http://www.thepickyapple.com/blog Foods and Such Sat, 19 Jul 2008 14:50:13 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en The Picky Apple won't eat bananas by themselves, but he WILL eat banana muffins.  Although we have our tried and true Banana Crunch Muffin recipe, I wanted to find another banana bread or muffin recipe for a little banana variety.  We've had lots of extra ripe bananas around here lately ... http://www.thepickyapple.com/blog/2008/07/15/banana-crumb-muffins/ This recipe is based loosely on Emeril's recipe for Penne a La Vodka Casserole.  Emeril's recipe includes hot Italian sausage, and if you like Italian sausage, this is a great recipe (with or without the vodka).  Although we enjoyed Emeril's original recipe, The Picky Apple and I aren't big fans ... http://www.thepickyapple.com/blog/2008/07/12/ricotta-pasta-casserole/ This is a recipe I've had on my "to bake" list for quite some time now.  It started when my husband gave me the Sticky Chewy Messy Gooey cookbook by JIll O' Connor for Valentine's Day this year.  This cookbook is full of yummy looking desserts, but this one in ... http://www.thepickyapple.com/blog/2008/07/10/cheesecake-pops/ I hate meatloaf.  There, I said it.  Believe me, I want to like it.  Meatloaf is one of those classic American comfort foods, and from what I've heard, it goes great with mashed potatoes (which I love).  I have tried a handful of different meatloaf recipes, but to no avail.  ... http://www.thepickyapple.com/blog/2008/07/03/tex-mex-meatloaf/ I had my first-ever fish tacos a few weeks ago, and absolutely LOVED them.  Why didn't anybody clue me in on these any sooner?!  I ordered them again at a different restaurant a week later and loved them even more.  Coincidentally, shortly after both of those delicious dining experiences, the ... http://www.thepickyapple.com/blog/2008/06/26/baja-fish-tacos/ I finally made it to the store and attempted to make the Pecan Honey Sticky Buns again.  This time, the dough came together nicely.  The smell of these sticky buns baking was absolutely AMAZING!  No candle, potpourri or other fragrance can replicate that scent, though I do love to burn ... http://www.thepickyapple.com/blog/2008/05/29/pecan-honey-sticky-buns-part-2/ This week's Tuesdays With Dorie recipe for Pecan Honey Sticky Buns was selected by Madam Chow of Madam Chow's Kitchen.  The sticky buns are made from a brioche dough.  This was my first attempt at making both brioche and sticky buns, though I've made many a cinnamon roll before.  I ... http://www.thepickyapple.com/blog/2008/05/27/pecan-honey-sticky-buns-part-1/ Over the last few years, I have experimented with many different variations of stuffed shells.  Stuffed shells is one of my favorite dishes to serve to company, along with caesar salad, garlic bread, wine, and something chocolatey for dessert.  My previous attempts at stuffed shells included some combination of ground ... http://www.thepickyapple.com/blog/2008/05/26/chicken-and-spinach-stuffed-shells/ Shortbread is quickly becoming one of my favorite things to bake.  It has become one of my go-to egg-free desserts.  I used to think that shortbread was boring and plain and tended to skip right past most shortbread recipes.  But now recipes for shortbread catch my eye.  Now I can't ... http://www.thepickyapple.com/blog/2008/05/20/brown-sugar-pecan-shortbread-cookies/ This week's Tuesday's with Dorie has turned in to Thursdays with Dorie, for me anyway.  I apologize for the delay.  We had a busy weekend, as I'm sure many of you did, and Tuesday was here before I knew it.  I should have planned ahead a little more.  Over the ... http://www.thepickyapple.com/blog/2008/05/15/florida-pie/