Author: Tina

Poppy Seed Coffee Cake

Tina40 Comments

Operas and cows.  What?!  I’m sure those are two words you never thought you’d see in a sentence, but I have your attention don’t I?     😉  Last weekend my husband and I stayed with family in Vermont and I brought a huge basket of baked goodies to thank them, including this tasty poppy seed coffee cake. This breakfast cake is a delicious vanilla based cake loaded with sweet pockets of poppy seed filling and topped with a streusel. Poppy Seed Coffee Cake Recipe (About 9 servings) Ingredients for Topping: 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1/4 cup …

Continue Reading

Zucchini Fritters

Tina26 Comments

How did it get to be June already?  That’s just crazy talk.  It’s zucchini season (at least by me in CT) and I’m constantly looking for ways to cook with this versatile veggie.  My favorite way is to add them to a cake, like these amazingly delicious Zucchini Spice Bars.  Moi, prefers sweets?!  (Picture Miss Piggy instead of bad grammar for that please.)     😉  Today, I’m using them in a savory dish and they are amazing. These zucchini fritters are pan fried and have a Mediterranean flare from all the wonderful herbs, feta cheese, and lemon flavors. Zucchini Fritters Recipe (Makes …

Continue Reading

Chocolate Wafers

Tina28 Comments

A few months ago I thought I’d pick up some chocolate wafers from the grocery store.  I wasn’t sure if I was going to use them or not but I figured it wouldn’t hurt to have them in the house for when I needed them.  Holy cow, they are expensive!  Forget it.  I put them back on the shelf.  I’m funny.  I’ll spend $6 for a little block of feta cheese, but I refuse to spend almost $5 on a small sleeve of chocolate cookies.  Maybe it’s because I expect cheese to be relatively costly, but not a box of simple cookies. …

Continue Reading

Whipped Lemon Feta Spread

Tina34 Comments

Cheese and crackers is the appetizer to end all appetizers.  It’s easy for the host to put out and it’s always a crowd pleaser for the guests.  Sounds like a win win to me.  Typically I’ll serve it in addition to other homemade appetizers.  What’s one more appetizer, right?  (Occupational hazard of being half Greek and half Italian… there always has to be loads of food options available.)  Plus, I like knowing that I have a hunk of cheese and box of my favorite crackers lying around as Plan B, just in case I screw up making something.  I’m always thinking.     😉 …

Continue Reading

Raspberry Vanilla Smoothie

Tina32 Comments

I’m looking for a low maintenance day.  You know, the kind of day where you could make relaxation into a sport?  I know just the way to start it off.  An easy healthy smoothie for breakfast, like this one. This refreshing smoothie is a great way to enjoy raspberries which are my favorite berries. Raspberry Vanilla Smoothie Recipe (2 servings) Ingredients: 1/2 cup vanilla Greek yogurt 1 cup raspberries, frozen 1/2 of an apple 2 teaspoons honey 2 cups ice Directions: Add all of the ingredients into a blender and blend them until the mixture is smooth.   Adapted from: Giada De Laurentiis …

Continue Reading