[adapted from Hershey's]Mix in a heavy saucepan 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 cup Hershey's cocoa, 1 1/4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, dash of salt; stir in 1/3 cup hot water. Bring to a boil on medium heat; boil 2 minutes. Add 4 cups whole milk; heat, do not boil. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. … [Read more...]
Banana-Pumpkin Bread
Skirt in the KitchenThis is a throw-together-get-it-baked evening bread. It's cold outdoors-- something good in the oven will brighten up a room with homemade aroma of a sweet loaf of banana and pumpkin combined.Set the oven temp to 350°. Mash bananas for 3/4 cup, and measure pureed pumpkin for 3/4 cup. Blend together, lightly sprinkle salt. Drizzle … [Read more...]
Rose-Colored Glasses (19)
Flashback to babyhood; my daughter was little, now she's almost half-grown... a magical time, a marvelous year-- She turned one when this picture was taken. My mother and sister flew up to see us to spend a few days just to hold her. Where does time fly, exactly? Since then, from toddler years to girlhood, she's helped me bake cookies. She loves everything … [Read more...]
MG Mixer
This is Christmas-red, you just can't tell it by the red in this psychedelic photograph; it goes beyond a vibrant color that is cheerful having a holiday feel. It seems that this KitchenAid stand mixer was made specially mine, basically given to me from a dear friend who wanted me to have this specifically at Christmas time. Currently, my friend is in the hospital … [Read more...]
Potatoes-Meat Pot
Skirt in the KitchenThis is made specifically for the bachelor in mind-- or if you're like me, you just want to throw it all in one pot and cook it at once... It actually turned out to having a good flavor, chicken bones included, but softened and picked out-- served in bowls like it's soup. This isn't mac 'n cheese but it's still comfort food on a wet and dreary … [Read more...]
Amaretto Cranberry Relish
Skirt in the KitchenIt's my favorite to make: Cranberry relish, cranberry compote, cranberry loaf bread, cranberry anything-- It takes me to a place with my parents in the kitchen with them-- all over again during the holidays. Of all the things I've cooked, baked, made, it's the cranberries that mean the most to me among food. Wash and pick over cranberries … [Read more...]
Pop Rock Pink Lady Apples
exclusively Skirt in the Kitchen It's still the candy that explodes in your mouth. Eating these candied apples for Halloween is a real treat-- that sparkly-popping sensation with every crunch and bite of childhood comes alive again. It's like no other candied apple. It's not oozing in caramel. It's got light-pink color in white chocolate, strawberry rock pops sprinkled … [Read more...]
Skirt in the Kitchen Compilation
Pumpkin Soup with a Thai Base with Mushrooms, Leeks, and Smoked Sausage
Skirt in the KitchenTear into pieces a baguette loaf and drizzle olive oil; sprinkle with Italian seasoning and garlic salt. Place in a 400° oven, tossing to toast. While making croutons, cook smoked sausage links in a separate pan until cooked through and lightly roasted.Sauté in olive oil and butter finely chopped onion, pepper, and garlic. When … [Read more...]
Daily Index
I've been seeing this on Pinterest but in different versions of the same idea-- a diary on index cards. Each consecutive year on the very same calendar day, you write underneath what you wrote the previous year on that day. At the end of a few years, you've got a collection to pass down in your family. Trust me, someone will want to read them, your daily … [Read more...]