Archive for the ‘Food’ Category

Making Coca-Cola From Scratch »

Making Coca-Cola From Scratch

I'm about to show you a beautiful photo. This beautiful photo is of Coca-Cola in its infancy. At least my husband's interpretation. And you know what, what we came out with was pretty darn close. Have you ever wanted to try to make Coke before; you know, from scratch? Did you even think it was possible? Well, making soda from scratch is

My Love For Meringue »

My Love For Meringue

Meringue is my favorite dessert. I would easily choose a meringue over cheesecake, or over fudge, or over some other unholy delicacy. Meringue is lovely. The flavor is simple, the texture divine and the experience--weightless. Since I indulge myself fairly frequently, I thought perhaps it might be worthwhile to share some of my favorite

A Special Cake »

A Special Cake

One night last week, I was feeling rather.....motivated. Motivated to cook. Actually, I think, motivated to be distracted in the kitchen for a few hours--do you know what I mean? Sometimes it's really nice to be focused on one thing for several hours. And it's even nicer when that one thing reaps quantifiable results. I made yams. I made

Everything You Need To Know About Lentils »

Everything You Need To Know About Lentils

Lentils are wonderful. Part of the legume family, these guys are a good source for protein. About 25% of a lentil's calories are protein. And, I think they are lovely to look at. The photos in this post feature a mixture of green lentils and french lentils; both of which you can purchase in bulk from places like Whole Foods, which is where I

A Fancy Appetizer »

A Fancy Appetizer

There are several restaurants I know of (that shall remain nameless) in several hip cities (that shall also remain nameless) that serve a dish to their customers that is basically scrap. Stuff that they would have tossed down the disposal. That is, most likely, until some dishwasher probably said something like, "Y'know, you could make a lot

Cupcakes »

Cupcakes

Some eye candy to get you through your Saturday. ;) *I took these photos at Sugar Cupcakery in Milford, OH (part of Cincinnati, OH). And, when I looked through them again the other day, they just made me smile. :)

Christmas 2009 »

Christmas 2009

This is what I ate on Christmas: Lots and LOTS of sugar plums! Recipe is here: http://simplicityembellished.com/2009/12/sugar-plums-a-recipe/

Sugar Plums | A Recipe »

Sugar Plums | A Recipe

What is a sugar plum? We sing about them every year....yet who actually makes them? I do! I hunted and hunted for a traditional recipe; one that you could have easily found being traded among friends decades ago. Believe it or not, this is a recipe that really has no, well, exact recipe. I found a section in a book from the 1940's that

Let’s Pause a Moment for the »

Let’s Pause a Moment for the ‘Leavins’

You know, so many people make a turkey on Thanksgiving. We're talking millions of people. And I'd wager quite a bit that the vast majority of those turkeys are really good. Do people appreciate the 'leavins' (as I like to call them) as much as they should? I mean look at this stuff. Doesn't it just look beautiful? So flavorful (and

Muffins | Yum! »

Muffins | Yum!

Muffins are pretty good. Especially when they just came out of the oven. My husband made these Thanksgiving morning. They were really simple to make, quick to bake and are easy to make your own. We chose to add chopped almonds to the batter before baking along with some dried cherries. Here's the batter in the muffin pan. I

A Dessert to Dine With | Salted Truffles »

A Dessert to Dine With | Salted Truffles

My husband and I spotted some divine little truffles when we were out and about in the city and I determined, at that moment, that I must have them too. So, we found a simple recipe and went for it! {the recipe is at the very bottom of the post} First, bring a pot of water to a boil, then keep it at medium heat. Place a bowl over top of

Pumpkin Bread »

Pumpkin Bread

Autumn has many pleasures. One of those pleasures is pumpkin. It really only makes sense this time of year, at least here in the United States it does. First, I gathered all my ingredients and tools. Then, I blended all my dry ingredients in a separate bowl from my wet ingredients. I combined the two, popped it in the oven and

Bean and Sausage Soup »

Bean and Sausage Soup

Beans are cheap. They are also good. Better yet, hot soup featuring beans is sometimes just the ticket during those blustery, gloomy, nippy days of autumn and winter. I made this soup, a new recipe, over the weekend and it was really very good. The full recipe is below, but here are some photos for ya. How beautiful is this? I bought a

Simple Baked Brie »

Simple Baked Brie

Oh joy; the joy that is to be had with this easy and fabulous recipe. I promise, you will impress people. Really. Take a tube of those Crescents things. You know, the kind that comes in the tube? Then it thaws and you make little croissant-type things with it? Just let it come to room temperature and roll out. Like this: Then, cut

How to Stylishly Wrap Baked Goods »

How to Stylishly Wrap Baked Goods

If you're like me, you don't have very many dishes you're willing to part with. OK, actually, I don't have any dishes, platters or otherwise that I want to part with. It seems that this, this little detail, is what holds people back from gifting each other baked goods. (That, and maybe, oh, I don't know; time.) But you don't want to look cheap

Victor’s Fried Chicken and Homemade Aioli Sauce »

Victor’s Fried Chicken and Homemade Aioli Sauce

There's nothing quite like fried chicken; especially when it's really, really good. So good that you think about it on a regular basis. My husband, Victor, makes this heavenly delight on occasion. It's incredible. Incredible. The chicken is always juicy, the breading is crispy and crunchy and flavorful. I've noticed that one of the

Easy and Fabulous Apple Tart »

Easy and Fabulous Apple Tart

The time might come in your life when you need to bring something to a party. Possibly a dessert. Bring this: This is an Easy and Fabulous Apple Tart. Look at it. No, look at it: Look at these apples. Coated in brown sugar and a pinch of salt. That's it. Here's the Recipe Here's what you need: + 1 sheet of puffed

Scenes from Donatos | A look at pizza and other yummy »

Scenes from Donatos | A look at pizza and other yummy stuff

Yep, I bet you're hungry now. I would be remiss if I didn't include their information: Donatos Website: http://www.donatos.com Donatos Facebook Page: (for special offers) http://www.facebook.com/DonatosPizza Menu: Donatos has subs, salads and appetizers too. Here's the full

TasteCasting | The Echo in Hyde Park, Cincinnati »

TasteCasting | The Echo in Hyde Park, Cincinnati

The Echo is a special eatery in Cincinnati. It's one of those places that's been around forever (well, since 1945) and everyone knows. Every city has places like this. I remember coming here when I was a kid, and I'm sure my parents do too. Everything is homemade (just like it was by original owner Louise in the 40s) and they still have all the

Fabulous Food | The Cheese Sandwich »

Fabulous Food | The Cheese Sandwich

The cheese sandwich. Loved by little kids, hated by adolescents, and then rediscovered in adulthood.