A while back, I had some friends over, and I didn’t have the time to concoct any elaborate dessert (or even an easy dessert that takes time, like cupcakes). So while I was at the store, I picked up a bag of sugar cookies and figured those would be just fine set out in a little bowl. Sweet snack done!

Of course, the day of the friends coming to visit, I felt bad that I was just going to throw out some sugar cookies from a bag, no matter how nice of a bowl I sat them in. I remembered I had some chocolate chips left over from some failed magic cookie bars, and an idea struck! I could dip the sugar cookies into melted chocolate, and it would seem a bit more special! (more…)

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Dessert, Quick and Easy, Vegetarian by Courtney

Yesterday morning I’m laying in bed, checking my email and reading the news, when I get an IM from my husband:

“http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/gallery/2010/apr/07/how-to-make-shooters-sandwich … this looks soooo goood”

Nevermind the fact that we’re only 10 feet away from each other and he IM’d this to me; he was right. This did look good. So out of bed I hopped, deciding to get ready and head to the farmer’s market to procure some tasty ribeyes from Prather Ranch. After a quick check of the other ingredients (yes, I do have Dijon; no, I don’t have horseradish), we were off on this rainy day to gather our food. (more…)

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Dinner, Lunch, Sandwiches by Courtney

While it’s not traditional Irish fare, I’m so looking forward to asparagus to be back in season so I can create this super-simple, beautifully green soup, so it seemed apropos for this spring day. For this recipe you won’t need vegetable stock, nor will you need to do a lot of chopping. Simply boil the asparagus, onion, and garlic, puree, and top with fried egg, baguette, and a few garnishes of asparagus. Serve with J’s sparkling wine, and you’ve got a match made in heaven. Springy, green flavors all over your palate.

Drooling yet? Then I know you’ll want the recipe… (more…)

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Dinner, Gluten free, Lunch, Soups, Vegetarian, Wine pairings by Courtney

One of the things I find funny is when people downplay copying something instead of creating your own. Especially those who eschew following a recipe. I’ve learned a lot from my family and have a number of “recipes” that are simply a bit of this, a dash of that, until it looks right, smells right, tastes right. I have a number of recipes that I’ve created, and as you know from reading this blog, I follow quite a lot of recipes too. And there’s nothing wrong with that, because I’ve learned a lot of techniques and flavor combinations I wouldn’t have thought of otherwise.

Let’s take spaghetti as a for instance. (more…)

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Dinner by Courtney

The past few weekends it’s been nice out, so the hubby and I have walked to Cafe San Jose to enjoy a bit of sunshine and a spot of breakfast. Almost every morning, one of us gets something that calls for maple syrup, which always brings on a bout of laughter.

Why the laughter? (more…)

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Breakfast, miscellany by Courtney