Food with a Story

holiday wreath with round Italian Wedding Cookies on top and a blue and white gingham bow Italian Wedding Cookie Recipe

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…

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Irish Lace Cookies recipe stacked tied with a gingham ribbon

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…

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Jewish Apple Cake Quick bread Recipe apples and glass of milk with red and white striped straw and cinnamon sticks

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…

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Creamy Mustard Sauce Recipe | In a bowl with a blue gingham tray and herbs

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…

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Go to school cookie recipe header pic with banner

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…

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Butternut Bars | stack of bars on a plate with a raspberry on top. Berries on the side and a glass of milk with a red and white striped straw in the background

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…

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Stuffed Artichokes with Lemon and Fresh Mint

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…

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Lemon Rectangular Tart with Strawberries and garnished with Lemon slices and mint

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…

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chicken strips and rice on a white plate with a side of green salad with carrots, berries, and purple cabbage. A blue and white checked napkin and fork are in the corner of the picture.

Easy 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…

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“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,…

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