Ellipsis Weekend Cooking... Graveyard Cake

 

Southern Living - Graveyard Cake - Recipe

"Halloween is what you bake of it."

~Unknown

How cute is that cake? I love it, and I have to bake it!

Now, I know this is usually all about the cooking, but I want to add something else to the mix. As you may or may not have noticed, I have been posting only a couple days a week. The thing is... I need to take it easy for the next couple weeks. The election is getting to me, and October is getting to me, my health is getting to me more than I wish it was, and as if all that isn't quite enough, Joey has been a little under the weather. He's been losing weight. We already took him to see Dr. B. and we are going to watch his weight for a couple weeks, and then go from there. It's all just a lot right now. So, I chose my two favorite days of the week for my blog, Saturdays and Tuesdays, and I've decided to focus on them. What, me, give up my eternal search for the best recipes? And me, give up on movies? Nope, not at any price! So, for the next few weeks, I will only be posting a couple days a week. Don't give up on me, I will be back in full bloggy glory soon. Until then, enjoy!

Bone Appetite!

Ellipsis Weekend Cooking... Spider Bread

It's Always Autumn blog

Spider Bread Dip Bowl - It's Always Autumn - Recipe
 

"October proved a riot, a riot of the senses

 and climaxed those giddy last weeks before Halloween."

~Keith Donohoe

How fun is that? A spider shaped bread, with yummy dip in the middle! I wish I had tried this at some point, but all I did when I was making bread shapes was turtles and teddy bears, so I am looking forward to making this! I don't really have anyone over for Halloween, I am usually out watching people, or I am home ready to hand out candy, so this spider might make an appearance as a football game day appetizer. It's all good, right? This recipe uses frozen bread dough, which is perfectly wonderful, but I like putting my bread maker to work, by making my own dough that I can customize. Again, it's all good! Scary... but good. There was a day when I couldn't get near ANYTHING that was spider shaped, but as an autumn leaf peeper, you learn to deal with it!

Don't forget the dip!

Spinach, Artichoke, and Yogurt Dip New York Times - Recipe

Bone Appetite!

Ellipsis Weekend Cooking... Halloween #2

 

Mac-O-Lantern and Cheese Bowls - Food Network - Recipe

"Halloween can never be a negative, it celebrates the imagination. Everyone is smiling, you see more of your community and neighbors than any other time, it makes people believe, young and old, that the world might be a kind, friendly, and helpful place on their journey."

~Stewart Stafford

Aren't those peppers just the cutest little things? Fun as an appetizer or for your little ones for lunch, in the days leading up to every kids favorite holiday... Halloween! I never grew up, I am still such a nerd for Halloween, so much so that I should go trick-or-treating as a box of Nerds! Anyhoo, Halloween is my favorite holiday, and I plan to make my famous Macaroni and Cheese, and put it in these cute peppers! I just need some fun, I am a good bit stressed out, have been since I got sick a few weeks back, and not helping my mood is... well... you know who. So, I am embracing the silly, and delicious! Election day is coming, and the stress is only going to get worse, but thank God, there's food, and creativity to see us through!

Here is a wonderful article from New York Times Cooking, about how to make an amazing Mac and Cheese. It includes tips and a video. Just perfect for those cute little pepper tureens!

New York Times Cooking

Bone Appetite

Ellipsis Weekend Cooking... Halloween Part #1 Pumpkin Soup

 

Pumpkin soup - The Pioneer Woman - Recipe

"It's all just a bunch of hocus pocus."

~Max

Hocus Pocus

Hey, a ghoul's gotta eat. That being said, I am just fine with making this month, October, all about Halloween eats. Starting up... Pumpkin soup, one of my favorites! I love, love love to make soup. It's so easy to make something truly decadent, and of course soups are so versatile, both in ingredients, and time of day served! So, pumpkin soup seems like the best bet for the busy days of autumn! And to go with it, how about some wonderful, Golden Pumpkin Dinner Rolls, from, King Arthur Flour? Goodness, my mouth is watering! I must go eat now!

Bone appetite 

Golden Pumpkin Dinner Rolls - King Arthur Flour - Recipe

Ellipsis Weekend Cooking... Caramel Apples

 

Free Use From Pexels ( Maria Tyutina )

"If I don't get a candy apple, you'll see my resting witch face."

~Unknown

It's autumn. What better way then to make something deliciously decadent to celebrate? How about Caramel Apples? I love them, so why not? Once upon a time I had a lot of fun making them, but stopped as I grew older, it just seemed like the thing to do. But hell's bells, I am 64 now, and I can make what the hell ever I want to, and right now, I want to make caramel apples. Period. Full Stop! One of my favorite recipe sites, Sally's Baking Addiction, has a really great sounding caramel apple recipe, and she is even including a nifty video on how to do it! So, tell me, do you put sprinkles on the finished project, or do you leave the apples plain?

Sally's Baking Addiction - Homemade Caramel Apples

If you prefer candy apples the, New York Times ,

has a recipe that makes my mouth water!

Ellipsis Weekend Cooking... Panera Bread's Turkey & Artichoke Panini (Hack)

 

Panera Bread's Turkey & Artichoke Panini - Food.com - Recipe

"No matter how I spun it, my life became a lazy Susan of shit sandwiches."

~Jennifer Welch

Life is a Lazy Susan of Shit Sandwiches:

 Advice, Inspiration And Laughter From The, I've Had It Podcasts

This cute sandwich is anything other than a shit sandwich! Oh my, Panera Bread, you are my weakness... well actually... you were my weakness. Alas, I can no longer afford you, but with a little creativity, we don't have to necessarily give up on each other. It's not like I don't understand why everything has gotten unbelievably expensive, I know why... you know... why... but what's a girl to do? There is no fixing it. So, thank you Food.com., for providing me with this hack, it's greatly appreciated! I love Panini sandwiches and, as a matter of fact, I own my own panini press, and I don't use it enough! So this is on my list of Paninis to make the autumn, as we make our way throughout football season! Try sourdough pizza paninis sometime, they will rock your world! But this little sandwich sounded good that it will be my next delish kitchen science experiment! 

Yum!

Ellipsis Weekend Cooking... The Last Of Summer Eats

 

Blackberry Smash Sweet Tea - Pioneer Woman - Recipe

"Hard work should be rewarded by good food."

~Ken Follet

It's the first weekend in September, which means it is Labor Day weekend, the last official holiday weekend of summer, 2026! So, lets end summer on a delicious note, shall we? It's been a strange summer, as food goes, but it's time to put all the gloom and doom aside, and take a bite of some amazing recipes. I hope you will enjoy the recipes I have come up with! They sound amazing to me.

Grilled Lemon Chicken Dijon - Food Network - Recipe

Creamy Gold Potato Salad - NYT - Recipe

Zucchini-Peach Salad With Creamy Lime dressing - NYT - Recipe

That should make for a delicious Labor Day meal, and it's a lot more fun than the usual menus of Hot Dogs and Hamburgers! 

 Enjoy your holiday!

Ellipsis Weekend Cooking... Gordon Ramsay's Focaccia Pizza

 

Sheet Pan Focaccia Pizza With Crush San Marzanos And Mozzarella

 - Gordon Ramsay - Recipe

I am a little under the weather today, but this sounds too good to pass up! I pretty much watch all of Gordon Ramsay's cooking shows, even Kitchen Nightmares. I have learned a lot from him about cooking from him. 

Clean, simple, delicious. 

Follow the links and enjoy!

Honeycomb Cake - Gordon Ramsay - Recipe

Ellipsis Weekend Cooking... One-Pot Roman Chicken Cacciatore With Potatoes

 

One-Pot Roman Chicken Cacciatore With Potatoes - NYT - Recipe

"The only real stumbling black is fear of failure.

 In cooking you have to have a what-the-hell attitude"

~Julia Child

While all the stupid, and dangerous, food recalls continue to rage, I am finding myself craving comfort food, and for me that means Italian food! Pastas, olives, and hearty Italian dishes of all kinds, usually make my soul happy! I love fresh salads and seasonal fruits, but I decided I am going to ignore my love of berries, lettuces and assorted fresh vegetables, for now. I did, however, find a salad that sounds fresh and enjoyable and that seems like it will pair nicely with this recipe. 

Melon Salad With Nectarines, Tomatoes And Basil - NYT - Recipe

And lets not forget dessert!

Lemon Ricotta Cake - NYT - Recipe

 or

Intense Chocolate Mousse Cake - NYT - Recipe

And now for a little fun, the Swedish Chef

 demonstrates how to make Chocolate Mousse!

Don't try this at home!

Ellipsis Weekend Cooking... Macarons

 

Chocolate Macarons - NYT - Recipe

"I lean against the window, biting into the delicate macaron. It feels like I'm drinking a lightly sweetened, warm cup of green tea, sprinkled withe a tiny contentment spell, one of mom's specialties."

~ Julie Abe

The Charmed List

The photo above is mine, those gorgeous macarons are not. Well, I mean, I didn't make them, I bought them. Costco, had a sale on them several years ago, and I was hooked! The brand, Le Chic Pâtissier, was reasonably priced, as it was right before Easter, and they make a beautiful addition for Easter afternoon tea, or for a quiet moment when you just have to turn off the noise, and decompress. I have learned to make all kinds of sweets, but I have always been a bit intimidated when it comes to learning about making them myself. But, Sally's Baking Addiction, one of my go-to sites for baking, has a marvelous step by step recipe and guide to follow and it sounds enjoyable. Also, Harry and David, has a recipe for Halloween Macarons that will have me in a sufficiently spooky mood by the time my favorite holiday arrives!

Americas Test Kitchen

The Ultimate Guide To Making Macarons

Just remember, a Macaroon is not a Macaron!

Ellipsis Weekend Cooking... Chicken Wings And Their Sauces

 Epicurious - Dr. Pepper Barbeque Sauce - Recipe

Football season is almost here, so it's time to try something new... Chicken wings with different sauces. I have always wanted to try Dr. Pepper BBQ Sauce, but the ever lazy me, always opted for my favorite bottled sauces. Frank's Red Hot Sauces, and Original Bullseye BBQ. But as good as they are, how boring is it that I didn't think out of the box once in a while? Well, there's no better time then right now, right? So, in an effort to jazz things up, here are a few sauces I plan to try. Chicken wings and ribs will be a much happier experience I think. But lets be clear, it will take quite the sauce to unseat Buffalo as my favorite for chicken! I'll update this post if I find one that does!

These recipes, from here and there, sound wonderfully delicious!

Simply Whisked - Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings - Recipe

Don't Go Bacon My Heart - Sweet & Sour Chicken Wings - Recipe

Urban Bakes - Spicy Maple Chicken Wings - Recipe

Sticky Orange Glazed Chicken Wings - Sanderson Farms - Recipe

Food Network - Cranberry Glazed Chicken Wings - Recipe

Nutmeg Nanny - Apple Butter Chicken Wings - Recipe

Food Network - Creole Mustard Chicken Wings - Recipe

Food 52 - Sticky Pomegranate - Chicken Wings - Recipe

Delish - Spicy Apricot Glazed Wings - Recipe

Delish - Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings - Recipe

Delish - Sunkist Wings - Recipe

Delish - Balsamic Glazed Wings - Recipe

That should be a good start. So off I go to plan. Goodness, I am hungry!

Ellipsis Weekend Cooking... Ice Cream!

 

One-Ingredient Banana Ice Cream NYT - Recipe

"Never ask a woman, eating ice cream straight out of the carton, how she's doing."
~Unknown'

We are quickly approaching the midpoint of summer. This year it falls on August 6th. So, it's time to brush up on some ice cream recipes. I have a wonderful Cuisinart Ice Cream and yogurt maker, that I bought in the mid 90's, and it's still going strong! We have made some unique, and really delicious flavors. I have a Ben and Jerry's ice cream cookbook, and the cantaloup and chocolate mint flavors always come out perfect! I have tried most of their recipes, so I want to movie on to recipes I haven't thought of trying, and of course, New York Times Cooking does provide! Here is a link to a model similar to mine. I am fairly sure my 30 year old one has been retired. If you don't have your own ice cream machine, I recommend Cuisinart. But full disclosure, Cuisinart is my go to for most of my small product machines.

Don't these recipes for ice cream and sorbet sound delicious?

Mango Soft Serve - NYT - Recipe

Melon-Mint Sorbet - NYT - Recipe

Peach Ice Cream - NYT - Recipe

Summer Berry Ice Cream - NYT - Recipe

Mmmmmmmmm!