HYMNS IN THE KITCHEN

I'm a big fan of quick and easy appetizers and desserts that help me get through all the get-togethers that happen during the holidays. But don't be fooled by "quick-and-easy"; I still want these appetizers to look festive, even if I had to put in less effort. These Apricot Cheesecake Squares are made of ingredients you most likely already have and take about half an hour to make, in total. And yet, they are total crowd-pleasers. I hope you give these a try and Happy New Year

I'm calling this one a spread because it can be served in many different ways. I've served it in phyllo cups, spread on sliced bread as canapes, but you can even serve it as a dip alongside some crackers or toasted baguette slices. A delicious appetizer idea in time for any New Years Eve plans you may have! Enjoy, and Happy New Year friends! Cheesy Seafood & Herb Appetizer Spread Makes approximately 8 cups of spread Ingredients: 1 package cream cheese, room temperature 1/2 cu

I'm so happy to share my favorite shortbread thumbprint cookie recipe with you, adapted from Saving Dessert. Easy to make and especially fun when you have the littles helping out. These will be among the first to go at a cookie exchange, no doubt. You can't have just one! I hope you give these a try. Enjoy! Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies 36 cookies Ingredients for dough: 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons cornstarch 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup unsalted butter, softened 2/3 cup s

I'll be honest; I've never made a whole roasted chicken before trying this recipe. I was a little intimidated by idea of a whole bird in my oven, different parts of the chicken needing to reach the fully-cooked stage all while retaining juiciness and, of course, tasting delicious. This Thanksgiving I was in charge of the turkey, and while I still have a long (and I mean LONG) road of perfecting the turkey, I guess it boosted my zeal to finally throw a whole chicken in my oven

This is my take on the widely known and loved Waldorf Salad. This is something I often make and keep in my refrigerator as a quick meal or snack. In our family we especially love eating this salad on a fluffy, buttery croissant roll, but it's also yummy with crackers or even on it's own. Feel free to add your own twist on it; many people add grapes, or half mayonnaise-half yogurt, and even a splash of orange juice. This was my way of using up leftover oven roasted chicken, bu

This brussels sprouts salad is a true treat. It has the tender bite of a brussels sprout, the crisp of the bacon bits and the sweet crunch of the candied walnuts. When all these ingredients are mixed together with the sweet balsamic dressing, it truly feels like a holiday. This salad is best served warm so if you wanted to, you can make the dressing, crisp the bacon and candy the walnuts ahead of time and keep in air-tight containers. Then you would only have to cook the brus

This tart is so beautiful and festive, and so simple to make! A quick lemony bechamel lays on crisp puff pastry, topped with bright asparagus. Simple flavors that work so well together and a variety of textures in this tart make it the perfect pair to a hot cup of tea for brunch. Enjoy! Asparagus Tart 6 servings Ingredients: 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed 1/2 bunch asparagus, washed and dried thoroughly 1 egg, beaten Juice of 1/2 a lemon 1 1/4 cup milk 2 tablespoons butter 2 tab

Holiday season is upon us! Which, for many of us, means lots of hosting and party attending. There have been many times when we get invited to a dinner party (or tea and snacking by the fireplace) just hours before the event. Quick and easy appetizer and dessert recipes using Phyllo cups have saved me more than once, and I hope to encourage you to use them too! Here's a recipe that's almost too easy to be called a recipe (the perfect kind for busy days like these). Less time