Wonka and Chocolate Blueberry Banana Bread

I was brought up on the original Willy Wonka (Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory–1971) with Gene Wilder. I could not tell you how many times I have seen that movie.

Amy’s Cooking Adventures is hosting Movies & Munchies for June and it’s the newest tale of Wonka, the prequel (2023).

I was eager . . . → Read More: Wonka and Chocolate Blueberry Banana Bread

Cookbook review: The Kitchen Cookbook—Cooking for Your Community by Kimbal Musk

A review and a riff on a couple of his recipes: Salsa Verde and Comeback Sauce. Not the most chef-like recipes but super easy and good! . . . → Read More: Cookbook review: The Kitchen Cookbook—Cooking for Your Community by Kimbal Musk

Blackberry, Mint, Black Pepper Jam

We have a blackberry and blueberry U-pick farm close by. (In the off season, it’s a Christmas tree farm.) It’s always well maintained and the staff is helpful. And they have some of the biggest berries ever. It’s been a few years since I picked there so one morning I got up early. By 7:30 . . . → Read More: Blackberry, Mint, Black Pepper Jam

The Mastering the Art of French Murder and a Crisis of Mayonnaise

Welcome to this round of Cook the Books, the round I almost missed.

Deb from Kahakai Kitchen is hosting this month and chose Mastering the Art of French Murder by Coleen Cambridge.

About the book:

Fans of Jacqueline Winspear, Marie Benedict, Nita Prose, and of course, Julia Child, will adore this magnifique new mystery . . . → Read More: The Mastering the Art of French Murder and a Crisis of Mayonnaise

Rustic Spanish Bread for Parallel Mothers

Camilla is hosting our Movies & Munchies crew this month with Parallel Mothers. I had not heard of this film but I do like Penolope Cruz and I did enjoy Volver when we watched that back in the Food ‘n Flix days. We were gone a bit in May and Memorial Day complicated things, too, . . . → Read More: Rustic Spanish Bread for Parallel Mothers

A Big Fat Greek Salad and three films for Movies & Munchies

Camilla, the Movies & Munchies host for April, gave us plenty of choices. We could choose any three of the My Big Fat Greek Wedding movies. I decided to re-watch the first one and dive into the other two which I had not seen.

 

Number 1 (2002):

I had seen the original one . . . → Read More: A Big Fat Greek Salad and three films for Movies & Munchies

Dark Chocolate, Merlot and Queen Bees

The Movies & Munchies film for March is Queen Bees. Movies & Munchies is a virtual movie club with a culinary slant. Each month one of our members picks a film and we all watch it looking for some foodie inspiration. We then post up a review of the movie and an inspired-by recipe.

. . . → Read More: Dark Chocolate, Merlot and Queen Bees

Cookbook review: Half Baked Harvest Every Day

It’s been a while since I reviewed a cookbook. Hope you haven’t been waiting with bated breath.

There’s a higher end boutique that I visit (mostly to browse or look on the sale rack). They carry some cool cookbooks and I always peruse through them and then snap some photos of the covers so I . . . → Read More: Cookbook review: Half Baked Harvest Every Day

Onion Dip-Fire Crackers

I never have all the ingredients needed in the house when we decide to have a “snack night” especially once I get past the holidays. After the holiday rush of cooking and entertaining, I usually rely on what’s in the pantry and freezer. Being more frugal and using up what’s on hand is . . . → Read More: Onion Dip-Fire Crackers

Sunshine on a Plate for La La Land

From the get-go, let me confess, I don’t usually seek out musicals. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t hate them. I’ve seen Cats at least four times (should I even admit to that?). Jesus Christ Superstar is a nostalgic favorite for me and my sister. I can sing along with most of Les Misérables.

But, . . . → Read More: Sunshine on a Plate for La La Land