Bacon IS a trail snack.

I was listening to a very wise man at work today, telling me his trials and tribulations of smoking ribs over the weekend.   He loves to cook and appreciates everything that I bring in for work-folks to enjoy.  After our conversation I realized I should have asked him for his beans and BBQ Sauce recipe... (putting that on the list for tomorrow).  I adore men who cook...and not just grill but  really cook.    They get into the science of it.  I, first and foremost, am a baker and that in it's simplest form is chemistry.  From day one really.   I remember my first summer job, a bake shop in Wasaga Beach (long gone now)... no A/C, Central Ontario Canada summer's with humidity that would choke a goat.  My job was to make Rum Balls.  From 7:15am to 5pm, make...rum...balls.   To this day, I can't look at a rum ball.  The added bonus to this "summer job" (where I was paid $2.1...

Valentine's Day is always observed on February 14. Esther Howland of Worcester, Mass., published the first American Valentine in 1849. Hallmark first offered Valentine's Day cards in 1913 and began mass producing them in 1916. February hasn't been the same since. Mind you, the very first Valentine Day was celebrated wayyyyyy back when Romans celebrated the feast of Lupercalia. Flash forward to the 3rd century A.D. when Emperor Claudius II executed two men — both named Valentine — on Feb. 14. Their martyrdom was honored by the Catholic Church with the celebration of St. Valentine's Day.  Later Pope Gelasius I, muddled things in the 5th century by combining St. Valentine's Day with Lupercalia to expel the pagan rituals. It always comes back to the shenanigans of us Pagans... geez louise. That all said, I personally prefer to celebrate my special someone (if and when I eventually have a special someone again that is...), all year long and ...

When I hear all the Super Bowl hub-bub around my office,  I immediately think, "I wonder what the Budweiser commercial will this year?" The lost puppy one from a couple years ago almost gutted me!  Are you having a Super Bowl party? Are you going to a Super Bowl party? Are you staying home with your three large, furry dogs and watching the Super Bowl? Well, whatever you end up doing, I've gathered up some real show stoppers for you to serve, bring, or just try out. ... I am a Seahawks fan.  There. Now it's out there. SPINACH ARTICOKE DIP Ingredients • 1 cup thawed, chopped frozen spinach • 11/2 cups thawed, chopped frozen artichoke hearts • 6 ounces cream cheese • 1/4 cup sour cream • 1/4 cup mayonnaise • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes • 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder Directions Boil spinach and artichokes in 1 cup of water until tender and d...

As a single career girl with three very large dogs, an old, very retired Arabian endurance horse and a rescue donkey, I rarely have time to eat sitting down.  Eating over the sink is a luxury too although the clean up crew is always ready to help out at a moments notice.  Lately I've been thinking a lot about, and missing the days of Saturday night dinner parties.  All of us sitting around till the wee hours, emptying bottle after bottle of fabulous wine and discussing the state of the world we live in. I don't think there even needs to be anything to celebrate to whip up a delicious, inventive menu, invite guests (let them know they need to "dress" for dinner), pick up some lovely flowers for a whimsical center piece and start cookin'! (ending)  I hope you can make it to the next one.  You know the food will be great!

It's the middle of January.  The "dead" of winter as it's referred to in some literature. Nothing much "dead" about this winter in my house!  From late night root vegetable roasting that sends a heavenly scent throughout my mini Winchester Mystery House, to pop up dinner parties bringing together old friends and new; nope, nothing "dead" about THIS winter. After working all day in an industry where nothing is ever what it appears to be and the word "creative" has little to no real meaning anymore, I find comfort in knowing that when I open my fridge and cupboards there is ALWAYS something delicious, patiently waiting to be created.   I think about food, pretty much all day long... how many different types of chowders can I come up with?  How do I want to use that lovely black onyx cocoa powder I received as a hostess gift from an amazing chef colleague?  It's going to rain later this week, should I grill all the halibut I h...