Spices:  The Mystical Magic Potions, Top 10 Kitchen Essentials & More!

If the appearance of spices were to reflect their real importance in the history of the world, the bottles of spices would be filled with brilliant sparkling substances such as diamonds, rubies, emeralds and gold. When you open each bottle, a whiff of vibrantly colored, mystically fragrant, magical smoke would slowly billow softly throughout the…

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Balsamic Glaze: The Mysterious Dark Decedent Dynamic Drizzler…

Balsamic glaze is just an elaborate way of saying “reduced balsamic vinegar” and is also known as “reduction.”  It’s a very simple way to add a lot of flavor to dishes without adding a lot of extra calories or fat. Trader Joe’s offers an excellent brand or you can make your own by simply reducing down…

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Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes

These charming, petite, portable shortcakes are an ideal treat for family get-togethers, parties, BBQs, bridal showers or even an afternoon tea. They are very easy to put together and the secret is to place fresh sliced berries in between the frosting—the sweetness from the frosting serves as the sugar for these luscious cakes so no macerating…

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Stylish S’Mores Cupcakes

Today’s recipe is my cupcake version of S’Mores with an elegant twist. Sweet, dense but moist, buttery, graham cakes filled with creamy marshmallow centers, topped with milk chocolate marshmallow butter cream frosting. Delightful with a capital “D”! They’re fun to make, a little involved, but home made is always worth the effort. S’Mores cuppies are…

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Macerate: A Berry By Any Other Name Is Always Sweeter…

Most of us know what marinating is, but what is macerating? It’s a simple, similar process, but the “soak subject” is always fruit. Macerating is the process of soaking fruit in sugar, juice, wine or herbs—and or the combination. Macerating softens and sweetens the fruit and also imparts a flavor of not only sweetness, but…

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Homemade Marshmallows—S’mores and Mores!

Homemade marshmallows? Yes! Are they worth the effort? Absolutely! Plus, they’re really not difficult to make—it’s not rocket science! The spongy, sweet flavor complements a chocolate dip bath, a sandwich of two graham crackers roasted over an open fire accompanied by a chocolate slab neighbor, afloat a steaming mug of cocoa and so on! Here’s…

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Homemade Strawberry Cinnamon “Pop Tarts” or Hand Pies

These tender, flaky pastries are unlike the cardboard style you will find in your grocer’s cereal section. While they resemble those of the “Pop” style, they are full of flavor, buttery and bursting with real fruits. Pick and choose your fillings–even go “nuts” and add a nut butter or even chocolate along with your favorite…

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Fresh Georgia Peach Pie

To me, nothing says “summer” more than a fresh peach pie. I remember summer times at our family’s cottage by the lake and the fresh fruit orchards that paved the way. There’s nothing like a bursting, ripe freshly plucked peach—the sweet, sensual juiciness dripping from your chin. Heaven, just as the simplicity of a slice…

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