Thirsty Thursdays: Hot Cocoa Martini

So Thanksgiving is over.  You've feasted and indulged and slept it off.  And chances are you have some leftovers in the fridge to last throughout the long weekend.  Back to reality, sort of, but not yet. Perhaps just a bit more indulgence before heading back to real life on Monday.

Gratitude, Tears and Reflection

Autumn beauty in the city.

No recipe today, my friends.  Those of you cooking tomorrow’s feast already know what you’re making.  But before we break for the long weekend, I wanted to say a few personal words about life and love and this past year.

Savory Butternut Squash Bread Pudding

When it comes to Thanksgiving foods, I tend to favor tradition. There's comfort in the familiar and expected. However, what exactly constitutes traditional and familiar is different in every family and culture. In my house, we prefer butternut squash over the better known sweet potato side dish and so that is the flavor we expect.

Thirsty Thursdays: The Rummy Pumpkin

The Rummy Pumpkin

Check out today's post on A Cocktail Life for our favorite Thanksgiving cocktail!

Salted Caramel Apple Pie

Apple pie is a Thanksgiving tradition in my house. And Thanksgiving foods are, after all, about tradition. So while I'm not willing to forgo this familiar treat, I've been known to mess with it a little over the years. Last year I did away with the top crust altogether in favor of a peanut butter crumb topping.  And I don't recall hearing any complaints about it, either.

Buttery Breakfast Quick Bread

Lately I've been thinking a lot about breakfast. And that's pretty unusual for me since it's never been a meal I gave much thought to. It always seems like, no matter how early I get up, I have so much to do before the day "officially" starts and I'm always running behind. So breakfast ends up being a bowl of cold cereal. And I'll admit that I've been known to skip the milk and just eat the cereal bits like little snack bites in between other morning chores. So not inspiring.

Thirsty Thursdays: The Maple Leaf

The Maple Leaf

Per Serving:
2 1/2 oz. Bourbon
1 oz. Maple syrup
1 oz. Lemon juice
1 Dash of Angostura Bitters
2 Sprigs fresh Thyme

Combine the bourbon, maple syrup, lemon juice, bitters and the leaves from the thyme sprigs in a cocktail shaker.  Muddle the thyme a bit, fill with ice and shake well.  You can serve this straight up or on the rocks to tame down the strength a bit.

Homemade Za'atar Pita Chips and Quick Labneh Dip

If you follow me on Instagram (and if you're not, why aren't you??) then you know that my tag line says "currently sprinkling za'atar on everything."  I'm obsessed with it and with labneh (strained Greek yogurt cheese) too.

Roasted Autumn Vegetable Pot Pie

What are your cold weather comfort foods?  I have a few but pot pies are high on the list because they're fully enclosed comfort.  I don't have to make side dishes for a roast or add bread or croutons to a hot soup. Here the hot, creamy, comforting filling is wrapped with delicious pastry dough and served in my own individual portion. Just tuck me into bed with a good movie and this is cold night dinner heaven.

Thirsty Thursdays: Chocolate Chip Cookie Martini

Chocolate Chip Cookie Martini

Check out today's post on A Cocktail Life for this decadent treat!

Maple Walnut Shortbread Cookies

Cookie Week is in full swing and I'm back today with another of my favorite cookie treats. Despite my love of chocolate and my obsession with peanut butter, my all time favorite type of cookie is shortbread. Thick, crumbly, buttery and not overly sweet. Just pour me a cup of tea alongside a good stack of them and I'm a happy woman.

Want Some Cookies?

Little Red Kitchen Bakeshop Cookie Flavors

All week long, several of my fellow bloggers and I are celebrating Cookie Week with great recipes and an awesome giveaway.  But today I have an extra special giveaway for you. My friend Susan of The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen now has an online bakeshop and her cookies put mine to shame.

Dark and Crunchy Peanut Butter Cookies

Welcome to Cookie Week.  Several of my fellow food bloggers and I have some great recipes for you and an awesome giveaway.  Scroll down past the recipe for prize and entry information. And, as a bonus, I'll have an additional, extra special giveaway (hint: it involves free cookies) for you tomorrow.

Cookie Week Sponsor and Giveaway Information

Welcome to the second annual Cookie Week, hosted by Kim of Cravings of a Lunatic and Susan of The Girl In the Little Red Kitchen! We've teamed together with 10 other talented bloggers to bring you 5 fantastic days of cookie recipes to get you in to the holiday spirits.  Now is the time to break out the flour, butter, sugar and eggs.  Bring your friends and family together for cookie exchanges or a giant baking party, we have got you covered!