One last post before Christmas. We made these wintery cupcakes using a Trader Joe's gingerbread baking mix as the base, adding some grated carrot to mix to moisten the cake and give them a little more texture. A simple lemon buttercream frosting with some sugary sprinkles and rosemary sprigs make them extra special Christmas treats. Find the recipe below. I hope your Christmas is magical! Until then...
Read MoreIt's a little strange not to be hosting any of the holidays this year. Our new home, with it's small rooms and circuitous floor plan, walls yet to be knocked down and made open, simply can't hold a lot of folks for entertaining.
Read MoreI like smorgasbord style eating, lots of options, everyone getting to pick what they like for their plate. One such meal we do this with is Mediterranean mezze. Easy to throw together, it can be composed of store-bought hummus, canned dolmas, kalamata olives, pre-made falafal, and tabouli, and pita. You don't really need to cook anything at all and you have a feast on your hands. But if you have time, I recommend you do one thing from scratch, make fresh pita bread. Like pizza dough, it takes very little skill or cook time, and the result is so much better than store-bought; it's soft, spongy, and flavorful. Here's how I make it...
Read MoreSeptember in Petaluma means chilly mornings, followed by sweltering afternoon sun. The leaves are starting to yellow, the grass is a pale gold, and it's apple time. I suddenly feel the desire to make heartier fall food, but it's so hot by dinnertime I can't stand to be in the kitchen. Yesterday I took advantage of the cool morning and made some things ahead of time, a few Asian takes on picnic food, using sweet and bitter vegetables, and some stuffed eggs with a little wasabi kick. Good served cold as lunch food, the salad can also be warmed up and served with pork or chicken at dinner, or with a poached egg over top like everything I seem to make...
Read MoreOh mason jar. If you weren't so darn useful I'd be sick of you by now. This summer we spent an incredible amount of time at home, tearing things down, building them up. One week we did decide to get away and disappeared into the woods for some camping by the Russian River. It was a test to see if we are all ready to rough it together in a tent with nothing but fire to cook our food.
Read MoreMake + Haus is the new name and online home for the blog Poppy Haus. Established in 2011, the blog archive now contains hundreds of original design projects and whole food recipes, many featured on the likes of Apartment Therapy, Martha Stewart, Design*Sponge, Curbly, and Epicurious.
