Fab Friday – Cooking In Stilettos Edition

Fab-Friday-Cooking-In-Stilettos-9-28-12

It has been a crazy week and, when looking at my calendar for October, it's going to be a very busy October for Cooking in Stilettos.  If you happen to follow me on Twitter or Instagram, you might have noticed that I've been yappin' about Emeril's new cookbook, Kicked Up Sandwiches lately.  Well, I'm excited to tell y'all that this gal was selected to participate in Emeril's Serious Sandwich Cookalong where, throughout October, you will see a few posts about my attempts at whipping some … [Read more...]



Recipe Redo: Nigella’s Cornbread Topped Chili

Cornbread Topped Chili

One of my favorite chili recipes is this cornbread topped chili from Nigella Lawson. However, when I make it, I often make it with cornbread from a box mix. I don't think Nigella would shoot me, necessarily, but when I decided that this chili was prime for a recipe redo, well, I figured I better go all in and make the cornbread from scratch. I also halved the chili recipe as I only had a 3 1/2 qt. Le Creuset Dutch Oven – not 6 ¾ Dutch Oven as they tend to use on her show. (Perhaps I should … [Read more...]



Satisfy Your Chocolate Craving With Chocolate Peanut Granola

Chocolate Peanut Granola

I love granola but I refuse to buy it – probably because it’s so much easier to make it and, as an added plus – it’s better for you because you control the ingredients. See, ever since I really started reading the ingredients on packages, I’ve been scared senseless and wondering what really is in those ingredients we can’t pronounce and need a PhD to understand what they are. Now, granted, there are still some processed foods that I do indulge in (like my Cool Ranch Doritos but I … [Read more...]



Blog Update With A Recipe For Meyer Lemon Polenta Cake

Meyer Lemon Polenta Cake

The summer is almost over and, I must confess, I'm a happy happy gal. I am looking forward to the arrival of fall (only a few days more) so I can break out some boots and cozy sweaters and, of course, play with a plethora of fall recipes that I have bookmarked and ready to go. (Hint: there's lots of apples, pumpkin and, perhaps, a bit of bourbon or rum involved). In the meantime, I have been working feverishly behind the scenes here at Cooking In Stilettos fine tuning a few things. See, while … [Read more...]



Cinnamon Plum French Toast – Perfect For Mother’s Day

Cinnamon Plum French Toast

Are you looking for a super simple but chic brunch dish to surprise Mom with on Mother's Day?  Moms - are you looking for a recipe that you can print out and leave on someone's pillow that isn't overly complicated?  Do I have a recipe for you – a decadent Cinnamon Plum French Toast from the one and only Nigella Lawson. … [Read more...]



Tried and True: Coq Au Sauvignon Blanc

Coq Au Savignon Blanc

When I got word that I was going to be heading to Orlando for Food Blog Forum Orlando, I knew that I couldn't visit OTown and not have dinner at SL's with some dear friends. Prior to my leaving Philly, I had talked with SL about what should be on the menu. Knowing he's a huge fan of anything cooked with wine, he had suggested my slow cooker beef bourguignon, but I knew that time would be of the essence on Sunday and an all day slow cooker meal might not be an option. Thankfully, Nigella … [Read more...]



How To: Nigella Lawson’s Instant Pancake Mix

Instant Pancake Mix - Sift

A few years ago, I posted a recipe for Blueberry Ricotta Pancakes  which advocated the use of an instant pancake mix and one of my fave bloggers told me that I should make and not buy the mix.  Trust me - when Sue speaks, I listen.    Plus - having dealt with one too many "pantry pests", I'd feel much better knowing where everything came from.  Let's not even get into the cost of buying one of those big box brands and shelf life questions. Nigella Lawson has a fail-safe Instant Pancake … [Read more...]



Fab Friday – Travel Edition

Fab-Friday-Travel-Edition

I can put a checkmark by one of my Culinary Goals for 2012. I took the plunge and registered for not one but TWO blogging conferences this year – Bloggy Boot Camp in May here in Philly and Food Blog Forum Orlando in March.  Jen  at One Curly Fry has already started the countdown til #FBFOrl and this gal has to start prepping! With a trip to Orlando on the calendar, that means a couple extra days visiting old friends and, of course, a dinner soiree at SL's house. So, marinating on that, I … [Read more...]



Nigella Lawson Visits The Today Show And A Regis and Kelly Flashback

You know it's not a holiday season until Nigella Lawson visits the Today Show, and, like last year, Nigella was in the Today Show kitchen showing Matt and Ann one of her favorite dishes - Lone Linguine with Truffle Oil as well as a few others. I always joke that if there was ONE cookbook in my collection I would have to save (besides my Bampa's cookbook), it would be my signed copy of Nigella Kitchen. I remember the first time I saw Nigella Lawson, it was on the Style Network and she made … [Read more...]



Leftover Ham – Make Nigella Lawson’s Cuban Black Bean Soup

Cuban Black Bean Soup - Final - Thumb

If you tried to do Nigella Lawson's Coca Cola Ham over the holiday and are stompin' your stilettos wondering what to do with the leftovers, well look no further – Nigella Lawson has the solution – her soul soothing Cuban Black Bean Soup. This soup is so good that I'm contemplating roasting another ham – but this time without all the burns and drama of trying to get the ham out of the stock.  Who needs a holiday to serve something so delish, right? … [Read more...]