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Cheddar and Parmesan Gougères (Cheese Puffs)
Light and airy on the inside and slightly crisp on the outside, gougères make crowd-pleasing appetizers, snacks, or accompaniments to your favorite mocktail or glass of wine. Watch them puff in the oven then try one, and you’ll know why the French often serve these cheese puffs as the hot bite at an apéro, that beautiful moment to gather before dinner and unwind. Traditionally gougères are made with Comté or Gruyère, but I love the combination of aged cheddar and parmesan in this recipe. The base is pâte à choux, a versatile pastry from which you can make a variety of savory and sweet treats such as éclairs and cream puffs. Instead…
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Vegan Chili
Healthy, cozy comfort foods belong in our weekly meal rotation, and this vibrant chili delivers plenty of plant-based goodness. With a special blend of seasonings, it hits all the savory notes we expect in a meat-based version, except the protein comes from two different types of beans. Consider vegan chili a great option for meatless Monday or simply treat yourself when you’re in the mood for the tastiest dinner. The beans and vegetables in this recipe can easily be swapped for your favorites, especially when garden and farmers’ market options are plentiful. Backyard peppers and squash become so abundant at a certain point in summer that you’ll be happy to…
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Coconut Cookies with Lemon Curd Filling
Springtime calls for sunny desserts that brighten the season’s celebrations. With zesty lemon curd sandwiched between toasty coconut cookies, this recipe hits all the bright and lightly sweet notes we need this time of year. Beyond these cookies, you will find so many uses for the lemon curd itself. Serve it with fresh fruit, dollop it on a slice of pound cake, fill cupcakes, or enjoy it by the spoonful. Much as the winter holidays wouldn’t be complete without a linzer cookie on the dessert table, these coconut sandwich cookies have become a spring staple in my home. Flower cut-outs allow the sunny color of the filling to pop through.…
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Jam Swirl Brownies
Valentine’s Day has always been my favorite holiday for the meaningful and sweet ways we can celebrate. Below you’ll find a list of my favorites from volunteer efforts to sending beautiful language into the world. Maybe you’ll share a little love with the pollinators who keep our gardens plentiful by planning a spring garden full of their favorite perennials. Perhaps you’ll gift a packet of flower seeds to a friend. There are so many ways to enjoy the day, including chocolate indulgences such as these jam swirl brownies that can be made with berry jam or even cherry preserves. If you’ve participated in my Sweet and Savory Sides of Chocolate…
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Living Well in the New Year
If you’ve taken one of my cooking classes, you know that I consider making beautiful food to be an essential part of loving ourselves and those around us. When I hear that one of my recipes has become part of your regular meal rotation, or a special indulgence, it fills me with joy to know that you have found a new way to enjoy time in the kitchen. Perhaps you find the time we spend together to be that moment of inspiration in the week that fuels your own creativity and helps you to approach meal making in a new way. Often I hear our time allows you to relax,…