food

Pineapple Crush Angel Food Cake

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Test Kitchen Favorites: Pineapple Crush Angel Food Cake! If you’re looking for an impressive dessert for that neighborhood gathering, middle school bake sale, church fellowship meal, or romantic dinner for two…. look no further. Angel food cake is just what the name implies: light, airy, magical, and sinfully delicious. Its fluffy texture practically melts in your mouth. The sugary slightly charred taste of vanilla and marshmallow can be deceiving. Wanna know why? Because unlike other cakes, this tempting version is made without oil, butter, or egg yolks granting it to fall in a class all its own: Low-Fat and Low-Cholesterol. I prefer a more mysterious name like “Snow-Drift Cake”, “Silver Cake”, or “Foam Cake.” Hey, it’s your dessert, call it as you see it. 

PINEAPPLE CRUSH ANGEL FOOD CAKE 

Ingredients: 

20-ounce can crushed pineapple with juice

16-ounce box angel food cake mix

Powdered Sugar, for sprinkling

Instructions: 

Preheat the oven to 350°. Spray a bundt pan with nonstick oil. Set aside. In a bowl, combine crushed pineapple with juice and angel food cake mix. Gently stir until completely combined. Pour batter into the prepared bundt pan. Place the bundt pan on a baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, approximately 25 minutes. Let cake cool; invert pastry onto a cake plate. Add a dusting of powdered sugar. Serve each slice as is, or with a fresh fruit compote.*

*Visit the link for Mixed Berry Marnier at http://snapshotsincursive/2026/02/26

Quenching Celery Bites

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? The Joy of Eating: Quenching Celery Bites! Okay, how many of you get your daily allowance of water? I know, right! Well, I’m here to share with you some very good news. By eating certain fruits and vegetables, which carry a high water content, you can cut down the number of glasses you drink throughout the day. Take a tomato, for example. It’s 94% water. Strawberries are 92%. Celery contains 95% water. Are you getting the gist? And the best part is these foods are guilt-free. Plus, the added fiber fills your stomach so those midafternoon cravings don’t send you on a stomach-growling quest for junk food. 

QUENCHING CELERY BITES

Ingredients:

One stalk of Celery

Instructions:

“Choose celery with upright stalks that snap when bent. The leaves should be fresh and crisp. When selecting celery, remember this rule of thumb: the darker the color, the stronger the flavor. Freshly chopped celery retains its nutrients much better than if you chop and store it even for a few hours. Steamed celery not only retains its flavor, but also most of its nutrients-up to 99%, in fact!”*

*Taken from Care2 article entitled, “11 Super Health Benefits in Just One Celery Stalk”. 

The Joy of Eating

Food is one of Life’s pleasures. It is sustenance for our very existence, mood-altering for our emotions, nourishment for our soul, comfort for our inner child, and essential for our livelihood. It brings Joy into our world. If you agree with me, pull up a chair for “Eating My Way Through the Alphabet: The Joy of Eating!” Within a few short months of blogging, the response continues to amaze me on this journey of the palate. Thanks very much to all of my 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 reciting your A-B-Cs. One of my passions is being at home in my own country kitchen.   I love to cook, and my husband loves that I do it often.  Now more than ever, since I am retired, I relish the thought of creating something delicious from scratch.  I adore time-honored traditions using tried-and-true recipes. Yet, I often never think twice about tweaking old favorites or modifying others to suit the inner craving of the moment.  Most of the recipes serve 2-4 people, but can be altered in any direction.  The leftovers are golden morsels to be eaten again later or shared with others.  And I love to share.  To me, seeing a smile in gratitude is thanks enough. The recipes you will find here in the next several weeks can be prepared very easily.  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: THE JOY OF EATING!”

Festive Food Gifts

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? There’s nothing better than sharing homemade foods with cherished friends, family members, and those very special people who make our lives easier. Think about all those who impact your life on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis: Mail Carrier, Hairdresser, Physical Therapist, Dog Groomer, Nail Technician, Bartender, Delivery Driver, Babysitter, Housekeeper, Lawn Service, Teacher, Coach, Clergy Staff, Neighbor, Secret Santa, and more. The holidays are perfect for saying, “I made this especially for you!”  Gifts of food are great ways to show thoughtfulness and appreciation. Many recipes can be divided creatively to make several gifts. Decorative boxes, ribbons, picks, and tags personalize each package. The recipes forthcoming in the days to come range from sweet and salty to healthy and heartwarming. So, turn up the music, slip on your apron, and get busy. Celebrate the season by giving something that is simply delicious: Festive Food Gifts!

A Burst of Flavor!

Herbs and spices make all the difference in Gail’s Kitchen. Whether it’s fresh, dried, or a liquid extract, adding herbs enhances the flavor of any dish. And compliments it. Maybe it’s time to cut back on the salt a little bit in exchange for a little zing! Time flies on this journey of the palate. Thanks very much to all of my followers on http://snapshotsincursive.com for the uplifting support, award nominations, and moving words of encouragement. Follow me on Facebook at Gail Dorna, on Instagram @gail_dorna or Pinterest @gaildorna. What’s cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? It’s as simple as reciting your A-B-Cs. One of my passions is being at home in my own gourmet kitchen. I love to cook, and my husband loves that I do it often. Now more than ever, since I am retired, I relish the thought of creating something delicious from scratch. I adore time-honored traditions using tried-and-true recipes. Yet, I often never think twice about tweaking old favorites or modifying others to suit the inner craving of the moment. Most of the recipes serve 2-4 people, but can be altered in any direction. The leftovers are golden morsels to be eaten again later or shared with others. And I love to share. To me, seeing a smile in gratitude is thanks enough. The recipes you will find here in the next several weeks can be prepared very easily. 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: A BURST OF FLAVOR!”

Food Plating

I wonder if I am one of those quirky people who notice how beautiful food looks on a plate. When my friends have observed how I take snapshots before their first bite, they simply tolerate me doing so. Who knows, it may raise their level of anticipation; I certainly hope so. Food Plating is actually a culinary art. That doesn’t mean you have to be a gourmet chef to do it successfully. It frankly means arranging food by color, texture, and shape to elevate each dining experience. The only tools needed are a neutral backdrop and kitchenware. It’s important to keep it uncluttered to balance the star attraction. The idea is to focus on the food, after all. By arranging it artfully, you could end up creating an experience that may very well be quite memorable. Some of my posts continue to be favored by Ina Garten’s The Barefoot Contessa, on Instagram (@gail _dorna). You can even find me on Pinterest @Gail Dorna. It’s very easy to search for recipes there on the board entitled “Gail’s Kitchen Recipes”. I’d love to connect with you there as well. Experience different flavors and textures as you eat with your eyes. Catch a glimpse of “Eating My Way Through the Alphabet: Food Plating”. 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.

Blistered Jalapeño Poppers

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? A Cut Above: Blistered Jalapeño Poppers! The next time you are in the grocery store, check the refrigerated section for Mexican ingredients. Oftentimes, this is where chorizo is found, as well as the popular Mexican cheeses. I stumbled on to this discovery one time and decided to try a bag of shredded chihuahua cheese. Its taste resembles a slight cheddar sharpness with a mild, buttery finish. And the best part is, it melts like a dream…which makes it perfect for creamy dips, dense fillings, and bubbly fondues. 

BLISTERED JALAPEÑO POPPERS

Ingredients: 

10-12 jalapeño peppers, washed and patted dry

1 tablespoon olive oil

12 ounces Mexican chihuahua cheese, shredded

Chile Lime seasoning, to taste 

Instructions: 

Slice the jalapeños in half lengthwise, removing and discarding veins and seeds. Place the peppers, cut side down, on a wire rack on a foil-lined baking sheet. Brush with olive oil. Broil on High setting for approximately 5 minutes to char. You will see them blister, so watch carefully. Remove the peppers from the oven and carefully flip them over. Fill each jalapeño pepper with Mexican chihuahua cheese. Mound the cheese since it will shrink down as it melts. Sprinkle with chile lime seasoning, to taste. Return the baking sheet to the oven. Broil for 3 minutes longer, or until the cheese is  blistered and bubbly. Watch closely. Transfer the stuffed jalapeños to a platter. Serve while warm.