Monthly Archives: December 2011

NO MORE SOGGY PIE CRUST

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    When my father retired from a lifetime of cooking  he returned to his first love – pastry.  He was a  patisserie extraordinary.    He started me pastry making at a very early age.  One might say I learned baking … Continue reading

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ROMAINE SALAD WITH MANDARINS AND ASIAN DRESSING

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This is the perfect salad to compliment your Christmas dinner.   The buttery avocados and the sweet Mandarins combine beautifully with the exotic Asian dressing. You can toast the nuts and make the dressing  couple of  days ahead.  Wash and chill … Continue reading

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CARAMELIZED SPICED CRANBERRY, GINGER AND PEAR CHUTNEY

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This recipe presents the ubiquitous cranberry jelly wobbling on the table, in a much better light.  The recipe is generous.  You might want to make half.  Or, freeze in portions to use with any kind of fowl. 1 cup (250 … Continue reading

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CHRISTMAS CRANBERRY MUFFINS

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This is a lovely treat for Christmas morning.   Not too sweet but with a lovely burst of cranberry flavour.  The muffins would be delicious with ham, bacon or sausages.   Muffins freeze well so do some baking ahead and enjoy while … Continue reading

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HOLIDAY SPICES AND FLAVORINGS

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The quartet of spices and flavorings you want for holiday baking are nutmeg, cinnamon, chocolate and vanilla. Tall ships sail into far flung harbors. The air warm and heavy with the fragrance of spices.  In Sri Lanka and South India … Continue reading

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PEANUT BUTTER AND CHOCOLATE SANDWICH COOKIES

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These soft, flourless cookies have  a bittersweet chocolate  filling, for a taste combination that appeals to the kid in all of us.  They are easy to make and they keep well. These cookies have an intense peanut butter flavor with … Continue reading

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TEN REASONS TO DRINK CHAMPAGNE

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You don’t need ten reasons to drink champagne, however, my reasons and those of others, will make you smile.  Then pop the cork on a lovely bottle of bubbly.  Find the reasons on my blog BEL’OCCHIO. Tweet

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SPICY SESAME FLAVORED EGGPLANT APPETIZER

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Say goodbye to baba ghanouj.   SESAME FLAVORED EGGPLANT is the eggplant dip that will rock your recipe world. Serve this spicy-sweet spread either warm, at room temperature or chilled, with homemade pita bread crisps. SESAME FLAVORED EGGPLANT 1 1/2 pounds … Continue reading

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SPICY SWEET ALMONDS

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Spicy hot, sweet,  sugar sweet coated almonds.  So good you can’t stop nibbling these dangerously delicious treats.  Perfect to serve with a glass of wine or port.  Wonderful to give as hostess  gifts.  And wonderfully easy to make. SPICY SWEET … Continue reading

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