This story became larger than life! That’s why I decided to turn it into a series of articles. This first piece introduces all the key players and events in the form of a chronological timeline. Honestly, sometimes I got dizzy trying to keep it all straight, so this is the best way to connect the...
What are Buckeyes? Growing up in the greater Kansas City, Missouri area, I never knew what Buckeyes were. Moving to Ohio was a bit of a culture shock for this reason. In Ohio, reference to the Buckeye is unavoidable. Ohioans take great pride in their state’s correlation with the Buckeye, which is apparent in naming...
Sugar Cookie Memories I have memories of decorating sugar cookies that go back as far back as I can remember. When we were still small, Mom would cut out and bake all the cookies, and my 3 sisters, my brother, and I would have so much fun decorating them with colored icing, sprinkles, colored sugar,...
When you think cheesecake, chances are the first thing that comes to mind is a dense, cracked dessert that needs toppings to taste great. But what if we told you there was a way to make a creamy cheesecake that would not crack, is Low GI, gluten-free, and tastes better than any cheesecake you have...
Why is Brown Food so Crave-able? One of my favorite culinary quotes is Anne Burrell exclaiming, “Brown food tastes good!” No one can argue that seared meats, roasted nuts, chocolate, vanilla, and coffee are not loved by the masses, but what exactly makes brown food so irresistible? It turns out, the secret is the foundation...
Choc-Oat-Chip Cookies: There Is A Demand! I remember the first time I watched the season 8 episode of The Office called “Tallahassee.” At the end of the episode, the hilariously awkward Erin Hannon (Ellie Kemper) approaches Famous Amos saying, “Hi, Famous. I’m sure you get ideas for new cookies all the time, but I…” He...
There’s something special about a cookie that looks like it took hours to make—but secretly didn’t. That’s exactly why shortbread spritz cookies have become one of my go-to treats, especially during the holidays. With a cookie press, a little gel food coloring, and some colored sugar, you can create dozens of eye-catching, melt-in-your-mouth cookies in...
Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies by Name Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies got their name for obvious reasons, but why are Hershey’s Kisses called “kisses”? No one knows for sure–despite the widespread adoption of the popular possibility that it came from the sound of the chocolate morsels being dispensed onto the conveyor belt. While this is an...
Perfectly Fresh Whether you have an abundance of garden produce or you had a farmer’s market shopping spree, this garden salsa recipe is for you! One day last year, we had both. I found myself with WAY TOO MANY vegetables to eat without canning or giving them away. With COVID concerns, the obvious option was...
Vareniki; It May Not Be Pretty… Click here to skip to Tom and Jiffy’s Vereniki Recipe. He told me he was eating his favorite meal, called Vareniki. It is essentially the special-occasion meal from his childhood. He promised me it does not taste how it looks. I promised, given the opportunity, I would try this...
Yummy Dip Craving I have tasted a lot of cream cheese dips. When I tasted this dip, I couldn’t get enough! I had to know what was in it. I was again impressed, but this time by the fact that there are only four ingredients! The complexity of the flavor profile is thanks to the...
Dad’s Guacamole Has Roots I bet you know a great cook who generally does not use measuring cups or spoons. They take ingredients and experience, and the result is almost always something delicious. This is my dad. He worked hard as a pipefitter, so most days he was way too tired to cook. When he...
