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Nov 20, 2024

Wintery Pavlova with Port Cranberries and Rosemary

This Pavlova with port cranberries and rosemary is a wonderful wintery take on the summer dessert that hails from Oceania. 

Pavlova on a cake plate topped with cranberries.


Both Australia and New Zealand take credit for the invention of this cloud-like dessert, created in the 1920s to honor the Russian ballerina of the same name. It starts with a delicate meringue-crusted base that is dreamy  and marshmallow soft inside. 

Brothless Ramen with XO Sauce (XO Mazemen)

Brothless Ramen with XO Sauce is a highly flavorful noodle dish that is a mash up of Japanese Mezeman (mixed noodles) and a sauce created in Hong Kong that is a total umami bomb. 




Take some cooked ramen noodles and toss them with a mixture of XO sauce, oil or rendered fat, rice vinegar, and soy sauce and you have a magical mixture of noodles and sauce that is tasty, filling, and will introduce you to the spicy seafood condiment that was developed in the 1980s in Hong Kong. 

Nov 17, 2024

Eton Mess with Raspberries, Blackberries, and Jam

This Eton Mess with rasperries, blackberries, and raspberry jam is a tasty take on the famous parfait named after prestigious English boarding school. It's a tasty mash up of berries, whipped cream, and meringue. 

Two Parfaits of Eton Mess with Raspberries, Blackberries, and Jam


Evidently, it is served at an annual cricket match! 

Nov 16, 2024

Cranberry Crumble Bars

These Cranberry Crumble Bars are an easy dessert to serve for Thanksgiving and Christmas... or anytime. 

Cranberry Crumble Bars on a small plate.


These cranberry crumble bars are reminiscent of the flavors of Linzer cookies, the jam-filled sandwich cookie made with both wheat and almond flours. 

Nov 11, 2024

Cornmeal Batty Cakes

These cornmeal batty cakes are little savory pancakes made with just five ingredients. They are also known as Johnny cakes, hoe cakes, and several other names, such as Shawnee cakes and spider cornbread.  

Cornmeal Batty Cakes stacked on a plate.


In the new cookbook, Baking in the American South by Anne Byrn, these little corn cakes are called Nina Cain's Batty cakes with lacey edges (I received a copy from the publisher for an honest review). 

Nov 9, 2024

No Knead Ciabatta

This no knead chiabatta bread, with its crunchy crust and soft and airy interior, is super tasty and so easy to make. 

No Knead Ciabatta bread slices in a basket.


This bread is wonderful for sandwiches, croutons, and simply as a side for dipping in sauces, stews, and soups. It also makes amazing garlic bread

Nov 5, 2024

Homemade Wonton Soup with Pork and Ginger

This wonton soup, with pork and ginger, is a fun and delicious take on a classic Chinese take-out dish. 

Wonton Soup with Ginger and Pork in a red rimmed white bowl.



This soup, with its refreshing gingery chicken broth, pork and ginger filling, along with a crunchy addition of romaine, is a light and wonderful first course to a multi-course Chinese-style feast. I also love it for a light lunch.