Rumple Minze hot chocolate

I got your Holiday Cheer right here. Ghirardelli Double Chocolate cocoa with Rumple Minze peppermint schnapps and marshmallows. Serve with Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate-Covered Peppermint Joe Joe’s for dunking. They taste like a cross between Girl Scouts Thin MInts and Oreos, with crushed candy cane 

Pannetone French toast with orange-bourbon syrup

…or, Special Christmas Breakfast I really haven’t gotten into the holiday spirit this year. No baking, no candy, nothing. I still have time to pretend I’m Russian, though, in which case the New Year celebration is more important. Technically, my people were German-Russian for a 

Espresso ice cream

And introducing my favorite apron. I’ve had this little beaute since I was in college, and I used to love wearing it to work during my four+ years as a barista. Oh, man, I was a good barista. I hate to admit it now, but 

Buttermilk spice cake with bourbon-banana compote and toasted marshmallows

…or Having a Laugh (Are You Having a Laugh?) So, we all know that I love to cook, and have demonstrated a fair amount of competence in doing so. Proficiency, even, modestly put. Baking, however, is not my forte. Sure, my galettes are passable, but 

Pulled pork and sweet potato hash with tomatoes

Man, we had the best brunch this morning. Best of all? It practically cooked itself. * * * Last night we had some long-lost friends over for dinner. Well, it’s not that they were lost, but having a couple kids can sure make it seem 

Cherry galettes with black pepper-Kirschwasser glaze

Is there any better taste of summer than sweet bing cherries? You’re giving me that look, aren’t you. The “It’s not summer yet, Heather, not in your neck of the woods. Fuck you smilin’ about?” look. Okay, sigh, I bought off-season produce from California. Sue 

Venison sirloin with bing cherry jus and buttermilk mashed potatoes

My dad’s birthday was Friday, so he brought over some venison for me to cook (the thought of him eating all his game in the form of well-done steaks drowned in A-1 makes me cringe). Since he brought it the day before, I gave it 

Because we are concerned about your health!

Okay, I totally stole the idea from Voodoo Donuts, but it’s so good, how could I not? I was in a stupid shittown grocery store that had maple bars and fried bacon in the deli. Two great tastes that taste great together. [Insert Homer Simpson 

Semi-Homemade

These words make me feel like a total fucking whore. And not the good kind. I never thought I would *gasp* cook something from a mix, but Williams-Sonoma had a box of chocolate truffle bread mix (with real Valrhona chocolate!) on the clearance rack, and 

Ya Pear Galette with Pinenuts and Lemon-Pepper Honey Glaze

I was at Fubonn again last weekend. I swear it’s like my mallrat addiction now, on a cold day I just love to walk around and around that place and ogle all of the produce that I’ve never heard of before. I try to pick