Almost Wordless Wednesday Chocolate Truffles Made with Liquor

What makes these truffles so special is that they are made with liquor. Actually, you get a choice of four liquors in this recipe for Chocolate Truffles.

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Photo Reprinted with Permission from Shutterstock

About.com Super Bowl Party Recipe Exchange
When the Dutch watch sports on TV their favorite snacks include kroketten, those sumptious shrimp or veal ragout-filled crispy croquettes, frikadellen, typically Dutch skinless meat sausages, and kaasstengels, rich Gouda cheese straws, all of which can be found on our Dutch Food Guide's list of Dutch Party Appetizers.

Nuts Are a Natural Superfood

At my home, rarely a day goes by that we aren't eating nuts in one form or another. They can be found in any of our meals and/or desserts. We also eat them raw as a snack. Nuts (including peanuts) are the perfect superfood, because they are chocked-full of nutrients like Omega-3 fats, vitamins ...read more

Recipes Make with Nuts

Salted Pecans, pictured
Sugared Nuts
Macadamia Nut Waffles
Hazelnut Bundt Cake
Boiled Peanuts
Benne Wafers (seeds count as nuts, too)
Cinnamon-Pecan Muffins
Oatmeal Walnut Cookies
Loaded Blondies
Spicy Sesame Peanut Candy

Cookbook Review Cooking with Chocolate

Looking for some new and interesting treats you can make for your Valentine? You need to get Cooking with Chocolate. It's more than just a cookbook. It's practically an entire course on cooking with chocolate. Read all about it in my review.

Full Review
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Photo Reprinted with Permission of Flammarion

Cool Summer Meals Exchange 2012

Many of you know that each December, About Guides to Food & Drink hold a virtual holiday cookie recipe exchange. We continue that tradition in the summer, by sharing quick and easy recipes for cool dishes, which are prepared with little or no cooking. Starting today, we'll be sharing these recipes on our site.

Cool Summer Meals Exchange 2012

These no bake desserts, from the Cooking for Kids site, include cool and refreshing pies, parfaits, milkshakes and more. Some are classics, and others are unique twists on old favorites, like my ice cream cone cannoli recipe, made with sweetened ricotta cheese, mini chocolate chips, pistachio nuts in sugar cones.

Cool Latin Caribbean Avocado Dish

Stuffed Avocado Salad - This stuffed avocado recipe is a nice cold dish to serve during the summer. Your About Guide to Latin Caribbean Food suggests serving this dish in place of a salad or as a first course.

Cool Summer Meals Exchange

Cool Summer Meals Exchange 2012
When it's hot and muggy, or you're low on time, turning on the oven is the last thing you want to do, unless it's to stick your head in! But if dessert is a must, these no-bake dessert recipes are sure to please.

Photo and Recipes by Barbara Rolek

The Power of Pineapple UpsideDown Cake

Just what is it about Pineapple Upside-Down Cake? I have a friend who never eats dessert at our monthly potluck luncheons. Well, that was until I brought this Double Pineapple Upside-Down Cake. She lit-up like a Christmas tree the moment she realized what type of dessert I brought. She ate not one, but two pieces.

In Visions of Sugar Plums, Stephanie Plum once said "I swear I first smelled Pineapple Upside-Down Cake when I was in the womb." The lure of this cake is so strong that her mother constantly uses it as a method of getting Stephanie to do what she wants her to do.

Stephanie Plum is the main character in a delightful series of books by Janet Evanovich. From the first book I read in the series: One for the Money to the latest, Explosive Eighteen, my family would find me laughing out loud while reading these books. The characters range from Stephanie, a lucky, but not talented bounty hunter; to Lula, her co-worker/sidekick; Morelli, a police detective/sometimes fiance; Ranger, sometimes boss/hot "friend"; Grandma Mazaar, who can't seem to resist a closed casket and then there's Bob, the dog who eats everything and then defecates on queue. If you need to do a little laughing out loud, you must read these books. You don't even have to read them in order. It's better that way, but not totally necessary.
Side note: They did make a movie out of One For the Money into a movie, which is playing in theaters right now. It doesn't totally live up to the novel, but I enjoyed it anyway. I hope they continue on and make more of the movies. They've got a good base of characters, and of course, several fantastic books to work with.

Pineapple Rum Upside-Down Cake
Double Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
Mini-Pineapple Upside-Down Cakes
All About Upside-Down Cakes

Cool Summer Meals Exchange 2012

Many of you know that each December, About Guides to Food & Drink hold a virtual holiday cookie recipe exchange. We continue that tradition in the summer, by sharing quick and easy recipes for cool dishes, which are prepared with little or no cooking. Starting today, we'll be sharing these recipes on our site.

Cool Summer Meals Exchange 2012

These no bake desserts, from the Cooking for Kids site, include cool and refreshing pies, parfaits, milkshakes and more. Some are classics, and others are unique twists on old favorites, like my ice cream cone cannoli recipe, made with sweetened ricotta cheese, mini chocolate chips, pistachio nuts in sugar cones.

Cool Latin Caribbean Avocado Dish

Stuffed Avocado Salad - This stuffed avocado recipe is a nice cold dish to serve during the summer. Your About Guide to Latin Caribbean Food suggests serving this dish in place of a salad or as a first course.

Cool Summer Meals Exchange

Cool Summer Meals Exchange 2012
When it's hot and muggy, or you're low on time, turning on the oven is the last thing you want to do, unless it's to stick your head in! But if dessert is a must, these no-bake dessert recipes are sure to please.

Photo and Recipes by Barbara Rolek

Almost Wordless Wednesday Chocolate Chip Shortbread

Looking for something different to have with your afternoon cup of coffee or tea? Try this recipe for Chocolate Chip Shortbread. It's delicious!
More About Wordless Wednesday

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Red Carpet Corn

Are you like me and want to bring an outstanding treat to that upcoming Super Bowl Party? Well, I think I've found mine for this years' party. Just imagine a treat made sweet with brown sugar and salty with bacon. Yes, bacon!

Thanks to the New York restaurant (s) Flex Mussels and Executive Pastry Chef Zac Young, for sharing this recipe for Red Carpet Corn.

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Photo Reprinted with Permission of Flex Mussels

About.com Super Bowl Party Recipe Exchange
Make it easier on yourself (or the hostess) by making desserts, and other sweet treats, that don't need a fork to eat them. These Chocolate Nut Bars are just one of the many treats found on this page of Fork-Free Desserts.

Spice Freshness Tips

Spring is the time to clean out the spice rack. Follow these simple Spice Freshness Tips from Spice Islands to help get you started.

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Photo reprinted with permission of Spice Islands.

Almost Wordless Wednesday Fresh Peach Ice Cream

Click on the photo for the recipe.

Beat the heat with this Peach Ice Cream. It is better than most. Not only is it made with a peach puree, but it's got peach chunks in it too.

Cool Summer Meals Exchange 2012
As temperatures rise, few of us have the desire to further heat up the house, so we look for fresh, easy-to-prepare dishes - no boiling, baking or frying! Spaniards know a thing or two about summer heat, and prepare simple dishes, including cool soups, salads and tapas. About's Guides to Spanish Food have some great Spanish dishes for summer to prepare in 15 minutes. If all you want is a cool and refreshing summer soup, branch out from the traditional gazpacho with one of these Cold Spanish Soups

Almost Wordless Wednesday Decadent Chocolate Mousse Pie

We're in the final countdown to Valentine's Day. Have you chosen what to make your sweetie for that special day? How about trying this recipe for Decadent Chocolate Mousse Pie? It gets its decadence from Spice Islands' Ground Saigon Cinnamon.

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Photo and Recipe Reprinted with Permission from Spice Islands

Cool Summer Meals Exchange 2012

Cool Summer Meals Exchange 2012
As the temperatures what could be more appealing than a bowl of flavoursome, cold summer soup. Guide to British Food says, "Summer soups make the most of wonderful, seasonal ingredients and should the temperatures fall, you can always warm them up."

Photo and Recipes by Elaine Lemm

Cool Summer Meals Exchange 2012

Cool Summer Meals Exchange 2012
As the temperatures what could be more appealing than a bowl of flavoursome, cold summer soup. Guide to British Food says, "Summer soups make the most of wonderful, seasonal ingredients and should the temperatures fall, you can always warm them up."

Photo and Recipes by Elaine Lemm

Almost Wordless Wednesday Current Scones

Click on the photo for the recipe.

Thanks to Sarabeth's Kitchen for sharing this recipe for Current Scones.

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Photo and Recipe reprinted with permission from Sarabeth's Bakery: From My Hands to Yours (Rizzoli New York)

Cool Summer Meals Exchange 2010

Cool Summer Meals Exchange 2012
When it's too hot to cook, you need simple recipes that don't use a bit of heat. I don't want to turn on the oven, boil a pot of water, or stand next to a grill when it's 90 degrees outside. Keep a good supply of frozen, refrigerated, and canned goods on hand so you can whip up these quick and easy cool no cook recipes at a moment's notice. Then they'll just chill or freeze until you're ready to eat!

Photo and Recipes by Linda Larsen

National Pancake Day

While Tuesday was Pancake Tuesday, today is National Pancake Day. You could go out for some pancakes or you could make your own. One of my favorite pancake recipes is made with bananas.

How to Make Pancakes with Step by Step Photos
Basic Pancake Recipe

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Photo licensed to About.com

National Cheesecake Day

July 30th is National Cheesecake Day. Be sure and celebrate the day by making this outstanding recipe for Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake courtesy of Driscoll's.

Cheesecake Recipes and more-
Photo Instructions for Making a Cheesecake
Praline Cheesecake
Chocolate-Chocolate Mint Cheesecake
Fresh Blueberry Cheesecake
New York Cheesecake
White Chocolate Cheesecake
Lemon Swirl Cheesecake
Fruit Surprise Cheesecake
Creme Brulee Cheesecake
Even More Cheesecake Recipes

Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake Recipe and Photograph courtesy of Driscoll's. Copyright 2012. All rights reserved.

Cool Summer Meals Exchange 2012
About Guide to Italian Food suggests Insalata di riso, or Rice Salad, one of those classic Italian summer dishes that varies greatly from cook to cook. This recipe is especially rich to give an idea of what can go into it. Feel free to tone it down or substitute other things to your taste.

Happy Orthodox Easter

My Greek mother-in-law will say to us today: "Christos Anesti," which means Christ Has Risen. Lucky me, I get to celebrate Easter twice. Last week with the traditional ham and sweet potatoes, and this one with roasted lamb and Greek potatoes. Plus it's a great excuse to make, and eat, some delicious Greek Pastries. I'll also try to sneak a little free time to watch one of my favorite chick flicks My Big Fat Greek Wedding. I highly recommend it.

Glykismata a.k.a.Greek Desserts and Pastries
Favorite Chick Flick - My Big Fat Greek Wedding
Even More Chick Flicks

Baklava Photo by Carroll Pellegrinelli

Easter Cupcakes

There are so many options with decorating cupcakes. These Lemon Curd Cupcakes make a lovely addition to your Easter buffet table.

Cupcake Making Tips
Decorating Those Cupcakes
Reynolds FunShapes Baking Cups