Gifts from the Kitchen

Sunday, December 11, 2011

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Every year, long before the Thanksgiving dishes are even dried and put away, the Christmas rush is on. That’s when so many of us find ourselves racing around, spending money we don’t have on lots of things we don’t need. It’s crazy! One way that I’ve found to minimize the stress of Holiday shopping – and spending – is to make delicious gifts for family and friends in my own kitchen. Not only are homemade gifts often more economical, but they can also be much more meaningful to their recipients.

Each year, I choose a different assortment of tasty treats to give as holiday gifts.  I package each in pretty decorative packaging and make up cheery goodie bags to deliver to the lucky recipients.  I usually choose a few easy recipes along with some that are a little more complex to get a nice balance in my bags.   I really enjoy doing this, and the whole process helps to get me into the Holiday spirit.  And, after all that has happened around here lately, I could really use some help getting my Christmas mojo on!  read more >>

more of what\'s cooking...

Faux Nutella Recipe

Thursday, October 6, 201120 Comments

I’ve made no secret about the fact that I’m addicted to Nutella.  Just leave me alone with my own jar of that creamy, dreamy, chocolatey deliciousness and a great, big spoon, and I’m happy.  But, let’s face it. Nutella isn’t exactly considered a health food.  It contains gobs of …

Stopping to Smell the Roses: Honey Chevre Ice Cream with Rose-Kissed Caramel Sauce Recipe

Friday, May 13, 20119 Comments

When I was a little girl, we lived in house made of pale gray stone.  It was the only stone house on our street.  All of the others were made of red brick.   The front and back flagstone porches were connected by a cobbled path, and the whole property …

Golden Vanilla Bean Caramels Recipe and Stirring the Pot

Wednesday, April 6, 201135 Comments

Do you have any “pot stirrers” in your life?  You know the type.  They’re the people who can never leave well enough alone: the ones who always find it necessary to try and create drama in any given situation, (which usually doesn’t even concern them), by saying or doing …

Nutella Rice Krispie Treats

Monday, October 4, 201044 Comments

Aside from my family, there are two things in this world that I honestly don’t think I could live without.  At the very least, my quality of life would surely suffer without them.  They are Nutella and Rice Krispie treats.  Seriously.  I have to keep the Nutella jar safely …

Sweets for Your Sweetheart

Thursday, February 11, 201024 Comments

It’s always so nice to give (and get) a lovely heart-shaped box of chocolates on Valentine’s Day.  But, think how much more special such a gift would be if the chocolates were homemade with lots of extra love thrown in!  Don’t think you could do it?  Think again.  Homemade …

Daring Bakers Go Canadian (Nanaimo Bars)

Wednesday, January 27, 201057 Comments

The January 2010 Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Lauren of Celiac Teen. Lauren chose Gluten-Free Graham Wafers and Nanaimo Bars as the challenge for the month. The sources she based her recipe on are 101 Cookbooks and www.nanaimo.ca.
The Nanaimo bar is …

Pate de Fruits and a New Motivation

Sunday, January 10, 201045 Comments

What is it about ringing in a new year that makes everything seem so fresh, possible and…well, new?  I mean, it’s not like the world just magically changed in the span of 24 short hours, at least not my world. All of the problems and issues in my life …

Greed is Good – Very, Very Good (Homemade 100 Grand Bars)

Friday, August 21, 200964 Comments

It seems like I just posted the roundup for Breakfast at Tiffany’s and it’s already time for another installment of Dinner and a Movie.  Where does the time go?!?!  This month’s DaaM is being hosted by my co-host Marc from No Recipes, and the film he chose is the …

Strawberry Marshmallows

Monday, August 10, 200951 Comments

After the success I had making homemade marshmallows for the July Daring Baker Challenge, I was itching to try my hand at it again.  I guess you could say I was on a marshmallow roll!    While surfing the web for some inspiration, I came across a marshmallow recipe that …

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Hello and welcome to SGCC! I’m Susan, a professional writer, food columnist, recipe developer, wife, mother, daughter and sister, who used to be a lawyer in a previous life. My love of food comes from a long line of wonderful and creative Italian home cooks who didn’t always have a lot, but knew how to make a lot out of what they had. I hope that you enjoy yourself while you’re here, and visit often! read more >>

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