A delicious cake flavored with oranges, topped with rich cream cheese and orange frosting.

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Serve them warm or cool, with some whipped cream or ice cream on the side. Enjoy!

What you need (makes about 12 mini tarts):
4 rose pink colored baking apples — I used Honeycrisp
2 Tbsp dark brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon powder
1 tsp butter
Juice of a 2 lemons
A pinch of salt
Pie crust dough, ready or homemade (my homemade recipe is

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Over the weekend, cake artists showed off their skills at a show in Everett. The results are stunning. These cakes are so spectacular it almost seems it would be a sin to eat them. The creations cover the scale: whimsical, elegant, charming. Some even seem to defy gravity. The show was put on by the Washington State Sugar Artists.



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You don't have to take to the streets to get summer-time street food. Make your favorite food truck-fare right at home with this recipe for pork tacos: Tender shreds of pork shoulder topped with avocado pico de gallo on a warm corn tortilla and served with homemade salsa.

It's a two-part recipe that combines a lot of ingredients, but it's well worth the work.

TRUCK-STYLE PORK TACOS...

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A light and colorful salad with a mouthful of flavors. It is sure to delight all your five senses!

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If your family is like mine, Easter eggs go straight into the fridge after you color them. The lucky ones might turn into deviled eggs, others might go to waste.

Don't let it happen this year. Make your Easter eggs into the next day's breakfast with recipes you might not have thought of. They're a bit on the heavy side, but it's not too late to use the holiday as an excuse. Try one of these out:

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It's that in-between time of year: too late for football-season finger foods, but too early to break out the barbeque.

Solution? Use this game-day inspired recipe to tide you over. It's quick, it's simple and it's just the right amount of spicy.

Bacon-wrapped jalapenos

10 large jalapeno peppers
2 8-ounce packages cream cheese
10 strips thick-cut...

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Can't decide between cookies or cupcakes? Try this hybrid desert.

It's a simple chocolate cupcake layered with buttercream frosting that's packed with cookie crumbles and topped with an Oreo.

Here's what you'll need: (Makes 16 cupcakes)

Simple chocolate cupcakes

1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, room...

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Here's one to convert your kids: Sweet, smoky bacon piled over tender Brussels sprouts that soak up the candy flavor. It takes a little prep, but once it's out of the pan and on your plate, you'll be glad you took the time.

Here's what you'll need: (Serves about 4)

5 slices thick-cut bacon
2 to 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon cooking oil,...

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Here are cupcakes sandwiched in pineapple tidbits, pineapple syrup and cream, then topped off with loads of cream, and garnished with a cherry, voila!

What you need: Makes 12 cupcakes

For the cake
1 1/2 cups...

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A traditional tiramisu it is not, but tastes pretty much like it. This is my little invention of cupcakes soaked in coffee and coffee liquor, and topped off with coffee liquor cream. The little divine dessert is placed in dark chocolate shells for added flavor and taste. Now all that is left is some drooling, and devouring. :-)

What you need: makes 12-14 cupcakes
1 cup flour
1 cup sugar
1 tsp baking powder

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Here are some fun platter ideas for the big day!

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Here is one simple way to enjoy delicious kale, a little bitter but good enough to bite into.

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This creamy mellow pilaf is just right to eat as is or in combination with a stir-fry or curry.

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What you need: Makes 4 wraps that can be cut into about 20 bites1-8oz pack of ready spinach artichoke dip or make from scratch1 cup sour cream4 large tortillas2 cups of colored peppers, diced1/2 cup of fresh cilantro finely choppedFor the artichoke dip:1 cup fresh spinach diced1 cup fresh artichoke hearts finely chopped1/2 cup cream cheese1/4 cup sour cream1/4 cup mayonnaise1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

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Yummy and just the right size for guilt free dessert indulging over the holidays.

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