Fabulous Butternut Squash Ravioli

Butternut Squash Ravioli

This is my child’s favorite dish and if ever we have a celebration, this is what she asks for. It’s served with a walnut cream sauce and it is delicious. I’m sure it’s what she’ll want on this Valentine’s Day.

Biscotti

These biscotti are an adaptation from a recipe I found which called for cornmeal. That was good...once. Then we were done with the cornmeal texture and flavor, so I changed the recipe. Big surprise; I am always tinkering with recipes which drives my pastry chef husband crazy; you see, he's a bit of a purist. This time, it worked out well and when we're running low on biscotti, he's sure to let me know. These have become a part of his regular morning breakfast. A note: I cut back on the sugar in this recipe, which is why I also use the juice of the fruit. Sugar is a liquefier, so I had to make up for it that way. I learned that from my pastry chef husband. ;)

French Toast

What better way to enjoy your aging (if it lasts more than 2 days, that is) challah bread than to make delicious French Toast?

Recipe for Challah Bread

Let cool before slicing...

Challah Bread

All I had to do was put a sticky note on the pastry board in the kitchen last night that read "Challah" and it was done.

I woke up to the amazing smell of baking bread wafting through the house and my kid running around asking, "When's the bread going to be ready?!" At this time of year especially, I crave Challah Bread. It's probably because I grew up in a diverse neighborhood on the north side of Chicago. There was nothing like the smell of delicious bread baking at our favorite Jewish deli, Hanover's Deli, near my home. Trust me, you don't have to be Jewish to love the food traditions of this wonderful culture.

Above: ready for oven

Below: ready to eat

Today, here at my home, out came the bread book and not long after two beautiful loaves of Challah. Thank you, Dear.

Recipe to follow...