Banana Cake with Cinnamon Frosting

Here’s a homespun cake for the banana fan. Banana Cake slice This buttermilk moistened banana cake is tender and sweet with warm notes from fragrant cinnamon and topped with crunchy toasted pecans. Banana Cake batter The batter for this cake is thick and fluffy, and bakes into either one nine-inch or two eight-inch layers.  This…

Sunshine Hash

This delicious entree pairs butternut squash and potatoes with warm spices and fresh orange — for a smile of the sun even if the weather is gloomy outside. Beautiful oranges are in season right now, and their gentle sweetness combines nicely with the smoked paprika, cinnamon and cumin to coax a smile from most anyone…

Love Potion

Deep red blood oranges are available right now, and they make a beautiful cocktail.  Enjoy! Love Potion (serves two) 2 oz vodka 2 oz Aperol fresh squeezed juice of one deep-red blood orange Shake with ice until cold.  Strain into chilled glasses.  Enjoy!

Vanilla Butter Cookies

This tasty rolled and cut cookie is just the perfect thing to frost and decorate.  What makes this my go-to recipe for cut-out cookies is that this dough tastes great and is easy to work with. The secret?  There isn’t much sugar in this dough, yielding a very easy to roll dough that cuts cleanly…

Sausage and Red Pepper Pasta

When it’s snowy-cold outside and you need a comforting meal, Sausage and Red Pepper Pasta hits the spot. This is an easy, brilliant red and richly flavored pasta sauce that is made from ingredients straight out of the pantry/freezer.  The zip of red pepper flakes adds warmth to the savory flavor of pork sausage and…

Wholegrain Cornbread

I’m a west coast granola-girl and have come up with my own California twist on cornbread, a quintessential American side dish. There are two main types of cornbread:  Southern and Northern.  Southern cornbread is savory and made with all or nearly all cornmeal.  Northern cornbread is lightly fluffy and sweet, and often made with a…