Content
As I sat down to write this post, to my utter frustration, the words just wouldn’t flow – words I liked, that is. I couldn’t think of any cute meatball stories or anecdotes, or pithy, witty commentary. To be honest, all that kept running through my head was a …
Cupcakes vs. muffins: How are they different? How are they the same? Many before me have attempted to answer – and still, the debate goes on. Some have approached this issue from a scientific standpoint, pointing out the differences in the ratios of ingredients and preparation methods. Others have …
Several weeks ago, Mr. SGCC’s paralegal, Joanne, raved about a recipe she’d made and loved. One of the things I love about Joanne is that she’s an adventurous foodie who is always willing to try new things. She’s a girl after my own heart. The recipe she spoke of …
Before I became a food blogger, the term “macaroons” meant only one thing: craggy little balls of toasted coconut surrounding a sweet and chewy center. And, while I’ve since become quite familiar with the delicate and ethereal French macarons that seem to be spun from almonds and air, I’ll …
Let’s face it, people. Some foods, no matter how much we love them, are just plain ugly. A fantastic recipe does not always equal an attractive dish It’s an issue that we food bloggers struggle with on a regular basis. We want our food photos to leap off the …
These stuffed potatoes were the subject of one of the very first blog posts I ever wrote more than five years ago. That was way back when I had no idea what I was doing. (though some may argue that I still don’t). The formatting of that old post …
Everyone here at Chez SGCC is lactose intolerant in varying degrees. Luckily for me, I’m the least affected. That means I still get to have ice cream from time to time. And, a world without ice cream is a very sad place. However, except for yogurt, we try to …
Last weekend Mr. SGCC had to go to Miami for a few days to attend a legal conference. I usually beg off on those things because a) they’re boring; and b) they’re boring! But I love Miami ,and hadn’t been down there in years – so I decided to …
We didn’t eat much fish at my house when I was a little girl – except on Fridays. We always had fish on Fridays, because that was what all good Italian Catholic families in the Bronx did. Even after Vatican II said it was okay to eat meat on …
I know that Valentine’s Day is over, but I thought these cuties were worth sharing. I wanted to make a little something special for some friends on Valentines Day. But as usual, time got away from me. These little treats were so easy to whip up - and I …
No, I did not fall off the face of the earth. Although, there were times in the past month that I felt like jumping off. Ever since the Holidays, Chez SCGG has been a hotbed of disease and dysfunction, governed by Murphy’s Law. We didn’t even have our Christmas …
I’m not much of a banana bread girl. Banana cake, on the other hand, is a whole different story. Banana bread is breakfast, while banana cake is dessert. I’d much rather have dessert than breakfast, unless of course, I’m having dessert for breakfast. And while this Choco-Rum Buttermilk Banana …
It’s always hard for me to switch gears after the Holidays. Just when I really start to get in the groove – they’re over. I hate taking down all of the festive decorations and packing them away. And, boxing up the tree ornaments is even worse. I hate doing …
First of all, I’d like to wish you all a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year! That, and lots and lots of cupcakes! I thank you all for taking the time to stop by and visit from time to time. I may not articulate it enough, but your …
Tis the season for holiday office parties, open houses and potlucks. And that means food, people. Food, food, and more food! While cookies are usually the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about Holiday treats, there’s more to party eats than that. After all, man (or woman) …
Have you ever heard of Sheila G’s Brownie Brittle? If you have, then you’ll understand my little addiction. You know those crispy edges and baked –on splatters around the edge of the brownie pan – the ones you pick off and nibble on when nobody’s looking? Well, Sheila G. …
It got down into the 40’s here last weekend. THE 40’s! In NOVEMBER! In FLORIDA! That almost never happens. Don’t tell anyone, but I might have even turned the heat on in the house for a second or two. Apparently, I’m turning into a weather wimp. With each passing …
When most people think of Thanksgiving desserts, the first thing that usually comes to mind is pumpkin. Pumpkin pie, pumpkin cake, pumpkin flan, pumpkin cheesecake – the list goes on. Thanksgiving is the one day of the year when pumpkin lovers unite and unabashedly share their mutual adoration for …
Some of you may not realize this, but pumpkin puree does not originate in a can. I know I didn’t. In fact, it starts with real honest-to-goodness pumpkins. Shocking, huh? When I fist learned that I could make my own pumpkin puree from scratch, it was a revelation. Homemade …
Years and years ago, when I was first married, someone gave me a cast iron skillet as a wedding gift. I’d never used one before. My mother never had one, so I didn’t even know what to do with it. And, with my shiny brand new set of high …
Did these spooky little guys scare you? I hope not! I think they’re as cute as can be! I made them to take into my office as a little Halloween treat, and you can too. They couldn’t be easier to make. They’re just mini brownie bites with vanilla buttercream …
After living on the coast of Florida for almost four decades, I’ve become all too familiar with the threats of tropical storms and hurricanes I’ve learned to always take them seriously. The wrath of Mother Nature can be fast and furious, and she can change her mind on a …
A lot of things have changed here at Chez SGCC now that Mr. SGCC and I are empty nesters, not the least of which is how we eat. Our dinners have become more laid back, with a lot more salads, sandwiches and take-out taking center stage on our table. …
What is it about the mere mention of certain savory foods that can transform a grown man (or woman) into an quivering puddle of desire? Pork belly, Foie gras, short ribs… SHORT RIBS!!! Ooooh, short ribs! Those beautifully marbled, meaty little slabs of beef have the power to bring …
Before the last of the season’s lush fresh figs disappear from the markets, I wanted to share one more “figgy” recipe with you. This Fresh Fig Tart with Orange Flower Custard is one of my favorites. The custard is light and creamy, thanks to the addition of crème fraîche, …
Since I now have a stockpile of TJ’s Cookie Butter in my pantry, I decided that I should probably justify my greed by trying it in a few recipes. You know, in the name of “research”. Lots of tantalizing treats came to mind: cheesecake, ice cream, and…Cookie Butter Cups. Cookie Butter Cups! Gah! As if my obsession wasn’t already bad enough, now I was going to smother it in chocolate.
For years, I’ve heard numerous friends wax poetic about David Chang’s legendary Momofuku restaurants. Even non-foodie friends have raved to me about it. Alas, I have never been there. And feeling left out, I’ve tried to get in the act by buying Chang’s cookbook and recreating some of his …
The kids are back in school. Labor Day has come and gone. And, the nights are getting longer. All of these are signs that summer is winding down. For me, another tip off is the profusion of fresh figs that start hitting the supermarkets right about now. Rows …
Mr. SGCC is a caveman. He loves meat. And, he doesn’t care for sweets. I know! Crazy, right? There are a few exceptions to this, though. He does enjoy a good cheesecake now and then. He’s also been known to sneak bites of Key lime pie right out of …
Well, that was certainly one anti-climactic weekend! We’ve all spent the last three days scrounging around in the supermarkets for bottle water, batteries, granola bars and canned meats in anticipation of Tropical Storm Isaac. “Prepare now! “Do not wait!”, we were told. I don’t usually get too hot and …
Do you ever imagine what your life would be like if you could have a “do over”? If you could just pick up and move wherever you wanted, where would you go and what would you do? I think about that a lot – not because I don’t like …
When I was a freshman in college, the arrival of a plain, brown paper package at the campus post office could only mean one thing for the recipient – food from home. For me, it specifically meant baked goods and other treats that I didn’t have access to living …
Broccoli rabe, rapini, broccoletti, broccoli raab. Depending on where in the world you live, these nutritious leafy green bundles go by many aliases. Call them whatever you like. I call them delicious. Broccoli Rabe was a staple in my family’s diet when I was growing up. Honestly, it almost …
You may have noticed that I complain about the heat a lot. That’s because it is HOT here, people! It’s steam coming out of your ears hot. It’s fry an egg on the sidewalk hot. It’s the kind of hot that has Linda Ronstadt’s Heatwave on autoplay in your …
For most kids, June signifies the end of the school year and the beginning of summer vacation. For me, it meant the end of school and the beginning of cherry season. I adored fresh cherries! I still do – especially the Bings. Their season is short – only about …
If you ask me, vanilla gets a bad rap. A lot of people – especially those who don’t bake - perceive it as bland and boring. I don’t agree. High quality vanilla beans are delightfully fragrant and earthy, with either warm and spicy or subtle floral overtones, depending on …
Mini-SGCC’s Grad Bash, that’s what! That’s right. On June 2, 2012, my baby girl graduated from high school. I’m still having a hard time wrapping myself around that one! It seems like only yesterday, I was dropping her off for her first day of kindergarten. Where did the …
Dear God, Thank you for allowing me the privilege and responsibility of being a mother. I know that it wasn’t an easy decision for you to make. In fact, it took you eight long years to make it. Maybe you felt that I wasn’t ready. The waiting was hard, …
After living in South Florida for more years than I care to remember, I’ve gotten used to the subtle clues that signify the change in seasons. They’re hard to define, but over time one gets better at identifying them. Some years, however, it seems like Mother Nature is downright …
Have you noticed that I’ve been MIA around here lately? Frankly, I didn’t realize just how long it had been since my last post. There’s a good reason, though. A couple of months ago Jeff Houck, food editor at the Tampa Tribune and organizer of TECHmunch, Tampa, invited me …
As I write this post, I’m hanging my head in shame. You see, dear readers, I’ve been holding out on you. Not intentionally, mind you, but holding out just the same. The other day, as I was sifting through recipes to include in my Easter brunch roundup, I re-read …
Of the great triumvirate of Christian holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter), Easter is my favorite. While I love eating myself into oblivion at Thanksgiving, and Christmas (the gifts are nice too), I actually enjoy the fact that Easter isn’t as food-centric. I find it to be a much more …
I’ve sat on this post for three whole days, debating whether or not to publish it. It seemed like a good idea at the time I wrote it, but then I started to get cold feet. I suspect that there are at least a few of my fellow food …
Although he grew most of the vegetables we ate, my father wasn’t really much into cooking. He was in charge of salads and made eggs on Sundays, but that was pretty much the extent of it. Dad did, however, have a few signature dishes that he loved to prepare …
In my family, we always knew it was a special occasion by the telltale aroma of lasagna baking in the oven. Neither my grandmother nor my mother made it often. A traditional lasagna is a labor intensive dish that takes several hours to prepare – even longer if you …
I’ve always been somewhat of a food purist. I’m probably the only person over the age of five that actually prefers a plain cheese pizza to one with a zillion toppings. Pasta nirvana for me is a bowl of spaghetti with Marcella Hazan’s three ingredient tomato sauce. And, I …
Next to the temperate weather, one of the nicest things about living in Florida is the abundance of citrus fruits we have here. Several years ago, I planted a kumquat tree in my front yard. It’s a spindly, sad-looking, little thing. But, every year around this time, it give …
You know, I wasn’t even planning to write about these cupcakes. They were just a quickie Valentine’s Day treat I whipped up at the last minute when my original plans went awry. But, they turned out so well, that I just had to share them with you. Isn’t it …
As a teen, I remember having lots of conversations with my mother about dating and relationships. Of her many “isms”, the one I heard most was “Looks aren’t everything. It’s what’s on the inside that matters.” Of course, she was right, but my superficial 16 year old brain didn’t …
