Art of Natural Living

Sicilian Steak: Italian Dining at Home

By Inger Nov 12, 2022 Cooking & Recipes, Main Dish 26 Comments

Coated in Italian bread crumbs and sauteed in olive oil, Sicilian Steak is a tasty but simple entrée.  You can even use bargain round steak!

SIcilian Steak

When I look back at the fine dining in my youth, there are a couple of Italian restaurants that come to mind.  There, amid the wine, pasta and glowing candles, a favorite entrée was Sicilian Steak, also known as Steak Siciliano. 

Perfectly seasoned, breaded and cooked to the diner’s personal idea of perfection, it was a tender and flavorful dinner entrée. Read more

Iced Gingerbread Bars

By Inger Nov 11, 2022 Christmas, Cookies & Candies 15 Comments

Soft and chewy, with a rich spice flavor, Iced Gingerbread Bars are an old-fashioned cookie that will rock your holiday cookie tray. And for more tasty cookies, check out the #ChristmasCookies week recipes from my friends below.

Iced Gingerbread Bars

The holidays can be a fun time to reminisce.  Yes, pull up a chair and remind your cousin how pregnant she was a few Christmases ago.   And, of course, if you’re a food blogger, the memories will certainly include food!   

In my youth, Grandma’s Iced Gingerbread Bars were a highlight of the season.  But after she died, no one had made then successfully.  Including me.

But this year I was determined.  With notes from my previous failures and a tip from my mother, I finally got it. 

My husband was delighted.  With their soft homespun goodness and mildly sweet spiced flavor, even this non-sweet-eater was soon a (raving) fan.  I did make him save the last two for me!  Read more

Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies

By Inger Nov 8, 2022 Cookies & Candies, Cooking & Recipes 21 Comments

Crisp and buttery with a hint of tartness, these tasty Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies will brighten up your holiday cookie tray.  And be sure to check out the end of the post for more #Christmascookies week recipes from my blogging friends!

cranberry orange shortbread cookies

Sometime, don’t you just need a simple recipe that can do double duty?  Yes, that’s what I like about these Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies.  The tasty treats are simple to make but you can also change up their look with very little effort.  Read more

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