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Mary Poppins, the legendary Disney nanny sings, “A spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down.” As a champion of bringing cheer and comfort to children, she should have added cinnamon spice! When life proves challenging, there is nothing like the comforting aroma of baking cinnamon and sugar.
So, when an e-mail from Kristen of Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker slipped into my inbox... Read More |
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Have you tried baking with coconut and lime lately? Well, set your oven to 325 degrees and welcome in heaven with a lime and coconut meringue pie. Coconut meringue piled on top of tangy lime “tastes good.” (To quote my husband.) But the aromas that emanate from the oven and embrace the kitchen are divine.
Coconut Lime Meringue Bliss Pie
The idea of combining coconut and lime was inspired by... Read More |
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Bento lunch boxes – from Hello Kitty and polka dots to somber and simple – are seen in school lunchrooms, corporate cafeterias in Japan. Most every Japanese home has one.
The demand for the stylish lunch boxes in the U.S. seems to be on the rise; more and more supermarkets and internet sites in the U.S. are selling the stylish lunch boxes. Americans are picking up on this Japanese custom of fixing bento boxes for... Read More |
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May 5 brings festivity and feasts and honors the strength of soldiers and samurai on both sides of the Pacific Ocean. In the U.S, Cinco de Mayo celebrates the Mexican victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla (1861-1867.) Mariachi bands play, tamales are consumed and vendors hawk Mexican tchotchkes (trinkets.) “Tequila Appreciation and Tasting,” “Beer and Taco Festivals” are but a few of the events featured... Read More |
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UPDATE: 01 May 2013
In my pursuit of Hello Kitty perfection, I've made a second batch...There will probably be a third. Stay tuned!
Challenge Thyself. That was the decree for this week’s #SundaySupper. Those who gather round the virtual dinner table at Twitter on 28 April at 7 p.m. ET will discuss their triumphs, defeats and lessons learned from making a recipe never tried. You are definitely invited to share your... Read More |
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“April showers bring May flowers,” was my grandmother Nona’s sing-song method of teaching me the months. I can still hear her voice all these decades later.
Embedded in my memory too is Nona’s moist chocolate cake with milk chocolate frosting swirled on top. No wonder. Repeatedly I’d lift and close the freezer, staring at the dessert. Did you do that as a kid, too?
My grandmother, Nona,... Read More |
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Many of the world's top Argentine Tango dancers hail from Japan. The Japanese have established themselves as serious contenders at world championships. Hiroshi and Kyoko Yamao took first place at the 2009 World Tango Championships. They are but one example.
Speaking of prizes, excellence and Argentina, my friend Paula produces some of the world's best desserts from her Buenos Aires Vintage Kitchen. Chocolate Velvet Ice Cream... Read More |
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Berries were picked for the May #BundtaMonth theme. The magical baker/bloggers behind this monthly event are Anuradha of Baker Street and Lora, the Cake Duchess.
A strawberry Bundt cake was a no-brainer choice. The red gems of natural sugar contain many happy memories for this Ninja Baker. As a kid, I visited my mom in the summertime in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Our desserts often consisted of Cool Whip and ice cream topped... Read More |
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Castella honey cake has been a treasured gift in Japan since the 1600s. Portuguese sailors and merchants brought Paõ de Castela, Bread of Castile to Japan in the 1600s. Even when all foreigners were kicked out of the country by the Tokugawa shogunate for 200 years, the cake stayed. For several centuries the treat was reserved for rich folk – like the Emperor!
Today the royal dessert is readily available... Read More |
