HYMNS IN THE KITCHEN

At any given time, you can most definitely find a zip lock bag of frozen homemade waffles in my freezer. When I know I'll have out of town guests, I'll make a large batch to then take out and toast up and serve with syrup and fresh fruit, or jam and powdered sugar. I like to give options. This makes for an easy and relatively healthy breakfast, granted that you don't drench them in syrup like I do. Hope you give these a try! Enjoy. Whole Wheat Almond Waffles Makes 14-16 waffl

This chili has all the things that I love. A dear friend of mine asked me to develop a chili recipe, so I went out and got all the things I thought would go well together. I heard more than once of chocolate being added to chili to give it a slightly sweet flavor and when I tried this, I knew I would never go back. It adds depths of flavor in every spoonful of sweet heat that make for my favorite chili ever! I'm gladly sharing it with you and I hope you give it a try. Enjoy!

It's early afternoon, and the sun is playing hide and seek behind the clouds. The air is still so that the birds chirping sounds like music. Somewhere in the distance someone is mowing their lawn and the smell of fresh cut grass and new budding flowers is strong and aromatic. I had some dishes to wash and laundry to fold, but my littles want to have snacks on the front lawn so we laid out a blanket and I let the chores wait a little. This was more important. We had this dip

When I make Panna Cotta, I like to make two or three different kinds so that my guests have a choice. The base is always the same; cream, sugar, vanilla extract. But then I like to add different flavorings, and you can too! Make it your own and add whatever you think would be good; citrus peel, chocolate sauce, raspberry jam- the ideas that come to my mind when making Panna Cotta are endless. I added what may seem like a ludicrous amount of vanilla extract into this one, maki

Picnic season is here! Where we live in California our summers don't permit us to comfortably be outdoors unless we are by a body of water, so picnics only happen in spring or late autumn. Yesterday we took advantage of the beautiful weather and did a little exploring by the creek, collecting wild flowers for a bouquet and just enjoying each others company. Somehow I feel that, when I'm enjoying a meal outdoors, my senses expand and the flavors are enhanced. This Salmon and H

With layers of zucchini being baked with fresh, stringy mozzarella and crisped chicken, one step is crucial in this recipe. Because Zucchini is a moisture-filled vegetable, it's vital that you first salt and let the zucchini strips rest to extract as much moisture as possible, to prevent from having a soggy outcome. Don't worry, this doesn't mean you'll have a dry zucchini bake as a result; there is still plenty of juiciness from the fresh mozzarella and the béchamel. This is

This salad, with its bright and citrusy flavors, simply screams summer to me. It's got a slight crunch from the celery and sweetness from the mango and I can tell you without lying, it's one of the best things I've ever eaten. I knew I had to share it with you because I just can't keep something this good to myself. This will be something I'll be making for many a backyard BBQ this summer, no doubt. Try it friends! You will not be disappointed. Enjoy. Mango Chili Shrimp Salad

This dish has so many components. Chicken sautéed with white wine and lemon juice, creamy Parmesan sauce, and brightness from the herbs and peas. The breadcrumb topping is the cherry on top, adding a little texture to this carbonara with its pleasant crunch and also adding to a beautiful presentation. This is a perfect springtime meal, and I'm sure anyone you feed this to will be delighted. I hope you give this dish a try! Enjoy. Chicken Carbonara with Peas Serves 6 Ingredien

Pork Tenderloin is a cut of meat that is very easy to overcook and can very easily become dry. Stuffing the pork tenderloin with caramelized onions and fresh mozzarella instead of low moisture is a trick that will help the meat stay juicy on the inside, even if you may have overcooked it a little bit. This stuffed pork recipe is one that I think about often, it was that good! You can even prepare it a few hours ahead of time if you're having dinner guests, and just sear and b