Christmas

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Wagner Winter Salad

Inspiration comes from all around us at any given moment. You just have to watch for it.  I happen to love to talk about food and in the course of a recent conversation, an idea for a new recipe popped into my head. That’s how it rolled when I was talking with my friend Donna about the vinaigrette I was going to make with her blood oranges and Meyer lemons. Continue reading

Blood Orange Vinaigrette

It’s who you know that makes all the difference! We just happen to be staying with the Wagner’s on their ranch and there is an abundance of winter fruit just ripe for the picking. When Donna asked if we’d like some blood oranges, I just couldn’t resist! And true to their giving nature, I soon had a bag of blood oranges and Meyer lemons. In this bag was a lovely vinaigrette just waiting to be made! Continue reading

Easy Mushroom Gravy

Good Gravy! It’s so Easy! Everyone should make gravy when it’s this easy! I LOVE GRAVY!!! Any chance I can find to include it in a meal, you know you’re gonna find gravy served at my house. This time of year lots of people cringe at the thought of making gravy for the Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. But you really don’t have to fear the gravy when you know a few simple tricks! Continue reading

Christmas in The City

Hyatt Hotel SF

For me, there is something magical about San Francisco! Every since I was a child and our parents would take my two brothers and me into the “The City”, I would feel a wonderful vibration start to flow through my body. When you are from Northern California like I am, you call San Francisco “The City” and everyone knows which city you mean. When you are from anywhere else, you don’t seem to have the same reverence for her as we locals do and call this wonderful lady things like “Frisco” or “San Fran”. We beg of you, please don’t! If San Francisco is too much of a mouthful, she would love to be called “The City”. It was more than excitement that came over me as we drove across the Golden Gate Bridge, it was like the feeling you get when you are going to see a favorite aunt or friend you have not seen for a very long time; someone you love and always feel good around. That’s “The City” to me! Continue reading

Chocolate Dipped Coconut Macaroons

Small bites, big delights! Those who know me well, know that baking is NOT my forte! Sweet treats are not the first thing that comes to mind when I am in the kitchen either. Probably because I’m not a big sweet eater. My husband David has that base covered! He’s the one with a sweet tooth…or two and it makes me happy to make him happy so I make treats for him. Last Christmas my daughter-in-law Liz made the most wonderful little macaroons. They were so yummy I couldn’t stop eating them. I even had them for breakfast. I guess you could say they were a huge hit! Thanks Liz!  Continue reading

Ho Ho Cocoa! ~ Friday’s 5 o’clock Wet Your Whistle Call!

Hark! Thy holiday cocoa is here! Up on the roof top, down through the chimney and all around the Christmas tree. Whew! Holiday decorating is a lot of work! Doesn’t your Santa deserve a special cocoa for getting up on the ladder, stringing the lights in all those hard to reach, sometimes life threatening, places? I know mine does! Continue reading

Cinnamon Ice Cream

Oh my gosh! Words fail me….but I will try. I scream, you scream, we all scream for Ice Cream! This has never been truer than with this cinnamon ice cream. I mean, I could almost get hysterical this is so good! The best way I can describe it is, it tastes like the icing on a freshly baked cinnamon roll! Then pair it with a slice of apple pie and the talking is done! Continue reading

French Apple Tart

French pastries are some of the finest treats one can ever have. But do you need to be a pastry chef to make one at home? I think not! Sweet pastry crust for tarts is not difficult to make but it does add time to process. At the holidays we all seem to come up a bit short on time but that ‘s no reason to come up short on a sensational dessert that will please all your guests! Short cut to the rescue! Continue reading

Winter Salad with Cranberries and Spicy Pecans

Harvest Salad 
I make this salad a lot during the holidays and on through winter. I will be serving this salad with our Christmas dinner so I made a batch of spicy candied pecans this weekend and stored them in the freezer. Just lay them on the counter an hour before serving so they can defrost. The combination of the spice from the pecans, the sweet tartness from the apples, and the zingy of the gorgonzola with the balsamic dressing is an amazing flavor explosion in your mouth!

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Nutcracker Sweet Martini – Friday’s 5 o’clock Wet Your Whistle Call!

Nutcracker Sweet Martini
Although I do not have a huge sweet tooth; I leave that to my husband, the Christmas holidays always make me think of desserts and what luscious creations I could make to celebrate this festive season. The fantasy of baking with Christmas carols playing in the background helps set the stage for the perfect holiday dessert making.

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