Archive for the ‘Cooking, Food & Wine’ Category

Making your own desserts can be a lot of fun. Sure, sometimes experimenting with new recipes can lead to a disaster or two, but sometimes the results can turn out even better than expected. When you try baking something you haven’t tried before, you can often surprise yourself by creating a new favorite for your family. Some people can become so accomplished with their baking that they actually start a bakery business from their home. Of course, it always helps to have the right baking tools for more perfect results. These wonderful Kaiser Bakeware La Forme Plus Nonstick Tartlet Pans are ideal for making unique small custards and treats for any occasion. (more…)

Time to retrieve your pumpkin pie spice from the pantry and put it to good use once again.  With just a few ingredients that you probably already have, you can turn a jug of apple juice into a delightfully warm and wonderful Mulled Apple Juice.  Besides the surprise of the pumpkin pie spice, sliced oranges add a very festive Holiday-inspired taste and flare to this mulled cider.  When your family or friends sample your new concoction, they may not be able to identify the spice, but they’ll be reminded of warm days filled with people and good food.  You may want to give them a hint, but it might be more fun to leave them guessing. (more…)

When I was growing up there was a woman in our neighborhood who grew a ton of tomatoes and always made her own sauce. I remember thinking it seemed like an awful lot of work when you can buy so many canned or jarred sauces right in the supermarket. Then she had us over for dinner and served fresh pasta topped with her homemade sauce. Wow, there was nothing like it. I never knew sauce could taste so sweet, so delicious. She had different strainers and mashers she used at the time. I bet she would have loved this great Food Strainer/Sauce Maker from Back to Basics. I’m sure it would have made her job a lot easier! (more…)

Flan is an amazing Spanish dessert. It’s sort of like a cake, a bit like a heavy soufflé, and with a little bit of a crepe thrown in. There’s a great restaurant a few miles away that serves flan that we’ve all fallen in love with it. It quickly has become one of our favorite desserts. So when I located a flan recipe that didn’t seem that difficult I was very excited to try it out, but soon realized I didn’t have the right flan pan. (more…)

Presenting great wine as a gift reflects an air of thoughtfulness and taste that is truly unsurpassed. The Vineyard Jubilee Gift Basket is the ideal choice for those moments in your life. Touch someone special with a basket of treats and wine and you’ll be giving a unique and entertaining present that is certain to be a hit.

This beautifully adorned basket is packed to the brim with gourmet chocolates, truffles, and specialty mocha cappuccino cookies. There are also decadent cheeses, almonds, and focaccia crisps included, as well. To top it all off, this gift basket offers three bottles of superb California wine, including chardonnay, pinot noir, and a cabernet sauvignon for the wine lovers in your life.

Presenting wine baskets are the perfect choice for friends and family during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season. Sending a basket to a dear neighbor is a caring and thoughtful gesture that will be thoroughly enjoyed. A special coworker is guaranteed to take pleasure in your sentiment. If anyone you know appreciates wine, they’ll appreciate this gift on any occasion.