German Christmas Stollen

I’ve never made anything more reminiscent of my childhood than the German Stollen (maybe behind my grandma’s rolls 😊). The irony is that I’ve never eaten Stollen. So, how’s that possible… well actually, it wasn’t the Stollen itself but rather the ingredients that went into it… the store-bought, sugar-coated jelly Orange Slices and Fruit Loops…Continue reading “German Christmas Stollen”

Holiday Stuffing or Dressing? Why not Bread Pudding?

It’s the American age-old question… Do you call your Thanksgiving turkey “side” stuffing or dressing? Well, my unprofessional, yet logical response is… call it stuffing if it’s baked in the bird and call it dressing if it is baked separately in a casserole dish. It is suggested NOT to cook the stuffing in the birdContinue reading “Holiday Stuffing or Dressing? Why not Bread Pudding?”

Berry Family Tribute via the Matriarch through Bread

What Country this week? This week’s blog is not country focused, but instead a tribute to my family, the Berry family, in southern America… more specifically… Arkansas. I no longer live in the south nor cook southern food (except for cornbread once in a while and biscuits), but my memories of good downhome southern foodContinue reading “Berry Family Tribute via the Matriarch through Bread”

November belongs to Panama: Part 2- 2nd Bake

November is Panama’s month. Since there are so many patriotic days of celebration in Panama this month, I wanted to spend more than one post talking about it and making more than one bake. Part 2 accompanying dish inspiration: I admit, I probably should have made the Sancocho (Chicken Soup- Panama’s national dish); however, sinceContinue reading “November belongs to Panama: Part 2- 2nd Bake”

November belongs to Panama: Part 1- Bake only

November is Panama’s month. There are many celebrations in Panama during November, all of which are related to patriotism. November 3rd is Panama’s Independence Day from Columbia, November 4th is Flag Day, November 10th celebrates the country’s first cry of independence from Spain, and November 28th is the official Independence Day from Spain (with helpContinue reading “November belongs to Panama: Part 1- Bake only”

Let’s all remember like Mexico: Día de los Muertos Part 2

As promised, here’s Part 2 of Mexico’s weekend bake. Pan de Muerto summarizes the celebration of Día de los Muertos. It includes the bones to represent us all at death and our loved ones who’ve passed on from this life. And, of course, it is food from which smells and tastes evoke many memories fromContinue reading “Let’s all remember like Mexico: Día de los Muertos Part 2”

Let’s all remember like Mexico: Día de los Muertos Part 1

Why Mexico now? In deciding on the country to bake this past weekend, it was clear it needed to be Mexico. Having taught French for many years now, I’m accustomed to being around and hearing all about Día de los Muertos from my department colleagues, i.e. Spanish educators. In fact, I think my French studentsContinue reading “Let’s all remember like Mexico: Día de los Muertos Part 1”

Happy 66 years of freedom Laos!

Can’t ignore Laos… Although Laos celebrated Independence Day from its so-called union with France on July 19 and will celebrate its National Day on December 2, the date it became a democratic republic, the country gained its FULL independence from France on October 22, 1953. This is a time for remembrance; a time to revelContinue reading “Happy 66 years of freedom Laos!”

Baking Ethiopia in Honor of Ably Ahmed Ali

Why Ethiopia? Coincidentally, congratulations to Prime Minister Ably Ahmed Ali for winning the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize that was announced this past Friday “for his efforts to achieve peace and international cooperation, and in particular for his decisive initiative to resolve the border conflict with neighbouring Eritrea.” (as described in The Nobel Peace Prize pressContinue reading “Baking Ethiopia in Honor of Ably Ahmed Ali”

A Taste of Spain

Why Spain? When I started this journey, I knew I wanted to “bake Spain” sooner than later. I chaperoned a small group of students to Spain and France a few years ago. During the Spain portion of this trip, we spent some time in Madrid, Toledo, Barcelona, and Zaragoza. While all cities/towns were wonderful inContinue reading “A Taste of Spain”