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Orange Posset & Blackberry Compote

April 25, 2013

Orange Posset & Blackberry Compote by Cathy nelson arkle

If you haven’t tried a posset, I encourage you to try this easy dessert that has an incredible WOW factor built in. I usually put all of my energy into appetizers and the main course when I entertain, which means I usually find myself “spent” by the time it comes to dessert. So when I find a recipe that I can make in advance with minimal effort that commands rave reviews from my guests, I call that recipe a keeper.  And that is exactly what this recipe is for me. I hope you enjoy it as much as my company does. Continue Reading →

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Animal Cracker Soup

April 13, 2013

photo by cathy nelson arkle
In honor of National Animal Cracker Day (April 18th) I decided to use creative license to craft a recipe from one of my favorite childhood classic songs, “Animal Crackers in My Soup” sung by Shirley Temple in the 1935 film Curly Top.

barnum-animal-crackers box

If this movie was before our time, most of us remember the Barnum animal crackers from our childhood, which are alive and well, with 40 million circus train boxes sold each year.  Long gone are the days that a box sold for just 5 cents back in 1902. Today a box costs around $1.25. Continue Reading →

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Deviled Green Eggs and Ham

April 2, 2013

Deviled Green Eggs & Ham cathy nelson arkle

Today’s recipe is inspired by one of my all time favorite books “Green Eggs & Ham” by Dr. Seuss. I love Sam-I-am’s persistence in getting his friend to taste something so different and odd.  “They are so good, so good, you see!”

sam-i-am-dr-seuss“You do not like them.
So you say.
Try them! Try them!
And you may.
Try them and you may, I say.”

And in the end… Sam-I-am’s friend was grateful for having tried them.

“I do so like
green eggs and ham!
Thank you!
Thank you,
Sam-I-am.”

Inspired by this book and its’ motivating lesson, I am revisiting foods that I thought I didn’t like to give them a second chance.  I challenge you to do the same.  (And maybe some day you will thank me as well!)

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Toast Skagen & Other Swedish Successes & Failures

March 9, 2013

Photo by Cathy Nelson ArkleThis month’s LA Food Bloggers Meet Up is dedicated to ethnic heritage, and we are to bring a dish that relates to ours. Since I am Swedish, I set out to find a yummy dish to showcase my cultural background and make my Swedish Grandma proud.

Growing up in Iowa – which is full of Scandinavians – my Grandma Nelson led the pack when she made krumkake, fattigman and rosettes.  I wanted to make one of these specialties, but I realized they all require scary special equipment.

cathy nelson arkle(If you haven’t seen these before, there a good chance your not Scandinavian)

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Berry Healthy Muffins

February 15, 2013

cathy nelson arkle

When my girlfriend Alice offered me her “paleo-friendly” grain-free, gluten-free and sugar-free muffins, my first instinct was to pass on her “free“ offer.  I am glad that I didn’t because flavor-free they are everything but!

I make these every two weeks to make sure there are always a couple available in the freezer. If not, I hear about it from my husband… who loves these crazy muffins!  After talking with Alice, it appears her husband loves these peculiar muffins as well.  I almost called them the “Men-Magnet Muffins”.  My Uncle Bill, who proclaims that muffins are girly food, has since converted to a muffin man after munching one of these ugly, yet substantial treats. Continue Reading →

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