Spinach Balls Spinach Balls are a perfect party appetizer.  They are delicious and easy to make.  I serve them with cocktail napkins and a toothpick, but they are great as finger food as well. I have been making these since the ’80s and they always […]

Escarole Soup Escarole Soup is a classic Italian soup.  It is very quick and easy to make.  It is also flavorful, yet a really light soup.  Escarole is a winter leafy green that is part of the endive lettuce family, but it is not as […]

Springerle Springerle is a type of 14th Century South German biscuit or cookie.  It is made with an embossed design by pressing a Sprinergle mold onto rolled out dough.  The cookies must dry uncovered for 24 hours which preserves the details of the pattern prior […]

Winter Solstice Cookies I found this Winter Solstice Cookie recipe on Pinterest from Just a smidgen blog.  The source was quoted as from Epicurious, but I couldn’t find the original recipe.  I was looking for a nice butter cookie recipe for the holidays and thought […]

Pfeffernüsse Pfeffernüsse are small, festive spice cookies that are popular in Germany and North America for the Christmas holidays.  Similar versions can be found in Denmark and The Netherlands. The original recipe was from a friend of my brother and his family.  Unfortunately, through the […]

Lentil and Ham Soup This hearty Lentil and Ham Soup is perfect for a cold winter’s day.  It is packed with flavor and simple to make. Lentils are perfect addition for this soup.  I used Bob’s Red Mill green Lentils, Petite French Style for this […]

Apple Cider Donuts Time to make the Donuts!  Many years ago, I managed a donut franchise.  I have definitely made my share of donuts.  I had wanted to get this Apple Cider Donuts recipe posted in September or October.  Unfortunately, I moved in late August […]

Italian Christmas Cookies (Angeletti) Italian Christmas Cookies (Angeletti) is another great recipe from my Mother’s cousin Shirley, pictured here with her daughter Jennifer (Jenny). Italian Christmas Cookies (sometimes referred to as Italian Sprinkle Cookies or Angeletti) are probably the most recognized Italian cookie out there, […]

Italian Almond Crescent Cookies I have been making these Italian Almond Crescent Cookies cookies for Christmas since the late ’70s.  I have also seen this cookie called a Crescent Moon Cookies or a Moon Spell Cookies due to its shape.  No matter what you call […]

Minestrone With Meatballs It’s snowing and it’s soup time!  I decided to make a wonderful Minestrone With Meatballs soup.  Minestrone is a hearty, thick soup made of vegetables and pasta (Datalini).  You can make it with or without meat.  For a twist, I added meatballs.  […]