Fall
Olive Oil Cake
Olive oil cake is ultra-tender and moist, with added richness from yogurt in the mix. Why bake a cake with olive oil, you ask? I have asked same. Cakes, even our standard cake mixes, often call for oil in the mix. The reason: oil makes for a tender, moist crumb. Typically oil-based cake recipes call…
Read MoreOrange Blossom Pecan Pie
Rich, brown-sugary pecan pie is made better with very toasty pecans and a whisper of orange blossom water. The flavor is as beautiful as it sounds: Orange Blossom Pecan Pie. A shocking moment occurred during the development of this pecan pie recipe. My tester group (Dan and sons) was miffed when I brought plates of…
Read MoreCoconut Oil Pie Crust
Pie crust made with coconut oil is a dream to handle, and results in a rich, tender crust that holds its shape beautifully. A vegan recipe to count on! It’s no secret around here that I’m hopelessly devoted to the pie crust I grew up with, a.k.a.: My Mom’s Best Pie Crust. The flakiness of…
Read MoreGarlicky Whipped Feta Dip
Two ingredients and you’re good to go with this garlicky whipped feta dip. The flavor is addictive. Plus, it comes together very quickly and easily. My niece Victoria announced recently that we have 12 Sundays left until Christmas. Her friend Hannah said so. Since then, we’ve dropped to 11 Sundays left ‘til Christmas. I’ve always…
Read MoreZa’atar Swirl Bread
Za’atar Swirl Bread showcases the fabulous flavor of za’atar in a delicate bread enriched with eggs and olive oil. The method to the glorious twisted loaves is straightforward and very doable! Dan, upon tasting za’atar swirl bread: This bread has it ALL. (chews a big bite) This bread has flavor. I can taste the za’atar.…
Read MoreRoasted Cauliflower Shawarma
Shawarma is traditionally spit-grilled chicken or meat with succulent spices. Roasted Cauliflower Shawarma marries the same flavors that make classic chicken shawarma so delicious, in a gluten-free, vegan recipe. The other day at a football tailgater at Michigan State, I met a kid of Dan’s cousin who found out not long ago that he has…
Read MoreOlive Oil Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
The olive oil supports the warm flavors of this moist, luscious carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. There is yogurt in the mix as well, for added tenderness. I was surprised a few months ago when we turned on The Great British Baking Show, my brother, who hadn’t seen the show before, really got into…
Read MoreQuinoa Protein Salad
Quinoa Protein Salad packs a great protein punch, tastes incredibly good, and keeps hunger at bay for hours, and it’s vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free (though some findings indicate quinoa may not work for celiacs). I was in the airport in Chicago recently, and felt like I’d stepped out of a time warp from somewhere far,…
Read MoreZa’atar Roasted Carrots
Za’atar Roasted Carrots are a simple way to give roasted carrots a boost of exciting flavor with za’atar spice, the Lebanese spice blend of wild thyme, sumac, and sesame seeds. Dust carrots with za’tar both before and after roasting. Perhaps like you, I do a good bit of cooking for a crowd. Even if it’s…
Read MoreRed Beet Hummus
Red beet hummus is both a beautiful and super delicious way to add color and even more nutrients to our daily hummus fix, which is vegan and gluten-free. Make roasted beets or use canned (or even pickled) beets to make it fast and easy. We’re hitting the height of fall color here in Michigan. The…
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