French for "little nuns" and dating back to the Middle Ages, Nonnettes are small gingerbread cakes filled with jam and drizzled with a tangy lemon glaze. They're absolutely irresistible! Gingerbread in a huge variety of forms can be found throughout the world, each … Continue reading →
Broas Castelares (Portuguese Sweet Potato Cookies)
A traditional treat during the Christmas holidays, these Portuguese cookies (broas castelares) are packed with sweet potatoes, dried coconut, ginger, orange and more! Portugal is not only the oldest state on the Iberian Peninsula, it's one of the oldest in Europe with … Continue reading →
Pain d’Epices Spice Blend
A highly fragrant and flavorful pain d'épices blend to give your gingerbread creations an authentic French flavor! When it comes to spice and seasoning blends the old adage was never more true: Homemade is always BEST! This pain d'épices blend (French gingerbread … Continue reading →
Cauliflower Gratin with Ham
A fabulous lower-carb alternative to potatoes, this creamy Cauliflower Gratin recipe is SO delicious! It's easy to make and we can almost guarantee your guests will love it! If you're looking for a phenomenal side dish that is low in carbs, this is it! I bought … Continue reading →
Homemade British Mixed Spice
This famous British spice blend has been enjoyed in Christmas baking and beyond for several centuries. With both sweet and savory applications, you will love this deliciously versatile Mixed Spice blend! What is Mixed Spice? The term "mixed spice" for this popular … Continue reading →
German Sauerkraut Soup (Sauerkrautsuppe)
Celebrating one of Germany's most famous "superfoods", Sauerkraut, this wonderful soup is satisfying to both tummy and soul. The combination of tangy sauerkraut, caramelized onions, smoky paprika, savory bacon and earthy caraway is deliciously irresistible! Each year … Continue reading →
Semmelknödel (German Bread Dumplings)
A specialty of the Bavaria region of southern Germany, drenched in gravy these famous SemmelKnödel (German Bread Dumplings) are pure heaven! Learn how to make these traditional Knoedel from scratch! These Semmelknödel (Bavarian bread dumplings) have always been a … Continue reading →
Greek Einkorn (Wheat Berry) Salad
This Greek Einkorn Wheat Berry Salad is not only visually beautiful and nutritious, it's a total flavor explosion! I'm a big fan of grain salads. They're not only nutritious but I find they keep me satiated without having to consume large servings. And they're great … Continue reading →
Blackberry Clafoutis
This classic French dessert is not only incredibly delicious, it's one of the easiest desserts to make. And that's always a winning combination! This Blackberry Clafoutis recipe is the perfect way to showcase those plum, juicy berries when they're in season! And while … Continue reading →
Italian Barley Salad
This colorful and flavorful Italian Barley Salad is a great make-ahead dish and is perfect for your next potluck, picnic, BBQ or any other occasion! I did something I never thought I'd do. I never, ever thought I'd replicate, or even want to replicate, airplane … Continue reading →
Rum Raisin Nut Chocolate Bars
Replicate your favorite rum raisin nut chocolate bars, it's super easy and SO delicious! Growing up in Stuttgart, Germany I lived close to the headquarters of Ritter Sport, one of the best chocolate manufacturers in the world. The other day I was craving one of … Continue reading →
Pork Rillettes (Rillettes de Porc)
A traditional Pork Rillettes recipe, the delectable French delicacy that will have everyone's mouths watering for more! I'm always amused by dishes now considered gourmet and upscale that were in years past ridiculed as peasant food. Foods like lobster, oysters, foie … Continue reading →
Gebrannte Mandeln (German Candied Almonds)
A Gebrannte Mandeln recipe (German candied almonds) the way you know and love them from the German Volkfests and fairs! Growing up in Germany, I went to the Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas market) with my family every year. Home was Stuttgart which proudly boasts one of … Continue reading →
How To Make a Cheese Souffle
How to Make a Cheese Souffle - it's easier than you think! And the results will absolutely "wow" your guests and you'll feel like a Michelin star chef! Where Did the Soufflé Originate? The soufflé has been around for 300 years, originating in France in the early … Continue reading →
Scottish Barley Pudding
During the seven years I lived in England, our family would visit Scotland almost every Summer, spending some time in Edinburgh and then traveling far and wide throughout the Scottish countryside. As I've been doing more genealogy work and tracing some ancestral lines many … Continue reading →
German Cucumber Salad (Gurkensalat)
A classic German Cucumber Salad recipe, like the kind you'll find in every German restaurant. Easy to make, healthy, delicious, and wonderfully refreshing! Eating this cool and crunchy cucumber salad always reminds me of Germany. It's commonly included as part of … Continue reading →
Squid Ink Paella (Arròs Negre/Arroz Negro)
I've partnered with Aneto to bring you this post. If it isn't obvious by now how much I love paella then let me say it again: I LOVE PAELLA! For a national dish that's thoroughly unique, super fun to make and incredibly delicious, it's hard to rival Spain. Another … Continue reading →
Easy Mexican Chocolate Pots de Crème
I first introduced you to my Easy Chocolate Pots de Crème in early 2015 and it has remained our favorite chocolate dessert since. It's the sweet treat my husband requests the most and is always a hit with our guests. We've gotten many emails from our readers echoing the … Continue reading →
Sweet Pea Risotto with Basil & Pancetta
This luxuriously creamy pea risotto recipe combines the freshest sweet peas with the irresistible flavors of basil, Parmesan and pancetta! I've partnered with Aneto to bring you this post Pea Risotto Recipe In celebration of Spring, I want to introduce you to a risotto … Continue reading →
Slow Cooker Creamy Tortellini Soup
This wonderfully creamy and flavor-packed tortellini soup is super easy to make and is sure to become a family favorite! It's been a crazy week and I'm ready for the weekend, how about you? I've been nursing a case of strep throat with accompanying fever while still … Continue reading →
Spanish Deviled Eggs
Thank you to Lindsay® for sponsoring this post! Spaniards are masters of appetizers, which they call “tapas.” For them it's an art form and every restaurant and bar features its own carefully crafted selection of tapas. In Spain when you go out for dinner it's … Continue reading →
Risalamande (Danish Rice Pudding)
The most popular Danish Christmas dessert, Risalamande is a wonderfully creamy almond rice pudding that is served topped with a delicious cherry sauce! Be sure to also try our traditional Aebleskiver, another favorite Danish treat enjoyed throughout the … Continue reading →
Mandelhörnchen (German Almond Horns)
Popular throughout Germany, these German Almond Horns feature the delicious flavor of almonds and marzipan and a wonderfully chewy texture. This traditional Mandelhörnchen recipe is sure to become a favorite! What are Mandelhörnchen? Mandelhörnchen, German for almond … Continue reading →
Traditional Spotted Dick (English Steamed Pudding)
Traditional Spotted Dick Recipe A quintessential British dessert, Spotted Dick represents everything that is delicious about traditional English cooking. Tender steamed pudding dotted with succulent currants is drizzled with a luxuriously rich and creamy vanilla custard. … Continue reading →
Vanilla Custard (Crème Anglaise)
This classic English vanilla custard recipe, Creme Anglaise, is very simple and quick to make and the result is absolutely delicious served with dessert! Irresistibly creamy and smooth and infused with vanilla! Custard serves two basic culinary purposes: Either as a … Continue reading →
Kinderpunsch (German Christmas Punch)
The flavorful and heavenly smelling mulled Christmas punch (non-alcoholic) you know and love from the German Christmas markets! Kinderpunsch incorporates fruit tea, fruit juices, citrus, and a variety of spices for an unforgettable fragrance and flavor! There is … Continue reading →
Bavarian Sweet Mustard (Bayerischer Süßer Senf)
A thoroughly authentic sweet German mustard recipe, this Bavarian sweet mustard is the kind served at the Munich Oktoberfest! Delicious and easy to make! My mom is from Bavaria from a small town south of Munich on the Austrian border, and though I grew up in … Continue reading →
Plum Butter
This Plum Butter recipe is made in the slow cooker for an incredibly deep, rich, caramelized flavor. It's easy to make and if canned properly will keep for up to a year. It's delicious on bread, muffins, scones, waffles, pancakes, added to cakes and pastries, and even … Continue reading →
Sicilian-Style Grilled Tuna Steaks
A mouthwatering Sicilian-style grilled tuna steaks recipe! Grilled to perfection and topped with the flavors of sun-kissed Sicily. It's easy and delicious! A special thank you to Lindsay for sponsoring this post From my early childhood trips to Italy's beaches to … Continue reading →
Käsespätzle (German Cheese Spaetzle)
One of the most beloved of all Swabian dishes, Kasespatzle (German Cheese Spaetzle) is everything great comfort food should be! Chewy homemade Spätzle baked with gooey Swiss cheese and topped with caramelized onions, it's on my most favorite dishes! What is … Continue reading →
Roasted Sweet Potato Fettuccine Alfredo
Even though the holidays are long over, our consumption of sweet potatoes doesn't have to be - nor should it be! Find out more about the U.S.history of sweet potato consumption and why you should be eating them throughout the year in my post on Curried Sweet Potato Soup … Continue reading →
Valencian Paella Recipe
Thank you to Culinary Collective for sponsoring this post It's no wonder paella is the national dish of Spain because this delicious and drop-dead gorgeous dish is simply phenomenal! This Valencian paella recipe is a one-pot rice dish that's easy to make and perfect for … Continue reading →
French Beef Stew with Old-Fashioned Vegetables
The French really know how to make great stews. Here is one of them and it uses a method similar to that of German Sauerbraten and corned beef to achieve both an exquisitely tangy flavor and a lusciously tender beef. Many of you have already been introduced to my French … Continue reading →
How To Make a Bouquet Garni
If you like French food and you want to cook like the French, you have to become acquainted with the Bouquet Garni. An indispensable part of French cuisine, the bouquet garni is quick and simple to put together and will do wonders for your food. Plus, I've got some great … Continue reading →
French Entertaining Part II: Nouvelle Cuisine (+ Alexian/Le Creuset Giveaway!)
I've teamed up with Alexian to bring you this post. Welcome back to Part II of French Entertaining! In our last post French guest cook Sandrine Vannson enlightened us on French entertaining "country style" with Duck Rillette and Pheasant & Rosemary … Continue reading →
Fettuccine Alfredo
Creamy, buttery, and irresistibly delicious, this Fettuccine Alfredo recipe is the ultimate comfort food! Quick and easy to prepare, it's equally perfect for a busy weeknight or for a romantic night in! Thank you to Bon Appetit for sponsoring this post! The best … Continue reading →
French Entertaining “Country Style” + Alexian/Le Creuset Giveaway!
I've teamed up with Alexian to bring you this delicious post! I recently had the opportunity to try some amazing products from ALEXIAN. Let me tell you a little about them. Alexian is America's premier producer of the finest pâtés and mousses all made with the finest, … Continue reading →
10-Minute Margherita Flatbread Pizzas
Thank you to La Brea Bakery for sponsoring this post! Pizza is pure bliss, don't you think? There's just something about that crispy-chewy bread crust topped with sauce, oozing cheese and any variety of toppings that speaks universal comfort. I enjoy all kinds of … Continue reading →
French Connection Sandwich (Two Ways)
Partnering with Castello for a Summer of Blue Cheese has a way of reconnecting me to my original home of Europe. Every time I sample some European cheese my mind is taken back to the lands and regions I spent my childhood through young … Continue reading →
German Tomato Salad (Tomatensalat)
This is a fresh and vibrantly flavorful Summer tomato salad that is typical of the ones I know and love from Germany. Simple, quick and as easy as 1, 2, 3, all you have to do is cut up the tomatoes, onions, and herbs, prepare the vinaigrette, and pour the vinaigrette over … Continue reading →