Favorite Banana Muffins
The weekend is coming. Wouldn’t an easy and delicious banana muffin make your Saturday or Sunday breakfast or brunch just perfect? Read more
Posts from the ‘Food Glorious Food’ Category
Jul 12
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Jul 5
The Ultimate All American Comfort Food
Where ever you live, chances are, fried chicken tops the list of your favorite All American Comfort Foods… Read more
Jul 3
An “All American” Pie
What could be more American than any version of apple pie? You will love these little Apple Hand Pies. They are perfect for the 4th of July… as the saying goes, something truly American is “as American as apple pie!” Read more
Jun 29
The Cookie Jar -“Devil” Cookies
How good is this cookie? One bite is all you will need to know…. Read more
Jun 26
Eggs and Bacon – Not Just for Breakfast Anymore!
Back when we first started this Two Chums website journey, we offered you our recipe for Deviled Eggs.
Jun 21
Chicken Enchiladas -Olé
Growing up in Los Angeles with family roots in Texas, Mexican food has always been a staple at our table… this recipe is a relatively new addition that promises to be a favorite for many years to come:) Read more
Jun 19
Not Just A Garnish – Parsley
Parsley may be the world’s most popular garnish but this remarkable herb has healing properties and health benefits that qualify it as a superfood. Read more
Jun 14
Meat and Potatoes for Dad – Sunday Pot Roast
Not so many years ago, pot roast was the Sunday dinner of choice in many homes….at least many southern homes. Meat and potatoes is a meal that most men love….a meal dads love! Read more
Jun 11
Cool As A Cucumber
Cucumbers are among the top five most cultivated vegetables in the world. The cucumber is a highly under rated food, or perhaps superfood, as it is known to be one of the best foods for your body’s overall health. We want to give you some impressive reasons to eat more cucumbers. And one very delicious one…..Cucumber Mint Sorbet 🙂 Read more
Jun 5
Salad Days – Watermelon Salad
Summer is coming and it is hard to beat the cool refreshing taste of watermelon…especially in this easy and delicious salad. Read more
May 31
The Staff of Life – Or Is It?
If you read or listen to any news regarding food you can’t help but be aware of the controversy surrounding bread or more specifically wheat. Read more
May 22
Hot Dog – Memorial Day is Coming
What could possibly be better than an all American hot dog?…a hot dog with a side of bacon! Read more
May 17
Crunchy Chickpeas
Sometimes nothing but a crunchy, salty, snack is the only thing that will satisfy you…especially with a cold drink or a nice glass of wine. But maybe you’re tired of potato chips or peanuts….OK nobody ever really gets tired of potato chips…Lays made a fortune on their ad campaign based around “Nobody can eat just one!” Read more
May 16
Salad Days – Shrimp Rice Salad 4 Ways
Don’t you just love things you can make ahead of time and with only a couple of slight ingredient variations have 4 very different tasty meals? Read more
May 14
Keep Calm – It’s Tea Time!
Tea time in England, where I grew up, was not something that was reserved for a “special occasion” or getting together with friends but was a meal that was enjoyed EVERY day! Read more
May 6
Avocados – Not Just on Cinco de Mayo!
Even though Cinco de Mayo is the time that the most avocados are sold, we love them all year long! There is NO time during the year that we do not love these wonderful yummies! So, just because Cinco de Mayo has come and gone, be sure to have a good stock of avocados in your pantry or refrigerator. They are so good for you as well as tasting great!
May 3
Homemade Tortillas – Olé
This weekend Mexicans, and anyone who likes Mexican food, will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo. Mexican restaurants across the country will be jammed. Most people there may not even know the history or meaning behind this very popular Mexican holiday. What they do know is that it is a great excuse to to have a Corona or a margarita…eat some chips and guacamole…and of course have that quintessential Mexcian food, the tortilla! Read more
May 1
Bring May Flowers
Today is May Day and flowers are in bloom everywhere….even on this delicious Bavarian Cream Cake! Read more
Apr 26
Shabbat Kugel
Today is Friday and in the Jewish tradition, that means that sundown tonight begins the weekly observance of Shabbat and in many Jewish homes, the tasty treat known as kugel. Read more
Apr 22
Salad Days – All Dressed Up
With Spring already here and Summer fast approaching, it seems we all eat a lot more salads. But what are all those tasty salads wearing? Read more
Apr 19
Say Cheese – Grilled Cheese That Is
Did you know that April is Grilled Cheese month? It would appear that the favorite of all sandwiches…the grilled cheese….has come a long way baby! Read more
Apr 12
Sweet Scotland – Shortbread
Whether you call them biscuits or cookies, you can always call them delicious! If I had only one kind of cookie I could have for the rest of my life, I believe this would be the one. I am confident my dear chum Jackie would say it would be hers 🙂 Read more
Apr 5
Hummus Three Ways
Everyone knows the goodness of classic hummus as a spread on sandwiches and of course as a dip. Lots of “hummus love” out there:) Today we want to give you more ways to love hummus! Read more
Apr 4
Homemade Pita Chips
In the world of crackers and chips, the up and coming favorite seems to be the pita chip. Read more
Apr 2
A Slice Of Chocolate Heaven
If I told you that you could make one of the easiest and most delicious chocolate desserts you will ever eat with just 3 ingredients would you believe me? Of course you would, because if you are reading this, we are “chums” after all 🙂 Read more
Mar 29
Lavender Shortbread -An Easter Treat
Have you ever noticed that just like fashion, or music, or the genre of TV shows, even food is subject to trends? Lavender seems to be one of those culinary trends that is popular right now. As Easter approaches these shortbread cookies scented with lavender could just be the crowning treat at your Easter gathering 🙂 Read more
Mar 27
Spring Break Pizza Milkshake Movie Party
Looking for something fun and memorable to do with your family over this Spring Break? Here’s an idea that turned out to be a BIG hit in our home! Read more
Mar 25
Passover and Easter -The Egg
It is interesting to me that the egg is obviously present in both the celebration of Passover and that of Easter. There are many things that connect these two very important holidays. Perhaps that isn’t a coincidence given that the first Easter came at a time when Jesus, as all other Jews of the time, was celebrating Passover Himself. Read more
Mar 22
Matzo Brei – A Passover Treat
One of the best benefits of this season leading up to Passover is that there is matzo available almost everywhere in every market. Delicious by itself spread with butter, my favorite matzo dish is matzo brei…a sort of Jewish twist on French toast….yummy! Read more
Mar 21
Did You Know – Bacon Grease
Your mother or grandmother…especially if they happened to be southern…may have kept a can for collecting bacon grease on the back of the stove. You may have wondered where the tradition came from. Here’s your answer:)
Mar 20
Spring – A Taste For Something Floral
It’s official…as of today Spring is here. And one of the best things about Spring is that with it comes more flowers. I love flowers, all kinds….any place , any time and for any reason. Yet the one place I have never enjoyed flowers is in my food. Read more
Mar 15
The Potato -What Could Be More Irish?
If there is an iconic food that everyone knows is associated with the Irish it would have to be the potato!
Mar 12
Soup’s On – Split Pea Soup
With only a few ingredients, only a little bit of time, and a very few pennies you can have a meal that tastes like a million bucks! Read more
Mar 8
St. Paddy’s Day Floats
Reading the title of this post you might have been expecting something people could ride on in a March 17th celebration parade in Boston. We have other tastier sorts of floats in mind:) Read more
Mar 6
Leftovers 411 – Celery Soup
If you asked most people what celery soup is, they would tell you that it comes in a can and is used in casseroles. Read more
Feb 27
Salted Caramel Candies
Caramel has always been delicious but of late it is enjoying a new fashionability in food circles. Everywhere you turn these days there seems to be something about caramel, especially salted caramel. And why not? Who can resist the sweet sticky goodness that we call caramel:) Read more
Feb 21
Crackers for Oscar
Oh, we all love cheese straws! Most all of us have eaten and enjoyed them, if not made them. The lovely cheesy bites pictured here are the more sophisticated cousin of the cheese straw. Read more
Feb 20
Salad Days – Classic Caesar Salad
The most popular salad in America may well be the Caesar. Everyone seems to love this iconic salad. Making it at home is a lot easier than you may have thought. Read more
Feb 18
No Guilt Chocolate
Last Thursday we celebrated Valentine’s Day. Do you have any idea just HOW MUCH chocolate was eaten? Read more
Feb 13
Pizza Love
Tomorrow is the day we celebrate love. All kinds of love. Love is everywhere, even in the kitchen. And everyone loves pizza! This one is so easy to make, you can have it ready as fast as you can order delivery pizza. You don’t need any special kitchen equipment to shape it like a heart and when you do, you’ve got a fun and delicious way to celebrate LOVE:) Read more
Feb 11
King For A Day
Tomorrow is Mardi Gras…Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday when the season of Lent begins. If you happen to live in the south east especially in Louisiana, it is also the season for King Cake. Unless you are from this region or know someone who is, you may never have heard or known of King Cake. You will now, and you are in for a real treat! Read more
Feb 8
Comfort and Love, Joy and Abundant Living
You surely know by now that Two Chums is all about love, joy and abundant living. We’ll get to that in a minute. First let’s talk about comfort. The comfort here relates to a comfort food …potato soup. Read more
Feb 6
Salad Days – The Cobb Salad
Cobb Salad: One of the most famous dishes in American culinary history was created on the spur of the moment at the famous Brown Derby Restaurant in Hollywood. Read more
Feb 4
Leftovers 411 – Baked French Toast Casserole
Today we have what can only be called a breakfast win/win. This is a way to use up old bread that is getting stale and make a delicious breakfast at the same time. Read more
Feb 1
French Quarter Cheese – It’s Super!
Sunday is the Super Bowl. The whole country will be focused on New Orleans this Sunday. But if you ask me the football is secondary, the real celebration will be the food:) Read more
Jan 30
Mississippi Mud Cake
There are many, many delicious foods that are associated with southern cooking and with Mississippi in particular. None is more iconic or tastier than Mississippi Mud Cake. Read more
Jan 29
Can’t Find It? Just Substitute!
How many times, when you are excited to make something, do you go to the larder and find that you do not have one of the main ingredients? Here is a list of a few things that you can substitute out that you might find helpful for the next time that happens.
Read more
Jan 29
Can’t Find It? Substitute!
How many times, when you are excited to make something, do you go to the larder and find that you do not have one of the main ingredients? Here is a list of a few things that you can substitute out that you might find helpful for the next time that happens. Read more
Jan 25
Amanda’s Blueberry Muffins
“And they ate blueberry muffins and lived happily ever after.” If this could be the ending to a fairy tale that you would enjoy being part of, then this is your happy day!
Jan 24
Salad Days – The Classic Chopped Salad
If you have ever been to La Scala in Beverly Hills you know just how perfect a salad can be. If you haven’t been fortunate enough to visit there yet, we have good news. We have the recipe for the best chopped salad ever made! Read more
Jan 23
Leftovers 411 – Oatmeal Cinnamon Raisin Bread
Ever wonder what to do with that lump of oatmeal after breakfast that no one ate? Here is one delicious and simple answer…Oatmeal Cinnamon Raisin Bread! Read more
Jan 22
The Pineapple
Besides being a wonderfully sweet and tastey “nosh”, the pineapple has served as a symbol of hospitality and warm welcome through the history of the Americas. Read more
Jan 21
MLK & Inauguration Day
Today we reflect on the impact that Dr. Martin Luther King had on us as a society and a nation. And we inaugurate our 44th president. Read more
Jan 18
Chicken Soup – Good For What Ails You
Chicken soup is synonymous for most people with being a homemade remedy for anything that’s got you down. In the neighborhood I grew up in, and amongst some of my Jewish friends now, it is known as Jewish penicillin. Read more
Jan 16
Leftovers 411 – Croutons
Let’s face it, from time to time we all find ourselves with leftovers. If there happens to be a lot left over, after a couple of meals we’re tired of whatever it was and ready to move on. If there is only a little left, we have no idea what to do with it, but we feel guilty about the idea of throwing away food. So we wrap things up and put them aside or in the refrigerator where they sit until they become a science experiment, and we don’t feel so bad about throwing them away anymore. Read more
Jan 11
Blueberry Pie Oh Me Oh My!!!!
How many little hands does it take to make a pie? As many as you can get to help you would be my answer 🙂 Read more
Jan 4
Gnocchi In No Time
The new year has begun and, for some of us, it’s time to get out of the rut of the meals we make week in and week out. Some repetition is good and some special meals feel like comfort food. But some dinners we make are the result of just not being able to come up with anything new. Read more
Jan 2
THIS one is healthy!
Your Two Cbums spent a wonderful evening at dear friends’ welcoming in the new year. It was a sweet evening – lots of grazing through wonderful appetizers and desserts!
Read more
Dec 28
Black Eyed Peas
If there is anything you should know about your Two Chums, it would be that we love a celebration and we are very fond of traditions. Read more
Dec 27
Appetizers, Hors d’oeuvres, Canapes
New Year’s Eve is coming up quickly. Whether you are hosting a large party, an intimate gathering of friends, or you are headed to a potluck at your neighbor’s home, you will no doubt be sharing food along with some fun with your friends and family. And no matter what name you assign them – appetizers, hors d’oeuvres, or canapes – bite sized savory treats are sure to please! Read more
Dec 13
Love At First Bite
This week has been devoted to holiday traditions and memories. These are the things that connect us to our history and to each other. Food is a big part of that history and those special family memories. If you already have food traditions, nurture them and pass them on. If you don’t, now is a good time to begin creating them. And there is nothing like a special cookie that you make year to year to trigger the sweet memories of family gatherings. Read more
Dec 12
Things Memories Are Made Of
Food is so much more than what we eat to sustain ourselves physically. It has the power to nurture us in many ways. For most of us there are foods that the sight, or smell, or certainly the taste of, can transport us back in time or to another place altogether or remind us of the people we love.
Dec 11
Blintz Joy
“What is a blintz?” many of you may be asking. It is a little pocket of yumminess, that’s what it is:) On this, the 4th day of Hanukkah we want to share with all our “chums” this very delicious treat that can be eaten for breakfast, brunch, lunch, a light supper or a late night snack. Read more
Dec 10
A Wink From Nanner
My maternal grandmother’s name was Willie. My brothers, cousins and I called her ‘Nanner’, her grandmother name to us. But her nieces and nephews called her “Aunt Bill”. Read more
Dec 3
Getting Ready For Father Christmas
When Father Christmas arrived at our house, he always found a plate of mince tarts and a tall, cold glass of milk. Read more
Nov 29
Latkes- A Taste of Hanukkah
If you are a regular “chum” of ours you will probably remember my story about growing up in a very Orthodox Jewish neighborhood. Add to that the fact that I have a Jewish son-in-law, and two precious Jewish grandchildren, and you can see that my bond to Jewish people has only continued to grow stronger as the years go by. As a result I have a great respect and fondness for all things Jewish. Hannukah is no exception. Read more
Nov 28
The Cookie Jar – Double Chocolate Cookies
What could possibly be better than a double chocolate cookie? Why, double the ways to eat it, of course:) Read more
Nov 21
The Day After -Turkey Pot Pie
On the day after Thanksgiving there is always the question of what to do with all the leftover turkey. We know this is the day BEFORE Thanksgiving but we have a suggestion that we think you and your family will really enjoy the day after….Turkey Pot Pie:) Read more
Nov 20
A Taste of Southern Thanksgiving – Pecan Pie
When most people think of a Thanksgiving pie they automatically think pumpkin. But in my family it just wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without Pecan Pie:) Read more
Nov 17
Put Them All Together
This week we have talked about chocolate, eggs, butter, and cheese. Each of these things is wonderful and tasty by itself. But put them all together and you get ……Chocolate Cheese Cake of course! It is hard to imagine a tastier result of this happy combination of yummy ingredients! Read more
Nov 15
Say “Cheese”
People have been enjoying cheese for many, many, many years. It is not known exactly how many but it is believed that cheese was discovered accidentally between 8000 and 3000 BC.
Nov 14
It’s All About the Butter!
Julia Childs is famous for having said in the unmistakeable voice of hers, “Fat tastes good!” That is so true and truer still is the undeniable fact “Butter tastes good!” Your Two Chums love our butter 🙂 Read more
Nov 13
The Incredible Egg Story
If you are old enough, you will remember an ad campaign for eggs that touted “The Incredible Edibile Egg”. And incredible they are, for many reasons! Read more
Nov 11
Ah…..Chocolate!
It is odd to think of life without a good piece of chocolate! Although the peoples of the United States were introduced to drinking chocolate in the mid-1700’s, it was not until the mid-1800’s that they were able to enjoy chocolates, as we know them today, and not until later on in the 1800’s that milk chocolate was being made.
Nov 9
The Cookie Jar – Oatmeal Scotchies
As the holidays approach, we all will either host or attend any numbers of parties and gatherings. Your Two Chums would like to offer you, over the next several weeks, some of our favorite cookie recipes to serve or give as hostess gifts. Today’s recipe offering is for Oatmeal Butterscotch cookies….aka Oatmeal Scotchies.
Nov 8
The British Love Their Crumble!
I learned to love apple crumble whilst at boarding school in England. It was one of my favorite deserts and, indeed, is served at many an English table. Read more
Nov 6
As American As Apple Pie
Two things seem to be quintessentially American…our democracy and apple pie 🙂
Read more
Oct 31
Happy Pumpkin Day!
When my youngest daughter, Amanda was little she couldn’t remember the word Halloween one year, so she just kept saying to everyone she saw “Happy Pumpkin Day!” She wasn’t entirely wrong. This is the day that all across this country we most associate with pumpkins. So besides the use of pumpkins for decorating, we wanted to give you one of our favorite pumpkin recipes…Pumpkin Bread. Read more
Oct 29
Salted Caramel Pie
It is hard to resist a nice slice of pie…especially one that is this silky and sweet! Read more
Oct 26
Salad Days
Some years ago there was a wonderful restaurant spot off the beaten track, in Los Angeles, that was opened by the Lawry’s company called Lawry’s California Center. In addition to the restaurant, one could buy all the Lawry’s products there and see the history of this well known food empire. There was a lovely patio for dining and some very satisfying food that I enjoyed with my family from time to time. In particular there was a most delicious salad that was served with a cilantro dressing. Read more
Oct 24
A Bowl of Red
“Chili concocted outside of Texas is usually a weak, apologetic imitation of the real thing. One of the first things I do when I get home to Texas is to have a bowl of red. There is simply nothing better.”
Lyndon B. Johnson, 36th President of the United States Read more
Oct 23
Simple Beans – A Lesson in Hospitality
In our home, as I think may be true in the homes of other Texans, pinto beans were a mainstay. I can hardly remember a day that there was not a big pot of beans simmering amongst other delights on the kitchen stove either in my grandparent’s kitchen or in my mother’s. Read more
Oct 19
A Very Savvy Secret for Husking Corn
One of our chums, Jan, sent us a great savvy secret for husking corn…we want to share it with you, our other chums 🙂
Oct 19
Soup’s On – Corn Chowder
As the weather begins to cool down we all seem to look forward to certain signals that remind us it is Fall. Putting on our favorite sweaters, watching the leaves change color, seeing pumpkins appear on doorsteps and porches and the comfort of warming ourselves with soup.
Oct 16
Hummingbird Cake
No one seems to know exactly why this moist delicious cake is called Hummingbird Cake. But, there are many theories as to how it got the name. Read more
Oct 12
A Southern Favorite – Biscuits and Gravy
No matter what restaurant you go to in the South, you are bound to find Biscuits and Gravy on the menu. It is a favorite breakfast among Southerners. Who can resist a hot flaky biscuit fresh from the oven. Now add some creamy sausage gravy and it becomes even harder to turn down! Read more
Oct 8
Thanksgiving in Canada
The United States and Canada have many, many things in common and one of those things is that both countries celebrate Thanksgiving – one, on one given day, and the other, on another given day – each year. Read more
Oct 5
Buckle Up Brown Betty – Cobbler’s On The Way
Whether you call it a Buckle, a Brown Betty or a Cobbler, the end result is the same……yummy deliciousness!
Read more
Oct 4
Simply Roasted – You Can Do It, We Can Help
One of the easiest and tastiest ways to prepare any food is roasting it. But too often people are afraid of this method of cooking. It may well be because we have all attended dinners or banquets where we were served the proverbial “rubber chicken”…a dry tasteless, tough, piece of meat. If you are suffering from a fear of roast chicken, your Two Chums are here to help with that 🙂 Read more
Oct 3
Divine Chicken Divan
OK, if you follow Two Chums everyday, by now you’ve realized this is “Chicken Week”. Today is the third installment in a week long line up of simple and tasty things you can make for dinner using chicken. Today it is Chicken Divan:)
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Oct 2
Chicken To Share
About 25+ years ago, my husband Randy and I, were at dinner with some great friends at an Asian restaurant in Beverly Hills. We hadn’t seen each other in several months, so as often happens, we were much more intent on catching up with each other than on reviewing the menu and selecting our dinner choices.
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Oct 1
All’s Well That Ends Well
Today I want to share with you one of my family’s favorite meals…..Chicken Stroganoff, a lighter version of the more well known beef stroganoff. It is simple to prepare, can be made several days ahead of the time you plan to serve it, (it just gets better as it sits), and is one of those meals that after tasting it, people always request to have the recipe. The way I happened to make it came about in one of those happy mishaps life sometimes gives us 🙂
Sep 25
He “Popped” The Question!
Did you know that other than June, the most popular month to get married is October? Maybe you or someone you know is getting married this Fall or having an engagement party or celebrating an anniversary. If so, we have some fun ideas for treats to serve your guests.
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Sep 14
Sweet Endings
Now who doesn’t love a chocolate chip cookie? Everyone has their favorite recipe and if they don’t have a special one they defer to the one on the back of the bag of Nestle’s Toll House chocolate chips. It is a good recipe, but I think there is a better one.
Read more
Sep 12
Happy Beginnings
Nothing sets the tone for a lovely evening like some yummy hors d’oeuvres to start your party when you are hosting family and friends. And if they happen to be really easy to make and easy to eat….well …all the better 🙂
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Sep 7
Sweet Work – Key Lime Pie
A picture is worth a thousand words….if you like Key Lime Pie you’ll love this recipe. It is quite simply the best!
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Sep 3
Hot Dog It’s Labor Day
Labor Day is a legal national holiday dating back to the end of the nineteenth century. It has evolved into a general “last fling of summer” festival.
It started as a parade in honor of the working class by the Knights of Labor in 1882 in New York. The parade was held on the first Monday in September and was designated by them as Labor Day as it has continued to be known.
All over this country today, people will be having cookouts and celebrate the holiday with hot dogs. Where you are living in this great country of ours will dictate just what kind of dogs you will enjoy 🙂
Aug 31
A Potpourri of Shortcake
All this week we have brought you a “potpourri” of subjects. We want to finish out this week with a recipe that will allow you to make a potpourri of shortcakes.
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Aug 24
Fall Fiesta
Summer is almost over, a new season is starting, and school is back in session! As you know, your Two Chums firmly believe in celebrating the good and so what better time to do just that? We are celebrating the wonderful time we have had all summer and all that the months ahead have in store. Read more
Aug 22
Pack It With Love
Maybe the hardest thing about back to school for all mothers is packing lunches….particularly if you happen to have a picky eater.
