If you grew up in Iowa then you’ve no doubt visited the Amana Colonies and all the lovely little shops throughout Amana. I went once as a kid and remember the famous giant rocking chair, watched someone weave a basket, and loaded up on a bag of cool colored stones. Not exactly Disneyworld or anything too exciting, but an experience nonetheless. I decided to visit again now that I’m older… Keep Reading
Clearly the weather is all over the place here in the Midwest because yesterday I was outside digging the beginnings of my garden in a lightweight flannel and now it’s in the 30’s and we’re anticipating snow over the next few days! Regardless of the weather I find myself always craving this soup, but it’s really perfect for those extra chilly days! This was an adaptation of my slow cooker… Keep Reading
While grocery shopping the other day I realized two things: 1. I needed a drink. 2. I needed a vacation. Seeing as that a vacation requires a bit more planning and money, I opted for the drink instead. I was torn between making a mojito or a moscow mule, so I sort of combined the two! I started by infusing the silver rum with a habanero for some heat and… Keep Reading
Iowa’s “heat wave” will be coming to an end this week, but you can stay warm with this sweet and spicy Tropical Heat Fruit Salsa I shared at Dream A Little Bigger!
I’m going to begin by saying that Valentine’s Day is not really my favorite. I’d much rather celebrate Galentine’s Day or a Treat Yo Self Day (can you tell I still marathon Parks & Rec on a regular basis?), but I suppose I can get behind the whole chocolate and dessert splurging that comes along with the day. Since I rarely celebrate it I decided this year I would go… Keep Reading
This week my Instagram and Pinterest feeds are full of things about the Super Bowl and recipes for game day, but while most are excited for the big game, I’m going to be totally honest with you.. I only get excited over the opportunity to snack and drink beer all day! Whatever your motivation is on Sunday, a good dip recipe is always essential to the party. I love crab… Keep Reading
I write this from the comfort of a warm bed after work was cancelled today. Iowa roads are a treacherous ice skating rink from freezing rain so here’s a hearty and comforting soup recipe to help warm you all up! This particular one is a combination between a bacon cheddar soup and my spicy butternut squash soup. Big chunks of bacon, zesty onion, and a blend of aged white cheddar… Keep Reading
Throughout 2016 there were times where I could barely keep up with the days and at other times it felt like this year would just never end. We’ve finally made it through though and whether you’re celebrating the phenomenal year you just had or looking forward to starting anew with 2017, I’ve got a delicious Pomegranate Citrus Champagne Cocktail for you to toast with! Fresh squeezed orange juice and pomegranate… Keep Reading
Hot Toddies are always a go-to when temperatures drop or you find yourself with a terrible cold that only spices, citrus, and a wee bit of bourbon can cure. With the weather feeling quite arctic here in the Midwest, I couldn’t think of a more perfect time to make one and Maker’s Mark must have read my mind when they asked me to participate in this year’s #MakeItTealicious Hot Tea-Toddy… Keep Reading
Every December I have this day dream of spending an entire day listening to classic Christmas music, putting up the tree, and baking and decorating hundreds of Christmas cookies. REALITY CHECK: I don’t have that kind of time in my schedule right now! Instead I came up with a quick and easy alternative that doubles as a DIY gift for friends and family.. hot chocolate spoons! It took me 20… Keep Reading
When I initially made this Peppermint Crunch Popcorn Mix I was mildly concerned that I had made far too much and I realize now what a silly notion that was. I’ve been catching myself snacking on this stuff for breakfast, all throughout the day, after dinner, and well.. right now! It’s sweet, salty, crunchy, pepperminty, festive, and clearly just a wee bit addicting! It makes a huge batch which is… Keep Reading
I know it’s only Wednesday, but I felt the need for a mid-week cocktail! Life has been throwing some stressful curve-balls my way and with the gloomy weather, it’s left me in a pre-holiday funk. I figured a strong margarita with some bright citrusy flavors would be in order to change things up. A spicy chili rim, fresh squeezed citrus, and a cilantro-mint simple syrup make for a beautifully bold… Keep Reading
You know I love to incorporate whatever I’m drinking with into my recipes, so for Thanksgiving this year I used Stone Brewing’s Stone Delicious IPA for a citrusy, buttery, and juicy bird! Head to the Stone Brewing Blog for the recipe!
With temperatures dropping this weekend here in the Midwest, I find myself already layered in sweaters, burrowed under blankets, and drinking all the tea and hot chocolate that I can. I know this is only the beginning and it’s going to get MUCH colder, so I’m stock piling on ingredients to make all of my favorite warm boozy drinks through those extra chilly winter days. Luckily this Spiked S’mores Hot… Keep Reading
After every Thanksgiving meal I do the classic belly pat and proclaim that now I’M a stuffed turkey and yet I still find myself going in for a second or third helping of mashed potatoes. I will ALWAYS have room for more mashed potatoes! Normally I keep my spuds pretty simple, but it’s amazing what a few changes can do to elevate these to being more than just a plain… Keep Reading
I made my first attempt at a galette (a French dessert that is basically the lazy person’s pie) and it was delicious! A crunchy flaky crust filled with spiced apples and drizzled in decadent caramel sauce! I took one small bite to taste test it and then wolfed down the rest of the slice in seconds! Get the recipe for this Whole Wheat Country Apple Galette with Caramel Sauce over at Dream A… Keep Reading
I feel like I’ve made about 20 different variations of banana bread, but I just can’t help it! I feel terrible pitching bananas into the trash when they’ve gotten too ripe so I always wind up making bread and trying to put a new spin on it. This combination is probably my favorite so far! When I picked up a seasonal pack of Blue Moon and spotted the new Chai… Keep Reading
With Halloween just a week away I couldn’t resist putting together another spooky cocktail using the Blackberry Infused Vodka I made last week. A little bit sweet and a little bit tart, this bubbly and blood red concoction is perfect for sipping graveside or making a big batch for your upcoming Halloween party!
I’ve seen recipes for pumpkin mac and cheese floating around for awhile, but I’ll admit I was a bit skeptical on the flavor aspect of it. I felt like I was in a cooking rut anyway so I decided to just go for it and I am so glad that I did! I wanted something slightly more grown up tasting than the traditional boxed macaroni and cheese, so I chose… Keep Reading
There’s nothing I love more than homemade liquor infusions. They’re easy and far more delicious than the fake-flavored store bought stuff. I polled some of you guys on Instagram and Twitter after sharing a photo of this Blackberry Infused Vodka that was in the works and you had some great flavor combinations and ideas that I’m looking forward to making in the future! This is just a really simple blackberry… Keep Reading
Halloween is hands down my favorite holiday of the year. I typically start my decorating for it in August.. that’s how much I love it! That also means I start watching all of the classics like Beetlejuice, Nightmare Before Christmas, and of course: Hocus Pocus! I channeled my inner Sanderson sister and brewed up a sweet and potent concoction I dubbed the Hocus Pocus Rum Cocktail that’s perfect for a… Keep Reading
I’m not exactly sure why I’m trying to stuff all of my food lately, so I do apologize for my second recipe in a row where it involves “stuffing” of some sort. Maybe because it’s getting colder and all I want to do is stuff my face? Regardless, I love making stuffed peppers, but I decided to forgo the traditional ground beef route and instead chose roasted sweet potatoes and… Keep Reading
Heading into the chilly winter months, I’m always craving warm comfort food and squash is a great and healthy way to satisfy that. I took roasted acorn squash and combined it with my apple and sausage stuffing recipe to create a fall flavored dish the whole family can enjoy!
I’ve held off on doing too many pumpkin recipes this season because it seems like every drink, dish, or dessert right now is pumpkin spice something or other, but now it’s time to unleash the pumpkin amazingness! If I could name this something else I would call it Dangerous Decadence, because that’s exactly what it is! It begins with a fluffy spiced pumpkin base and crunchy pecans baked right into… Keep Reading