What do normal people do with left over Merlot from a recipe? Drink it, of course. What Do I do? Make a decadent chocolate cake with Merlot and chocolate in the cake and in the frosting. I know many of you readers find that combination delicious, so I’ve done my best to accommodate you. I…

Most cooks have done homemade cranberry sauce with the package directions off of the bag. Some of us have also added orange juice or other things like wine. This is a little different since I don’t use table sugar. It’s a deeper, richer flavor than standard cranberry sauce. I hope you like it. 12 ounce…

I love compound butters as a way to jazz up a meal. Thanksgiving is the perfect time to test that theory. If you think about it, you have a bunch of foods that normally would be the same thing year after year. Veggies tastes like, you know, veggies; mashed potatoes can be, well, boring; butter…

My younger daughter was reviewing a chocolate cookie recipe for me, and she explained her roommate was gluten-free. So I had to try again. I went on line and found this on “My-gluten Free Kitchen” by Michelle Palin; the results were so darn good that I’m putting this recipe out or my readers. Chocolate level:…

In an earlier episode on this blog, I wrote that I purchased a Z Grill smoker. I have used it for simple things, but this was my first large cook. To me, the most challenging cut of meat is a brisket. Temperature control is the most important on this cut, and room for error is…