Food with a Story

Lillian’s Grasshopper Pie

Some recipes just have a way of making you feel like you’re home, and for my husband Doug, Lillian’s Grasshopper Pie is one of those. Every time his family visited his grandparents in northern Michigan, they’d be greeted by this vibrant green, velvety pie with a crisp deep chocolate crust. The filling is light, airy,…

Ellen’s Harvest Ginger Cookies

Holiday food traditions have a way of wrapping us in warmth and joy. And the memories these Harvest Ginger Cookies evoke are just as comforting and delightful as the cookies themselves. Soft and pillowy, these cake-like ginger cookies are infused with warm holiday spices and two harvest-inspired flavors-an orange cream cheese frosting and a vibrant,…

Italian Wedding Cookies – Three Ways

JUMP TO RECIPE Unlike me, my grandmother Josephine never really had a sweet tooth, so making dessert was a rare, special treat. But during the holidays or when guests came over, she’d always whip up a batch of Italian Wedding Cookies. These little bites of heaven were soft, crumbly, and topped with a delicate ballet…

Brown Butter Irish Lace Cookies

These dreamy Brown Butter Irish Lace Cookies are crispy, delicate, and light as air! With a rich, buttery toffee flavor, they’re simple enough to enjoy with a cup of tea, yet special enough for holidays or guests. Their unique texture and preparation cause them to spread thin during baking, becoming so transparent that you can…

Jewish Apple Cake Quick Bread

Jewish Apple Cake is one of my favorite celebrations of the fall season. It has a moist texture and rich flavor, enhanced by a burst of gooey cinnamon-sugar apples. Traditionally made in a tube or bundt pan, however, I find making it as a quick bread is a welcome alternative. This version yields two loaves-one…

Old-Fashioned Creamy Mustard Sauce

The recipe for this creamy, zesty mustard has been in my family for as long as I can remember.  It was served as an appetizer at every summer barbecue of my childhood to accompany cocktail hot dogs and crusty bread with summer sausage and aged cheddar. It was also frequently used as a welcome addition…

Go To School Cookies

Go to School Cookies might just be the yummiest cookie I have ever tasted! They pack an explosion of deep chocolate flavor, are chewy on the interior with crunchy edges, and are finished with a blanket of creamy almond-vanilla frosting. They are the quintessential after school treat with a glass of milk and are a…

Chewy Butternut Bars (A Vintage Family Recipe)

Buttery, and caramel-kissed, these Chewy Butternut Bars are a vintage treat that turns simple pantry staples into something extraordinary. They’re made with two distinct layers: a tender, pastry-like crust that’s pressed into the pan and lightly prebaked, and a luscious coconut-walnut filling. The filling starts with egg yolks beaten until fluffy, then folded together with…

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…

Lemon Chiffon Tart with Easy Pretzel Pecan Crust

This Lemon Chiffon Tart with Easy Pretzel Pecan Crust is pure sunshine on a plate — light, fluffy, and full of nostalgic charm. A silky, citrusy chiffon filling meets a crunchy, buttery crust made from pretzels and pecans for the perfect blend of sweet, tart, and salty. It’s a bright, spring-inspired dessert that comes together easily and…