Kind Hearts and Coronets

December 20, 2011 by mymateriallife

That’s hearts as in artichoke hearts.  I don’t think I ever did see that old British film (although it’s right up my alley), but I’ve always loved that title – the way those four words sound together.  I have two really delicious things I made and ate yesterday that I want to share with you.  Somehow this film title came to me as a way to connect them. Yesterday, we had a little cookie baking and decorating session for a […]

Categories: Savories, Sweets • Tags: artichoke dip, elegant cocoa pearls, penzey's, saveur magazine, trader joe's

The Great Pumpkin Cookie

October 28, 2011 by mymateriallife

Because my daughter is severely allergic to peanuts and because so many baked goods run the risk of coming into contact with peanuts when they are made, I do a lot of baking.  This way I can provide her with safe, but similar alternatives for class parties, birthday parties, etc.  Last year her class room mom told me she was purchasing big pumpkin cookies from a local bakery for the kids to decorate with frosting and sprinkles.  I didn’t have […]

Categories: Halloween, Sweets • Tags: cut-out cookies, giant pumpkin cookie, penzey's

My Favorite Cookie for Decorating

December 13, 2010 by mymateriallife

I wasn’t sure what to call these.  Penzey’s (the recipe source) calls them cutout cookies which is certainly a good description.  Lots of people would probably call them sugar cookies, but one of the things I like about these is that they are not terribly sweet.  They are delicious though – even when left undecorated – and the dough goes together so quickly and is very forgivable and easy to work with.  I rolled, cut and decorated the cookie in […]

Categories: Christmas, Sweets • Tags: cutout cookies, decorating cookies, penzey's

Spiced Coffee

November 18, 2010 by mymateriallife

The coffee shops started serving their special holiday drinks as soon as November hit, but I won’t start on the eggnog lattes until after Thanksgiving.  I love eggnog lattes, but they are much too rich to indulge in for two months out of the year, let alone one.  I have been enjoying a completely guiltless coffee treat for the last couple of weeks though.  I’ve simply been adding cinnamon to the ground Guatamalan coffee grounds I buy at Peet’s.  This […]

Categories: Beverages • Tags: penzey's, spiced coffee

A Nice Cup of Chai

April 28, 2010 by mymateriallife

The problem with your Starbucks and even Peet’s chai is that it is too darn sweet.  Here is a recipe (see page 3) you can make at home and sweeten (or not) to your own taste.  I found this in the San Francisco Chronicle food section five years ago.  It was referred to as “the best chai this side of Bombay” and comes from Raman Bechar who owned a coffee and tea shop in Half Moon Bay which I believe […]

Categories: Beverages • Tags: chai, penzey's