Be sure to buy good-quality dried porcini mushrooms (with large white cross sections). Cheaper ones are dark and shriveled and have an overly pungent aroma, which will give the stew an off taste.
Of all the homemade food treats I gave to friends and family this season, the one that got rave reviews and disappeared all too quickly was this easy Graham Cracker Toffee.
Serve with Quick Chive Mashed Potatoes and Asparagus with Lemon and Pecorino. This quick braised dish tastes like it has been cooking for hours. We make 1/2-inch-deep cuts in the chicken to expedite the cook time.
For a great tasting weeknight dinner with lots of bold flavor, try Jerk Chicken and Stuffed Mini Bell Peppers. The mini bell peppers will be a big hit, and the creamy filling will help tame the heat of the jerk chicken.
Here's a delicious ice-cream recipe that doesn't require an ice-cream maker: Just stir the ingredients together, and freeze. Fold the whipped topping in with as few strokes as possible while making sure everything is well blended.
