Food Blog Forum Orlando, Magic Moments and an Inedible Recipe

Friday, March 23, 2012

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I’ve sat on this post for three whole days, debating whether or not to publish it. It seemed like a good idea at the time I wrote it, but then I started to get cold feet. I suspect that there are at least a few of my fellow food bloggers who have struggled with some of these same issues. So, I decided to put myself out there, warts and all, in the hope that my observations may be of some value. Consider yourself forewarned. This post is not like the ones I usually write here on SGCC. There aren’t any gooey chocolate chip cookies or other tasty treats waiting for you at the end. But, if you happen to have any cookies or cupcakes or muffins handy, now might be a good time to grab one to munch on as you read.

Last weekend, I attended the Food Blog Forum conference in Orlando. The event was held at Walt Disney World; and was probably one of the best blogging conferences I’ve attended. I’m not going to spend time in this post waxing poetic about all of the lovely and wildly creative bloggers I met there – although there were many. Nor am I going to rhapsodize about all of the marvelous food that I enjoyed – although there was quite a lot of that too. With over a hundred attendees at the conference, I’m confident that posts about those things will abound. Disney World is already a magical place all by itself. However, I found a deeper, more meaningful magic of my own there, and that is what I feel compelled to share with you. read more >>

more of what\'s cooking...

Friday Night Frittatas

Thursday, March 8, 201210 Comments

Although he grew most of the vegetables we ate, my father wasn’t really much into cooking. He was in charge of salads and made eggs on Sundays, but that was pretty much the extent of it. Dad did, however, have a few signature dishes that he loved to prepare …

Not Just for Holidays Lasagna Rolls Recipe

Thursday, March 1, 201215 Comments

In my family, we always knew it was a special occasion by the telltale aroma of lasagna baking in the oven. Neither my grandmother nor my mother made it often. A traditional lasagna is a labor intensive dish that takes several hours to prepare – even longer if you …

Sublime Simplicity:  Panna Cotta di Due Fiori

Sunday, February 19, 201211 Comments

I’ve always been somewhat of a food purist. I’m probably the only person over the age of five that actually prefers a plain cheese pizza to one with a zillion toppings. Pasta nirvana for me is a bowl of spaghetti with Marcella Hazan’s three ingredient tomato sauce. And, I …

Candied Vanilla-Poached Kumquats Recipe

Friday, February 17, 201211 Comments

Next to the temperate weather, one of the nicest things about living in Florida is the abundance of citrus fruits we have here. Several years ago, I planted a kumquat tree in my front yard. It’s a spindly, sad-looking, little thing. But, every year around this time, it give …

Sinfully Good: Devils Food Cupcakes with Roasted Strawberry-Balsamic Buttercream

Wednesday, February 15, 201218 Comments

You know, I wasn’t even planning to write about these cupcakes. They were just a quickie Valentine’s Day treat I whipped up at the last minute when my original plans went awry. But, they turned out so well, that I just had to share them with you. Isn’t it …

Chocolate Pavlova Torte with Raspberry Dream Cream: Perfect Imperfection

Monday, February 13, 201215 Comments

As a teen, I remember having lots of conversations with my mother about dating and relationships. Of her many “isms”, the one I heard most was “Looks aren’t everything. It’s what’s on the inside that matters.” Of course, she was right, but my superficial 16 year old brain didn’t …

Make Your Valentine Feel Special with Chocolate Pots de Creme,Two Ways

Wednesday, February 8, 20128 Comments

I’ve never really been into “cutesy” things. I’m not one to redecorate my house in themes for every holiday. And, I never wear sweaters with Rudolph, Cupid or the Easter Bunny plastered across my chest. Whether it be home décor, fashion or food, I tend to prefer uncluttered, elegant …

Score a Super Bowl Touchdown with Swedish Meatballs

Thursday, February 2, 20129 Comments

Let me just come right out and say it. These Swedish meatballs are the bomb! Seriously. They. Are. Awesome. IKEA had better watch out. I’m just sayin’.

Swedish meatballs are a perennial favorite among the smörgåsbord set, which is why I had to include them in my Meatball …

The Second Quarter:  Kefta Meatballs in Moroccan-Spiced Tomato Sauce

Tuesday, January 31, 20128 Comments

Coriander, cumin, paprika and cinnamon are but just a few of the staple ingredients you’ll find in the Moroccan dada’s pantry. The cuisine is earthy, fragrant and complex, redolent of rich spices, chiles, onions and garlic - punctuated with bright bursts of citrus, cilantro and mint. To me, it …

kiss the cook!

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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