Posts by Lynn
Grandma’s Sicilian Stuffed Artichokes
My beautiful Sicilian grandmother, Josephine, cooked simple, rustic foods that were full of flavor. Her kitchen always smelled of sautéing garlic and oil oil, and she had a gift for turning leftovers into something new and delicious. Some of her specialties were her scrumptious Sicilian Lentil Soup, “polpette” (seasoned meatballs), homemade manicotti, and if we…
Read MoreLemon Chiffon Tart with Easy Pretzel Pecan Crust
This Lemon Chiffon Tart is pure sunshine—light, airy, and just nostalgic enough. A silky, citrusy filling meets a crisp pretzel-pecan crust, balancing sweet, tart, and salty in every bite. It’s an easy, spring-ready dessert with standout texture and bright, clean flavor. So What is A Chiffon Pie Anyway? Chiffon pies emerged in the 1920s, created…
Read MoreBrown Butter Pretzel Pecan Pie Crust
This Brown Butter Pretzel Pecan Pie Crust is an easy, press-in crust that comes together in just 10 minutes. Rich brown butter, dark brown sugar, crunchy pretzels, and toasted pecans create a sweet-and-salty base with deep, nutty flavor and irresistible texture. It’s sturdy enough for creamy pies and tarts, yet tender when sliced — perfect for lemon…
Read MoreEasy Garlic Lemon Chicken Strips with Rice
We all have those go-to meals we can make with our eyes closed, knowing they’ll always turn out perfectly. For my mom, it was garlic lemon chicken strips with rice — tender, flavorful, and comforting in every bite. As a kid, I loved it for its bright, tangy sauce and satisfying simplicity. As an adult, I understand…
Read MorePistachio Pudding – Simple and Scrumptious
As a kid, instant pistachio pudding always felt so grown-up and decadent. Little did I know, there were little, if any, actual pistachios in it! Over the years, I have come to appreciate the subtle, complex flavor of real pistachio. During a family trip to Italy last year, I swooned over a symphony of pistachio…
Read More“Snowman Stew” | Easy and Decadent Recipe for Smoky Beef Stew with Toasted Mashed Potatoes
Snowman Stew is a savory and scrumptious Beef Bourguignon that is slow-cooked with bacon, red wine, smoked paprika and fresh thyme. It is complemented by charming and decadent bites of mashed potatoes, that are toasted on the outside, but are extra creamy on the inside – thanks to the addition of unsweetened, whipped heavy cream.…
Read More“Lady in Red” – Moist Red Velvet Cake with Chocolate Ganache
“Lady in Red” is an incredibly moist, subtle Red Velvet Cake with Chocolate Ganache, enhanced by a silky filling of bittersweet ganache and crunchy chocolate pearls. It’s finished with a creamy vintage vanilla frosting that isn’t too sweet, letting the delicate flavors and textures shine through. Pretty enough for Valentine’s Day, special enough for a birthday,…
Read MoreCreamy Vintage Vanilla Frosting: Easy and Delicious!
This frosting is pure bliss. Dating back over a century, this frosting, sometimes called “Ermine Frosting,” “Roux frosting,” or “Flour Frosting,” it begins with cooked flour and milk that comes together as a roux. It is cooled and then gradually added to softened butter until it become something between a whipped cream and a silky…
Read MoreHomemade, Naturally Green Pistachio Paste
My love of pistachio has always run very deep. As a child, my sense of it was completely skewed and limited to artificial pistachio flavored pudding and cakes, which is basically almond flavor with green food coloring. But over the years, I was awakened to the natural beauty of real pistachios – their stunning, vibrant…
Read MoreMaria’s Authentic Hungarian Cheese Spread
Ever since I said “I do,” this simple yet complex savory spread has been a staple during the holidays. The recipe, passed down from my husband’s grandmother Maria in Budapest, was shared with her daughter-in-law (my mother-in-law), who kindly passed it along to me. With just a short list of ingredients and easy preparation, it…
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