A Life in Food
Loquat jam is sweet and tart, slightly floral and absolutely delicious. Loquats are more commonly referred to as “Japanese plum” and they are high in pectin, which makes them ideal for jams.
Three months after I moved to Florida, I went to visit my aunt and uncle who live here part of the year. My Aunt Ramona made loquat jam and asked if I would like to try it. Of course I replied with a resounding “YES”, as I am never one to refuse food.
…
My dog is spoiled, but I’m guessing yours is too. Healthy, homemade banana pumpkin dog treats are quick and easy to make, plus they only have four ingredients! For less than $5, you can make approximately 100 treats, which is a much better deal than store bought.
Our pets are like family. We do everything we can for them, right? Which is why I make treats for her instead of buying them when I have the time. Sugar has always had a very sensitive stomach and sometimes store bought foods/treats have given her tummy issues. For example, when she was a puppy I went through NINE different dog foods before I found one that didn’t make her sick. Eventually, the vet suggested that I cook vegetables for her and mix them with her dog food. Sugar has been on this diet for a few years now with no issues, so I’m quite happy. She eats what we eat most of the time, so it’s not really any extra work. Chicken, broccoli, cucumbers, sweet potatoes, apples, bananas, etc. She eats better than some of my friends!
…
Butter Pecan Biscotti are perfect for holiday cookie exchanges and for sharing! One of my favorite ice cream flavors is butter pecan, so I wanted to turn it into a biscotti for giving away as homemade gifts for friends this holiday season.
Normally, I am too busy to do much baking during the holiday season. This year is different. We just moved to a new city and I am still healing from surgery so my time in the kitchen is limited. Baking loads of Christmas cookies is something that I really enjoy and these biscotti are going to be in the regular rotation. They received rave reviews around here and this house is well versed in cookie consumption. Biscotti are an excellent option if you ship cookies to friends and family, like I do. They hold up well and remain fresh much longer than normal cookies.
…
Cherry hand pies. The perfect, portable summer treat. Pack them in lunches, take them to potluck dinners, freeze them for the cold months when you need a burst of summer. Just make them!
Do you remember your favorite childhood treat? Mine was Hostess Cherry Pies. Cloyingly sweet cherry pie filling encased in a lackluster pastry shell coated with a cavity-inducing glaze of white icing. To think of eating one now does absolutely nothing for me, but the 10 year old version of me would slap me right across the face for such condescension.
Cherry was my favorite of all the pies we had growing up and believe me, there was no shortage. On holidays there was the obligatory pumpkin, but once in awhile we were allowed to weigh in on this topic and when the opportunity presented itself, I always chimed in “CHERRY”!
(later on and still to this day, it has changed to peach)
Whenever stone fruit season rolls around, I, like most people, buy pounds of cherries, peaches, plums and nectarines… and then am in a frenzy to use them up before they go bad. It’s like my Mom has always told me “Your eyes are bigger than your stomach”. I guess they still are.
…