Yes, I know, again with the time lapse between updates, but I’ve got a good one to start off June. It’s cookies! Everyone loves cookies, right? I’ve been playing with lavender for the past month or so, which is one of those perfect springtime flavors. Yes, lavender is most likely to evoke memories of Grandma’s [...]

Tags: baking, chocolate, chocolate chip cookies, cooking, dairy-free, lavender, non-dairy, pastries
Filed under: chocolate, cooking, food, food porn, recipes, snacks

I went on something of a cooking bender this weekend, which might have something to do with the fact that spring is in the air and the Farmer’s Markets are starting to reappear in the city. My produce share from Edible Alchemy this week was overflowing with delicious goodies and since I’ve got a busy [...]

Tags: experiments, fresh produce, hazelnuts, nutella, quiche
Filed under: chocolate, cooking, food, hobbies, recipes

It figures. Spring’s finally making an appearance, the days are getting longer with more sunlight, and what happens? I wake up this morning with the sore throat from hell, which over the course of the day threatened to morph into a spectacular head cold. So instead of going to a gym session with my trainer, [...]

Tags: comfort food, cooking, maitake, mushrooms, sticky rice, tuna
Filed under: cooking, recipes

Just in case you haven’t been paying attention, I kind of have a thing for bacon. I also love cooking. So naturally, I threw my hat into the ring for this year’s Baconfest Chicago’s Amateur Cooking Contest (sponsored by Nueske’s Bacon). On the line: 2 free tickets and the chance to compete for bragging rights [...]

Tags: bacon, Baconfest Chicago 2011, cake, chili pepper, chocolate, contest, dessert, flourless, recipe, spice, torte
Filed under: bacon, Chicago, chocolate, cooking, festivals, food, food porn, recipes, teaching

If it’s not apparent by now, I’m obsessed with cooking. It’s not for nothing that negotiations often take place over food because few things generate a sense of contentment and congeniality more than a good meal. I love how the preparation and enjoyment of food brings people together and creates connections where previously there may [...]

Tags: ancho, candy, Chicago, chili, chipotle, chocolate, dessert, Edible Alchemy, education, ganache, handmade, learning, local food, non-dairy, non-soy, nuts, seminar, series, spicy, teaching, treats, truffle rolling, truffles, workshop
Filed under: Chicago, chocolate, cooking, food, hobbies, local spot, recipes, snacks, teaching

…with less than 10 minutes of prep work, 5 simple ingredients and roughly 20-30 minutes cooking time in the oven, those curly, innocuous-looking leaves can be transformed into a delicious snack food that will satisfy the same cravings as potato chips, but with more nutrients and less empty calories.

Tags: easy recipe, easy snack, food, healthy food, healthy snacks, kale, snacks
Filed under: cooking, food, hobbies, recipes, snacks