January may be a cold, cold month, but I have found that through lots of chocolate and soup, it isn't that bad! Here in West Virginia, the temperatures are freezing, yet there is no snow, which makes it just dreary. Then it hit me while I was making chicken noodle soup the other day and putting about 10 Ritz crackers in my bowl: why don't I make these myself?...
Read MoreMadeleines
As many people know, my love for France is one that simply cannot be explained. The food, culture, people, sights, I fell for them all the first time I went. To me, the pastries are in a class of their own, divine, simple, delectable, unlike anything else. Madeleines are a perfect example of the art of French pastry.
With their sea shell shape, light flavor, and buttery sponge cake, madeleines are pretty much as French as you can get. What is so wonderful about them is that you can add almost any flavor to them and they will absorb it. Traditionally, madeleines are made with very finely ground almonds or some lemon zest, which is what I have done in this recipe...
Read MoreHard Toffee
After almost 4 months of living in Charleston, things are finally coming together. This past weekend I dragged my fiancé to Home Goods, Pier 1 and Target all so I could get more necessities for the kitchen, obviously. A madeleine pan? Duh. A tiny chalkboard to write cute kitchen sayings? Absolutely. Then this got us talking. This is the first time we have had to buy a table runner, placemats, a vacuum. Gosh, when we were younger, the whole "I can't wait to grow up" thing seemed much cooler!...
Read MoreBeurre Noisette Cookies
The other day while I was craving cookies (isn't that everyday?), I thought to myself what would happen if I used brown butter instead of normal butter, and only brown sugar? Well, I gave it a shot and this is how my buerre noisette cookie was born!...
Read MorePeanut Butter Banana Muffins
When I was little, one of my go-to snacks would be slicing bananas and putting peanut butter on them. Pretty gourmet for a 2nd grader after a rough day in school, huh? I suppose that this muffin is my "grown-up" after work snack. It's quick, simple, and perfectly acceptable, to me, for breakfast, lunch, or pre-dinner! This wonderful little bite is also more substantial than the normal scoop of peanut butter that I am ever so often seen eating. Peanut butter and banana are by far one of my favorite combinations (Elvis was clearly a pioneer in more than just music), which is why the word addictive doesn't even begin to describe this PB&B muffin!...
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