I have a confession: I don’t think I’d ever made classic Rice Krispie treats until recently. I enjoy their crispy, marshmallowy texture when I eat one, but growing up my house favored other cereals and I never developed a habit of making them. That changed when I discovered a twist that elevates the simple treat … Read more

With crisp edges and tender, buttery centers, these pecan sandies are exceptional. They offer a nutty, rich flavor and that classic melt-in-your-mouth shortbread texture everyone loves. What are Pecan Sandies? Pecan sandies are buttery shortbread cookies loaded with chopped pecans. Their name comes from the cookie’s fine, crumbly “sandy” texture and warm golden color. They … Read more

I love hot dogs—any style, any time. After making grilled Chicago-style and Seattle-style hot dogs recently, I wanted to try a grilled Boston hot dog next. They’re simple to prepare, packed with flavor, and not shy about toppings. Use sturdy deli-style buns to hold everything together and choose good-quality hot dogs for the best result. … Read more

This Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad with Bacon is irresistibly flavorful and comes together using just a few simple ingredients. Shaved Brussels sprouts are tossed with warm bacon, shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano, dried cranberries and walnuts, then finished with a bright honey mustard dressing. It’s a perfect fall or winter side that’s ready in about 20 minutes—great for … Read more

Cucumber Salmon Bites 🥒🍣 — If you love spicy salmon, these elegant little bites are for you. Crisp cucumber ribbons cradle spicy salmon and a bit of sushi rice to create a bright, fresh appetizer that’s as beautiful as it is flavorful. If you enjoyed this recipe, try the Salmon Crudo recipe mentioned below for … Read more

The Target craze is wild — from kids to adults — and it keeps growing. For my son’s ninth birthday I surprised him with an unforgettable in-store Target party, and I’m excited to share how we pulled it off and all the details so you can recreate a Target-themed celebration of your own. Update: The … Read more

Chocolate Loaf Cake — Double Chocolate I realised there wasn’t a proper chocolate loaf cake on my site, so here it is: an easy, moist, double chocolate loaf cake with chocolate chunks inside and a smooth chocolate topping. It’s simple to make, rich in flavour and perfect whenever you need serious chocolate comfort. The best … Read more

Visit to the Essex Food Festival We changed the schedule today so I could share our visit to the Essex Food Festival. We’d been meaning to go for years and finally booked tickets in plenty of time. It was a chance to celebrate local produce and enjoy a day dedicated to great food. The festival … Read more

These Amish raisin-filled cookies bring back warm memories of my mother’s kitchen. A soft, tender cookie dough is rolled and cut into circles, then filled with a sweet, jam-like raisin filling and baked until lightly golden. Simple to make and perfect for holiday cookie plates, these PA Dutch raisin-filled cookies are comfort food at its … Read more