Romancing The Chocolate: Cookies: Chocolate Nut Biscotti

Romancing The Chocolate: Cookies: Chocolate Nut Biscotti: From Denny: A wonderful cookie recipe from one of my favorite coffee sites: Gevalia. This cookie pairs well with a French Roast or a Dark Roast coffee choice.

I've been ordering from them since Time began it seems. Gevalia is from Sweden where folks drink a ridiculous amount of coffee. We thought Americans were addicted. These guys make us look like amateurs! :)

When I was up on the site ordering some new items today I noticed they started putting up some recipes. You know me; I've got to collect them for you and me to try.

The Social Poets: Merry Christmas to ALL! Christmas News Video Clips

Image via Wikipedia

The Social Poets: Merry Christmas to ALL! Christmas News Video Clips: From Denny: Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season. Hope you enjoyed a tasty feast and stuffed yourselves silly. Just wait until the New Year for those calorie regrets. Enjoy your day and thank you for all your support this year! :)

Thought I'd put up a few cool Christmas video news clips of people who live the Christmas spirit of goodwill and giving to others.

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Dennys Food and Recipes: Awesome Holiday Dessert: Baked Pear Parcels With Lemon Chamomile Sauce

Dennys Food and Recipes: Awesome Holiday Dessert: Baked Pear Parcels With Lemon Chamomile Sauce: From Denny: Pears come in season during the Christmas holidays and are plentiful. But have you thought about what to do with them beyond enjoying them fresh or giving as holiday gifts?

Our local newspaper here in Louisiana included some recipes from USA Pears, so, of course, you know I just had to go explore their site. The site is set up to promote the pear growers' product and awareness of the fruit. Since I've been thinking about setting up my own organic orchards I've been visiting a lot of sites like this one.

While their recipe section is not extensive it has some gems like the following recipe well suited for the holiday table when you want something special to wow the family or your guests. If, you are like me, you like to try new recipes or variations on a popular theme - like baked pears. A nice touch is the lemon chamomile sauce that snuggles up to these pears.

Dennys: News Politics Comedy Science Arts & Food: Check Out Christmas Posts: Funny, Music, Cartoons, Quotes, Recipes, Poems, Stories

Dennys: News Politics Comedy Science Arts & Food: Check Out Christmas Posts: Funny, Music, Cartoons, Quotes, Recipes, Poems, Stories: From Denny:  Check out so many Christmas themed posts that you will pig out like it is a holiday feast.

I've been blogging for three years now and have found loads of Christmas music of all genres - and still adding.  Interesting food to enjoy along with Christmas humor to keep you laughing as well as munching through your busy holidays.

This year I'm adding more Christmas stories and poems, the classics.  Every year there are new recipes to try so the holiday food train just keeps on rolling!

Romancing The Chocolate: Cookies: Chocolate Bliss

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Romancing The Chocolate: Cookies: Chocolate Bliss: From Denny: A melt-in-your-mouth cookie favorite. A local food writer received it from a friend in Nashville, Tennessee. "And she told two friends - and she told two friends..." :) This cookie has been making the rounds with chocolate foodies.

It's an easy recipe, fast enough to whip up for the holidays. Part of what makes this cookie so delectable is that half of the chocolate chips are melted and added to the batter along with the unmelted ones. It's like what chef Paul Prudhomme practiced with the concept of layering the same taste in a dish.

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Beef: Braised Sirloin Tips

Mushrooms Image by Getty Images via @daylife

From Denny:  Want a low maintenance meal to throw in the oven during the holiday season while you tend to other things?  A hearty casserole is always welcome when the weather turns chilly.  You might want relief from dining on turkey.  Why not try this easy braised sirloin tips recipe?

Besides, it has brain food:  mushrooms.  During the holiday season it's easy to get frazzled and it sure is fun to know that mushrooms are available to get our overloaded brains back on target. :)

This recipe was featured in our local newspaper last year where local great cooks often share recipes.  Try this easy recipe and maybe it will become a holiday favorite:

Dennys Food and Recipes: Appetizer: Berried Brie

Dennys Food and Recipes: Appetizer: Berried Brie: From Denny: Need a simple appetizer during the holiday season and you don't want to stand over it to practically hatch it? This is so simple you will fall over laughing! It's so easy your children can make it for you.

All you need is a round of brie cheese, some canned cranberry sauce and fresh pecans. Throw it into a slow cooker for a couple of hours over low heat and you have instant magic without a lot of fuss. It will leave you time for wrapping all those gifts and giggling with the kids.

Appetizer: Layered Chili, Cheese, Roasted Corn Dip

From Denny:  Just think of all the yummy things you can do with the simple pinto bean.  The first idea that comes to mind is a Mexican style layered hearty party dip perfect for tailgating or holiday parties.

This easy dip is layered with pureed beans with spices and fat-free cream cheese, salsa and a rice mixture made up of skillet roasted corn, chiles and spices.  All this goodness is topped with shredded sharp cheddar cheese and then baked for about 30 minutes.

How simple is that?  Yeah, I thought you'd like this one!  At this holiday time of year we can all get a bit frazzled so easy recipes like this are welcome.  This one certainly qualifies as a meal at our house so why make anything else?

You could add a simple salad - and chocolate pretzels for dessert.  Yes, I have a chocolate blog too.  Come on; you had to know. :)  Check it out if you enjoy chocolate recipes:  Romancing The Chocolate.

Romancing The Chocolate: Awesome Chocolate Pecan Tart

Romancing The Chocolate: Awesome Chocolate Pecan Tart: From Denny: This easy tart combines two of my favorite flavors - chocolate and pecans. Louisiana Bergeron pecans are wonderful if you can get them where you live. If not, just look for the freshest ones, even asking your grocer when a new shipment is due.

Pecans exude such a wonderful aroma when roasting in the oven that is hard to resist. Make sure you slightly warm the dessert when you serve it for the holidays. That's how we like it at our house! :)

Cajun Red Beans and Rice

Image via Wikipedia

From Denny:  Red Bean and Rice is a traditional recipe in Louisiana that was the original Wash Day food every Monday, in every household in New Orleans, rich or poor.  These beans could simmer on the stove for hours, leaving time for household chores.

Living in Louisiana, sometimes I forget some people don't know how to make this simple delicious dish.  It's seems when I am researching up pops something else that I just know you will want to see.

I've been thinking lately of how to get more beans into our diet by adding to traditional recipes and found some awesome recipes from the various bean grower sites that I will be featuring soon on all my food blogs.  If you are not yet sold on beans as a healthy and inexpensive food, this dish would be a great introduction.

Romancing The Chocolate: From Silver Palate Restaurant Sheila Lukins: Sticky Toffee Date Cake

Romancing The Chocolate: From Silver Palate Restaurant Sheila Lukins: Sticky Toffee Date Cake: From Denny: Dates are loved around the world. In the Middle East they are a traditional part of the culture, offered as a sign of hospitality. Dates are served with strong black coffee and sometimes yogurt to balance the intense sweetness.

We love them in America too, especially here in Louisiana, and we never miss a chance to check out a cake recipe featuring them. One beautiful characteristic of dates is that cakes like this freeze well and can be enjoyed months later.

This recipe is from a long time famous food writer, Sheila Lukins. Read on to find out about her many cookbooks she has authored as she has worked for Parade Magazine and co-founded the restaurant takeout shop at the Silver Palate Restaurant.

Romancing The Chocolate: Cookies: Mini-Chocolate Chip Dipped Shortbread Sticks

Romancing The Chocolate: Cookies: Mini-Chocolate Chip Dipped Shortbread Sticks: From Denny: Do you like to bake shortbread cookies for the holidays? Here is a new twist - literally - on the idea. When you cut the dough into rectangles you twist them before baking, then dip in chocolate. How pretty is that for a holiday gathering?!