Crazy Cinnamon

abuela.jpgWhenever I had a cold, my grandma, abuelita Nieves (that’s me with my grandma and who I am also named after in part as my whole first name is Caridad de las Nieves) used to make me a special drink that always managed to make me feel better. She would scald some milk with stick cinnamon and afterward, add honey. Once I drank it down, I’d feel it chasing that cold away and fall fast asleep. To this day, that is my most effective cold remedy. Continue reading “Crazy Cinnamon”

Caramel Oatmeal Chewies by Patrick Sanchez

patrick1.jpg I had the pleasure of meeting Patrick Sanchez at last year’s Chica Lit festival in Miami. Here’s a picture of me with Patrick and my friends and fellow authors, Lara Rios and Berta Platas.

Patrick recently provided me with a double treat — he let me review his latest novel, ONCE UPON A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN and to thank me for the review, sent along some wonderfully tasty goodies. Continue reading “Caramel Oatmeal Chewies by Patrick Sanchez”

Zucchini Pancakes

Zucchini FlowersMany many years ago, I ran across a recipe in Gourmet magazine when I was trying to find something different to do with some excess zucchini from my garden (at the bottom of the blog there’s some quick pictures of how this year’s garden is doing). Since I loved potato pancakes and my husband’s grandma’s zucchini flower fritters, a recipe for zucchini pancakes caught me eye since try as I might, I always missed picking the zucchini flowers when I should!

Over the years I adapted the recipe to make it easier and I’ve added a little variation to increase the number of veggies I’m getting in the mix and to add some color. Continue reading “Zucchini Pancakes”

Scottish Shortbreads from Irene Peterson

KISSES TO GO - Available NowThis Tuesday Tip – a recipe for Scottish Shortbreads- is from my friend Irene Peterson whose latest release – KISSES TO GO – is on the shelves right now!

From Irene:
When first married, I lived across the street from three ladies from Scotland. Trying to impress them, I made some shortbread, only I didn’t have butter, so I used margarine. They said the cookies were lovely, but what were they?
Continue reading “Scottish Shortbreads from Irene Peterson”

Easter Goodies

Easter is a toss-up holiday in my family and where we spend it depends on who asks us first! If we go to my sister’s, we have a baked ham and other goodies as well as an Easter Egg hunt, even if the kids are all in their teens. They still love it. Sometimes the neighborhood kids will join in as well and it’s a blast. We give the little ones a head start so they can grab the eggs off the lawn.

If we go to my husband’s family, it’s Italian fare with an assortment of traditional goodies, like a delicious egg bread that has colored whole eggs baked into it.

What kinds of things do you do for Easter?
Continue reading “Easter Goodies”