Wines of the West–Paired with the Best
The following is a guest post written by Noreen Kompanik (Noreenkompanik.com) Here’s to food, wine, friendship, and good times. And cheers to some amazing family winemakers, including three women-led wineries. That’s what happens when a group of food and wine lovers get together to pair their favorite dishes with some incredible wines from California and...
Always Time for Chocolate
Andrea’s Fudge Cake is my last bake with the bulk chocolate given to me. This recipe became very popular when it was published in the first issue of Chocolatier Magazine in 1984 and I have made it many times over the years. This shows how much I loved the magazine and baking with chocolate because...
Freddie’s California Caramels and the Greek Influence
What does caramel candy made in California have to do with Greece? Plenty! When Fred Georggin started his caramel making business in San Diego, Greek roots played a big part. Fred’s father grew up in Kapsia Village in the Peloponnesian mountains and eventually moved to Southern California. His mother’s side of the family were already in Los...
Rice Krispies treats and a Favorite Fudge Sauce
Who doesn’t go back to their childhood when eating rice krispies treats! I used more of the bulk chocolate to make Scotcheroos and the addition of butterscotch chips made this treat sweetly addictive. The rice krispies bars brought back many memories for people who grew up eating them. They were quick and easy to make...
Holiday Season with Chocolate Specialty Desserts
Another baking experience with the mounds of chocolate. I was pleased with the Chocolate Swiss Roll Cake and I added Morello cherry spread with the cream cheese filling before rolling up the cake. A slice of the holiday cake with hot tea is an afternoon delight. Recipe Bellyfull.net Ready for New Years but no parties...
Chocolate Dreams Come True!
My good friend couldn’t use all this dark chocolate and gave it to me. Geez, what will I make with this motherlode of chocolate! My first bake with the mounds of bulk chocolate was something pushing the envelope. Chocolate-chocolate chip bacon cookies. Bacon was cooked until crispy, a chunk of chocolate chopped into small pieces...
The Local Waters in San Diego with Refreshing Lunch Views
Visiting beautiful Torrey Pines Gliderport in La Jolla with activities worth watching in a stunning location is a must. I remember years back when hang gliders soared over the cliffs and now there’s modern powered paragliders. There’s even a falconry experience including parahawking with trained falcons soaring around the paragliders. Talk about a unique...
No Denying My Baking Genes
As you probably know by now, baking is in my genes. This is a picture of my grandmother and her sister showing off a layer cake they had made in their San Diego home. In 1979, I visited the Betty Crocker test kitchens in Minneapolis and still remember how exciting it was watching cakes and...
Booboo’s Sweet Potato Pies Bring a Taste of Home to Southern California
The Southern staple of sweet potato pie brings more to the table than pumpkin pie. And not just at Thanksgiving in San Diego. The sign, Booboo’s Sweet Potato Pies, caught my eye at the farmer’s market. Humm, sweet potato pies in Southern California? My interest was piqued, and I decided to find out more. ...
The Cookie I Discovered On My Visit To New Mexico
The shape and design of the cookie immediately caught my attention. After just one bite, I was even more intrigued because it was like no other cookie I’d ever tasted before. I was in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and this biscochito cookie just happens to be the state’s official cookie. Biscochito cookies are a long-time tradition...
The Good and The So-So Baking Results During Quarantine
More quarantine baking with many delicious baked goods and a few which I thought needed improvement. Let’s start with this eye appealing and stunning dessert- Summer is fresh peaches and plums in abundance. Ina Garten (the Barefoot Contessa) to the rescue with her Peach and Blueberry Crumbles recipe. I used peaches and plums and followed...
Scrumptious Homemade Ice Creams for Summer and Fall
My ice cream maker has been working overtime and the results were very delicious! I made many different varieties and each with their own personality. Lemon is refreshing on hot days and Super Lemon ice cream is made sweet and tart by using home grown lemon juice and zest. Creamy and lemony makes a delightful...
