Monthly Archives: January 2011

Warm White Bean & Carrot Salad Recipe

The midwest is bracing for what will reportedly be a "dangerous, multifaceted and potentially life-threatening" blizzard. Reports of incoming extreme weather tend to be over-blown in these parts, but that type of language will definitely get some attention.  The first snowflakes started to fall half an hour ago, and as I type this an intriguing […]

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Angie - Gorgeous photos.
I’m originally from Chicago, but now live in upstate New York. If the midwest is worried, it will be a big one! Be safe!

Angie - Gorgeous photos.
I’m originally from Chicago, but now live in upstate New York. If the midwest is worried, it will be a big one! Be safe!

Anita - I saw this yesterday and knew I had to have it for dinner. I used butter as you did. It was definitely edible (and will be eaten for the next 2 days or so – sigh, living alone has its issues), but was too sweet for my taste. Halving the sugar next time, or possibly omitting it altogether. Thanks!

Anita - I saw this yesterday and knew I had to have it for dinner. I used butter as you did. It was definitely edible (and will be eaten for the next 2 days or so – sigh, living alone has its issues), but was too sweet for my taste. Halving the sugar next time, or possibly omitting it altogether. Thanks!

Gemma - Thanks Angie!
Hi Anita, I liked the sweetness, but that is simply a matter of preference. I agree, I bet this would be wonderful without any sugar. I will try it that way next time.

Gemma - Thanks Angie!
Hi Anita, I liked the sweetness, but that is simply a matter of preference. I agree, I bet this would be wonderful without any sugar. I will try it that way next time.

A Year in Photographs

Last year I joined many other photographers in an annual challenge to take 365 photographs, one each day of the year. I lasted until September when a combination of moving and starting gradute school got the better of me. Even though I didn't reach the goal I set out for myself, I did learn a […]

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Christine - I tried to do this 3 years ago and only got to February. Nice work and great photos.

Christine - I tried to do this 3 years ago and only got to February. Nice work and great photos.

Krista - I gave up all my resolutions by about January 15th, so making it to September is awesome! And your photos are gorgeous to boot!

Krista - I gave up all my resolutions by about January 15th, so making it to September is awesome! And your photos are gorgeous to boot!

Erin - I love each and every one! I must say, though, that my favorite has to be the one from last February… course, I’m a sucker for hearts!

Erin - I love each and every one! I must say, though, that my favorite has to be the one from last February… course, I’m a sucker for hearts!

Terry at Blue Kitchen - Absolutely beautiful, Gemma! I would pick out a favorite, but it’s impossible.

Terry at Blue Kitchen - Absolutely beautiful, Gemma! I would pick out a favorite, but it’s impossible.

Clare - Great roundup – look forward to the coming year!

Clare - Great roundup – look forward to the coming year!

kasia - gorgeous!

kasia - gorgeous!

Gemma - Thank you Christine. One day I hope to make it the full year, but I’m satisfied for now.
Ha! Thank you Krista. I enjoy your website, thanks for the introduction!
Thank you Erin. How is Penny LA these days? I miss seeing your posts!
Aw, thank you Terry. I appreciate it.
Thank you Clare. I love your website, your photos are beautiful! I look forward to reading more of it.
Thank you Kasia!

Gemma - Thank you Christine. One day I hope to make it the full year, but I’m satisfied for now.
Ha! Thank you Krista. I enjoy your website, thanks for the introduction!
Thank you Erin. How is Penny LA these days? I miss seeing your posts!
Aw, thank you Terry. I appreciate it.
Thank you Clare. I love your website, your photos are beautiful! I look forward to reading more of it.
Thank you Kasia!

Macaroni and Blue Cheese with Figs and Rosemary

Macaroni and cheese is the epitome of comfort food. It's not so bad out of the box, but nothing beats homemade. Sharp white cheddar, Roth Käse Buttermilk Blue Cheese, rosemary and black mission figs make this a deeply flavorful version fit for a special occasion. This dish is decadently rich. Serve it with crusty bread, a simple […]

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Trish - Yum! This looks a perfect Sunday dinner dish.

Trish - Yum! This looks a perfect Sunday dinner dish.

Ron - I found your site through the mac and cheese blog. Yay Wisconsin cheese!

Ron - I found your site through the mac and cheese blog. Yay Wisconsin cheese!

Casey - I made this for my book club last night and everyone loved it! I reduced the butter a bit and served it with a salad as you suggested. Thanks!

Casey - I made this for my book club last night and everyone loved it! I reduced the butter a bit and served it with a salad as you suggested. Thanks!

Gemma - Thanks Trish. It is a great dish for entertaining. Enjoy!
Ron — Wisconsin definitely knows how to do cheese, I agree.
Hi Casey, so glad you (and your book club) liked the recipe!

Gemma - Thanks Trish. It is a great dish for entertaining. Enjoy!
Ron — Wisconsin definitely knows how to do cheese, I agree.
Hi Casey, so glad you (and your book club) liked the recipe!

Carrot Cake Recipe & Six Years of Pro Bono Baker

Six years ago today, I searched the internet for a recipe while making dinner in Hyde Park, Chicago and discovered the world of food blogs. My first few dozen posts were nothing to write home about, but I quickly became hooked on this worldwide community of food lovers — and this website as a place to […]

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Nupur - Congratulations, Gemma! Happy birthday to your wonderful blog- I enjoy reading it.

Nupur - Congratulations, Gemma! Happy birthday to your wonderful blog- I enjoy reading it.

Gemma - Thank you Nupur! I still love reading your wonderful blog! I am happy to have met you in person years ago as well. I hope you are well.

Gemma - Thank you Nupur! I still love reading your wonderful blog! I am happy to have met you in person years ago as well. I hope you are well.

Rich - Wow six years! I have been a lurker on your inspiring website for at least half that time. First time commenting. Thanks for the great recipe and stunning photos.

Rich - Wow six years! I have been a lurker on your inspiring website for at least half that time. First time commenting. Thanks for the great recipe and stunning photos.

Shannalynn - Happy blog birthday!

Shannalynn - Happy blog birthday!

Terry - Happy new year and happy anniversary, Gemma! It’s beautiful, thoughtful blogs like yours that constantly inspire me and make me glad to be part of this warm, welcoming community.

Terry - Happy new year and happy anniversary, Gemma! It’s beautiful, thoughtful blogs like yours that constantly inspire me and make me glad to be part of this warm, welcoming community.

Marieke - That cake looks amazing! I can’t wait to try the recipe! Congrats on six years–impressive!

Marieke - That cake looks amazing! I can’t wait to try the recipe! Congrats on six years–impressive!

Kalynskitchen - I miss some of the feeling of the early years too; I know exactly what you mean.
Happy blog birthday. Six years; it’s a long time!

Kalynskitchen - I miss some of the feeling of the early years too; I know exactly what you mean.
Happy blog birthday. Six years; it’s a long time!

Nishta - Gemma, belated congratulations on number six! Yours was one of the first food blogs I started reading and is certainly a big part of the inspiration for starting my own.
I love your taste, your voice, & your photographs. Cheers to six more years!

Nishta - Gemma, belated congratulations on number six! Yours was one of the first food blogs I started reading and is certainly a big part of the inspiration for starting my own.
I love your taste, your voice, & your photographs. Cheers to six more years!

Gemma - Thank you Rich, I’m glad you have been enjoying the site for so long! I love when lurkers come out of the woodwork.
Thank you Shannalynn!
Thanks Terry, right back at you!
Thank you Marieke, it was a delicious addition to our holiday menu.
Thanks Kalyn! It’s nice to know so many people, like you, who have been around just as long.
Thank you for your kind words, Nishta. I am consistently inspired by your blog and your humor.

Gemma - Thank you Rich, I’m glad you have been enjoying the site for so long! I love when lurkers come out of the woodwork.
Thank you Shannalynn!
Thanks Terry, right back at you!
Thank you Marieke, it was a delicious addition to our holiday menu.
Thanks Kalyn! It’s nice to know so many people, like you, who have been around just as long.
Thank you for your kind words, Nishta. I am consistently inspired by your blog and your humor.

kickpleat - Congratulations on the 6th year of blogging! I think this year will be my sixth as well, which seems so OLD. Ha! And yes, I know exactly what you mean by missing the earnestness of it all. Sigh, those were the days. But it’s still awesome, just different now. Love the cake. So glad to have been reading for all these years and here’s to many more!

kickpleat - Congratulations on the 6th year of blogging! I think this year will be my sixth as well, which seems so OLD. Ha! And yes, I know exactly what you mean by missing the earnestness of it all. Sigh, those were the days. But it’s still awesome, just different now. Love the cake. So glad to have been reading for all these years and here’s to many more!

Gemma - Thank you Jeannette, I’m so glad to have a blog that is growing old with yours! I’m happy to have been following you all this time as well. Cheers to you!

Gemma - Thank you Jeannette, I’m so glad to have a blog that is growing old with yours! I’m happy to have been following you all this time as well. Cheers to you!

Hypnotherapy London - This really looks good! Going to give the recipe a go. Thank you for all your great blogs, full of tips.

Hypnotherapy London - This really looks good! Going to give the recipe a go. Thank you for all your great blogs, full of tips.

Gemma - You’re welcome!

Gemma - You’re welcome!