Auntie Rae’s Apple Cake

Picture of dessert in a pan

From the cookbook, “Perfect Cakes” by Nick Malgieri, this recipe caught my eye because of its use of pantry ingredients and simple straightforward preparation.  It’s really more of a bar-type dessert than a cake.  It sounded like a great recipe for new fall apples and the first time I tasted it I might have eaten more than one piece…I think … Read More

Apple Fritters

  All the talk in the media of our impending “Southern Freeze 2014” had everyone here in Savannah and the surrounding areas acting like we were going to be snowed in until March.  Schools let out at noon yesterday even though the winter weather wasn’t due until evening, a major local employer sent their employees home at noon as well, … Read More

Watermelon & Feta Salad

Watermelon

At first glance this combination sounds a bit odd.  Sweet watermelon with a salty cheese?  The swelling popularity of “salted caramel” this and that should be enough to convince anyone that it’s a well-liked flavor pairing.  This has been a popular recipe when I’ve used it in my cooking classes.  The oddity of the ingredients catches guests attention but it’s … Read More

Savannah Tomato Sandwiches

Plump, ripe tomatoes are one of the surest signs of summer.  The Forsyth Farmers market here in Savannah has had vendors with all manner of multi-colored orbs ranging from small single-bite tomatoes to those the size of soft balls.  Friends of mine recently visited a u-pick  farm where they could pick 5 gallon buckets for just $8/bucket.  Their offer to … Read More

Thanksgiving Dinner with Better Mornings Atlanta

While you wouldn’t know it by looking at the retail stores already decked out for Christmas,  Thanksgiving is just over a week away!     Chances are that your menu is molded by tradition or expectation….whether it’s the fond memories of grandma’s stuffing, or the dread of aunt Tillie’s JELLO mold of lemon gelatin with shredded cabbage, sliced green olives, and crushed … Read More

Roasted Mini Pumpkins filled with Corn Pudding

As I’ve previously mentioned, the mini pumpkins that are usually available this time of year are great for not only decorating the Thanksgiving table, but also for eating such as the recipe for meatloaf that I’ve done in the past, or this one for a side item perfectly suited to gracing the Thanksgiving table.  I’ve been doing these in my … Read More

Spinach & Roasted Pumpkin Salad

Photo showing pumpkin & spinach salad

This salad showcases some of the many flavors that are abundant this time of year.  Not only are the colors of outdoor foliage bright and beautiful, but so are the colors of produce such as pomegranates, pumpkins, figs, pomegranates and the other luscious prizes of the fall harvest. Adding some cooked chicken either poached or from a rotisserie bird purchased … Read More

Green Tomato Pie

Traditionally this time of year the gardens are either winding down from summer crops or bearing their bounty with fall vegetables like pumpkins, winter squash and other fall produce.  Soon northern areas will be getting their first frosts and tomatoes that haven’t had time to ripen will be lost…or not. Thanks to the popular movie by the same name, most … Read More

Tomatoland

If you’ve ever joined me for one of my cooking classes here in Savannah or elsewhere, no doubt you’ve probably heard one of my tirades about the taste (or rather the lack thereof) of grocery store tomatoes.  If you haven’t heard my “lecture”, here’s the point:  Tomatoes WILL NOT RIPEN once they’ve been picked.  Sure, I know you’ve set them … Read More

Tips for Healthy Cooking and Eating

Spring has sprung and is slowly creeping its way northward.  Hard to believe but summer starts next month!  Here in Savannah the spring visitors have been walking the squares for a couple of months already and locals have been making the most of the beautiful (and comfortable) weather by taking in concerts and celebrations in Forsyth Park.  Along with the … Read More