducted into the James Beard Cookbook Hall of Fame. It was a deep loss in the food world, when Barbara passed away from a brain tumor at the young age of 51 in 2006.

I baked these muffins one spring afternoon to honor two very talented, dedicated professional women that have touched my life. These muffins were wonderful tidbits and I savored the goodness of great writers over my afternoon cup of tea and treasured life’s memories. I shied away from the 2 to 2 ½ teaspoons espresso powder thinking that it would be a deal breaker for my family’s tastes. Wrong! Next time I will definitely bake with more espresso powder.

By the way, this recipe quickly became one that my family adores too.
I hope you will bake and enjoy!

Cappuccino Chocolate Chip Muffins

2 cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 ½ teaspoons espresso powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ cup whole milk
½ cup unsalted butter, melted and allowed to cool slightly
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375° F. Spray mini muffin pans with nonstick spray.

Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, espresso powder, salt and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl. Whisk together milk, butter, egg and vanilla in a medium bowl.

Make a deep well in the flour mixture and add the liquid mixture. Stir until just combined making sure not to over mix.

Fill mini muffin tins about ¾ full. Bake for about 11 to 12 minutes. Allow to stand in pan for 5 minutes then carefully remove to a cooling rack to completely cool. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Makes about 32 mini muffins.

This was adapted from Mostly Muffins by Barbara Albright and Leslie Weiner and from The Totoro Family Recipe Collection.

Merry Christmas Cinnamon Bread

Posted by Roxanne on December 18, 2015

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM OUR KITCHEN TO YOURS

Call me sentimental, call me silly but I am proud of family traditions and adore recreating warm holiday memories each year. That said, our Christmas Day breakfast has been the same for decades. The beauty of Christmas breakfast is that all of the recipes can be made the day before allowing time for me to sip coffee in my favorite Christmas mug, light the advent candles and enjoy the gift opening festivities. The menu includes Amaretto Fruit, Egg Sausage Casserole and Christmas Coffee Cake. The aroma that dances from the oven always trigger Christmas morning memories. It is a joy to share this recipe so that you can begin your own Christmas Day memories.

Thank you for reading our blog and supporting us this past year. We want to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas! [Read more…]

Hot Cross Buns

Posted by Roxanne on March 29, 2015

The special day is finally near! Easter is a week away and that means rituals and recipes that are rich with tradition in our home.

Each Easter morning begins with Hot Cross Buns. These are always served with dyed Easter eggs, fresh fruit and orange juice. This is always the way we begin our special day. It is indeed a glorious day. Yes, of course, the big Easter dinner will take place much later in the day but the day will be off to a grand start with this traditional breakfast. [Read more…]

Spiedini Alla Romano recipe

Posted by Kathy on February 3, 2015

My family has a current guilty food passion right now. It really is ooey, gooey good so throw caution aside and dig in.

I love to buy and read cookbooks. I never have enough. Some books quickly become favorites, but Carmine’s Family Style Cookbook is one I will never forget. [Read more…]