Have A Very Happy Chanukah Cookie House!

My son and his wife surprised us at our family Chanukah celebration this year with this gorgeous cookie house!  The decorated graham crackers which they chose to make, in addition to assembling the house, were scattered around the house on the platter and completed the scene. 

Though, admittedly, they found the house "a pain in the tuchus" to assemble, we thoroughly appreciated and enjoyed it; and I feel they actually had some fun making it!  The grandchildren and all the neighborhood kids loved it!

                                From Our Very Happy Chanukah House...

                                To You and Yours...Happy Holidays!                                                                                     

(This cookie house is from a kit is made by Manischewitz.)

Crunchy Naked Southern Pan-Fried Okra ~ Guilt Free!

The craving for fried okra overwhelms you, but the guilt holds you back.  Well no more...now you can enjoy crunchy Southern fried okra guilt free with this super easy naked pan-fried okra!

This is a challenging time of year with my birthday and all the holidays; and this year was a big milestone for me, as I entered a new decade!  I feel the same...I refuse to age!   We enjoyed a wonderful celebration with family and friends.  Then my computer crashed...guess that's what a big birthday does!  As usual, with my son to the rescue, I'm back in business with only a few details to be completed (by him, of course)!

During the crazy holiday season, we need simple dishes like this scrumptious fried okra...great for family dinners or as a holiday side.  Why wait, let's satisfy that craving...

                                 I Think I Could Eat The Whole Pan...                                            

                                           This May Be My Dinner!

Savory Roasted Butternut and Acorn Squash Blend

Inspired by my daughter's fantastic roasted butternut squash, I developed a delicious and satisfying roasted blend of butternut and acorn squash, as I just happened to have both on hand.

You'll find this simple recipe an ideal, savory Thanksgiving side and a wonderful way to use your squash decorations after Turkey Day!  Of course, you can roast one or the other by themselves, and the squash may be peeled and cut a day ahead.

                                Festive Thanksgiving Colors with....

                                   Traditional Holiday Flavors!

Baked Apple Pie Pinwheel Dumplings or Rugelach Cookies ~ Super Easy and Super Good!

I'm so excited to share these incredibly easy and scrumptious apple pie pinwheels...they came out perfectly the first time I made them, and that's always a great thing!  Made with tortillas, these divine dumplings are a lighter version of apple pie and just as gratifying.  Tons of fun, this is a great recipe to make with the kids and also ideal for Fall festivals.

The best way to eat these fabulous pies is right out of the oven while they're crispy and crunchy; but they're still fantastic even after stored overnight or longer!  Serve them as a handheld dessert in cupcake papers, or individually plated with forks.  Enjoy them by themselves or with a premium vanilla ice cream on the side, with/or without a good caramel sauce, or with my Butter Pecan Glaze!

This is another one of my two-for-one recipes...for bite-size fun, you can roll a little differently for simple, delectable rugelach.  When I first placed the few rugelach I made into the pan, I had my doubts; but they came out incredibly good...just as good as the dumplings, only a different shape and also very pretty.

It's amazing how the texture of the tortillas becomes more pastry-like when baked in a dessert recipe.  I'll definitely be baking more with tortillas!
                                    
                                                   All For Me...

                                                    Right?

Glazed Chunky Apple Coffee Cake Swirled with Brown Sugar, Cinnamon and Toasted Walnuts or Pecans!

Loaded with apples and swirled with a scrumptious mixture of brown sugar, cinnamon and toasted nuts, this cake makes an ideal treat to enjoy with your coffee on these brisk Fall days!  For an awesome Autumn dessert, try it with my Butter Pecan Glaze and/or a premium vanilla ice cream.

This versatile coffee cake also makes a delectable quick, light breakfast, with or without a cup of your favorite yogurt...it's especially good with pumpkin yogurt!                                                                                                                                
                                       I Think I Need A Coffee Break...

                                                Care To Join Me?

Tender Peanut Butter Cupcakes with Figgy Frosting

Cupcake connoisseurs will find these tender cupcakes a delightful departure from the norm.  Filled to the brim, their delicate peanut butter flavor and mildly spiced, sweet figgy frosting just seem to beckon Autumn.

I developed this recipe after I recently spotted a jar of fig preserves in the store and knew immediately that I wanted to pair the preserves with peanut butter!

                                            Figs And Peanut Butter...

                                         A Warm Welcome To Autumn!