I’ve been given the affectionate nickname of “Bread Head” by my boyfriend, Chris, because at any meal where there’s fresh baked bread I happily eat seconds, thirds, and fourths of JUST BREAD. As a kid I would even barter with classmates at school lunch to get extra dinner rolls. So after having a lifetime love of bread, I’ve realized just how easy (and how much tastier) it is to make… Keep Reading
I love Mules because they’re so simple to throw together, the variations are endless, and they’re always just crisp and refreshing with that bubbly ginger beer finish. I’ve seen a few variations of these Apple Cider Moscow Mules and planned to add pomegranate and all these other flavors, but honestly the plain Jane version is where it’s at. Just 4 ingredients and easy to double or triple the recipe when… Keep Reading
I’ve been on a roll with making soups lately and can you blame me? Once the cold weather hits, all you want is something delicious that warms your bones and this Spicy Cilantro Lime Sweet Potato Soup does just the trick. This is also one of the easiest soup that I’ve made to date. The sweet potato, onion, and red bell pepper get roasted to perfection in the oven while… Keep Reading
I sometimes day dream about this fantasy day off where I can spend all day just making one delicious and visually stunning dessert.. particularly a pie. The reality is that my days off are so packed full/interrupted/sometimes non-existent, I have to really maximize my time and choose recipes that are going to be quick and easy for you to make too. I also have baked and blogged long enough to… Keep Reading
I’ll admit it right now.. I’ve always been a winter hater. Waking up extra early to scrape about an inch of ice off your windshield, white knuckle driving icy/snowy roads, negative temperatures that give you a brain freeze when you step outside… I can keep going, but I think you get the picture. We got our first taste of what’s to come when it snowed a few days before Halloween…. Keep Reading
We’re in the season of all things pumpkin (not to worry.. this hummus isn’t pumpkin spice flavored) and I couldn’t think of a better fall snack than this Garlic Rosemary Pumpkin Hummus! Made with pumpkin puree, goat cheese, fresh garlic, and rosemary.. it’s extra smooth, rich, and loaded with fall flavors. I topped mine off with extra olive oil, goat cheese crumbles, and toasted pumpkin seeds for a little crunch…. Keep Reading
Sometimes you want your burger to be a little bit extra, but rather than pay for a jazzed up version from a restaurant, there’s a few simple elements you can add for a different take on the traditional hamburger. There’s also no need to own a grill to make these sliders since they cook up in a cast iron skillet in a matter of minutes. Although that smoky grill flavor… Keep Reading
My garden this year was delayed by Spring rains and moving into the house, so here it is mid-September and I’ve got an abundance of green tomatoes still on the vine. I’m incredibly impatient, so I put them to use in this fresh and Spicy Green Tomato Bloody Mary mix! Cooked down with fresh herbs also from the garden and then pureed, this non-traditional concoction is bright with flavor and… Keep Reading
Today might be the official launch of pumpkin spice everything, but I wanted to leave my summer lovers with one last cocktail to enjoy the end of the season with. A mix of fresh pineapple, lime, basil, and mint steeped in white wine and rum for several days makes for a fruity and potent summer sangria. I topped mine off with a little champagne for a nice crisp finish and… Keep Reading
I haven’t attempted to grow any berries yet in my summer garden, but I think next year is the year because I want to make berry sorbets all summer long! The best part is that you have to freeze the berries anyway so you can make this long after the growing season has ended. I added in a basil syrup for a sweet herb flavor and it was the perfect… Keep Reading
Last year I grew tomatillos for the first time and was quite surprised at how many just one plant can produce. Not knowing that before I planted though, I had started FIVE plants. I made tons of salsa verde and used them in chilis, but I was starting to run out of recipes. Everyone always raves about fried green tomatoes so I thought, why not fried green tomatillos? I made… Keep Reading
Turmeric has long been revered as a powerful medicinal herb with it’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. So why not mix this wonder ingredient into a potent cocktail so you can get your health benefits while enjoying a drink or two? Not only did the turmeric lend a bright and beautiful hue to this drink, but it provided some bright and bold flavor as well. I started with fresh ginger muddled… Keep Reading
I don’t really care if it’s a total cliche to do a carrot cake recipe around Easter because it’s a cliche delicious enough to keep perpetuating. Rather than stress about the perfectly formed cake or cupcake, then frosting, and decorating it, I chose to disassemble it into these easy to make dessert cups. A handful of bite size spiced carrot cake pieces topped with an airy whipped cream cheese frosting,… Keep Reading
Spring tends to be a little late here in the Midwest, so instead of waiting for all the spring blooms, I added them to my cocktails instead! Suspended in ice, the flower buds and petals add a nice pop of color in this bright and citrusy cocktail I mixed up. I started out with a small batch of homemade lemon and thyme infused vodka, added a bit of simple syrup… Keep Reading
When I found myself with one whole day off, I thought I would create several new dishes, spend the rest of the afternoon editing, and then maybe get a few house projects accomplished. No such luck… This is the day our dog showed up. I had just finished photographing this dish when I spotted a dog in our backyard and then spent the next several hours trying to find her… Keep Reading
It’s taken me a little bit longer than I thought to get settled and find routine in the new house. My days off are now being consumed with house projects (which you can see more of over on Instagram!) and trying to squeeze in some face time with friends and family. When my plate is full and the juggle struggle is real, a good strong drink at the end of… Keep Reading
A few years back I did a cookbook review for Taste of Home’s Simple & Delicious Cookbook and I recently rediscovered it while I was packing. I had dog-eared the pages of tons of recipes I wanted to cook and decided to revisit a few of them for inspiration. One was for a simple appetizer of cranberry-brie tartlets where they used pre-made refrigerated crescent rolls. Since my days off have… Keep Reading
I created this cocktail toward the end of summer, but it turned out so pretty and romantic looking that I thought I would save it for February. Not only does it look like Valentine’s Day in cocktail form, but as sweet and pretty as this cocktail looks, it packs a mean punch of heat that’s perfect for staying warm on these chilly February days. I mixed my own habanero infused… Keep Reading
Valentines Day is just a few days away and if you want to skip the crowded restaurants and impress your partner with a simple, but restaurant quality dinner at home instead, I’ve got just the dish! Not only does this walnut crusted salmon cost a fraction of what you’d pay for it in a restaurant, but it’s surprisingly quick and easy to throw together and can be prepped the night… Keep Reading
I shared a sneak peek at this Bloody Mary creation via Instagram and the response was mostly a lot of expletives and excitement, which I interpreted as a good thing! I don’t mess around when it comes to Bloody Marys and creating this one was no exception. I switched up my usual homemade Bloody mix by adding balsamic vinegar, olive juice, Italian seasoning, and homemade basil infused vodka, which complemented… Keep Reading
Ever since our trip to Italy I’ve been craving a big plate of decadent buttery seafood and pasta.. and of course wine.. and beautiful views.. and listening to everyone speak in perfect Italian. But since I won’t be venturing back to Italy this year I opted to at least satisfy my cravings for the pasta, seafood, and wine! I’m happy to say that this dish did the trick and the… Keep Reading
At the end of fall I couldn’t bear to part with my garden, so I transplanted some of my herbs into pots that now have a happy and warm home in front of my window. The Italian flat leaf parsley was starting to get a little crazy because I really just don’t cook with it all that often. I challenged myself to look for recipes where parsley was more than… Keep Reading
With the wintry weather, I’ve had quite the craving for bright citrus flavors, fresh herbs, and a good strong drink. Heavy emphasis on the “good strong drink” part since I’ve found myself getting towed or pushed out of a ditch twice in the last week. My poor little Corolla that I lovingly refer to as Carol, slid off into a small ditch on our gravel road leaving my tires about… Keep Reading
If you haven’t embraced cauliflower into your life yet maybe this will be the post that makes you do it! I never used to be a fan of it myself, but after learning how to make it taste like hot wings.. I was sold! For a good throwback recipe you can see what I’m talking about here. I decided to challenge myself with THREE new flavor variations and the best… Keep Reading