Sugar & Spice by Celeste

***I have a question for you to ponder...Is it possible for a dessert to be so mind-numbingly delicious that it should be illegal?  That folks, was the question running through my mind yesterday when I made this cake.  Coconut and chocolate are my two favorite flavors in this entire world.  Chocolate, well, there shouldn't have to be much of an explanation for that one.  And coconut...there's just something wonderful about this flavor that transports me to the beach on a hot sunny day.  When added together, they are a match in culinary heaven! We celebrated my wonderful Mom-in-law's birthday yesterday.  Each year, I look forward to what her "cake order" will be.  See, each year family members place their specific "cake order" with me for their birthday...It can be anything they want!  My Mom-in-law comes up with a fantastic cake challenge each year, and I was excited to hear what she had dreamed up.  You might remember THIS FABULOUS MO...

***If you haven't noticed, I love Greek flavors and cuisine.  Feta cheese...kalamata olives...cucumber...cherry tomatoes...Mmm, mmm good!  This salad has all of the above!  I can always count on Martha Stewart's cookbook, Great Food Fast when I need a flavorful, but quick & easy weeknight dinner.  This salad fit the bill perfectly. It includes a recipe for Seasoned Flatbread, however, I did not have the ingredients for this side item the night that I whipped up this salad.  I served mine with a baguette and dipping sauce (grapeseed oil + seasonings).  It tasted fantastic together! Good, quality ingredients are key to this salad.  Make sure to purchase high-quality feta cheese and olives.  You can also add additional ingredients if you like...Pepperoncini and shredded greek chicken come to mind!  Just keep it fairly simple. Bon Appetit!*** INGREDIENTS For the Flatbread: 2 pieces lavash (or large pita bread, split in half)...

*** This Cashew Chicken was SOOO good!  There's just something that I adore about roasted cashews or peanuts in dishes like this.  Roasting really brings out the great flavor of the nuts, and when paired with the other ingredients you've got one dynamite meal!  Chicken, green onions, minced garlic, and hoisin sauce...YUM! To roast the cashews, simply spread them on a baking sheet, and cook in a 350 degree oven until they are golden and fragrant...about 10 minutes.  Be sure to watch them closely, in order to avoid burning them! This dinner is also really easy to make.  It all comes together in the same medium skillet, so clean-up isn't bad either....That's always a plus in my book! Of course, this chicken is best served with a side of white rice....and maybe even a fortune cookie or two if you have some!  ;-) Bon Appetit!*** Ingredients: Serves 4 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes 1 tablespoon c...

............................................ ..................................................... ............................................................. ................................................................... (That's my best attempt at a drumroll, by the way...haha) I was absolutely thrilled when Earth Fare contacted me recently to give away a $50.00 gift card to their stores, in order to celebrate the opening of their new Huntsville, AL store.  It always makes me happy when I get a chance to offer my readers such a great prize! You can check out the giveaway post HERE . But, without further ado, I'm excited to announce the winner!  It was SO incredibly hard to pick a winning story out of the entries...There were so many wonderful entries, and you guys made it very difficult! However, there was one story that I felt really stood out.... AND THE WINNER IS:  EatHealthyLiveWell !!! Please e-mail me at UABblazer83@aol.com to claim your pr...

If you've been following my blog for a while, you know that I love a delicious, go-to pasta dish any day!  This recipe by Martha Stewart is perfect for this time of year...It's PACKED with fresh ingredients and delicious flavors.  Each bite just bursts with flavor!  One of my favorite fresh herbs to cook with is basil.  And I'm so excited, because I'm growing my own little herb garden this year.  It's complete with basil, chives and parsley!  They all just recently started to sprout, but I can't wait to be able to cook with them.  They seem to be growing so fast! Fresh basil is the star of this dish...it sets the tone for the entire meal.  The sauce is quick and easy, and the entire meal comes together in a flash.  If you're looking for a fresh pasta dish for spring, this is the perfect place to start! Shrimp, Tomato and Basil Pasta Source:  Everyday Food: Great Food Fast by Martha Stewart Ingredients: (Serves 4) 1...