Dairy Freed

Horchata

For those who've had horchata (or-CHA-ta) you know how good this creamy drink is at cooling the spicy heat of peppers. For those who've never tried it, you're in for a treat. 

Chocolate Sauce So Good You'll Eat It With A Spoon!

Imagine eating something so good your eyes roll back in your head and you can't help but sigh. It happens to me every time I make this sauce. 

Although it's fantastic served warm over dairy-free ice cream or pound cake, the way I eat most of it is by the spoonful straight from the refrigerator.

Blondie and Dark Chocolate Marbled Brownies

A new neighbor just moved in so I thought I'd bring over some brownies as a welcome gift. After I got these marbled brownies done I seriously thought about keeping them for myself. Sometimes it's really difficult to be nice. 

Salted Pecan Chocolate Chubbsters

About a month ago my niece asked me to help her enter a baking contest in her hometown. How could anyone say no to that? She wanted to make something really chocolaty but also salty. I like this girl's taste.  After trying a couple of different recipes we ended up making these brownie-like cookies that are full of roasted, salted pecans.  I couldn't believe how good they ended up being.  

In the end, she and I were happy getting second place but her mother thought we would have taken first place if the judges would have had some actual baking skills.  

Cornbread

Dairy-Free Pie Crust

The best and easiest pie crust you'll ever make is from Cook's Illustrated. I love the magazine and cookbooks but they're not known for simple recipes but trust me, this one is. The only problem is it's loaded with almost a cup of butter.  I was hoping I could replace the butter with dairy-free margarine and still get great results and I did.  Honestly, it also works pretty well with all shortening too just not as tasty.

One tip, if you like to roll your pie crusts out sandwiched between sheets of wax paper (like my mother does) this dough will not work since it's too wet. Use generous amounts of flour on your work surface and rolling pin and turn the dough every few seconds so you're sure it's not sticking to the counter. 

Creamy Cauliflower Pasta Bake

This casserole is a great dish to serve when you're having company. It's easy to make, costs next to nothing and can be made ahead of time. Once you have the pasta in the baking dish, just cover with some plastic wrap and refrigerate up to 8 hours.  An hour before you're ready to serve just pop it in the oven and bake until golden brown.   

Tips For Eating Dairy-Free

For anyone who’s chosen to eat a dairy-free (DF) diet, whether by choice or by necessity, the first reaction is often a negative one; we start focusing on the foods we CAN’T eat and start making a long list of items we can no longer enjoy.  Honestly, how depressing is that list?  

Blueberry Peach Cheesecake Tart

Every two years the peach tree in my grandmother's backyard would produce so many peaches, my mother and whoever was around, would spend days peeling and slicing peaches for pies and jam.  By the time the tree was picked clean we'd end up with dozens of pies and I couldn't tell you how many jars of preserves. (What I still can't figure out was why the tree didn't produce peaches every year.  Can someone explain that to me?)

Ever since then peaches have been my favorite fruit, at least in the summer.  In the fall pears give them a run for that title.  Since peaches are just starting to come in season I thought I'd make something a little "fancier" with the first of many peach purchases. And don't worry, pies, jams and other peach dishes coming soon! 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

 

"Two great tastes, that taste great together!" 

It was true 30+ years ago and it's still true today in cake form.