Make the festive season even more festive The calendar has flipped to December and you know what that means. Parties. Lots and lots of parties. And while we all look forward to going out and having a good time with friends and family, it’s not always easy to think of a nice gift to bring [...]

This holiday classic is the perfect finale to Christmas dinner. A fantastic pairing with this dessert is Grant Burge 10 Year Old Tawny, a port-style blend of Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvedre. Makes 10 servings For the Puddings: 1 ¾ cups packed pitted dates, chopped 2 cups water 1 ½  tsp baking soda 2 cups flour [...]

Bottles & Bites by Shari Goodman Natalie’s Challenge: Find a bottle. Pair with bites. My Goals: Bottle must be under $25. Bites must be delicious. Lemon Sponge Cake, Lemon Curd and Raspberry Ice Cream Sun meets bubbles in this pairing of bottle and bites. With a light but refreshing drink and dessert combination, this is [...]

This delicious dessert is so loved by all that the English, the Spanish and the French all stake claim for its origin. The Spanish have taken credit for this sensuous custard as “crema catalana” since the eighteenth century, while the English claim it originated in seventeenth-century Britain, where it was known as “burnt cream”. It [...]

    Now this saying may not necessarily include apple fritters, but why not cheat a little and get a serving of fruit in a fun way? There’s something about these soft, warm, melt in your mouth doughnuts that bring you right back to your childhood.  I mean, who could deny these petite fried nuggets [...]