desserts

After the Holidays

Now that the period of time from Thanksgiving until New Year’s Day is in the rear view mirror, everyone can take a deep sigh of relief to figure out what to do with the abundance of leftovers as well as homemade sweets we’ve accumulated. Let’s approach the days ahead with the clear vision of waste not, want not. I’m the first to admit I limit trips to the grocery store, during the current pandemic, in order to be proactive about my health. Thankfully, I have extra freezer space which keeps my husband and me from eating the same meals over and over until it’s finally gone. I’ve found a few minutes of planning works as a productive strategy to keep foods from going to waste. Perhaps that is also the secret to offer balance, color, texture, and food presentation. After all, isn’t that what the pros do? And speaking of the pros…Some of my posts have been favored by the “Food Network” on Twitter (Snapshotsincursive @DornaGail) as well as Ina Garten’s The Barefoot Contessa, on Instagram (gail _dorna). You can even find me on Pinterest and Parler at Gail Dorna. I’d love to connect with you there as well. I also met Chef Michelle Tribble of Hell’s Kitchen reality cooking show. Fun times. Experience different flavors and textures as you eat with your eyes. Catch a glimpse of “Eating My Way Through the Alphabet: After the Holidays!” This remarkable journey of the palate is unique because it gives me a few moments with you. Thanks very much to all of my guests and followers on http://snapshotsincursive.com for the uplifting support, award nominations, and daily words of encouragement.

Splurge-Worthy Goodness

All good things come at a cost. And that includes groceries. Most of the general public discovered during the recent pandemic that cooking at home doesn’t necessarily come cheap, especially when attention is paid to the quality and freshness of ingredients. At our core we all understand the things we should do: eat healthy portions, exercise regularly, and get plenty of sleep. It’s pretty basic stuff our mothers drilled into our heads as teenagers. In adulthood we may even find ourselves sounding like our parents, while echoing the same ideas to our kids and family members. Here’s the secret, though. By choosing some organic and natural items even eating desserts can be okay. Be splurge-worthy, like the professionals do. There’s no reason not to. You must value yourself before you can treasure others.

And speaking of the pros…Some of my posts have been favored by the “Food Network” on Twitter (Snapshotsincursive @DornaGail) as well as Ina Garten’s The Barefoot Contessa, on Instagram (gail _dorna). You can even find me on Pinterest at Gail Dorna. I’d love to connect with you there as well. I also met Chef Michelle Tribble of Hell’s Kitchen reality cooking show. Fun times. Experience different flavors and textures as you eat with your eyes. Catch a glimpse of “Eating My Way Through the Alphabet: Splurge-Worthy Goodness!” This remarkable journey of the palate is serendipitous because it gives me a few moments with you. Thanks very much to all of my guests and followers on http://snapshotsincursive.com for the uplifting support, award nominations, and moving words of encouragement. You’re the best.

Sift Bake Shop in Mystic, Connecticut

Dining Outside the Home: Sift Bake Shop in Mystic, Connecticut. How lucky to discover a celebrity pastry chef, who won the Food Network’s “Best Baker in America” award, owning a bakery in Mystic, Connecticut. Talk about a hidden gem. Adam Young’s French inspired bakery will lure you down to Water Street with its fresh-out-of-the-oven aromas. Follow your nose to be pleasantly surprised by artisanal breads, sold by the whole or half loaf. Croissants might be stuffed with meats, veggies, nuts, or chocolate. Choose wisely. Exquisite cakes and delectable cookies satisfy the sweet tooth cravings now and later in the day. Better get extra. By dilly-dallying around you could find yourself yearning for something another customer already placed in her French market basket.

Hualani’s Restaurant in Lihue, Kauai

Dining Outside the Home: Hualani’s Restaurant in Lihue, Kauai. Celebrations of life are a good reason to reserve a table at Hualani’s Restaurant, where the ocean stretches forever in a sea of aquatic blue. After all, there’s nothing quite like watching palm trees sway against a torch-lit sky as the sun slides behind the Haupu Mountain Range. Relax with a crafted cocktail. Stretch your palate to try something extraordinary from land and sea like Whole Fried Market Fish, Mashed Okinawa Potatoes with scallions, and Spiced Rum Pineapple Confit. It’s the attention to detail and presentation that embrace a dining experience that will be long remembered.

Dining Outside the Home: Olympic Café in Kapaa, Kauai

Dining Outside the Home: Olympic Café in Kapaa, Kauai. Even on rainy days you have to venture out for a bite to eat. For starters, a slightly salty/savory-rimmed Bloody Mary with a spicy kick is in order. Perched on the second level of the Olympic Café overlooking street activity has proven to be quite entertaining as more clouds rolled in and the sky opened up. A guy on a bicycle got drenched from the pounding rain. He nestled a paper bag under his armpit while his legs pedaled full speed through potholes filling with street water. Meanwhile, a steaming hot humongous burrito lunch arrived, so the open air seating was perfect for watching passing showers at a warm and dry distance. After all, you can’t rush perfection.

Dining Outside the Home: The Library Restaurant and Pub in Indianapolis, Indiana

Dining Outside the Home: The Library Restaurant and Pub in Indianapolis, Indiana! Whether you choose private dining for celebrations, a gastro-pub atmosphere where sports abound, or tasteful seating among works of art, you’ll feel at home at The Library Restaurant and Pub. Seasonal favorites, as well as chef specialties, enhance an already extensive menu. For starters, indulge in Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail bathed in a zesty horseradish sauce. Move on to make a meal of Grilled Romaine, drizzled with olive oil, parmesan cheese, and Caesar dressing. Mmmm. There’s a method to my madness, you see. The made-in-house desserts make a grande finale. I recommend the Crème Brûlée topped with caramelized sugar. C’est Magnifique!

Dining Outside the Home: Calico Café in Coldwater, Ohio

Dining Outside the Home: Calico Café in Coldwater, Ohio! As the days grow shorter and the chill of Autumn sets in, people gravitate to a bustling café in Coldwater, Ohio. Step through the door and be embraced by the soothing aromas of homemade soups, a daily special, and delectable desserts that go down easy. Mary, the owner, knows her regulars by name. She takes a moment to share a story or two before scurrying back to the kitchen in response to an oven timer. This is why people drive a few miles out of the way to a place where simpler times are met with a smile…not to mention, a generous slice of dark-chocolate cake with rich ganache icing. 

Dining Outside the Home: Joey’s Diner in Amherst, New Hampshire

Dining Outside the Home: Joey’s Diner in Amherst, New Hampshire! Cruise down the highway to a 1950’s-style diner where cherry cokes are the real deal, like soda fountains served in the past. Stroll by the long counter of bar stools, beyond the juke box where the atmosphere is casual and the decor is retro. Did you see the glass dessert case filled with homemade pies and cakes? Pull out a chair where the chrome is hip and the Formica tabletop is the cat’s pajamas. Joey’s Diner serves up meat loaf (like your Momma used to make), grilled burgers, crispy french fries, classic club sandwiches, and hand-blended milkshakes. Decisions, decisions. They’re open every day for three square meals. Check it out Daddy-O!

Simple Sensations 

Welcome! Life is a continuous celebration from one meal to the next. It can be carefree and easy-going some days while unsettled and harried on others. With the abundance of fresh fruits and garden vegetables, every meal can be a gourmet delight. It’s all about the flavor. Simple everyday food can be the winning combination that looks amazing on the plate. By choosing your family’s favorite foods, it automatically turns mealtime into an all-star event. And speaking of stars…Some of my recent posts have been favored by the “Food Network” on Twitter (Snapshotsincursive@DornaGail) as well as Ina Garten, The Barefoot Contessa, on Instagram @gail_dorna. This remarkable journey of the palate allows time with you. Thanks very much to all of my guests and followers on http://snapshotsincursive.com for the uplifting support, award nominations, and moving words of encouragement. What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? It’s as simple as A-B-C. I love to cook, and my husband loves that I do it often. Most recipes serve 2-4 people, but can be easily modified. Leftovers are golden morsels to be eaten later or shared with others. Seeing a smile of gratitude keeps me going. Feel free to contact me with questions. Now take a deep breath, inhale the aromas, and join me on a tasteful journey entitled, “EATING MY WAY THROUGH THE ALPHABET: SIMPLE SENSATIONS!”