christmas cookies: thumbprint cookies

these thumbprint cookies are of the festive variety and perfect for the christmas season.  the chopped nuts make them hardy and the jelly gives them a nice fruity touch, not to mention a dash of color. they are great with a tall glass of soy milk and make the perfect addition to any holiday party. Read More  Read More

whole roasted garlic clove focaccia bread

i love making my own bread.  there really isn’t any comparison between a fresh, out of the oven, loaf and store bought varieties.  but bread can be tricky to get right -  either it is too dense, the crust isn’t thick enough, or it comes out lopsided.  focaccia is a simple bread to make that’s always soft on the inside with a crunchy crust. adding italian herbs to focaccia is fairly normal, but i stepped it up a notch by adding... Read More

homemade popcorn

when i go to the movies i drool over the smell of fresh popped popcorn, but i can’t eat it all slathered in butter.  i prefer to pop some myself, season it or add earth balance to my liking, and sneak it in the theater.  it also comes in handy when i’m at home enjoying a dvd and want a good movie snack to munch on. Read More  Read More

christmas cookies: russian tea cakes

while some people consider two weeks before thanksgiving an appropriate time to start christmas celebrations, i find the beginning of december a much more suitable start to the holiday season. and to me, that means christmas cookies. when i think of christmas cookies it’s not just gingerbread men that come to mind.  i have dozens of tasty treats that vividly convey christmas to my taste buds.  in the next few weeks i will be sharing some... Read More

raw tomato pesto soup

soup is pretty much my favorite food to eat, but it can take a long time to make a batch when simmering and sauteing are involved.  that is the great thing about raw soup – it can take just a few minutes to make yourself a meal. this raw tomato pesto soup uses a lot of tomatoes, an avocado to thicken and add a creamy texture, and some pesto for a delicious kick of flavor. Read More  Read More