Blueberry Chai Spice Crunch Pie I know you’re probably thinking chai spice in a blueberry pie? Hear me out- it’s the magical blend of the spice’s cinnamon, ginger, clove, cardamom, black and white pepper that come together in just the perfect amounts that make this amazing blend. I use this spice blend in my chai spice cookie thins and one day decided to throw it into a pie and voila, this pie was born. I love things that at first sound a little weird but end up being so tasty that it’s like magic. Coming up with new recipes and flavor combinations; it is what keeps the joy and passion alive ..read more

This is my all-time favorite Fall or Winter pie. I know, I know that sounds like a heady claim, but it really is. This recipe alone is a reason to hoard cranberries. I implore you to make it. Everyone who tastes it agrees with me. The sweet tart notes along with the spices and the crunchy topping ticks all the boxes. The streusel is everything- do NOT skip that as it makes the pie. I totally forgot to snap a picture of the entire pie I was so amped to dive into it for Thanksgiving. This streusel is also my go to favorite crunchy topping- I also use it for my chai spice blueberry pie, but I le ..read more

It’s lemon season here in Arizona and my ginormous lemon tree is busting with lemons. It’s one of my favorite times of year as I not only cook with lemons, but bake all sorts of lemon desserts. I married both of my two favorite desserts; the macaron and a lemon bar. These might be my new favorite macaron! Lemon Bar Macarons yield: ~ 30 or more assembled macarons (depending on piped size of shells) Macaron Shells: 140 gm Almond flour (I like Wellbee’s super fine blanched brand)* 124 gm confectioners sugar 107 gm egg whites, room temperature 110 gm granulated sugar 1/4 tsp. cream of tartar Lemo ..read more

I love this time of year when my lemon tree is just bursting with fresh lemons. I have always loved any kind of lemon dessert. As a kid growing up my Mom would always let us kids choose our kind of birthday cake and I always chose white cake with lemon filling. I still this day will choose a lemon dessert off a menu given a choice over chocolate. what can I say, I am just a lemon lover. If you’re a lemon lover like me, you will adore this pie. Crust 2 1/4 Cups finely processed cookie crumbs; see note (You can choose graham cracker crumbs, or if you can find a crisp lemon cookie; I used this o ..read more

You’ll never know the importance of Lunar New Year unless you are Asian or married to one. Mine is obviously the second reason. It’s amazing though how accurate Chinese astrology animals match up with personality traits. I’m a rabbit and I can say that it does line up with the character of my spirit. My son; who is a Dragon is truly a Dragon. We could wax on about this for a while, but the New Year is all about being with family, friends and eating. Lots of eating. Lots of relaxing, and did I mention lots of eating? It involves a lot of traditions as well depending on your family and what you ..read more

A few years ago I became obsessed with making sourdough bread. I started reading anything and everything I could get my little hands on about the sour.  I lived in San Francisco for a little over 14 years, and the sour was calling me. Like for real, screaming at me Holla girl, holla back. Back in my SF days I had my favorite bakery brands of course and became somewhat of a sourdough bread snob. The outside had to be hard and crunchy, with a dark- almost mahogany color, yielding to a ridiculously soft holey matrix of pockets of love that when slathered with mayo for a sandwich, or dipped ..read more

I’ve been absent fora bit, due to my computer died several weeks ago, and with several projects going on in the house, a bit of a bathroom renovation (I got a new walk in whirlpool tub- as I am physically disabled) and it was an insurance battle to get that done. (Thank you Jesus). My son recently coming home from the Army, along with the usual Holiday madness, we’ve been quite busy in the house. I’m just now getting a new computer, and I’m revamping some things on my blog, so due to the Holidays and all, I’m reposting a few of my several favorite recipes. You’ll notice some oldies but goodies ..read more

Just like the ‘You know who’ coffee shop without having to get dressed, because muffins taste way better in your robe and slippers. It’s a fact… So, are we tired of pumpkin treats yet? Nope. Can’t stop, won’t stop. At least for a while, or until Christmas, or my cravings start for everything peppermint candy cane related. I just don’t get you non-pumpkin people, I mean- seriously what planet are you all from? HaHa. #sorrynotsorry. I know that’s a bit harsh. Okay; but hear me out-I have a friend who told me she was not a pumpkin person. She knew I was in charge of (always) bringing the Birthda ..read more

A lot of (obsessive) thought went into the creation of this beauty. I wanted to make sure all the components of a mojito cocktail came through. The mint, the lime, and the rum all had to be there but not with one overpowering the other flavor. I a took a gamble on coming up with my variation of this cake and I even surprised myself on how well it came out. My friends absolutely went gah gah over it and it was made for one of my dear friends’ birthday. I make her birthday cake every year and we usually have a pool party at her house to celebrate. It was a huge hit. I wanted to find the perfect ..read more

People laugh at me when I say I make my own Birthday Cake, but it’s something I love doing, and have done for several years now. There’s a certain calmness knowing you don’t have to worry about if the decoration is perfect, or the flavor is not something someone else doesn’t quite like, because well; it’s all about me. I kept the decoration pretty simple, and attempted a quick curtain drip, but suddenly realized I was too skimpy on the amount, so it didn’t quite fall the way I intended, but none the less, it tasted good. I’m not usually a huge fan of peanut butter flavor, but the filling on t ..read more