All Posts By Reina Alvarado

Wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter. Family is the most important part of my life and as such food is what makes them happy! My dad is Cuban-American, my mother is of German /Norwegian descent, I'm married to a hunk of a Guatemalan, have Columbian and Mexican daughters-in-law, and grandchildren that are a mix of them all! I have found that I love flavors and textures from all cultures and love to experiment and blend them when possible. I believe cooking and baking is a family affair and should be shared and passed down from generation to generation.

Showing 6 Result(s)

Old-Time Maple Gingerbread

When fall gets close you start hearing of all things pumpkin spice.  One of those warming spices included in pumpkin spice is ginger.  Ginger is versatile and can be used in savory and sweet cuisine, it has many health benefits, including aiding digestion.  Traditionally in the fall and around the holidays, gingerbread cookies are a mainstay.  This maple gingerbread is a wonderful way to get your gingerbread fix.  It’s simple and easy and bakes up in less than an hour.  Drizzle the warmed maple hard sauce over it and you have a great finish to any meal.

Apricot Coconut Balls

No-bake snacks and desserts are great to keep on hand for busy days and hungry kids (or husbands).  This one is great because it is quick and simple, with only 3 ingredients.  The dried apricots are just tart enough to balance out the sweetness of the coconut and condensed milk. Have fun and dress them up with powdered sugar or drizzle with melted chocolate.  YUM!

Pagan-Wiiagiminan (Maple Nuts)

Nuts are healthy and filling.  They are versatile and can be eaten as a snack, appetizer, or mixed into a main or side dish.  Personally, I love nuts, I haven’t tasted one I don’t like.  Here is a simple way to lightly sweeten nuts with maple sugar.  The results are lightly sweetened walnuts and hazelnuts that are hard to stop eating.  The leftover syrup tastes great over pancakes or can be used anywhere else you would use maple syrup.

Apple Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Glaze

Fresh apples are crisp and sweet and hit the spot on a hot day. I love to go apple picking in mid-summer and throughout fall each year.  I usually find that I have brought home too many for my family to eat while ripe.  If that happens to you or you are just in the mood for an easy apple snack or dessert this cake is for you.  It makes a great breakfast too, with coffee!    It is moist and tender and filled with nuggets of apple yumminess.  It is good by itself but the glaze offers a wonderful …

Easy 5 Minute Chocolate Mint Fudge

Fudge is a traditional American dessert.  It comes in all flavors and textures.  It’s fun to eat but not always fun to make.  Here is a quick and simple way to make fudge without all the hassle of candy thermometers and stand mixers.  Just 5 minutes to cook and you are on your way to fudge utopia.  Have fun and mix it up with your own flavors and textures.  It’s sure to be a favorite that will last generations.