Author: Beth

I am a mother of four from Southern California currently living in Manhattan. I have one son left at home who also loves to cook as much as me. He is the inspiration for me to start this blog. I also want to preserve all the fun and memories our family has in the kitchen!

Meatloaf with Prunes

This is an old recipe.  I have tried many but like this one because of the prunes.  It is rich and flavorful. INGREDIENTS 1/3 cup whole milk 1 cup fine fresh bread crumbs (from 2 slices firm white sandwich bread) 1 medium onion, finely chopped 3 garlic cloves, minced 1 medium celery rib, finely chopped 1 medium carrot, finely chopped…

Belgian Liege Waffles

Roger and I had the liege waffles at Moulin, a French cafe in Laguna one morning.  He suggested I try to make them at home for our neighbor Carol who was coming over for Sunday morning coffee.  They turned out so amazing!  I made the dough at night and let it warm up in the morning.  It took about 2…

Gobi Manchurian

This is such a cool recipe!  It took me a while to find out how to make it and this recipe nails it.  I have well documented photos because I always want to remember this recipe.  It comes from Saveur Magazine.  I first tasted this at an Indian/Chinese restaurant in Washington DC and loved it!  It is not that hard…

Tres Leches de Ron con Chocolate

INGREDIENTS For the cake: Butter, for coating the pans 3/4 cup water 2 teaspoons instant coffee crystals 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, preferably Dutch process 1 3/4 cups cake flour, plus more for dusting the pans 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon plus 1 pinch fine salt 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar 5 large egg yolks…

Roasted Beet Marcona Almond Salad

INGREDIENTS 2 1/2 pounds medium red or golden beets, scrubbed and trimmed 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 2 tablespoons sugar 1 tablespoon light corn syrup Salt Pinch of cayenne pepper 1 cup marcona almonds (I used Trader Joes with rosemary, so good!) 1/2 cup fresh tangerine juice 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar 1 tablespoon…

Roasted Zucchini with Tomato, Garlic and Herbs de Provence

This came from an old “Cooking Club”.  Cindy Pereira made this and I really like the cool shape and simple preparation and great flavors.  I included it in a few past Thanksgiving meals and resurrected it this last Thanksgiving. Directions: Take each zucchini and slice through 3 or 4 times without cutting the stem.  Insert a sliver of sliced garlic…

Mushroom Cups East

This is an old old recipe I made at least 20 years ago and it seemed retro back then!  I made these to share with our friends Mark and Anne in Laguna.  We enjoyed ourselves outside last September around their firepit in their lush backyard with pomegranate gin and tonics and other yummy hors d’oeuvres.  It was a fun night…