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Recap posts
Instructional
Appetizers
Beverages
Breads & Muffins
Breakfast
Condiments
Desserts
Meat & Poultry
Pasta
Salads
Sandwiches
Seafood
Sides
Snacks
Soups
Vegetarian

Recap 
Top 7 Posts of 2017
As 2017 comes to a close, I thought I’d highlight a few of my favorite posts from 2017.  I hope this blog continues to provide inspiration for you in 2018! Please leave me a comment if there’s something you’d like to see more of in 2018!  I love a good cooking challenge, so I’d beRead more
Four Year Blogiversary Recap
Happy Blogiversary!  It’s hard to believe this little blog is 4 years old!  When I started this blog I had no idea if I’d enjoy it or how long I would keep it going.  So it’s quite astounding to me that I now have 445 recipes on here!  While there have definitely been times whenRead more
Happy Thanksgiving
I can’t believe Thanksgiving is this week.  This is my favorite holiday, but this year I’m approaching the holiday with a heavy heart.  I’ve tried so many times to write this blog post, but with all of the horrible things going on in the world it has been hard to speak light-heartedly about my ThanksgivingRead more
10 Fall Recipes for 2015
Fall is my favorite season.  I love the smell of fall, when the weather is cool and damp.  I love the first signs of fall on leaves on the sentinel trees in my childhood neighborhood, they were always the first indicators that fall was really here as the tips turned yellow, then vibrant orange.  AndRead more
2015 Summer Recipe Round-Up
The official start of summer totally passed me by!  But now that I’m done with my summer chemistry class I’m settling into the summer and thinking about all the things I want to do in the next two months.  I will hopefully be spending more time cooking delicious things and more time on my blog.Read more
Fall 2014 Recipe Round-Up
It’s officially fall!  The weather in MD has been absolutely beautiful, and I’ve already been doing my best to jump start fall activities:  apple picking, a corn maze, a bonfire, pumpkin spice lattes, and walks in this gorgeous fall weather. It’s also time to think about making some of my favorite fall recipes.  Check out lastRead more
Spring Recipe Round-up
We just got more snow on Monday, so I’m having a hard time believing that it’s officially spring.  So in an attempt to get into the season, here’s what I’m dreaming about making this spring. Sweet Angel Food Cake with Whipped Cream and Berries – This light and refreshing cake is perfect way to displayRead more
Favorite Fall Recipes
Sorry for the long hiatus, it’s been a crazy month!  The kitchen is mostly finished (painting is being done this week), but everything is in working order.  But everything’s been moved around so it’s going to take a while to get used to all the changes!  I’m also taking a nutrition class and studying toRead more

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Instructional 
Plant-Based Diets webinar
Working as an oncology dietitian is incredibly rewarding. I meet amazing people on a daily basis and get to talk about managing symptoms from treatment, ways to maximize intake when they might not be feeling well, and how to navigate nutrition with everything else. I also get to work with survivors that have been cancerRead more
Cooking 101:  Food Safety
I’ve seen and heard some pretty scary stories about poor food safety. Examples include putting cooked meat back on the same plate that had raw meat on it, leaving cooked meats out on the counter for >4 hours, not washing hands before cooking or after handling raw meat/chicken/seafood, etc. I recently watched a webinar discussingRead more
Cooking 101:  Have a Signature Dish
Cooking can be an intimidating prospect if you’re new to it. But starting off by mastering one dish can be just the start you need. Pancakes were my go-to dish for a long time. My grandmother would always make Orange Chicken with rice and broccoli. Husband started off with hot dogs, then mastered quesadillas, andRead more
Cooking 101:  How to Peel Butternut Squash
Can you believe it’s October already?!  My head is seriously back in June, so I’m having a hard time coping with the rapidly changing months.  But hopefully a couple of crisp days and some fall-flavored food will help me get my head in the right month!  So today’s cooking 101 is about one of myRead more
Cooking 101:  How to Plan a Healthy Menu
When starting out cooking there are several key things to keep in mind when planning a menu.  You can follow these steps whether you’re cooking full recipes or just assembling a snack plate to have a balanced, healthy meal. Think in threes When planning a balanced menu, I think of 3 components:  a vegetable, aRead more
Cooking 101:  How to Chop an Onion
As requested in a reader comment, this post is all about how to chop onions.  Mastering knife skills is definitely the hardest part of cooking.  My top tip for better knife skills is to always make sure that your knives are sharp!  Dull knives are more likely to slip, require more force, and are muchRead more

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Appetizers 
White Bean and Feta Dip
This is a great dip for your next get together. Similar to hummus, this white bean and feta dip has protein and fiber, making it more filling and satisfying, and a great punch of flavor. I used dill for this, but a variety of herbs would work well with this. I served this as aRead more
Restaurant Style Salsa
This restaurant-style salsa is absolutely delicious. This recipe was inspired by my Hungry Harvest. I received two bags of Fresno chili peppers, which I’ve never cooked with before. Husband isn’t a big fan of spicy foods, so I was a little nervous about what I was going to do with all these peppers. So IRead more
Lemon, Dill, Havarti Savories
Not quite a cracker, these savory cookies, are so scrumptious.  I decided to make these Lemon, Dill, Havarti Savories over the holidays because the Boyfriend’s Sister-in-Law has a salty-tooth, not a sweet-tooth.  And I have to say, these were one of my favorite things I baked during the holidays!  The lemon and dill add aRead more
Mediterranean Turkey Meatballs
I’ve recently been converted to meatballs.  They’re not something I had growing up, but since making meatballs myself (here, here and here), and then going to an awesome Meatball Shop in NYC, I’ve come to appreciate the tasty versatility of meatballs.  These are fantastic on their own, but go perfectly with the dipping sauce too.Read more
Spanakopita Turkey Meatballs
These are phenomenal.  I’ve always been a fan of spanakopita, but with the pastry crust it’s not something I indulge in very often.  So when I saw this recipe for spanakopita turkey burgers, I knew it was right up my alley.  I changed the recipe to make these into meatballs because they cook up fasterRead more
Baked Coconut Shrimp with Apricot Dipping Sauce
Coconut shrimp is one of my favorite appetizers.  After having some fantastic coconut shrimp at Bonefish Grill, it was time to try my hand at making coconut shrimp.  I, however, am not going to try deep frying things at home, so I looked into making a baked version.  Now I have to confess, in myRead more
Tofu Lettuce Wraps with Hoisin-Peanut Sauce
I loved this meal.  It’s super flavorful, comes together quickly and works great as either a main dish or would be a lovely appetizer (just omit the rice).  These were a bit messy and I ended up eating them more as a salad than a wrap, but that made them no less delicious.  This isRead more
Caramelized Onion Dip
Onion dip was a pretty traditional treat in my family growing up.  It was incredibly easy to make by adding a packet of onion powder to a bowl of sour cream.  And while you can’t get much simpler than that, this dip is a more grown-up, flavor-packed dip.  This takes the magic of caramelized onionsRead more
Mini Corn Dog Muffins
Here’s another great recipe to get you ready for Spring and Summer.  Now I do have to confess that I’ve never had a corn dog before, so I can’t speak to how “traditional” these taste, but they’re delicious.  Not only are these cute, they’re easy to make and super yummy.  I could see these beingRead more
Beef Sliders
This was my first time making sliders, but these mini-burgers were a huge hit at the party I made them for.  Sliders are a great party food and are a great way to add a sort of “main dish” hors d’oeuvres to your menu.  This is great if your party coincides with a meal timeRead more
Amazing Bruschetta
This is AMAZING.  My new favorite summer dish.  I plan to eat this all summer long.  It’s fresh and easy and absolutely delicious!  Bruschetta is a fun, classy appetizer that’s perfect for your next get together.  I’ve always thought of bruschetta as something reserved for ordering at restaurants, but it’s actually very easy to makeRead more
Roasted Cauliflower Hummus
As I may have mentioned before, I’m a fan of dips.  I think they’re a great food to take to work, and I love that they can get me to eat a whole pile of veggies without being a salad.  Bonus points if the dip is healthy, so clearly hummus is a top contender.  HummusRead more
Avocado and Chickpea Dip
After all the feast of the past several weeks (months?), having something simple, light and green is exactly what I need.  This is a really simple recipe, but all the ingredients really shine.  This is a great dip to take to a party, but it also makes for a great sandwich.  This combines healthy omega-3sRead more
Veggie Greek Yogurt Dip
In this season of lots of holiday parties, and lots of desserts and cookies, it’s the perfect time for a veggie dip.  This dip is a great healthy way to sneak some more vegetables into your diet and makes a great addition to any holiday party.  This has tons of flavor and is great withRead more
Savory Rosemary Parmesan Shortbread
I’ve wanted to try this recipe for ages.  As soon as I saw it, I thought it would be an awesome combination.  I was not disappointed.  These shortbreads have an amazing buttery taste even though there’s no butter.  The rosemary and parmesan are a great match. These are perfect as a snack, a fun appetizer,Read more
Creamy Green Pea Dip
In addition to the Asian Cabbage Salad, Homemade Pita, and Edamame Dip I made this Creamy Green Pea Dip. I loved the smooth, slightly sweet taste of this dip.  It gets a little kick from the jalapeno, but isn’t spicy.  This would also make an excellent cold pasta sauce.  With the addition of silken tofu itRead more
Edamame Dip
This Edamame Dip was a great addition to Saturday’s Women’s Retreat.  Edamame (soy beans) are an excellent source of protein and with flavorful ingredients like sesame oil, siracha, and lemons, it makes a tasty snack!  This would also make an excellent spread for a sandwich! Edamame Dip Serves 22 Adapted from La Fuji Mama 2Read more
Lentil Spinach Cups
I’ve had this recipe tucked away for a few years; I can’t believe I haven’t made these sooner, they’re so good!.  These come together really quickly and are a lovely vibrant green.  They’d make a great appetizer or light meal. I also conquered one of my cooking hang-ups (you know those things that seem reallyRead more
Feta & Sun Dried Tomato Quinoa Cups
I hope everyone had a lovely Easter and/or a lovely Sunday! At my church we have a potluck Easter breakfast before the service.  It’s a wonderful time to have a bit more conversation with people and enjoy good food together. After much debate, Mom and I agreed that I would make vegetarian quinoa cups andRead more
Kalamata Olive & Sun-Dried Tomato Muffins with a Goat Cheese Center
These muffins were quite tasty.  I’m a big fan of olives, but didn’t find these to have an overwhelming olive taste (so if you don’t like them, don’t be scared; if you do like them, you might add some extra). Kalamata Olive & Sun-Dried Tomato Muffins with a Goat Cheese Center Makes 32 muffins:  AboutRead more

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Beverages 
Non-Alcoholic Cocktails
This semester I’ve been taking a Food Service class and learning more of the ins and outs of working in an industrial kitchen.  As one of our projects we had to design a nutritional intervention for an at-risk group and create an instructional video.  Since we’re about to enter the holiday season, I thought aRead more
Cocktail Hour:  Pimm’s Cup
I’ve been living it up at the beach, and my favorite cocktail this week has been Pimm’s Cup.  Pimm’s is a British liqueur based on gin, but with a spiced citrus flavor.  It’s a very unique taste and totally delicious and refreshing in this cocktail.  While I’ve kept things pretty simple, you can also upgradeRead more

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Breads & Muffins 
Panzanella – Bread Salad
I’ve always been intrigued by a panzanella salad, crunchy bread soaking up delicious juices of fresh tomatoes…what’s not to love. But it’s taken me years to finally get around to trying this! It did not disappoint! This is perfect if you have some leftover sourdough, or any crusty bread will do. This is great withRead more
Green Tomato Quick Bread
Temperatures are dropping, so I spent this weekend removing our 4 tomato plants, and holy moly did I end up with a lot of tomatoes! Two large bowl-fulls. After a call out on my social media, I got a great suggestion to make Green Tomato Quick Bread, it totally blew my mind to think ofRead more
Simple Drop Biscuits
With all of the craziness of Coronavirus, I haven’t been doing a ton of meal planning. I’ve been wanting to do more baking, but weekends still feel surprisingly short despite not being able to go anywhere. So I’m adapting to this new “normal” and not pushing things too much. I think we all need aRead more
Hot Cross Buns
I’d never made Hot Cross Buns before last year when I decided to give them a try to take to the Easter breakfast potluck.  Now I wish I’d grown up with them being a yearly tradition.  These rolls are fantastic!  They have a slightly sweet dough that’s absolutely perfect.  The currants add a little extraRead more
Lemon, Dill, Havarti Savories
Not quite a cracker, these savory cookies, are so scrumptious.  I decided to make these Lemon, Dill, Havarti Savories over the holidays because the Boyfriend’s Sister-in-Law has a salty-tooth, not a sweet-tooth.  And I have to say, these were one of my favorite things I baked during the holidays!  The lemon and dill add aRead more
Zucchini Feta Fritters
It’s a little off season for zucchini, but I received an enormous zucchini the other week from Hungry Harvest (kind of like a CSA, but they deliver rescued food).  I was able to get about 4 cups of shredded zucchini, which was perfect for this recipe.  These zucchini feta fritters were great with a niceRead more
Cinnamon Chip Banana Muffins
Bananas are great to have on hand for a quick snack, but getting the timing right so that they’re at the perfect ripeness can be challenging.  Fortunately, overripe bananas are a delight for bakers.  Banana bread is a family favorite, but to mix things up I tried these cinnamon chip banana muffins.  They’re great forRead more
Fancy Ginger Zucchini Bread
When Sister went to Stockholm she learned all about “Fika,” which is like tea-time, but with coffee and pastries and every 3 hours (at least that’s how I heard it).  In an effort to be more worldly, I think we should adopt this tradition.  And since we’re getting fancy, let’s go ahead and make someRead more
Grandma Helland’s Banana Bread
I’ve only dreamt about my grandma 3 times since she passed away in 2007.  Last night was one of those times.  We were at a family reunion/Valentine’s Day party and everyone was dressed in white except Grandma.  And she was there to babysit my cousins.  I told her that I’d just eaten some of herRead more
Blueberry Scones
As you may have heard, the East Coast got slammed with a blizzard.  In anticipation of being snowed in for days, I’m staying with my parents since Boyfriend has to work downtown.  Yesterday when I woke up and their was almost 2 feet of snow outside, I decided to make muffins.  After about 20 minutes ofRead more
Zucchini, Carrot, Apple Bread
This quick bread is a great way to use up some of the last zucchini of the summer, and mixes in carrots and apple, making a nice tender crumb.  I left out the chocolate chips to keep this more of a breakfast bread, and it’s just lightly sweetened.  If you prefer a sweeter bread feelRead more
Spiced Pumpkin Carrot Muffins
These muffins are fantastic.  I doubled the original recipe (because 9 muffins that the original made is way too few), and then as Mom and I helped ourselves to a second, and Dad said he liked them.  We decided we needed to make more.  So I made another batch, this time tripling the original soRead more
Cranberry Oat Muffins
I made these muffins for breakfast on Thanksgiving, and my family devoured the first batch so quickly that I made a second batch.  These are tender and toothsome.  The cranberries are bright, tart bursts surrounded by just sweet enough crumb.  The oats and walnuts keep them chewy and filling.  I used chopped black walnuts thatRead more
Finnish Cinnamon Rolls
My favorite Finn, who introduced me to Finnish Oven Pancakes, makes fantastic Finnish Cinnamon Rolls.  These rolls are delicate and lightly sweetened, the dough is spiced with cardamom and the middle is spread with cinnamon.  While these aren’t nearly as sweet or decadent as your typical American sticky buns, they’re light and doughy and utterlyRead more
Pumpkin Cornbread
Yesterday we had a fellowship lunch at church and I made vegetarian chili.  This chili is such a crowd pleaser.  It’s hearty, stick-to-your-ribs, comfort food that’s healthy too!  So to change things up a bit, I decided to make this pumpkin cornbread to go with my traditional chili.  I also served up my grandma’s deliciousRead more
Pumpkin Spice Bread
I have a horrible habit of checking my email on my phone before I even turn on a light in the morning.  I put off getting out of bed as long as possible.  Last week I saw this recipe from one of my favorite bloggers, and I immediately knew that this was my breakfast.  IRead more
Banana Oat Walnut Muffins
I don’t usually make muffins because they tend to be a bit indulgent, but aren’t quite indulgent enough to feel like a dessert.  Well, these muffins are the perfect solution.  I loved these because they’re just the right amount of sweet and are full of good-for-you ingredients.  These muffins are perfect for breakfast with theirRead more
Cinnamon Zucchini Muffins
I’ve been getting tons of zucchini and summer squash from my CSA.  It’s a challenge to keep up with them all, but these muffins are definitely going to be made again.  After my cousins came over for an impromptu sleepover, I made these in the morning to give them a healthy treat for breakfast.  EveryoneRead more
Banana Cinnamon Waffles
I made these waffles at the same time I was making the savory cheddar scallion waffles.  I had a ton of ripe bananas and figured that if I was getting out the waffle iron I might as well get twice the use out of it.  I don’t frequently get to try new things with myRead more
Savory Cheddar Scallion Waffles
It’s always great to find another use for a waffle iron, and these savory waffles are fantastic!  I made these for brunch this past weekend, and while my friends were dubious about savory waffles, they were convinced by these.  They’re crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, with salty cheese and bright scallions throughout.Read more
Brown Sugar-Pecan Swirl Banana Bread
As soon as I saw this recipe I knew that’s what my bananas were destined for.  And then, with 3 nicely blackened bananas on my counter, I read the recipe…and realized I only needed 1 banana.  So this recipe is heavily adapted so I could use my 3 bananas.  It turned out as deliciously asRead more
Very Blueberry Muffins
Muffins are a weakness of mine.  There’s nothing quite like the taste of a pillowy-soft muffin.  These blueberry muffins are packed with blueberries and are super tender.  These are best eaten the day they’re made, but if you can’t eat them all in a day you can store them in an airtight container or freezeRead more
Cornbread Scallion Muffins
In addition to chili, I also made these cornbread scallion muffins, because what goes better with chili than cornbread?  Well maybe cheese… Anyway, back to these muffins.  These are simple, delicious corny-corn muffins.  It’s a great addition to the chili and the scallions add a nice subtle onion flavor and some fresh green. Cornbread ScallionRead more
Roasted Banana Oatmeal Muffins
How do you like your bananas?  I’m a pretty firm believer in eating them when they’re completely yellow, I’ll even take a hint of green.  Once the spots start they’re overripe and I wait until they’re good and splotchy and use them for baking.  Lately it seems like my bananas are ripening faster than ever,Read more
Morning Glory Muffins (Paleo)
I saw this recipe ages ago, and while I was intrigued, I was also totally skeptical…a delicious baked good without butter or oil or flour???  So when I was doing some cooking for a paleo-eating friend of mine, it was the perfect excuse to try out these muffins, and holy delicious, Batman!  These are awesome!Read more
French Boule
This was another bread-making experiment, and I have to say I was very pleased with the results!  I was asked to make the communion bread for my church, and after a bit of searching I found a recipe that was exactly what I was looking for. I needed a bread that was easy, soft enoughRead more
Pumpkin Walnut Bread (vegan)
Do vegan baked goods kind of make you cringe?  I’m always hesitant to label things vegan because I think mainstream society thinks of vegan food as extreme and unappealing, but I promise, this vegan Pumpkin Walnut Bread is yummy!  I got the recipe from Joy the Baker, who I definitely trust to make a deliciousRead more
No-Knead Country Bread
I made this bread last week for School of Christian Living.  It turned out so well I think I’ll be making it again for communion on Sunday. While this did take a long time to rise, I think the biggest problem is that my house is pretty chilly in the winter and I don’t haveRead more
Butternut Squash and Feta Muffins
Holy yum, guys.  These are delicious.  They come together quickly if you have leftover squash.  You can also use pumpkin, but I’m more likely to have butternut squash on hand.  These are the perfect combination of slightly sweet, salty, doughy and tender.  I’m excited to try other variations.  I think green onions would be reallyRead more
Cheddar Cornmeal Waffles
I was making my favorite vegetarian chili again for an event, but wanted something new and different to go with it, so I decided to change up the usual cornbread muffins and make these waffles.  This was a fun recipe.  It comes together quickly and gets some extra use out of your waffle iron thatRead more
Tomato Cobbler
I didn’t used to like tomatoes, but growing up with the One Bite Rule I was instilled at an early age with a standard of trying things repeatedly.  And fortunately over the years I learned how wrong I was not to like tomatoes.  So when I saw this Tomato Cobbler I thought it would beRead more
Apple Walnut Bread
I made this bread for church on Sunday.  I loved it.  Can’t wait to make it again.  It conveniently makes 2 loaves, so you have one to share or one to freeze if you can’t eat two loaves of bread in timely manner (although this bread might set new standards). Apple Walnut Bread Makes twoRead more
Whole Wheat Rosemary Garlic Bread
I’m apparently on a bread kick, so here’s another loaf for you! I had actually intended to make this bread for a catering event I was doing, but my yeast didn’t proof and I was too tired to get more at the time.  So I bought bread and new yeast the day of the cateringRead more
Whole Wheat Flatbread
To go with the hummus I made a few days ago, I decided to try out this whole wheat flat bread.  It has the same cooking process as the naan I made a while ago, but tastes more like pita.  I like not having to turn the oven on but still getting tasty bread, soRead more
Honey Raisin Bread
I was asked to make the communion bread for church last Sunday.  A big responsibility!  I needed to make sure that it was at least part whole wheat, but other than that I had free-reign.  I wasn’t sure what I wanted to make, so after some internet browsing I decided on this no knead honeyRead more
Strawberry Rhubarb Drop Scones
These scones were delicious, although “scone” might not be an accurate name for them.  Scones tend to be denser and these were very light and almost fluffy.  They’re also not very sweet, so if you like sweeter treats feel free to add more sugar.  But I thought these were just perfect with a bit ofRead more

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Breakfast 
Pumpkin Drop Scones with Cinnamon Glaze
Easy to make, with a subtle pumpkin flavor these drop scones are moist and tender with just a hint of sweetness on their own. But with a cinnamon glaze, these go from subtly delicious to fall-flavored scrumptious. Perfect with a cup of coffee or tea for breakfast or afternoon snack. These scones are a greatRead more
Coconut Streusel Banana Muffins
These Coconut Streusel Banana Muffins are delicious, the perfect tender crumb, the right hit of sweetness with a touch of crunch. Definitely worth making. And just the right thing for when you’re on the go. I’ve started a new job as an outpatient oncology dietitian, and it’s been the perfect fit. I’m loving the work,Read more
Baked Apple Pancake
I love a good breakfast. This baked apple pancake immediately caught my eye on social media, especially with cardamom, cinnamon and nutmeg included. This baked apple pancake is like a stuffed popover, the edges are crisp, the apples are tender, and the pecans add a delicious crunch. This is similar to German Pancakes, but areRead more
Simple Drop Biscuits
With all of the craziness of Coronavirus, I haven’t been doing a ton of meal planning. I’ve been wanting to do more baking, but weekends still feel surprisingly short despite not being able to go anywhere. So I’m adapting to this new “normal” and not pushing things too much. I think we all need aRead more
Nutty Banana Baked Oatmeal
It’s a bit of a scary time to be working in a nursing home. My facility is doing everything they can to minimize risks and ensure the safety of our residents while also preparing for things to get worse before they get better. So right now it’s mostly about breathing and doing what I canRead more
Light as a Feather Pancakes
This is probably the recipe I’m most well-known for (although this Kale and Brussel Sprout Salad is probably a close second). I’ve posted it ages ago at the beginning of this blog, but figured it’s time for an update. This is the pancake recipe I grew up making, there’s lots of things you can haveRead more
Orange Marmalade French Toast
I made this Orange Marmalade French toast for Easter breakfast. This is such a great recipe because it can be assembled the night before and then baked off in the morning. This is lightly sweetened from the orange marmalade and would be perfect paired with a fruit salad and a cup of tea. This wouldRead more
German Pancakes
These German Pancakes are very similar to the Dutch Baby Pancake I’ve made previously, but these are even easier to make.  These are also made with a blender and baked in cake pans, so it’s a great way to make use of those kitchen tools that might not get a whole lot of use throughoutRead more
Pumpkin Oatmeal
While I’m usually all about a baked oatmeal, Sister made this Pumpkin Oatmeal over the holidays and it hit the spot!  Pumpkin makes the oatmeal extra creamy and toasted pecans add the perfect crunch.  Since we all have different sweetness preferences, I tend to serve maple syrup on the side (although brown sugar could alsoRead more
Blackberry Breakfast Bars
Berry picking is one of my favorite summer activities.  While it’s not exactly convenient, I love the tradition of going to Homestead Farms with Mom and picking berries, and buying fresh produce from the farm.  We usually stop by Starbucks on the way home for an iced coffee.  Mom took Sister and me all theRead more
Overnight Streusel French Toast
Overnight guests are wonderful.  Whether it’s family or friends, it’s always nice to be able to host people in your home.  However you never want to spend much time in the kitchen when you could be spending it relaxing with your guests.  This is a great dish to serve guests because you can prepare itRead more
Peanut Butter Apple Baked Oatmeal
Are you a breakfast person?  I’m one of those people that has to have breakfast.  Within an hour of being up I’m ravenous.  So I’m definitely a fan of breakfasts that just require a quick turn in the microwave.  Baked oatmeal is perfect for that; it’s easily made ahead and is perfect reheated on busyRead more
Cinnamon Chip Banana Muffins
Bananas are great to have on hand for a quick snack, but getting the timing right so that they’re at the perfect ripeness can be challenging.  Fortunately, overripe bananas are a delight for bakers.  Banana bread is a family favorite, but to mix things up I tried these cinnamon chip banana muffins.  They’re great forRead more
Banana Pancakes
Boyfriend never really gets a day off.  When he’s not at work he’s busy doing renovation projects to make our house into a beautiful home.  And now that I’m back at school full-time my weekends are more about studying and getting caught up on laundry and food-prep.  So in an effort to not become twoRead more
Lemon Poppy Seed Pancakes
Sister sent me the recipe for these pancakes about a year ago.  And I’d never gotten around to making them, but when I visited her and her fiancé a few weeks ago, I suggested we make these.  Don’t be like me.  Don’t wait over a year for these delicious Lemon Poppy Seed Pancakes!  These pancakesRead more
Grandma Helland’s Banana Bread
I’ve only dreamt about my grandma 3 times since she passed away in 2007.  Last night was one of those times.  We were at a family reunion/Valentine’s Day party and everyone was dressed in white except Grandma.  And she was there to babysit my cousins.  I told her that I’d just eaten some of herRead more
Morning Glory Baked Oatmeal
My second semester of Organic Chemistry started this week.  Winter break felt far too short, but I’m trying to get pumped about rocking another semester Chemistry.  What I can get pumped about is breakfast.  This baked oatmeal is delicious.  It’s a little on the sweet side, which makes it fantastic with a dollop of plainRead more
Blueberry Scones
As you may have heard, the East Coast got slammed with a blizzard.  In anticipation of being snowed in for days, I’m staying with my parents since Boyfriend has to work downtown.  Yesterday when I woke up and their was almost 2 feet of snow outside, I decided to make muffins.  After about 20 minutes ofRead more
Asparagus Cheese Egg Puff
Sister just told me that they are doing a winter share of their CSA, and added an extra share of eggs too.  Then she found out that the winter CSA comes with 2 dozen eggs each week, and she doesn’t know yet how many more eggs she’ll get with the extra share of eggs.  SoRead more
Apple Crisp Baked Oatmeal
As you know, I have a fondness for baked oatmeal.  Since my current abode is lacking a working oven for the time being, I’ve made do with the very best oatmeal.  However, with the season is changing, I’m looking forward to baked oatmeals.  I made this this week when visiting my parents, and it’s delicious.  It packsRead more
Spiced Pear Baked Oatmeal
I’ve been holding out on you.  I made this recipe last year, but never had a picture and then it wasn’t pear season anymore, so I never got to share it.  So this year, I got to it nice and early, so you can make it again and again while pears are easily accessible. ThisRead more
Lemony Breakfast Grains with Blueberries and Hazelnuts
Easter morning we have a potluck breakfast at my church.  This year mom and I debated what to make all week, we wanted something that would be easy to make ahead of time, would be healthy and vegetarian, and couldn’t be too fussy to heat up.  So we tried out this recipe I’d printed outRead more
The Very Best Oatmeal
This oatmeal is called “The Very Best Oatmeal” in Whole-Grain Mornings: New Breakfast Recipes to Span the Seasons, and I would have to agree.  While I love baked oatmeals, the usual stove-top versions tend to be a bit porridge-like for my taste.  But this oatmeal is toasted and then just barely cooked until tender.  TheRead more
Kale and Cheddar Frittata
This dish came together from a quick perusal of my fridge and a growl in my stomach.  I started pulling out veggies that needed to be used up, and whipped up this delicious frittata.  I think the real key with this is to get good caramelized color on your vegetables and to balance the crunchyRead more
Spiced Pumpkin Carrot Muffins
These muffins are fantastic.  I doubled the original recipe (because 9 muffins that the original made is way too few), and then as Mom and I helped ourselves to a second, and Dad said he liked them.  We decided we needed to make more.  So I made another batch, this time tripling the original soRead more
Blueberry Coconut Baked Oatmeal
Breakfast is probably my favorite meal of the day.  I’m always hungry within at least an hour of waking up.  Baked oatmeals are one of my favorite breakfasts.  I’ve done quite a few variations and love the texture the oatmeal has, which, in my opinion, is so much better than stovetop oatmeal.  I typically makeRead more
Cranberry Oat Muffins
I made these muffins for breakfast on Thanksgiving, and my family devoured the first batch so quickly that I made a second batch.  These are tender and toothsome.  The cranberries are bright, tart bursts surrounded by just sweet enough crumb.  The oats and walnuts keep them chewy and filling.  I used chopped black walnuts thatRead more
Finnish Cinnamon Rolls
My favorite Finn, who introduced me to Finnish Oven Pancakes, makes fantastic Finnish Cinnamon Rolls.  These rolls are delicate and lightly sweetened, the dough is spiced with cardamom and the middle is spread with cinnamon.  While these aren’t nearly as sweet or decadent as your typical American sticky buns, they’re light and doughy and utterlyRead more
Creamy Banana Oatmeal
Do you ever have food phases (technically called “food jags”)?  I occasionally go through phases, especially with breakfast.  Like the baked oatmeal phase (pumpkin, banana, apple, strawberry-banana, cranberry apple pecan, banana walnut, zucchini) and I also went through many months of fruit/yogurt/granola for breakfast.  Recently, however, I’ve been uninspired by breakfast. I have a fewRead more
Pumpkin Spice Bread
I have a horrible habit of checking my email on my phone before I even turn on a light in the morning.  I put off getting out of bed as long as possible.  Last week I saw this recipe from one of my favorite bloggers, and I immediately knew that this was my breakfast.  IRead more
Apple Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies
I love breakfast foods, but I recognize that most of the time there’s just not nearly enough time in a week to have a leisurely sit-down breakfast at home.  And fortunately, these cookies are satisfying and delicious enough for the breakfast-lovers, but portable and convenient enough for the busy person.  Cook up a batch ofRead more
Zucchini Bread Baked Oatmeal
We’ve been getting an abundance of zucchini and summer squash from our CSA.  It’s been a challenge to keep up with them all!  But this recipe is definitely going to be one of my new favorite ways to use it.  I love zucchini bread, and this baked oatmeal takes all the great flavors from zucchiniRead more
Finnish Oven Pancakes
I’m a big. fan. of. pancakes., but sometimes you want something a little lighter for breakfast.  This Finnish oven pancake is perfect for that.  It kind of tastes like a cross between a crepe and a Dutch Baby.  It’s kind of eggy and very tender.  It puffs up just like a Dutch Baby, but doesn’tRead more
Banana Oat Walnut Muffins
I don’t usually make muffins because they tend to be a bit indulgent, but aren’t quite indulgent enough to feel like a dessert.  Well, these muffins are the perfect solution.  I loved these because they’re just the right amount of sweet and are full of good-for-you ingredients.  These muffins are perfect for breakfast with theirRead more
Mini Egg Frittatas
I’ve been holding out on you.  I’ve been making mini egg frittatas for at least a year and have yet to give you the very basic recipe.  These mini frittatas are great as part of a large brunch spread, or are perfect for make-ahead breakfasts for the week.  I love them because they’re so easyRead more
Cinnamon Zucchini Muffins
I’ve been getting tons of zucchini and summer squash from my CSA.  It’s a challenge to keep up with them all, but these muffins are definitely going to be made again.  After my cousins came over for an impromptu sleepover, I made these in the morning to give them a healthy treat for breakfast.  EveryoneRead more
Banana Cinnamon Waffles
I made these waffles at the same time I was making the savory cheddar scallion waffles.  I had a ton of ripe bananas and figured that if I was getting out the waffle iron I might as well get twice the use out of it.  I don’t frequently get to try new things with myRead more
Waffle Egg Sandwiches
This isn’t much of a recipe, but it’s a great meal and will hopefully inspire other meal ideas.  These waffle egg sandwiches are also great for any meal of the day.  I had them for brunch, but with a bunch of leftovers in the freezer it’ll be easy to make more for breakfast, lunch, orRead more
Savory Cheddar Scallion Waffles
It’s always great to find another use for a waffle iron, and these savory waffles are fantastic!  I made these for brunch this past weekend, and while my friends were dubious about savory waffles, they were convinced by these.  They’re crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, with salty cheese and bright scallions throughout.Read more
Asparagus and Artichoke Egg Casserole
I made this casserole for Easter breakfast.  It’s a great way to display the first asparagus of the season and the artichoke goes really nicely with egg. If you happen to have young kids in your life, I discovered the perfect way to get them to try asparagus.  My aunt had us over for aRead more
Kale and Feta Frittata
This has been one of my favorite go-to breakfasts lately.  I’ve made it three times in the past couple of weeks.  The third time I made it was for brunch with my grandpa and Mom.  Mom told Grandpa we were having a frittata and he said, “these names get so fancy you don’t hardly knowRead more
Banana Walnut Baked Oatmeal
This baked oatmeal is a great way to start your day.  The bananas caramelize and add a ton of sweet flavor, they really shine after baking.  Toasted almonds and walnuts add great crunch, protein and omega-3s.  Chewy oats provide fiber, making this a filling and lasting breakfast option.  It’s definitely a nutritious and delicious breakfast.Read more
Very Blueberry Muffins
Muffins are a weakness of mine.  There’s nothing quite like the taste of a pillowy-soft muffin.  These blueberry muffins are packed with blueberries and are super tender.  These are best eaten the day they’re made, but if you can’t eat them all in a day you can store them in an airtight container or freezeRead more
Cornbread Vegetable Strata
Sometimes cooking problems turn in to the opportunity for some kitchen creativity.  When baking for the January Carroll Cafe, I got distracted and over-cooked my cornbread scallion muffins.  They weren’t burnt, but they were definitely unattractively dark and therefore not suitable to sell.  But I hated to waste all that food, so I got creativeRead more
Cranberry, Apple and Pecan Baked Oatmeal
Baked oatmeal is always a great breakfast option for me in the winter.  It’s a great warm breakfast full of nutritious whole grain oats, and fruit.  This is perfect while fresh cranberries are in season, but if you can’t find fresh, I’m sure frozen would work just as well.  The tart cranberries are a greatRead more
Cranberry Buttermilk Cake
This cake was gorgeous.  It just might be the perfect treat for Christmas morning.  The cranberries are bright bursts of tart juice, the batter is full of sweet orange flavor, and the cake is light and fluffy.  With the cranberries, this isn’t a very sweet cake, so it’s great for brunch or tea.  This isRead more
Apple Crisp Muffins
These were delicious.  The perfect taste of fall flavors.  Dad said they were the best muffins he’s ever had.  My only complaint is that the recipe only made 10!  Next time I’ll definitely be (at least) doubling the recipe! These are super moist due to the combination of butter, oil and applesauce.  The fresh appleRead more
Egg and Veggie Scramble
We all know we should eat more veggies, so here’s an easy way to start the day’s veggie count early.  This is also a great way to use up some of the veggies in your crisper.  Since this was served for breakfast on the last day at the beach house, we were eager to useRead more
Easy Homefries
So after making baked potatoes to go with the delicious Santiago Bean Dip, we had a couple left over.  So on our last morning at the beach, it was time to use up the leftovers.  These homefries were the perfect thing.  Everyone loved these and they’re a cinch to make when you already have aRead more
Spinach Pesto Strata
This strata was something that I whipped up because we had guests coming to the beach, a loaf of bread getting stale, and some egg whites leftover from the German Chocolate Cake.  This is a great recipe to make for company since you assemble it the night before and bake it off in the morning.Read more
Peach and Blueberry Crisp
Oh summertime, how delectable your fruits are.  Peach season is in full swing in these parts and I may have gotten a bit carried away when picking last week and ended up with way more peaches than I knew what to do with.  That’s a lie, I totally knew what to do:  devour them!  TheyRead more
Blackberry Banana Smoothie
This purple people eater is a delicious summer-time treat.  It’s crazy hot in the DC area now, so flavorful, nutrient-dense drinks are super appealing.  I used the blackberries Mom and I picked last week (in the rain…so much more pleasant than roasting in the sun).  This is also a great use of bananas that areRead more
Double Berry Buttermilk Bundt Cake
Sometimes failure in the kitchen happens.  It’s unfortunate when you spend time and ingredients trying to create something wonderful and end up with a mess.  But in today’s case, at least the mess tasted delicious.  This bundt is the perfect blend of sweet (not too sweet) cake with sweet/tart berries studded throughout.  The cake isRead more
Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins
Lemon poppy seed is my favorite muffin flavor.  It’s been ages since I’ve had one, so I decided it was time to make a batch.  These were very yummy.  The glaze adds quite a bit of sweetness with a balance of tart lemon zest.  The poppy seeds give a nice little crunch to the delicateRead more
Strawberry Banana Baked Oatmeal
It’s finally happened.  After about a year of eating pretty much the same thing every day, I’m finally ready to find a new breakfast.  As much as I adore fruit, yogurt and granola, and I’m sure it will come back in rotation, but I think this oatmeal might be my new go-to.  This oatmeal isRead more
Blueberry Buttermilk Breakfast Cake
Happy Mother’s Day!! Sister came down early to celebrate Mother’s Day, so we had our Mother’s Day brunch a day early.  When we were growing up Sister and I would make breakfast in bed for Mom.  So breakfast foods are our traditional celebration.  This year Mom requested this herbed ricotta tart, and something fruity forRead more
Smoked Turkey and Cheese Brunch Torte
This was an awesome recipe my mom found in Taste of Home years ago and she’s been eager to make it ever since.  Easter’s potluck breakfast was finally her opportunity, and it was awesome!  Sadly she didn’t even get a chance to try her creation, so I made it again so she’d get to tryRead more
Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal
These are a few of my favorite things.  Baked oatmeals are a favorite go-to breakfast for something a little extra special for company or for making ahead.  And of course you can’t go wrong with banana bread!  So this combo definitely caught my eye.  The bananas in this caramelize and add a deep richness thatRead more
Morning Glory Muffins (Paleo)
I saw this recipe ages ago, and while I was intrigued, I was also totally skeptical…a delicious baked good without butter or oil or flour???  So when I was doing some cooking for a paleo-eating friend of mine, it was the perfect excuse to try out these muffins, and holy delicious, Batman!  These are awesome!Read more
Grapefruit Bundt Cake
This was my contribution to our Easter Sunday potluck breakfast at church.  I saved this recipe from Cooking Light over a year ago, and have been eagerly awaiting a chance to make it.  It was definitely worth the wait!  I absolutely loved this! I’m a huge fan of grapefruit, so I was excited to seeRead more
Fried Egg Sandwich
So, real life is keeping me from spending much time on menu planning, grocery shopping and cooking, so today you get a real life recipe.  This is what I’ve been eating this week.  It’s one of those super easy dishes that you come up with when you’re staring at your fridge trying to figure outRead more
Blueberry Pancakes with Blueberry Sauce
So blueberries are back in the stores!  Yippee!  I adore fresh blueberries, and couldn’t resist the temptation to buy some on a whim when I saw them last week.  So glad I did.  They’re fresh and bright, sweet and delicious, and the perfect taste of spring to keep me going through these ridiculously cold weeksRead more
Hearty Spiced Oatcakes
These oatcakes are dense and hearty and filled with oat-y goodness.  I wasn’t sure what I thought of these at first, but they definitely grew on me.  They aren’t muffins, they’re way too dense and substantial to be muffins.  But that makes them a great breakfast or snack, they have serious staying power.  These areRead more
Overnight Baked French Toast
This is the perfect recipe for a crowd.  It’s easy to make the night before, it doesn’t take forever to bake, and you don’t have to be standing in the kitchen flipping French Toast when you’d rather be spending time with your guests. I made this with a cinnamon swirl bread from Great Harvest Bread.Read more
Apple Pie Baked Oatmeal
This might be my new favorite breakfast!  It’s nice and chewy, the toasted nuts are delicious, the apples stay firm, the spices are subtle but warm.  This didn’t really hold its shape, but I’m not concerned with looks as long as it tastes good!  Next time I’ll probably just make this in a 9×9″ bakingRead more
Pumpkin Oatmeal
To continue the pumpkin theme, here’s what I’ve been having for breakfast lately.  I’m still missing all the fresh fruit of the summer, but adding pumpkin to my oatmeal at least lets me think I’m getting some vegetable in before the day has even really started.  This comes together in about 10 minutes, so it’sRead more
Pumpkin Poppers
It’s that time of year for pumpkin everything!  These poppers are like doughnut holes.  A little dense and super moist they’re a delicious fall treat.  I made these for church last Sunday.  Not knowing how many the original recipe made I decided to quadruple the recipe (me and my inability to estimate quantities).  I alsoRead more
Whole Wheat Pumpkin Scones
Mom had a no good, very bad day yesterday, so I told her I’d treat her today.  When I saw this scone recipe I knew it’d be a great way to start the day and make her feel taken care of. These scones are very subtly sweet, so if you’re into sweet baked goods forRead more
Zucchini and Bacon Frittata
I’m a big fan of eggs. I think they’re great for any meal.  I recently whipped up this frittata for my dad’s retreat.  It’s easy to make ahead and is easy to customize for whatever your dietary needs might be. Zucchini and Bacon Frittata Serves 6 3 slices bacon 1 large zucchini, diced 2 romaRead more
Pumpkin Pancakes
Sister recommended this recipe to me.  It’s super tasty.  These pancakes come out light and airy.  Definitely a fun fall treat.  I’d also recommend topping them with homemade applesauce. Pumpkin Pancakes Makes about 20 Adapted from All Recipes 2 cups buttermilk  (or 2 cups milk with 2 Tbsp vinegar) 1/2 cup milk 1 cup pumpkin pureeRead more
Pumpkin Nut Granola
This granola is a subtle celebration to fall.  Served with yogurt or milk, it makes a great breakfast or snack.  While it’s not overwhelmingly pumpkin flavored it has a warm spice that goes well with the colder weather.  This is also the first granola recipe I’ve seen without coconut…anyone know why granola always has coconutRead more
Zucchini Bread Pancakes
This recipe caught my eye for many reasons.  1) zucchini bread is delicious 2) Smitten Kitchen recipes never lead me astray 3) sneaking veggies into breakfast is hard, but hiding them in sweet pancakes is brilliant 4) zucchini bread in pancake form?! These pancakes come out kind of thick, so I’d recommend spreading them aroundRead more

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Condiments 
White Bean and Feta Dip
This is a great dip for your next get together. Similar to hummus, this white bean and feta dip has protein and fiber, making it more filling and satisfying, and a great punch of flavor. I used dill for this, but a variety of herbs would work well with this. I served this as aRead more
Restaurant Style Salsa
This restaurant-style salsa is absolutely delicious. This recipe was inspired by my Hungry Harvest. I received two bags of Fresno chili peppers, which I’ve never cooked with before. Husband isn’t a big fan of spicy foods, so I was a little nervous about what I was going to do with all these peppers. So IRead more
Buffalo Chicken Dip
I’m a fan of buffalo wings, but don’t have an opportunity to eat them often.  So when we were invited to game night with some friends, it was the perfect opportunity to try out this buffalo chicken dip.  This is a great dip for your non-vegetarian friends.  It’s got that tangy hit of buffalo sauceRead more
Pickled Red Onions
I’m a big fan of pickles.  I love the salty tanginess that brings big kick of flavor.  And I always add pickled red onions to my bowl at Cava.  I’ve known for a while that it’s pretty easy to pickle your own red onions, and so I finally got around to it when I gotRead more
Simple Balsamic Vinaigrette
Balsamic vinaigrette is a great standard salad dressing.  It’s prefect year round and goes with a wide range of salads.  Anything from caprese salad to a pear and gorgonzola salad goes well with a good balsamic vinaigrette.  This is a simple recipe and can be customized in a variety of ways.  A fun twist IRead more
Chimichurri Sauce and Marinade
Chimichurri comes from Argentinian cuisine, and is frequently used on grilled steaks, although it seems that cilantro is not a traditional ingredient.  But this herbaceous sauce is great on everything.  It has a bright, fresh flavor that packs a punch with garlic and shallot.  This is definitely a great summer staple, especially if you enjoyRead more
Mushroom Gravy
I can’t believe Thanksgiving is on Thursday!  We’re pretty staunch traditionalists in my family.  We have to make the same dishes every year.  We can’t replace things, so we just keep adding things.  One year we had three kinds of sweet potatoes!  This year we’re getting a little wild and crazy and making Pumpkin Cheesecake!Read more
Easy Caramel Sauce
Do you pronounce it “car-mel” or “care-a-mel”?  However you say it, this caramel sauce is delicious!  I’ve wanted to try making caramel sauce for a while, but didn’t want to have to fuss with a candy thermometer, so I’d been kind of intimidated.  But you can’t get much simpler than this recipe and your resultRead more
Banana Pancakes
Boyfriend never really gets a day off.  When he’s not at work he’s busy doing renovation projects to make our house into a beautiful home.  And now that I’m back at school full-time my weekends are more about studying and getting caught up on laundry and food-prep.  So in an effort to not become twoRead more
Turkey Kibbeh Meatballs
This has been a very busy Spring!  Easter was a whirl, with Sister and her fiancé coming down for wedding planning and the holiday.  My grandpa returned from his year in Japan.  Organic Chemistry is…exactly what you’d expect:  HARD.  And in the midst of all that, I’ve made more time for eating than for blogging.  SoRead more
Scallion Sauce
My friend told me about this sauce and tried to describe how amazing it is, and words just can’t do it justice.  This sauce is very fresh, super flavorful, a little salty, and just packed with bright bold flavors.  It’s a great accompaniment to meat, like pork or chicken, but would also be great onRead more
Ginger Cranberry Sauce
I never ate cranberry sauce growing up.  At our house we have both the whole berry kind, as well as the jelly kind that is served still shaped like the can it comes out of.  So it always seemed kind of weird to add something sweet to something savory like turkey.  But last year IRead more
Cucumber Raita
I love Indian food!  When visiting Sister we made an epic Indian feast.  It was a lot of fun making all sorts of dishes together and that included this cucumber raita.  Raita is a creamy, cold yogurt sauce that helps balance out the spicy Indian food.  Sister took an Indian cooking class last year, soRead more
Basil and Spinach Pesto
Pesto is one of those quintessential summer foods.  The fresh, bright taste of basil just screams summer produce.  So I’ve been making pesto like crazy while there’s still an abundance of fresh basil.  You can easily freeze pesto too, so make lots and save it for a cold, wintery day when you need a hitRead more
Tomatillo Salsa Verde
Have you ever seen tomatillos?  They’re quite strange looking, little green tomatoes with a papery peel.  I’ve always wondered how to cook them, and when I saw some at the farm we go berry picking at, I knew it was time to try them out.  Then I’ve been getting them in my CSA box too.Read more
Whipped Feta
I’ve been seeing whipped feta on Pinterest for a while now, and I finally got around to making it.  It’s incredibly easy to make, and is an awesome spreadable feta that’s perfect for sandwiches or dipping.  Feta is one of my favorite cheeses because it has such a strong salty flavor that a little goesRead more
Tofu Veggie Bowls with Peanut Sauce
This is rapidly becoming a favorite meal.  It’s based off of these tofu lettuce wraps, but combined in a bowl for a more filling/less fussy dinner.  I made it twice in a week, it’s that good.  It’s super flavorful and customizable to what you have on hand.  And while I know that tofu isn’t everyone’sRead more
Spice-Rubbed Salmon with Avocado Salsa
This salmon is fantastic.  The spice rub is flavorful, but not overwhelming, and it’s paired with this amazing avocado salsa that’s super fresh and creamy.  Fish is always a great weeknight option because it cooks up so quickly.  So while this is easy enough for dinner on a weeknight, it’s also fancy enough to impressRead more
Curried Chicken Salad with Cranberries and Pineapple
This chicken salad is phenomenal.  There’s just the right amount of spice from the curry powder, balanced by the sweetness of the cranberries and pineapple.  The fruit it’s overwhelming, but it adds just a touch of something special that really makes this a standout chicken salad.  My mom actually made this for a Christmas party,Read more
Santiago Bean Dip
This dip is fantastic.  If you’re having a get together for Labor Day, you should definitely make this.  Everyone will thank you. My dear friend, Becky, made this a while back for a baked potato bar dinner party, and it was super scrumptious!  I’ve been dreaming about it ever since.  So since we were cookingRead more
Honey Mustard Vinaigrette
This dressing is a great slightly sweet, kind of zingy, creamy vinaigrette.  The mustard and vinegar are tart and the honey balances it out.  This was great for the Salmon Cake Salad Nicoise, but is also just a great versatile salad dressing to add to your repertoire. Honey Mustard Vinaigrette Makes about 1 1/2 cupsRead more
Avocado Buttermilk Dressing
So now that you know how to cut an avocado, let’s put it to good use!  This dressing is creamy and fabulous.  It’s a bit reminiscent of a Green Goddess dressing.  The creamy avocado pairs nicely with the buttermilk, and a bit of basil makes it fresh and summery.  There’s a little kick to itRead more
Champagne Vinaigrette
This is a great simple vinaigrette.  It’s tart and zingy and goes well with other flavors.  I thought it was the perfect accompaniment to this Steak and Blue Cheese Salad, but this would go great with pretty much any salad; it’s a great go-to salad dressing. Champagne Vinaigrette Makes about 1/2 cup Adapted from LoveRead more
Broccoli Pesto Pasta
With an abundance of broccoli on hand, I was looking for something different to make than the usual steamed or roasted broccoli.  This takes the super healthy benefits of broccoli and turns it into a great spread, or in this case, sauce.  While this is definitely different from traditional pesto since it doesn’t include basil,Read more

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Desserts 
Miso Peanut Butter Cookies with Chocolate Chips and Sesame
I’ve been eyeing this Miso Peanut Butter Cookie recipe for a while. I usually have a tub of white miso in my refrigerator and don’t go through it very quickly and was intrigued by such a savory flavor in cookies. So when Sister was planning a visit home, I knew it was the perfect timeRead more
Chocolate Lava Cake
These chocolate lava cakes are a super rich, incidentally gluten-free, dessert. The cakes are baked until set around the edges and then turned out on a plate to create a puddle of delicious, rich chocolate. I think these would be amazing topped with fresh raspberries. Or you can add a bit of caramel or peanutRead more
Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars
It’s been several years since we’ve had pecan pie for Thanksgiving. We typically have sour cream pumpkin pie, and recently we added pumpkin cheesecake and then apple pie, so there’s not really a need for yet another dessert. But since everything is different this year and we’ll not be doing Thanksgiving at all, I decidedRead more
Apple Almond Crisp
It’s hard to believe it’s already late September! I’ve started a new job this month working as the sole Registered Dietitian Nutritionist at two long-term care facilities. It’s been a whirlwind getting adjusted and learning the ropes at two different places. Despite the upheaval of a new job, I’ve already made this almond apple crispRead more
Individual Chocolate Cheesecakes
Chocolate cheesecake is one of my favorite desserts. For a recent party, I made my old chocolate cheesecake recipe (back from 2012!) but updated it to make individual mini cheesecakes. The texture of these is out of this world; they’re smooth, creamy, and deliciously rich. While cheesecake is a bit fussy to make, I likeRead more
Magical Fruit Cake
This is a magical fruit cake, because at every stage when making it, you question whether it will really turn out, and lo and behold, it does and it’s really quite tasty. While this isn’t my favorite holiday treat, it’s a fun sentimental treat for my grandpa. I’ve made this a few years now forRead more
Spiced Polka Dot Cookies
I’ve never made sugar cookies before.  But when looking for a fun, new cookie recipe for a cookie exchange, I found these in Dorie Greenspan’s book, Dorie’s Cookies.  I combined a couple of Dorie’s recipes for a delicious spiced sugar cookie rolled in pearl sugar which provides a sweet, crunchy exterior.  These are wonderfully unique,Read more
Key Lime Icebox Cake
Here’s your go-to dessert for the summer!  Perfect for the summer, this dessert doesn’t require any baking and is refreshing and so simple to put together.  Icebox cakes became popular at the early 1900s as iceboxes (early forms of refrigerators) became more common. This icebox cake combines the flavors of key lime pie for a refreshinglyRead more
Chocolate Date Truffles
As part of my dietetics degree, I had to take a food service class this semester.  One of the main projects was planning, cooking and serving a theme meal for 55 that was 4 courses, under 900 calories, and less than $5.50 per plate.  One of my friends did a vegan theme and these ChocolateRead more
Belgian Brownie Cakelets
These Belgian Brownie Cakelets are divine.  While I typically think of a brownie as being dense, these are very light but oh so chocolatey.  I had some very cute mini quiche pans that worked perfectly for these, but if you don’t want to buy something specific, Smitten Kitchen says these can be made in regular muffinRead more
Blackberry Breakfast Bars
Berry picking is one of my favorite summer activities.  While it’s not exactly convenient, I love the tradition of going to Homestead Farms with Mom and picking berries, and buying fresh produce from the farm.  We usually stop by Starbucks on the way home for an iced coffee.  Mom took Sister and me all theRead more
Mexican Wedding Cookies
Today is my parents’ 40th wedding anniversary.  Sister’s first wedding anniversary is next week.  And the Boyfriend is now the Fiancé!  We got engaged on May 21st during a lovely picnic by a lake.  We’re incredibly excited for this next step in our lives together!  And what better way to celebrate these romantic occasions thanRead more
Vietnamese Iced Coffee Ice Cream
Mom and I love Vietnamese Iced Coffee.  If you’ve never had it, it’s super rich coffee that’s mixed over ice with condensed milk.  It’s pretty amazing.  But unfortunately, Mom and I are very sensitive to caffeine and there’s not a decaf version.  That’s why when I saw this recipe for Vietnamese Coffee Ice Cream, IRead more
Reese’s Peanut Butter Pie
Unlike most of the food bloggers out there, I’m not bringing you a healthy salad recipe, or a lighter version of your favorite comfort food.  So I apologize if this is unsupportive of your new year’s resolutions!  But this week is full of birthdays to celebrate, starting with my good friend, then the Boyfriend’s, thenRead more
World Peace Cookies
Happy New Year, friends!   I hope you’re feeling excited about the new year with all its possibilities. For Christmas this year I made a bunch of different cookies to give as gifts.  When trying to decide what cookies to make, I decided it was finally time to try Dorie Greenspan’s famous World Peace Cookies.Read more
Ginger Oatmeal Cookies with White Chocolate and Candied Ginger
Oatmeal cookies are always a classic and these Ginger Oatmeal Cookies with White Chocolate and Candied Ginger have a fancy, fun twist.  I’m not much of a white chocolate or a candied ginger fan, but the white chocolate isn’t overwhelming and pairs really well with a little candied ginger, which has a nice warmth toRead more
Easy Caramel Sauce
Do you pronounce it “car-mel” or “care-a-mel”?  However you say it, this caramel sauce is delicious!  I’ve wanted to try making caramel sauce for a while, but didn’t want to have to fuss with a candy thermometer, so I’d been kind of intimidated.  But you can’t get much simpler than this recipe and your resultRead more
Strawberry Summer Cake
It’s finally strawberry season, the very first of picking season at my favorite farm, Homestead Farms.  And despite a spring full of rain, the strawberries are fantastic!  After picking strawberries I browsed around for the perfect way to let them shine (besides just eating them, of course), and this Smitten Kitchen recipe caught my eye.Read more
Lemon Blueberry Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
This was Mom’s choice for a Mother’s Day dessert.  Moms always know best.  This was an awesomely delicious cake.  Although Dad’s comment was that it needed a new name because it didn’t sound as good as it tasted…his suggestions were “Better than expected Lemon Blueberry Cake” or “Chocolate Lemon Blueberry Cake”…because things sound better withRead more
Vanilla and Chocolate Pots de Creme
 Are you a chocolate lover or a vanilla lover?  Well for these lovely pots de creme, you don’t have to pick just one.  I made Chocolate Pots de Creme a while ago, and the recipe is wonderfully simple.  So naturally I had to mix things up a bit and decided to make a vanilla potsRead more
Chocolate Toffee Cookies
Happy Valentine’s Day!  I hope you feel extra loved today, and that you’re able to see all the wonderful people that care about you. I’m not much of a fan of Valentine’s Day, but if you’re going to celebrate, you’ve got to celebrate with chocolate.  And these cookies pack quite the chocolate punch!  These areRead more
Sour Cream Pumpkin Pie
Monday is my Future Brother-in-law’s 30th birthday!!!  Happy birthday, Chris!! In honor of his birthday, I’m sharing his favorite pie.  This pumpkin pie mixes in sour cream to the filling keeping it airy and fluffy, almost soufflé-like.  If you make it the right way, you have to start with a real pumpkin.  Now that mayRead more
Pumpkin Cheesecake with Ginger Cookie Crust
It’s definitely starting to feel like fall in Maryland.  The leaves are vibrant shades of yellows and reds, and I’m loving driving through the falling leaves.  It’s sweater weather, and the leaves are starting to crunch beneath your feet when you walk anywhere.  Fall is my favorite season.  And in the spirit of fall things,Read more
Chocolate Chia Pudding
Remember chia pets?   Those funny shaped pots that would grow “hair” from chia seeds?  Well now chia seeds are all the rage for the variety of health benefits they provide.  Chia seeds are high in omega 3 fatty acids, fiber, protein and antioxidants, to name a few.  Because of all the fiber in chiaRead more
Coconut Pecan Oatmeal Cake
Dad hasn’t taught me a lot of recipes, but the recipes he has passed on are always crowd pleasers.  This was the first thing to go at Carroll Cafe.  I have a vivid memory of him teaching Sister how to watch to make sure the broiler was caramelizing the top just right.  This recipe isRead more
Big Soft Peanut Butter Crinkle Cookies
Mmmmm peanut butter.  I have a bit of a peanut butter addiction.  If I can’t figure out something else to eat I revert to peanut butter and jelly, or peanut butter and honey, or peanut butter and banana.  I put peanut butter on pancakes, and waffles, banana bread, and oatmeal.  So naturally, I’m a bigRead more
Toffee Almond Sea Salt Brownies
I love a good salty-sweet combo.  Chocolate-covered pretzels are my main weakness, I can’t be trusted around a bag of those.  So when I saw this recipe, I knew it was going to be fantastic.  These are not your average brownies, they have chewy toffee pieces inside and on top, and are topped with crunchyRead more
Rhubarb Upside Down Cake
Rhubarb is such a unique vegetable.  It grows with big leaves that are inedible, but the stalks are a bright red, and are absolutely delicious when cooked (with sugar).  Raw rhubarb is intensely sour/bitter.  It’s one of those plants that you can’t believe someone figured out how to eat, but I’m so glad the deliciousnessRead more
Coconut Brown Rice Pudding
This is a fantastic rice pudding.  I think I like it even better than my previous rice pudding.  This is very easy to put together since the rice is already cooked.  The spices can be altered as desired for your favorite flavor, but I adore the cardamom in this.  I was a little afraid theRead more
Turtle Cookies
Have you ever had a turtle?  They’re a delicious family favorite candy from my childhood.  Pecans, encased in chewy caramel topped with sweet milk chocolate.  We used to get them around the holidays.  I’m still a big fan of the salty, sweet, crunchy, chewy combination.  These cookies are all of the delectable things I remember aboutRead more
Creamy Vanilla Rice Pudding (vegan and gluten-free)
Coming up with new, delicious, and easy vegan and gluten-free desserts for Carroll Cafe is a challenge.  This month I decided to give rice pudding a try.  I figured there must be a good recipe using a non-dairy milk to make it vegan.  While I usually prefer my rice to be savory, this rice puddingRead more
Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies
One of the first things I learned to make as a child was chocolate chip cookies.    It was one of the few recipes Dad knew, and he taught me, and I don’t think he’s made them since. It was a great recipe for thin, crispy cookies.  But they were best eaten straight out ofRead more
Nutella Dark Chocolate Cake
So I’m going to assume, dear reader, that you’ve had nutella, the delicious chocolate hazelnut spread that’s taken the world by storm.  And if you’ve had it, you obviously fell in love with it.  So obviously there’s not much else to say about this cake.  Except it’s delicious.  The cake is moist, the frosting isRead more
Sesame Tahini Cookies
Ok, I’m going to let you in on a secret.  When I hear that a dessert is vegan and/or gluten-free, I pretty much assume it can’t possibly be delicious.  This is entirely unfair.  I myself have made several delicious vegan or gluten-free desserts.  I know it’s not impossible, yet my skepticism remains.  But in an attemptRead more
Cranberry Oat Bars
I’m a bit behind with my blogging, so this is one of the recipes from December’s Carroll Cafe.  These bars turned out great and will definitely be a new favorite after Thanksgiving.  This is a great way to use up leftover cranberry sauce, but these are so delicious they’re definitely worth making a new batchRead more
Grapefruit Ricotta Cookies
As you may have noticed I post a little * on my Carroll Cafe menu posts to warn that the menu may change without notice.  Well that little notice is for exactly what happened this month.  I’d planned on making a delicious grapefruit bundt cake that I’ve made before.  However, when it came time toRead more
Midnight Chocolate Cookies
Today is my birthday, and what better way to celebrate with all of you, than a recipe for a fantastically delicious and decadent cookie!  I made these for Carroll Cafe last week, and I was super impressed by them.  They’re really more like a brownie than a cookie.  They’re rich, soft on the inside, andRead more
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
I’ve been making these cookies for years.  When one of my friends saw me pin a different oatmeal chocolate chip cookie recipe she asked why I’d use any recipe but this one.  I was quite surprised that of the 7 cookie recipes that include oatmeal, none of them were this recipe.  I made these forRead more
Cardamom-Spiced Pear Cake
The pear cake that I’d originally planned to use just didn’t turn out very well.  So I turned  to this recipe from Grandma that’s saved me in the past. This cake turned out great!  It’s lightly spiced with the cardamom, and is moist and tender from the pear.  It’s a great light cake that wouldRead more
Frosted Banana Bars
Well as I mentioned last week, my kitchen failures continued while I was doing my Carroll Cafe cooking.  So instead of the planned recipes, I had to quickly come up with some alternatives.  A quick text to my aunt, and I got this reliable, delicious recipe that was one of Grandma’s go-to recipes.  I canRead more
Finnish Cinnamon Rolls
My favorite Finn, who introduced me to Finnish Oven Pancakes, makes fantastic Finnish Cinnamon Rolls.  These rolls are delicate and lightly sweetened, the dough is spiced with cardamom and the middle is spread with cinnamon.  While these aren’t nearly as sweet or decadent as your typical American sticky buns, they’re light and doughy and utterlyRead more
Swedish Apple Almond Cake
I haven’t been to Sweden, but I’m pretty sure I’d love the food (then again you’d be hard pressed to find a country where I wouldn’t love the food).   This cake has a subtle sweetness that highlights the sweet apples.  It’s moist and spiced with cardamom and is the perfect tea-time cake.  This wasRead more
Chocolate Peanut Butter Parfaits
This was one of the most popular desserts at Carroll Cafe last weekend.  I love the combination of chocolate and peanut butter, so this was right up my alley.  Then add in salty, crunchy pretzels and you’ve got a decadent, perfect dessert.  It’s creamy and smooth, sweet and tangy, crunchy and salty. I made chocolate puddingRead more
Pumpkin Cinnamon Cookies
Pumpkin season is in full swing.  While I still feel it’s a bit early (I still feel like it’s September!), these cookies are enough to convince me to jump on the pumpkin bandwagon.  Cakey and fluffy, rich and warm, these cookies are one part coffee cake and one part snickerdoodle.  The cinnamon flavor is outRead more
Pavlovas with Mixed Berries
Pavlovas are a type of meringue typically topped with whipped cream and berries.  This meringue-dessert has a crispy-crunchy outer layer and a soft-chewy interior.  It’s almost like a marshmallow on the inside, surrounded by a crisp-outer layer.  Combined with barely-sweetened whipped cream and berries, these are a sweet, creamy treat. Pavlovas are a bit fussy.Read more
Apple Tarts with Hint of Cinnamon
Reminiscent of an apple turnover, these tarts are the perfect balance of sweet and tangy, with a tender, flaky crust.  These are a stunning dessert, but incredibly easy to make.  I added a hint of cinnamon to these, but if you love cinnamon flavor add a bit more. Apple Tarts with Hint of Cinnamon MakesRead more
Coconut, Zucchini, Chocolate Chip Cookies
Alright, here’s one more zucchini recipe!  This is definitely worth making before the last of the zucchini leave your garden!  You can even freeze the dough (pre-scooped) for later this winter. These cookies are sweet, chewy, nutty, crunchy on the outside, and tender on the inside.  I have to say that these jumped up nearRead more
Cinnamon Walnut Baked Apples
It’s hard to believe it’s September, and this week has definitely felt more like summer than the start of fall.  But despite that, the apples are out at the farm, and the picking is easy.  So besides eating plain apples, or apples with sharp cheddar cheese, or apples with peanut butter, I’m indulging with someRead more
Zucchini Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
I told you I had a lot of zucchini to use, so here’s the third recipe in a row with those delicious summer zucchini.  These cookies are a fantastic treat to make with zucchini.  Chocolate chip oatmeal cookies are probably my favorite type of cookie (if I had to choose), and these cookies are everythingRead more
Blackberry Chip Ice Cream
I’ve been meaning to make ice cream for ages.  And I’ve finally gotten around to it.  This was a fabulous first ice cream to make.  After picking way too many pounds of blackberries, and first eating my fill, I made this ice cream.  Black raspberry ice cream is one of my favorite flavors, so IRead more
Chocolate Pots de Creme
I made these for Carroll Cafe and everyone loved them.  I had one person who got one before the show started and then came back at intermission to get one for his “wife.”  I can’t blame him if he didn’t actually share, these are definitely worth devouring all on your own.  These might be myRead more
Individual Cheesecakes with Fresh Fruit
I didn’t used to like cheesecake, then I tried chocolate cheesecake and I could totally get behind that.  And then when my sister made this cheesecake the first time, I became a full convert.  There’s nothing like a sweet, crunchy crust paired with rich, creamy cheesecake.  Now you have all the deliciousness of cheesecake inRead more
Rhubarb Berry Crisp
This was another great recipe from Carroll Cafe.  Rhubarb is a great spring plant.  It looks like red celery and has a very intense tart flavor when raw.  I love baking with rhubarb because the tart flavor works so well in a variety of uses, like pie, bars, scones, and this crisp.  This crisp usesRead more
Strawberry and Cream Brown Sugar Cookies
Holy yum.  These cookies are like strawberry shortcake/cheesecake in a soft, individually portioned cookie.  The flavors complement each other perfectly without being too sweet.  The cookies are tender and moist with just the right amount of brown sugar flavor.  Topped with a cream cheese frosting and a bright red strawberry, these are the perfect treatRead more
Chocolate Turtle Cookies
These were a huge hit at Carroll Cafe.  These are everything a chocolate lover needs.  The rich chocolate cookie is almost brownie-like and is stuffed with crunchy pecans and gooey caramel bits.  These are an intense treat.  Your sweet tooth will definitely be satisfied. Chocolate Turtle Cookies Makes 20 large cookies Adapted from Two PeasRead more
Raspberry Frosty Squares
This is a recipe I adapted from my grandma’s recipe.  It is the perfect summer treat.  These bars are light and fluffy tasting with a wonderful crunchy crust/topping.  The fruit really shines.  They’re the perfect way to cool down on a long hot summer day. As my grandma would say, they’re really easy to make.Read more
Hummingbird Cupcakes
Hummingbird cake is an American spice cake that’s been popular in the South.  Pineapple and banana keep these cupcakes super moist, while coconut and walnuts give the cake a bit of texture.  The cake is so tender and is topped with my favorite cream cheese frosting.  The tropical fruits are such a unique taste inRead more
Key Lime Pie Bars
These Key Lime Pie Bars were such a hit at Carroll Cafe that I feel like they deserve to be re-posted.  These bars are perfect for a crowd, and such a big hit!  They’re super tart, sweet, and a little crunchy from the graham cracker crust.  The only thing I might do differently is toRead more
Toasted Coconut Macaroon Nests
Just in time for Easter, or in celebration of Spring, here is an adorable, edible craft.  These macaroon nests take the same delicious macaroon recipe I’ve posted earlier, but are dressed up a bit for the season.  A drizzle of melted semi-sweet chocolate, because everything is better with chocolate, and a few egg shaped treatsRead more
Strawberry Shortcake Rice Krispie Treats
Do you remember making rice krispie treats as a kid?  It wasn’t something that we did very often, but I do remember trying to press the gooey, messy mass of marshmallow-coated rice krispies into the pan.  And then, of course, licking off all the pieces that stuck to my hands.  It’s been at least 10Read more
Nutella Espresso Mousse Brownies
If you need an afternoon pick-me-up these are definitely the brownies for you!  These were so incredible that I think I’m going to have to make a decaf version so I can have more of them!  I’m so sensitive to caffeine that I could only handle a taste of these, but they are so decadentRead more
Caramel Appledoodles
Part snickerdoodle, part caramel apple, these cookies have got it going on!  They’re super chewy, with bright notes of apple, gooey caramel, all surrounded by sweet cinnamon-sugar.  You just can’t stop eating them because they have so many different layers of flavor.  These were definitely a favorite at Carroll Cafe this month, and will definitelyRead more
Meyer Lemon Pudding Cakes
These might be the fanciest creation I’ve made.  That said, they really weren’t that difficult, and are definitely show stoppers.  These were the first treat to go at the March Carroll Cafe.  As it’s just beginning to seem like spring is here, it’s the perfect time to take advantage of the last of the winterRead more
Mocha Chocolate Mousse for Two
This mousse is amazing.  I made this for Valentine’s Day and it was the perfect ending to a wonderful meal.  It’s super smooth and rich.  The coffee adds a deep richness that goes so perfectly with the sweet, creamy chocolate.  Topped with light and fluffy whipped cream, this is a perfect dessert for two (orRead more
Chocolate Pecan Carmelitas
This is another recipe from February’s Carroll Cafe.  These bars are chocolatey, sweet, nutty and chewy.  Carmelitas are a bit like oatmeal cookies, but with the extra deliciousness of chocolate, caramel and pecans!  These are easy to throw together and are easy to customize to your taste preferences. Chocolate Pecan Carmelitas Serves about 18 AdaptedRead more
Lemon Meringue Bars
These are one of the delicious treats I made for February’s Carroll Cafe.  These were a big hit.  It was my first time making meringue and my first time using my new blow torch!  This is actually much easier to make than I was expecting, especially considering how impressive it looks.  The meringue gets piled,Read more
Brown Sugar-Pecan Swirl Banana Bread
As soon as I saw this recipe I knew that’s what my bananas were destined for.  And then, with 3 nicely blackened bananas on my counter, I read the recipe…and realized I only needed 1 banana.  So this recipe is heavily adapted so I could use my 3 bananas.  It turned out as deliciously asRead more
Coconut Lime Ricotta Cookies
Happy Valentine’s Day!  I hope you take a moment today to recognize all the love in your life. I’m not much of a fan of Valentine’s Day, but one of my college roommates loved it.  It’s her favorite holiday, and she makes a point of telling everyone in her life how much they mean toRead more
Swedish Toscas
These cookies are a family favorite.  My grandma always made these for Sister as her Christmas cookie.  Since grandma passed away in 2007, I’ve tried to carry on the tradition.  While I’m sure mine aren’t as pretty as Grandma’s were, they’re just as tasty.  These cookies are delicious, the rich buttery shortbread complements the toastedRead more
Cranberry Buttermilk Cake
This cake was gorgeous.  It just might be the perfect treat for Christmas morning.  The cranberries are bright bursts of tart juice, the batter is full of sweet orange flavor, and the cake is light and fluffy.  With the cranberries, this isn’t a very sweet cake, so it’s great for brunch or tea.  This isRead more
Chocolate Chunk Eggnog Cookies
These are one of the cookies I made last week for Carroll Cafe.  Now I have to confess that I don’t like eggnog.  But every year Sister likes to get a carton of eggnog for the season, and usually cuts it with milk because it’s too rich on its own.  So there’s typically at leastRead more
Monster Cookies (gluten-free)
These cookies are full of all the tasty things a cookie monster loves, they’ve got peanut butter, chocolate chips, M&Ms, toffee and oats.  And they just happen to be gluten-free.  I don’t normally look for gluten-free recipes, but for last month’s Carroll Cafe, I thought it might be nice to have one gluten-free option.  TheseRead more
Brown Sugar Oatmeal Cookies
These cookies are simple, yet exquisite.  The brown sugar tastes caramelized, giving a rich toffee flavor and nice chewy texture that goes well with the oats.  These are definitely going to be one of my go-to cookies.  It’s especially good for anyone who isn’t that into chocolate.  While obviously cookies are always best when eatenRead more
Fresh Apple Bundt Cake
This cake is a great way to use the fresh fruit of autumn.  This cake is super moist and filled with apple-y flavor.  Dusted with a little powdered sugar, it’s the perfect balance of sweet.  Perfection is this cake with a cup of tea or coffee, or really get into the holiday spirit with aRead more
Cranberry Upside Down Pumpkin Cake
This was a fantastic cake.  It was the first thing to sell out at Carroll Cafe on Friday, and I have to say that it is a great recipe.  The orange zest adds a fresh note that pairs wonderfully with the cranberries, the pumpkin keeps the cake moist and tender.  The fresh cranberries are tartRead more
Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes and November’s Carroll Cafe Menu
Carroll Cafe will be this Friday, November 8th.  There will be a fantastic line-up of treats once again!  The menu includes: Fresh Apple Bundt Cake King Arthur Brownies Cranberry Upside Down Pumpkin Cake Monster Cookies (gluten-free) Brown Sugar Oatmeal Cookies Hope to see you there! And just in time for the next Carroll Cafe, here’sRead more
Caramel Apple Cookies
These cookies were made for Carroll Cafe and were quite the hit.  The toffee bits add a sweet touch, the apple is a little chewy, and the almonds add a little crunch.  These are definitely a unique option and are definitely something I’d make again.  While I don’t remember the last time I actually ateRead more
Fall Harvest Oatmeal Cookies
Is it possible that it’s November?!?  Where does the time go!  I hope you all had a wonderful Halloween.  If you didn’t get enough sweets already, here’s a wonderful fall cookie to try to remind you of the season…because clearly if I eat enough of these it’ll be easier to remember it’s already November….right? TheseRead more
Seekers Luncheon
So last Sunday I cooked the quarterly after church lunch.  There were about 55 people and for the first time ever there were hardly any leftovers!  I think at the end of the meal there was one bowl of chili left and one small serving of salad.  It helps that no one told me howRead more
Oreo Cheesecake Bars
I’m not really a fan of Oreos, but when picking recipes for Carroll Cafe I like to pick things that I wouldn’t normally make myself.  However, these bars might just turn me into an Oreo fan!  These are rich and decadent treats.  The cheesecake is creamy, the Oreos add a nice crunch (although they softenRead more
Cinnamon Sugar Apple Zucchini Cake
So this is one of the desserts I made for Friday night’s Carroll Cafe.  I had made a Cinnamon Sugar Zucchini Cake, and as I was slicing it to serve I sampled a piece and was HORRIFIED by how it turned out!  It was gummy and weird and totally not cake-like.  I’m not sure whatRead more
Apple Crisp Muffins
These were delicious.  The perfect taste of fall flavors.  Dad said they were the best muffins he’s ever had.  My only complaint is that the recipe only made 10!  Next time I’ll definitely be (at least) doubling the recipe! These are super moist due to the combination of butter, oil and applesauce.  The fresh appleRead more
Throwback Thursday
So I haven’t had a real win in the kitchen lately, and things have been busy with starting class, so instead of a new post today I’m doing a throwback to an old favorite!  It’s September (despite my protests at the passage of time!), which means it is now acceptable to bring on the pumpkin!Read more
Fresh Blackberry-Plum Crisp
This is a recipe for all those people that don’t like cooked fruit.  A dear friend of mine doesn’t like the texture of baked fruit, which is just a tragedy when you think of all the delicious crumbles and crisps she’s missing out on!  So when I stumbled upon this recipe I thought it wasRead more
Peach and Blueberry Crisp
Oh summertime, how delectable your fruits are.  Peach season is in full swing in these parts and I may have gotten a bit carried away when picking last week and ended up with way more peaches than I knew what to do with.  That’s a lie, I totally knew what to do:  devour them!  TheyRead more
Double Berry Buttermilk Bundt Cake
Sometimes failure in the kitchen happens.  It’s unfortunate when you spend time and ingredients trying to create something wonderful and end up with a mess.  But in today’s case, at least the mess tasted delicious.  This bundt is the perfect blend of sweet (not too sweet) cake with sweet/tart berries studded throughout.  The cake isRead more
Black and White Chocolate Cupcakes
These cupcakes are delicious.  The chocolate cake is super moist and so tender.  It has a rich, dark chocolate flavor that really shines.  It’s almost brownie-like.  Topped with a rich white chocolate frosting these are decadent and sure to be a new classic.  I’m not usually a fan of white chocolate, but the combination ofRead more
Vegan Chocolate Chunk Cookies
I’ve always been a bit skeptical about vegan baked goods.  But every so often I like to be able to bake treats for a specialized diet crowd and so it’s important to have a good vegan recipe on hand for those instances.  These cookies are good.  They aren’t my ideal chocolate chip cookie because they’reRead more
Blackberry Lemon Cheesecake Bars
Check out the new blog feature!  Now when you click on the “Print & PDF” button you can customize how much of the post prints!  You can include or exclude intro text and/or pictures.  Hope that helps with printing and saving recipes! These bars are definitely a taste of spring.  While they’re not quite asRead more
Salted Nut Chews (a.k.a. Lauren’s Christmas Cookies)
This is another recipe from my grandma.  These were the cookies I always requested for Christmas, they totally taste like the holidays to me.  I haven’t had these cookies in quite a few years, and so it was totally nostalgic having these again.  They’re apparently officially called Salted Nut Chews, but in my family they’reRead more
Cinnamon Glazed Cappuccino Bars
Do you like coffee?  If so, these bars are for you.  These are a coffee lover’s dream.  They’re rich and decadent, with the espresso powder and dark chocolate cutting the sweetness, and then topped with a cinnamon glaze that totally takes these to a new level.  These have a lot of kick to them andRead more
Apple Crumble (vegan)
I’m still recapping foods made in April!  This is the last recipe I made for the ladies at my church’s annual Women’s Retreat.  Unfortunately I wasn’t able to attend since I had a bunch of studying to do, but I was glad to at least participate by providing the food.  It sounded like it wasRead more
Blueberry Buttermilk Breakfast Cake
Happy Mother’s Day!! Sister came down early to celebrate Mother’s Day, so we had our Mother’s Day brunch a day early.  When we were growing up Sister and I would make breakfast in bed for Mom.  So breakfast foods are our traditional celebration.  This year Mom requested this herbed ricotta tart, and something fruity forRead more
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Layer Cake
I didn’t used to be a cake person.  When Sister and I were little we always chose ice cream cakes for our birthdays, and not the new modern kind that have cold cake at the bottom, just straight up ice cream in the shape of a cake with a ganache on top.  So when askedRead more
Simple Chocolate Fudge
This was my first attempt at fudge.  It was a great recipe, very easy and delicious!  I’d definitely like to try some other variations, maybe some darker chocolate, some with nuts, maybe a swirl of peanut butter.  Whatever variations you decide to do, this is a great base, and great on it’s own in itsRead more
Chocolate Chip Blondies
Here is another fabulous recipe from Grandma.  These were apparently one of her go-to recipes when having guests over in Japan.  Blondies are non-chocolate versions of brownies, but with the addition of chocolate chips these are like soft, chewy chocolate chip cookies.  They’re absolutely delicious. Chocolate Chip Blondies Makes 9 bars 1/3 cup butter, meltedRead more
Chocaroon Pie
This is a recipe my mom had saved from a Baker’s chocolate box.  It’s a classic coconut-chocolate combination, which you really can’t go wrong with.  Combined with some condensed milk, this is a rich, decadent treat that really is as easy as pie.  A delicious chocolate base topped with a sweet toasted coconut macaroon flavoredRead more
Angel Food Cake with Whipped Cream and Berries
March 31st was a special day.  Not only was it Easter, but it was also my cousin’s 9th birthday!  (If you’re really paying attention, you may be thinking, ‘didn’t your cousin turn 9 last month?’, and you’d be right.  Lucky me, I have two cousins just a month apart in age on either side ofRead more
Grapefruit Bundt Cake
This was my contribution to our Easter Sunday potluck breakfast at church.  I saved this recipe from Cooking Light over a year ago, and have been eagerly awaiting a chance to make it.  It was definitely worth the wait!  I absolutely loved this! I’m a huge fan of grapefruit, so I was excited to seeRead more
Mint Chocolate Cookie Bark
Warning:  this is highly addictive.  This is popular with people that don’t like chocolate, this is popular with people that don’t like mint!  This is great for a salty, sweet, minty, crunchy treat!  There’s a little bit of everything in here and the possibilities are endless.  While this isn’t really “cooking” it’s a great assemblyRead more
Rhubarb Custard Pie
Yesterday was Pi day.  I’m not really a math person, but I’ll take any excuse to celebrate pie! Rhubarb is beginning to appear in stores and since rhubarb season is rather short, you’ll definitely want to jump on a chance to use it before it’s gone!  I highly recommend Rhubarb Custard Pie.  This is aRead more
Peanut Butter Drizzled Chocolate Chocolate Chunk Cookies
These cookies are as spectacularly decadent as they sound.  A rich chocolatey, chewy cookies, with a touch of peanut butter…it’s a wonderful combination.  Be sure not to over-bake these cookies since they’ll dry out and be slightly less delicious.  The type of chocolate you use will really influence the outcome, so go with your favorite.Read more
Vanilla Cupcakes with Vanilla Bean Buttercream
While vanilla is not my usual go-to decadent treat, Naomi’s request for vanilla cupcakes for her birthday party was the perfect opportunity for me to try out some more classic recipes.  The kids seemed to like these, and the parents loved them. And even though they weren’t chocolate-y, I still thought they were deliciously decadentRead more
Razzleberry Pie
Yesterday was my cousin’s 9th birthday!  She had a wonderful party and to help in the celebration, I made Razzleberry Pie (Naomi doesn’t like cake, so pie it is!), and Vanilla Cupcakes with Vanilla Bean Buttercream (recipe coming soon). I’m so glad Naomi wanted birthday pie, because it was a great excuse to make thisRead more
Raspberry Cheesecake Brownies
This has been a sweet-filled month!  To keep the treats rolling, these Raspberry Cheesecake Brownies were something I made a few weeks ago for Carroll Cafe, the monthly concert hosted at my church.  These fudgy brownies are topped with a creamy, sweet raspberry cheesecake.  These add a fun new twist on the classic brownie. RaspberryRead more
Decadent Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Ganache Frosting
My adorable cousin turned 3 yesterday, and to celebrate, I made her this decadently chocolatey cake.  As my uncle said, “This is the best chocolate cake I’ve ever had!”  And indeed it is.  The cake is super moist and tender, the frosting is rich and creamy and thick and decadent.  Truly awesome.  This is notRead more
Red Velvet Cupcakes
Red velvet cupcakes are so pretty.  These cupcakes are vibrant and fluffy and topped with a delicious cream cheese frosting.  These colorful cupcakes are great for Valentine’s day, but they’re also pretty enough to glam up any other day too. While I am still struggling to learn how to pipe frosting properly, if you don’tRead more
Oatmeal Toffee Cookies
These cookies were awesome.  They’re buttery-delicious with a nice crunch from the toffee and pecans, and a chewy base from the oatmeal.  Upon first bite, Mom declared them her new favorite cookie.  They’re awesome, a little something different and super easy to whip up.  I’d definitely recommend these!! Oatmeal Toffee Cookies Makes about 3 dozenRead more
Trail Mix Cookies
These cookies are a fun way of using up lingering supplies in a super tasty and creative way.  They’re the best reward for a little kitchen cleaning.  So go through your cupboards and your secret stash of candy and combine your sweet, salty, crunchy, chewy treats to form these awesome cookies.  I tried adding pretzelsRead more
Rich Chocolate Brownie Cookies
These cookies are insane.  They’re super chocolatey and rich.  Brownie in cookie form is definitely a good descriptor.  They’re tender with a crisp outside.  Absolutely delicious and guaranteed to satisfy your chocolate cravings. Rich Chocolate Brownie Cookies Makes about 24 cookies Adapted from Taste of Home magazine (Feb/March 2013) 16 oz (about 2 2/3 cup)Read more
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
I am not a raisin fan.  Golden raisins are alright, but regular raisins are just not my thing.  Despite this, I made these Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, and they are quite tasty.  I think they’d be even better without the raisins, but an Oatmeal-Raisin lover I know said these are delicious.  If you have a splitRead more
Raspberry Chocolate Pecan Rugelach
I’ve always been a fan of rugelach, they’re like delicious pastry cookies.  When I was younger I’d always go for the chocolate ones, but my mom liked the raspberry ones.  So imagine my delight when my new Smitten Kitchen Cookbook had a recipe perfect for the both of us.  These rugelach are the perfect balanceRead more
Creamy Pumpkin Pie Bars
I don’t know about you, but I love pumpkin flavored things all year.  It’s a shame that pumpkin gets a brief over-the-top highlight for two months in the fall and then basically disappears.  So I bring you this recipe in protest of keeping pumpkin locked away until October.  And since it has all the deliciousnessRead more
Reindeer Cookies
This year at my church we had a live Christmas pageant for the first time in at least 20 years.  My mom is always in charge of the Christmas program and so she’s usually kept it to other things like art crafts or pictures of the nativity story, but this year she decided it wasRead more
Chai-Spiced Snickerdoodles
I hope you all have a wonderful and magical Christmas, if you celebrate, or a wonderful and magical Tuesday if you don’t. This holiday season I made some cookies to give as gifts.  I quadrupled the recipe below so that I’d have a lot of dough and what I didn’t end up baking off I’veRead more
Pumpkin Walnut Bread (vegan)
Do vegan baked goods kind of make you cringe?  I’m always hesitant to label things vegan because I think mainstream society thinks of vegan food as extreme and unappealing, but I promise, this vegan Pumpkin Walnut Bread is yummy!  I got the recipe from Joy the Baker, who I definitely trust to make a deliciousRead more
Cowboy Cookies
In my dad’s opinion, there is nothing better than a chocolate chip cookie.  Unfortunately for him, I’ve been making a different Christmas cookie each week this month and plain chocolate chip cookies haven’t made the cut.  On the upside, apparently my dad’s qualifications for a chocolate chip cookie is just a cookie that contains chocolateRead more
Cranberry Snacking Cake
This snacking cake is delicious.  It’s easy, and casual enough to be served for an afternoon snack.  It’s not too sweet, so it’s perfect for tea time (because obviously you take a break for tea time, right?).  But it’s also great to add a little contrast to all the sweet cookies and treats that areRead more
Carrot Oatmeal Cookies
These cookies are scrumptious.  They’re kind of like coconut macaroons, with a chewy, crunchy, sweet nutty flavor.  They definitely don’t taste vegan, and while they’re a little crumbly, they definitely hold their shape long enough to get in your mouth, what more could you need? I’m still figuring coconut oil out, but I imagine thatRead more
Cranberry Pear Crumble
Coming up with vegan desserts is a bit challenging. I really want to stick with ingredients that people might have on hand, so the idea of doing some fruit cobblers/crumbles seemed like a good place to start. When I saw this combination of pears and cranberries I was definitely intrigued. I could totally see howRead more
Lemon Creme with Sweet Thyme & Oat Granola
So last night was the start of the new School of Christian Living classes.  This term one of the classes is focused on animal rights, so I’m rising to the challenge to make 6 weeks of vegan meals.  I’m going to try to stick to cooking with regular ingredients and limit the use of anyRead more
Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
This recipe has jumped the queue.  I have quite a few recipes stored up for posting, but since I’ve already raved about this recipe to two people I figured I needed to get it posted ASAP.  I saw this recipe and thought it would be good for another one of my dad’s retreats.  I wantedRead more
Carrot Cake
This is a great recipe.  It comes from another woman from my church (don’t church ladies just have the best recipes?).  I got a marriage proposal out of this recipe…you know, if he wasn’t twice my age and already engaged… If that doesn’t say enough about how good this recipe is, I don’t know whatRead more
French Apple Cake
This cake did not go smoothly.  It was a big pain.  I got burned twice from molten sugar, burnt one batch of sugar, and never got the “golden amber” color that the sugar was supposed to turn.  If you have some advice, please let me know, because otherwise I may never attempt this again.  AlthoughRead more
Pumpkin Bars
Hello September!  It now feels officially appropriate to eat pumpkin and apple flavored things.  To kick things off I made another Grandma specialty, Pumpkin Bars.  These bars are a delicious way to bring in the fall.  They’re a big crowd pleaser, so you’ll be glad to have a whole sheet pan!  If you really likeRead more
Chocolate Decadence Cake
This is a recipe from my grandma.  It makes an entire sheet cake, so it’s perfect for a crowd. Chocolate Decadence Cake Serves about 30-40 1 box German Chocolate Cake mix (or 1/2 recipe of German Chocolate Cake) Eggs, oil and water according to cake mix directions 1 (8oz) pkg cream cheese, room temperature 1/2Read more
Blackberry Coffee Cake
Since we had some blackberries to use up, I tried this coffee cake.  It’s a simple, rustic little cake.  Not very impressive looking, but with the perfect balance of sweet, tart, crumble and cake.  This makes a wonderful casual coffee cake.  If you don’t have blackberries you can sub in whatever fruit you have onRead more
Happy Birthday, Dad!!  Happy Birthday, Grampy!!
I hope you both have a magnificent start to your new year! And of course, may there be lots of cake! German Chocolate Cake Makes a three layer cake Baker’s German Chocolate recipe For the Coconut-Pecan Frosting: 1 1/2 cans evaporated milk 3/4 cup sugar 1 cup (2 sticks) margarine or butter 6 egg yolksRead more
Blackberry Custard Pie
So with all the fun picking blackberries lately, we’ve had an abundance.  What to do with lots of fruit?  Make pie of course!  This is the recipe I usually use for rhubarb pie.  And obviously it’s easy as pie to make. Blackberry Custard Pie Serves 8 Adapted from Betty Crocker 1 pie crust (I likeRead more
Blackberry Lime Cupcakes
If you happened to be at Seekers church on Sunday you got to try the Peaches and Cream Cupcakes, and these Blackberry Lime Cupcakes. These cupcakes are the same as the Key Lime and Blueberry Swirl Cupcakes I made a few months ago.  Just swap out the blueberries for blackberries. The frosting was slightly differentRead more
Peaches and Cream Cupcakes
Here’s some celebratory (cup)cakes.  While there is lots to celebrate in life, right now I’m celebrating my fixed computer!  I had to send my poor laptop into the Mac doctors to be fixed.  Fortunately there’s a flat rate to send it to the warehouse for repairs and it came back with a new screen (whichRead more
White Chocolate Raspberry Blondies
Normally I avoid any recipe with white chocolate.  I’m just not a fan of the overly sweet flavor.  However when I was trying to come up with some recipes for a house warming party, I was intrigued by Love and Olive Oil‘s Strawberry Blondies.  I’ve wanted to try making blondies again (my first attempt severalRead more
Rhubarb Snacking Cake
Sister has been making this cake like weekly since rhubarb came in season.  She was telling me how much Chris likes it even though he’s not normally that interested in baked goods.  So I knew I needed to try it.  We’re a big fan of rhubarb pie in this household, but our usual pie isRead more
Blueberry Muffin Top Cookies
Mom and I went berry picking the other day.  We’ve been going berry picking for as long as I can remember.  Growing up we always went strawberry picking and sometimes raspberry picking.  While it wasn’t always my favorite activity due to the bugs and accidentally picking up gross berries, we would stop at a bakeryRead more
Toasted Coconut Cupcakes (Vegan)
This was also the first time I’ve created a vegan baked good.  I was very skeptical.  I mean butter and eggs are the best friends of a baker! Fortunately, this recipe was surprisingly amazing.  A friend said you wouldn’t even know they were vegan.  My dad, dessert connoisseur that he is, said that these Toasted Coconut cupcakesRead more
Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes (Gluten-Free)
This was the first time I’ve made a gluten-free dessert (intentionally).  I wasn’t sure what to expect, and I didn’t want to invest a lot into ingredients I couldn’t pronounce and wouldn’t know what to do with.  Fortunately after some googling I found an excellent recipe that only required a couple new ingredients. These strawberryRead more
German Chocolate Cupcakes
In honor of my uncle’s 40th birthday on Sunday, his wife asked me to bake cupcakes for them to take to church as a surprise celebration for him.  Ken isn’t much a of a sweets eater, but when it comes to that side of the family nothing says birthday like German Chocolate Cake.  My grandpaRead more
Catering recap
So it’s been a week since Sandra and I completed our 100-person outdoor catering event.  It was definitely an educational experience.  There is a TON of planning involved in making an event go smoothly.  So here are some things to think about if you’re planning on catering or getting a big event catered: venue- whatRead more
Chamomile Tea Cakes
These tea cakes are a delicate, light, and sweet treat.  They’re perfect for a a little snack with your tea or coffee! I found chamomile at my local Asian market (Hmart), but if you can’t find it you can use chamomile tea bags.  The chamomile I found was full of large pieces, so I’d recommendRead more
Fresh Strawberry Yogurt Bundt Cake
As soon as I showed my mom this recipe she’s been eager for me to make it.  It took a while for me to get around to it, but it was definitely worth the wait! This cake as an excellent crumb.  It’s super moist and tender.  The strawberries add a wonderful slightly sweet, slightly tartRead more
Snickerdoodle Biscotti
Biscotti is an excellent coffee snack.  These snickerdoodle biscotti bring the cinnamon-sugar flavor of a snickerdoodle cookie and combine it with the crunchy tasty log of a biscotti.  Dip these in your coffee (or milk or hot chocolate) and you have the perfect mid-morning or mid-afternoon pick-me-up treat! Snickerdoodle Biscotti makes about 20 biscotti AdaptedRead more
Zucchini Nut Sandwich Cookies
Since no meal is complete without a little something sweet (life lessons from my Grandma!), we had Zucchini Nut (open face) Sandwich Cookies for dessert at the Women’s Retreat on Saturday. I’m a big fan of these cookies.  They’re kind of like an oatmeal cookie, with cinnamon and oats.  They’re chewy, nutty and delicious.  ThenRead more
Banana Cream Pie
For dessert on Tuesday, I made Banana Cream Pie.  It was my first time making (and I think eating) a cream pie.  I thought it was quite tasty, although it’s a very sweet dessert. Banana Cream Pie Serves 8 Adapted from All Recipes 1 1/2 cups graham crackers, crushed 6 Tbsp butter, melted 1/2 cupRead more
Triple Chocolate (Black Bean) Brownies
I’ve had this recipe for a while.  It’s from one of my favorite blogs, Joy the Baker, so I knew it was going to be good (she has that amazing recipe for Chocolate Beet Cupcakes that I love), but these were great.  They were a huge hit at SCL, and so I’ve made them againRead more

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Meat & Poultry  
TexMex Turkey and Orzo
Well it has been a hot minute since my last post… Big news is that we had a baby in July 2022, which has been an absolute joy, and has also taken up most of my energy. Baby has now become a toddler (that happened so fast!), and I’m experiencing all the challenges of feedingRead more
Donburi
Donburi is a Japanese dish that we ate often when growing up. While donburi is really a category of dishes, meaning served over rice (gyudon with beef, oyakodon with chicken and egg); growing up Mom would always make it with ground beef, vegetables and egg. For more traditional recipes, I love Just One Cookbook. I’mRead more
Air Fryer Tonkatsu
Katsu is a breaded and fried Japanese dish, tonkatsu is breaded and fried pork. Growing up my mom would chicken katsu with bite-size pieces of chicken, it was super labor intensive, but so delicious. Tonkatsu is traditionally served with rice and shredded cabbage, and you can’t forget the bulldog sauce. Bulldog sauce is a uniqueRead more
Greek Turkey Meatballs
There’s so much going on in the world right now, I feel like I should have something profound to share, but in reality I’m still processing things. At work in my skilled nursing facility, they’re hoping that the last of our residents with Covid will test negative and be moved out of the Covid-Unit thisRead more
Turkey Meatballs with Peppers and Orzo
These Turkey Meatballs with Peppers and Orzo are delicious. I tripled the meatballs and froze most of them for later. I’ve been getting a lot of bell peppers in my Hungry Harvest, and this was a great way to use a bunch of them. Turkey meatballs seasoned with parmesan adds a rich, umami flavor. TomatoesRead more
Thai Turkey Meatball Bowls
I adapted these Thai turkey meatballs from a burger recipe and turned them into a delicious bowl. Bowls are a great meal option, they’re easily adjusted based on meal preferences, so I can load up on vegetables and Husband can have as much starch as he needs and everyone’s happy. Meatballs are a great optionRead more
Adobo Chicken Taco Bowls
In an attempt to be a little bit more on top of my meal planning game, I’ve been trying to do more prep ahead of time.  It definitely helps to have things already started when it comes to busy evenings when the last thing I feel like doing is cooking.  But knowing that I’ve alreadyRead more
Bacon Corn Hash
This Bacon and Corn Hash is super delicious.  Bacon adds a ton of flavor, but sweet summer corn shines through in this dish too!   This is a great way to use up some extra vegetables too.  I added chopped portobello mushrooms, which the husband doesn’t like, but he didn’t even seem to notice.  I’llRead more
Curry Yogurt Chicken with Coucous
After all the fun and excitement of graduating, getting married and going on a honeymoon, I’ve been looking forward to getting back into cooking.  This curry yogurt chicken with couscous is an incredibly simple meal that really comes together quickly and easily.  One of the best things about this curry yogurt chicken is that youRead more
Greek Turkey Burgers with Tzatziki 
It’s finally time for a recipe!  It’s been a while since I’ve made something that felt worthy of sharing, but these burgers were just the thing!  I love Mediterranean food and will often do a lemony chicken or chicken souvlaki.  But I was craving something different and decide to try out these Greek Turkey BurgersRead more
Marsala Chicken Meatballs with Egg Noodles
This Christmas I received the Smitten Kitchen Everyday cookbook (Thanks V and C!).  Smitten Kitchen is one of my favorite blogs, and is often a first stop when looking for a particular type of recipe.  In my typical fashion these days, I read the cookbook cover to cover picking out which recipes I simply hadRead more
Honey Mustard Chicken
Dinner doesn’t get much easier than this chicken.  With only five ingredients, only 5 minutes of prep work, and 30-40 minutes in the oven, this honey mustard chicken is the perfect answer to “what’s for dinner?”.  It doesn’t get much easier than this.  This is another meal my mom made for me that was soRead more
Mini Garden Turkey Meatloaves
These turkey meatloaves are awesome.  They’re tender, packed with vegetables, and individually portioned.  These are ideal for packing lunches since they’re conveniently pre-portioned.  While the original recipe used zucchini and mushrooms, my version just contained onion, bell peppers, and carrots (just a few of the ingredients from my Hungry Harvest).  The vegetables help keep theseRead more
Chicken Cabbage Bowls with Asian Dressing
Mom made this for dinner a couple weeks ago, and it was so delicious I had to make it again.  While Mom made these as lettuce wraps, which is delicious, but I decided to add some brown rice to bulk these up for a main course. These chicken cabbage bowls worked out great for mealRead more
Sweet Sausage and Kale Sauté with Potatoes and Asparagus
My summer has been a bit crazier than I was anticipating.  Taking Biochemistry online is convenient, but basically a full-time job, and I have less than 3 weeks to finish the class before vacation!  So things like dinner are a bit of an afterthought these days.  Which makes today’s meal a major winner.  This sweetRead more
BBQ Chicken Pizza
Have you been to California Pizza Kitchen?  I remember the first time I went with Mom, she ordered the BBQ chicken pizza, and I thought it was SO weird, but then the pizza came and it was absolutely delicious.  This recipe allows you to make that same memorable BBQ Chicken Pizza at home. Pizza doughRead more
Oven Chicken Fajitas
Being in school and working two jobs has definitely made me interested in fast, hands-off meals.  These Oven Chicken Fajitas are perfect for weeknight dinners.  After a little effort to chop everything up, you season everything and throw it in the oven.  Doesn’t get much simpler, and there are a wide variety of things youRead more
Beef and Cabbage Stir-Fry
This Beef and Cabbage Stir-Fry is a fast, delicious, hearty meal that I really enjoyed.  As with most stir-fries, you’ll want to have your ingredients ready before you begin since it’s a fast cooking process.  Stir-fries are also great because they’re so versatile, if you’ve got extra veggies you need to use up, you canRead more
Miso Ginger Chicken
I don’t know how my mom did it.  Growing up we had most of our home-cooked meals around the table as a family.  Sister and I brought lunches to school most days of the week.  It wasn’t always perfect, I’m sure, but in general my memory is that we ate a good, home-cooked meal mostRead more
Easy Chicken Barbecue with Roasted Potatoes
I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that we could all use a little more time.  Since going back to school full-time I’m definitely looking for quick meals that don’t require much hands-on time.  And you really can’t get much easier than this; in fact it’s a little embarrassing to even beRead more
Sloppy Joes
Sloppy Joes are an American classic, but this recipe includes a small change.  Instead of just using ground beef, I’ve added cooked lentils to cut calories and costs.  The lentils aren’t noticeable since they have a similar texture to the ground beef, but add great protein and fiber, to help you fill up.  If you’reRead more
Italian Stuffed Zucchini Boats
I’ve never made zucchini boats before, but after seeing beautiful zucchini at the farm, I decided it was time to give it a try.  These are extremely tasty, the zucchini boats are tender but not mushy, and the filling is perfectly spiced with a combination of Italian sausage and ground turkey to keep it light.Read more
Blue Apron:  Grains of Paradise-Crusted Steak
Boyfriend won three meals from Blue Apron in a work competition.  I was very excited to have a chance to try out Blue Apron, and I loved the meals we tried.  I would definitely happily pay to try more meals from them.  The process was extremely easy, the food ships to your front door andRead more
Turkey Kibbeh Meatballs
This has been a very busy Spring!  Easter was a whirl, with Sister and her fiancé coming down for wedding planning and the holiday.  My grandpa returned from his year in Japan.  Organic Chemistry is…exactly what you’d expect:  HARD.  And in the midst of all that, I’ve made more time for eating than for blogging.  SoRead more
Ginger Chicken Stir-Fry with Egg Noodles
It’s been a long time since I’ve made as stir-fry, and I don’t know why I’ve waited so long!  I don’t often cook without at least some sort of recipe as a guide, but stir-fry is really forgiving and begs to be adapted to whatever you have on hand.  While I was originally thinking I’dRead more
Fennel and Clementine Baked Chicken
For Christmas Sister gave Mom the cookbook, Jerusalem.  And so for Mom’s birthday I suggested that she pick out a recipe or two from the cookbook and I’d make it for her for a birthday dinner.  Mom chose this fantastic chicken dish.  While we didn’t have the arak, I used vodka and added a starRead more
Cilantro Lime Chicken
This cilantro lime chicken is such a dinner winner.  I’ve been eyeing this recipe for a while and I’m so glad I tried it out.  Not only is it easy to put together, it’s packed with flavor, easy to scale up (or down if you really don’t want leftovers), healthy, and so yummy.  It wasRead more
Pork Tacos
A while back I made this delicious slow cooker pork.  I made a large portion and then froze some of it.  So when I needed an easy meal for a busy week night, I pulled out the pork to defrost and used it to make pork tacos. I recommend getting the small, corn tortillas insteadRead more
Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Vegetables
      While Boyfriend worked on removing some radiators from our house this weekend, I went to my parents’ house and hung out with Mom.  We did a bit of baking and she made this awesome pork dish for us.  You can buy packages of pork tenderloin that usually have two pieces together, whichRead more
Slow Cooker Mojo Pork
This is another great slow-cooker pork meal.  I’ve been trying to use my slow cooker more to help with my crazy schedule.  Tuesdays and Thursdays I’m out of the house all day, and don’t get home until after dinner.  So in an attempt to pack more meals I’m trying to cook once and have easyRead more
Paprika and Sumac Braised Chicken with Carrots
How do you decide what to make when you have company coming over?  Do you stick with an old standby recipe, or try something new with the potential for deliciousness or disaster? I typically end up trying something new, with the promise that if whatever I make turns out to be inedible I’ll order pizzaRead more
Mediterranean  Chicken Salad
  This is a fantastic new salad.  Perfect for summer, it’s filling, packed with veggies, and so refreshing.  While I made this with chicken I think it could easily be made vegetarian by substituting in chickpeas for the chicken.  This is also great for mayo-haters.  It’s easy to throw this together and can easily beRead more
3 Ingredient Slow Cooker Pork Roast
I’m trying to build my repertoire of slow-cooker recipes.  It always helps to have dinner taken care of (or at least started), without having to do much hands on work.  This pot roast is so simple you’ll have absolutely no excuse not to make this.  The prep time takes less than a minute.  Then youRead more
Souvlaki Chicken
I started gardening this year!  Previously I’ve wasn’t even able to keep a cactus alive, but I’m happy to say that it’s been almost 2 months and most of my plants are still alive!  I’ve even got some ripe grape tomatoes!  But the best thing about my own little garden is having fresh herbs toRead more
Orange Chicken
I recently wanted to make my grandma’s orange chicken for Boyfriend, but realized I didn’t have the recipe at his house.  While I put out a request for the recipe with my mom and aunt, and I did a little internet browsing and was surprised by how many recipes require deep frying the chicken.  ThisRead more
Pineapple Fried Rice
When I saw this dish I knew I had to make it ASAP.  Boyfriend loves fried rice, so I knew this would be a good dish for him to take to work.  And the addition of the pineapple made this reminiscent of one of my favorite dishes from our recent trip to Mexico.  This dishRead more
Smoky, Spicy, Sweet Chili
When I went outside today my car was encased in ice.  It was quite the challenge to try and even begin to get through the ice!  So with all these cold (or snowy, depending on where you are) days, there’s nothing like a warm pot of chili to help warm you up. I’ve been anRead more
Slow Cooker Rosemary Beef Stew
So I went on a bit of a hiatus.  With the holidays, and then a cold, I’ve been feeling a bit overwhelmed.  I’m thinking of some new features for this little old blog, so I hope you’ll bear with me as I figure out and experiment with some ideas.  The new year is always aRead more
Maple Dijon Pork Chops
Happy Halloween!  Tonight I’ll be making this frightfully good stuffed pumpkin! But today I’m sharing with you an excellent recipe I made earlier this week.  This pork is fantastic.  The sauce is sweet and a little tangy and makes every bite of pork divine.  So to be honest I’m not very comfortable cooking meat.  BackRead more
Mediterranean Turkey Meatballs
I’ve recently been converted to meatballs.  They’re not something I had growing up, but since making meatballs myself (here, here and here), and then going to an awesome Meatball Shop in NYC, I’ve come to appreciate the tasty versatility of meatballs.  These are fantastic on their own, but go perfectly with the dipping sauce too.Read more
Spiced Eggplant, Chickpea, and Bulgur Salad
I’ve been getting quite a few eggplants from my CSA.  I’m a huge fan of this eggplant salad with goat cheese and smoked almonds, but in hopes of learning other ways to cook eggplant, I tried out this recipe.  This is a fantastic salad.  The spices add just enough flavor and the fresh lemon andRead more
Roasted Summer Vegetable and Rice Casserole with Chicken
I’m in love with this casserole.  Full of vegetables, whole grains, and protein, this casserole is packed with everything you need for a satisfying and nutritious meal.  Roasting the vegetables brings out all the rich flavors, so it’s worth the little bit of extra work.  This is the perfect transition dish as we head intoRead more
Peach Chicken with Peach Bulgur
There’s nothing like fresh summer peaches.  I, for one, can’t get enough of the juicy, sweet fruit.  So when I saw this recipe in Cooking Light magazine, I knew it was something I had to try.  I’m so glad I did.  This chicken is such a great summer recipe, it really stands out from theRead more
Grilled Middle Eastern Spice Chicken
I made some Curried Couscous Salad this weekend and made this chicken to go with it.  This dish is fabulous for summer.  The chicken is super flavorful after marinating for a couple of hours and just needs a few minutes on the grill and then a few minutes to be finished off in the oven.  TheRead more
Spanakopita Turkey Meatballs
These are phenomenal.  I’ve always been a fan of spanakopita, but with the pastry crust it’s not something I indulge in very often.  So when I saw this recipe for spanakopita turkey burgers, I knew it was right up my alley.  I changed the recipe to make these into meatballs because they cook up fasterRead more
Restaurant Steak
This was the meal I made for Valentine’s day and it was perfection if I do say so myself.  This steak was amazing and quite possibly the best steak I’ve ever had.  This is also the perfect thing to make when it’s too cold out to grill.  Although after having steak this way, I’m notRead more
Slow Cooker Thai Coconut Soup
This is a lovely fragrant soup.  I’m trying to use my slow cooker more, but I think this would be just as easy to make on a stovetop.  One of my problems with using the slow cooker is that usually everything turns out so meaty.  Vegetarian meals don’t hold up to the long slow cookingRead more
Curried Chicken Salad with Cranberries and Pineapple
This chicken salad is phenomenal.  There’s just the right amount of spice from the curry powder, balanced by the sweetness of the cranberries and pineapple.  The fruit it’s overwhelming, but it adds just a touch of something special that really makes this a standout chicken salad.  My mom actually made this for a Christmas party,Read more
Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
I made this for dinner yesterday for a quick, easy weeknight meal.  It came together in a jiffy and was a great meal to have on a snowy evening!  This is a lightened up version of casserole, but I thought it was great.  It’s rich and creamy but not overly heavy.  With a bit ofRead more
Stuffed Bell Pepper Soup
This is a great soup!  I adapted the recipe to include more veggies and I left out the rice.  I was going to add in some barley, but my pot was too full!  But honestly I don’t think anyone missed it.  Everyone went back for seconds, and I was glad I’d made enough that we’dRead more
Lemon-Rosemary Roasted Chicken Breasts
I don’t usually do a lot of cooking on the weekdays.  I usually try out new recipes on the weekends when I have more time and have had a chance to pick out a new recipe, and do the grocery shopping for it, etc.  However, this week my uncle and cousin are staying with usRead more
Slow Cooker Wonderful Beef Pot Roast
The most important thing about this pot roast is that you don’t have to brown the meat.   I wanted something easy that I could throw together in the morning and leave all day, and this is the perfect recipe for that.  You wouldn’t believe how many crock-pot pot roast recipes tell you to brownRead more

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Pasta 
TexMex Turkey and Orzo
Well it has been a hot minute since my last post… Big news is that we had a baby in July 2022, which has been an absolute joy, and has also taken up most of my energy. Baby has now become a toddler (that happened so fast!), and I’m experiencing all the challenges of feedingRead more
Baked Orzo with Eggplant
I don’t frequently cook with eggplant since it has always felt a little finicky to me. While I love this Roasted Eggplant and Smoked Almonds Salad, I’ve been looking for some other ideas for cooking eggplant. Mom suggested this recipe and it is such a winner. This Baked Orzo with Eggplant is a great vegetarianRead more
Marsala Chicken Meatballs with Egg Noodles
This Christmas I received the Smitten Kitchen Everyday cookbook (Thanks V and C!).  Smitten Kitchen is one of my favorite blogs, and is often a first stop when looking for a particular type of recipe.  In my typical fashion these days, I read the cookbook cover to cover picking out which recipes I simply hadRead more
Tuna Pasta Salad
Tuna pasta salad is a summer time staple in my family.  I was shocked to realize I haven’t blogged about it previously.  It’s super easy, coming together in less than 30 minutes.  There are tons of ways you can make this, so feel free to add whatever you have on hand.  Cucumber, celery, sugar snapRead more
Veggie Soba Bowls with Tofu
These veggie soba bowls are the greatest, they have everything you need for a delicious, nutritious, all-in-one meal!  This is super versatile, so it’s great for using up whatever’s in the fridge.  Soba is a buckwheat noodle.  Eating buckwheat is associated with lower cholesterol levels, and is a high source of magnesium, which is goodRead more
Zucchini Italian Macaroni
I wouldn’t say I’m particularly creative in the kitchen.  I usually have a recipe and make some changes as I go, but I haven’t mastered the skill of assembling a meal out of the random items in my kitchen.  But since I had some leftover filling from the Italian Zucchini Boats, I had to get aRead more
Greek Tortellini Salad
A few weeks ago Sister got married!  It was a fantastic celebration! As you probably know, there’s a lot of prep work that goes into a wedding.  So when Sister arrived on Thursday before her wedding, I was prepared with food for the rest of the weekend (you know, besides what was being catered byRead more
Lemony Pasta Alfredo
I don’t make a lot of pasta dishes, but this is definitely going to be one I come back to time and again.  The lemon in this dish brightens all the flavors and keeps it light and refreshing.  Cream and parmesan make this alfredo creamy and rich.  I love dill, and the dill in thisRead more
Basil Ricotta Lasagna Pasta
I don’t cook a lot of pasta dishes for myself.  Pasta wasn’t something Mom made often when I was growing up, and I tend to eat a lot more rice dishes than pasta dishes.  That said, there’s something super comforting and warming about lasagna.  We always give my dad a hard time because any timeRead more
Ginger Chicken Stir-Fry with Egg Noodles
It’s been a long time since I’ve made as stir-fry, and I don’t know why I’ve waited so long!  I don’t often cook without at least some sort of recipe as a guide, but stir-fry is really forgiving and begs to be adapted to whatever you have on hand.  While I was originally thinking I’dRead more
Turkey Tetrazzini
Sorry this post is a bit late, I’ve been busy doing some shopping for a catering event.  This weekend I’ll be making Curried Chicken Salad, Veggie Dip, a Spinach Artichoke Dip, and Individual Cheesecakes. I hope you still have some leftover turkey in the freezer, because this recipe will make you interested in eating turkeyRead more
Velvety Tomato Sauce – only 4 ingredients!
Sometimes less is more.  This recipe is definitely a supporter of that theory.  You’d be hard pressed to find a simpler recipe, but this recipe definitely doesn’t skimp on taste!  This tomato sauce is velvety, almost creamy tasting.  While this recipe has a long cook time to let all the flavors meld together, the actualRead more
Basil and Spinach Pesto
Pesto is one of those quintessential summer foods.  The fresh, bright taste of basil just screams summer produce.  So I’ve been making pesto like crazy while there’s still an abundance of fresh basil.  You can easily freeze pesto too, so make lots and save it for a cold, wintery day when you need a hitRead more
Baked Mac and Cheese
Is there anything more comforting than mac and cheese?  Mom’s baked mac and cheese is definitely one of my comfort foods.  When she tried this version, she said it was better than hers.  It’s rich and creamy with a crunchy, crisp topping.  There’s a slight onion flavor that adds depth, and the mustard in itRead more
CSA: Sesame Noodles with Napa Cabbage
I love sesame.  Sesame oil has such a great fragrant smell to it and is fantastic in Asian dishes.  These sesame noodles are great as a side dish, but also work as a light lunch.  I got some napa cabbage in my CSA and saw this recipe on the same day, so I thought theRead more
CSA:  Kale and Basil Pesto Pasta
Nothing says spring like a freshly made pesto.  I love the vibrant flavor and color of basil pesto.  I had bought a bunch of basil for a recipe that I ended up not making, so I had to figure something else out for the gorgeous herb.  When I got some kale in my CSA, IRead more
Broccoli Pesto Pasta
With an abundance of broccoli on hand, I was looking for something different to make than the usual steamed or roasted broccoli.  This takes the super healthy benefits of broccoli and turns it into a great spread, or in this case, sauce.  While this is definitely different from traditional pesto since it doesn’t include basil,Read more
One Pot, Stovetop Mac and Cheese
Who doesn’t love macaroni and cheese?  It’s definitely a favorite of mine and one of my favorite comfort foods.  This stovetop mac and cheese is wonderful.  The macaroni is cooked in milk, which makes it creamy and easy; and the combination of cheese is salty, creamy, melty deliciousness.  I’m getting cravings just writing this!  OneRead more
Turkey, Spinach, and Quinoa Lasagna
Lasagna is a great winter food.  It’s cheesy comfort on a plate.  It’s also a great way to sneak some more vegetables into your diet and served with a side salad, it’s downright nutritious and delicious. I was intrigued by this recipe since it added quinoa to the mix.  And actually in the final productRead more
Roasted Garlic and Mushroom Pasta
The enjoyable thing about the School of Christian Living’s vegan challenge is that it forces me to get creative and adapt recipes to work within the limits I have set.  This pasta dish was loosely based off a recipe, but to make it vegan and fit in my price point, I took quite a fewRead more
Zucchini and Basil Lasagna
This lasagna was amazing!  The recipe comes from a family from my church who sends a favorite recipe in their Christmas letter each year.  While this recipe is from their 2007 letter, better late than never!  I don’t recommend waiting 5 years before you try it though!  It’s perfect for this time of year whereRead more
Roasted Mushroom and Pesto Pasta
This is a quick, easy meal to throw together.  I’d been planning on making pesto stuffed mushrooms, but I needed something a little more substantial than that.  Throwing in some whole wheat pasta and ricotta makes this dinner!  Paired with a salad, it’s quite the tasty dinner. Roasted Mushroom and Pesto Pasta Serves 6 16ozRead more
Pesto-Crusted Tilapia
Fish still kind of intimidates me, so in an attempt to conquer my fears I made this Pesto-Crusted Tilapia.  Unfortunately, I didn’t season the fish before dipping it in the pesto, so learn from my errors and make sure you salt and pepper (and maybe even add a little lemon juice) to the fish first.Read more
Broccoli Pesto Pasta
This was a surprisingly delicious dish.  It was even better the next day for lunch.  I’m a big fan of broccoli, so I loved this twist on pesto that uses cooked broccoli instead of an herb.  The lemon kicks this up a notch, adding a fresh, subtly tart note.  I highly recommend this! Broccoli PestoRead more

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Salads 
Pear and Candied Walnut Salad
For many years, someone in my family would celebrate their birthday at the Melting Pot. We usually just got cheese and chocolate (because those are the most delicious), but it always came with a delicious salad with blue cheese and candied walnuts. This salad reminds me of those Melting Pot salads. While I don’t normallyRead more
Panzanella – Bread Salad
I’ve always been intrigued by a panzanella salad, crunchy bread soaking up delicious juices of fresh tomatoes…what’s not to love. But it’s taken me years to finally get around to trying this! It did not disappoint! This is perfect if you have some leftover sourdough, or any crusty bread will do. This is great withRead more
Simple Coleslaw with Ginger
This simple coleslaw is one of those recipes that’s really too easy to even be called a recipe. Grandma used to make this all the time, and yet she didn’t even write it down in the cookbook she made me with her favorite family recipes. So I called Mom to ask for the recipe, andRead more
Kale Caesar Salad Dressing
We just got home last week from an amazing Alaskan cruise with Oceania Cruises.  To celebrate my Grammy’s 80th birthday, she took the whole family on a cruise.  We had such a great time!  There were 20 of us, so lots of people to hang out with, eat dinner with, and go on excursions.  IRead more
Asparagus Wheat Berry Salad with Pistachio Pesto
Wheat berries are a delicious option for grain salads.  They’re super chewy and can hold up to dressing so you don’t have to worry about them turning to mush.  They complement the tender asparagus nicely.  This recipe takes you through a simple pistachio pesto, but if you’re not in the mood you could easily use aRead more
Marinated Celery Chickpea Salad
Mom and I always fight about celery.  Mom likes celery in everything, and I don’t think celery should go in anything.  Well I don’t mind it in a few things, but celery has quite a strong flavor so it can steal the show if it’s just an ingredient in a salad.  So when I sawRead more
Colorful Lentil Salad with Walnuts
The summer is always a good time for eating salad.  While this isn’t a completely cook-free salad recipe, the small amount of heat and time that it takes to sauté the vegetables helps meld the flavors together.  Although, I bet this salad would be delicious with raw vegetables too.  I love using legumes in saladsRead more
Deconstructed Falafel Salad
I’ve had my eye on this falafel salad for a while.  I love the idea of deconstructed meals made into salads.  This is a fun twist on falafel and these roasted chickpeas are fantastic.  They’d be great on a variety of salads, or just as a snack, or mixed with popcorn (definitely going to haveRead more
Curried Chickpea Salad
Coming up with interesting lunches can be a challenge.  It can be a challenge to eat salads in the winter.  I usually crave something warm to eat, but continuing my February challenge of ensuring I eat at least three cups of vegetables a day, salads are a great lunch option.  That’s where this Curried ChickpeaRead more
Apple Lentil Celery Salad
Lentils are a fantastic source of protein, iron, and fiber.  I love making lentils salads because they’re easy, convenient, and filling.  I love using the precooked lentils from Trader Joe’s, it’s not that cooking lentils is hard, but I love the convenience of having a package of lentils ready when I need a quick, easyRead more
Mediterranean  Chicken Salad
  This is a fantastic new salad.  Perfect for summer, it’s filling, packed with veggies, and so refreshing.  While I made this with chicken I think it could easily be made vegetarian by substituting in chickpeas for the chicken.  This is also great for mayo-haters.  It’s easy to throw this together and can easily beRead more
Soba Noodle Bowl with Sesame Ginger Dressing
I have definitely been in a cooking low spot.  My new home doesn’t have air conditioning in the kitchen, and it is totally enervating to even be in the kitchen.  So this summer has been an experiment in how to make quick and satisfying meals without having to spend a lot of time in theRead more
Black Rice Not-Tabbouleh Salad
Tabbouleh is a Middle Eastern salad that’s typically made with bulgur, parsley, mint, tomatoes, onion, and lemon.  It’s not one of my favorite salads because I usually find the parsley to be overbearing.  But since I had some black rice in the cupboard leftover from this Emperor’s Rice Salad, and some sumac I’d been wanting toRead more
Herb Orzo Salad
Surprise Chemistry…unfortunately I’m not talking about the surprise of hitting it off with someone you’ve just met, I’m talking about my summer class.  Just as I was finishing up Chemistry this spring, and looking forward to a relaxing, study-free summer.  I learned that I had to take another chem class before I could register forRead more
Radish and Fennel Orzo Salad with Parsley-Lemon Vinaigrette
I’d never had fennel until last year during my nutrition assessment to try 5 new foods.  Fennel has a slightly sweet licorice taste when it’s raw, and is then deliciously sweet when roasted.  So for this salad, I took the best of both, and roasted half of the fennel and left the other half raw.Read more
Thai Cabbage Salad
This was a big hit at last month’s Carroll Cafe.  I even had people coming back for seconds.   So I’m apparently not the only one that loves Thai food.  And while this might not be a traditional dish, it is packed with flavor, texture and crunch.  Cabbage is great for mixing up the usualRead more
Emperor’s Rice Salad
I’m a bit obsessed with Pinterest.  I can spend hours browsing on there, and love all the inspiration that it provides.  It’s especially useful for salad inspiration.  Salads can be a little boring, and aren’t exactly something I crave in these cold months.  But I’m a firm believer of eating your veggies, so with aRead more
Carrot and Chickpea Salad with Tahini Dressing
I was inspired by this salad from Smitten Kitchen.  Smitten Kitchen is always a reliable source for fantastic recipes.  This is a great, easy salad that comes together quickly.  I’ve been on the search for some different kind of salads lately, and this is a great salad for the winter.  The chickpeas add some protein,Read more
Kale and Brussels Sprout Salad
I’ve been seeing quite a few raw brussels sprout salads, so it was finally time to try making one.  This salad is refreshing, tart and tangy, salty, and crunchy.  It’s absolutely delicious.  It’s a simple and fantastic winter salad.  Since kale is hearty I think leftovers would hold up pretty well.  The dressing makes quiteRead more
Harvest Wild Rice Salad with Apple Vinaigrette
Can you believe that Thanksgiving is next week?!  I’m not sure how it snuck up on me, but I’m in shock that it’s approaching so quickly! I made this salad for Carroll Cafe, but it would be a great addition to your Thanksgiving spread.  It’d also be great to make with leftover roasted vegetables.  ThisRead more
Roasted Asparagus with Red Wine Mushrooms
I hate it when cooking experiments don’t turn out.  I’ve recently gone through a string of recipes that have all just been so-so at best, and complete failures at worst.  This meal came from a failed experiment, but resulted in a delicious meal anyway.  While I wouldn’t normally go to this much work for aRead more
Moroccan Roasted Vegetable Salad
A lot of people in my life are vegetarians, so I’m pretty aware of vegetarian options when I go out to eat.  Even though I’m not always ordering a vegetarian option, I have a lot of sympathy for vegetarians when restaurant options are sparse and/or uninspired.  Vegetables are delicious and just because an entree doesn’tRead more
Asian Cabbage and Kale Slaw
Lots of people have mixed feelings about coleslaw.  With the watery, mayo-laden minced versions out there, I can understand the less than enthusiastic response that slaw gets.  However, here’s a new take on your average cabbage coleslaw.  This version has just a hint of mayo, combined with some fresh ginger and other Asian flavors for aRead more
Lebanese Chickpea Salad
This is a delicious salad.  Totally addictive and packed with flavor.  I even got a bean-hater to eat this salad.  It has bright bold flavors with lemon and za’atar, parsley and mint.  Za’atar is a middle eastern spice blend that has thyme, sumac, oregano and some other delicious spices in it.  It’s a bit challengingRead more
CSA:  Balsamic Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese and Pecans
This salad was inspired by my CSA.  I had two weeks worth of beets and wasn’t quite sure what to do with them.  I’ve had beets a couple of times, but didn’t think I was a big fan of them.  They tend to be rather sweet, which is a little off-putting to me.  However, thisRead more
Confetti Quinoa Salad with Cumin-Lime Vinaigrette
Well I found out that May is not the last Carroll Cafe!  There will be one more for the season on June 13th!  So you’re in luck if you still haven’t made it out to one! This salad is the savory option I served for May’s Carroll Cafe.  I loved this salad.  As I wasRead more
Vegetable Wheat Berry Salad
This is one of my new go-to salads.  I love the combination of whole grains and veggies.  This is super easy to throw together and can be easily adapted to whatever vegetables you have on hand.  The dressing is a simple, fresh, tart dressing that goes nicely with the fresh vegetables and slight nutty flavorRead more
Lemony Orzo, Feta, and Chickpea Salad
This is another great salad from the Women’s Retreat.  I think this one was my favorite, because you can’t go wrong with lemon, feta and dill.  The lemon really brightens up this dish and keeps the orzo from feeling slimy, which can happen with cold pasta salads.  This also has great texture from the crunchyRead more
Wheat Berry Waldorf Salad
This was the third salad for the Women’s Retreat.   I really liked the unique spin on this Waldorf salad.  Adding wheat berries is a fun chewy twist that adds so much texture to the crunchy apples and celery.  I also love that this uses a Vidalia onion dressing instead of the traditional mayonnaise-based dressing.Read more
Moroccan Kale and Citrus Salad
Last Saturday my church held a Women’s Retreat – a time for the women in the community to gather and talk and share parts of our life stories with one another.  It was a really fun and energizing day and I am so glad I got to be a part of it.  Like last year,Read more
Tofu Veggie Bowls with Peanut Sauce
This is rapidly becoming a favorite meal.  It’s based off of these tofu lettuce wraps, but combined in a bowl for a more filling/less fussy dinner.  I made it twice in a week, it’s that good.  It’s super flavorful and customizable to what you have on hand.  And while I know that tofu isn’t everyone’sRead more
Autumnal Butternut Squash
This semester I’ve been taking an online nutrition class.  It’s been really fun and interesting.  Our last project of the semester was to try 5 new, whole foods, meaning foods that haven’t been overly processed.  As a child who grew up with a strict one-bite rule, I’m a big fan of trying new things andRead more
Anatomy of a Salad
Let’s talk salad.  As you may have guessed, I’m a big salad fan.  They’re easy, incredibly versatile and fast.  So let’s break it down so you can come up with some new ideas, and try some new combinations!  You can also skip the whole forma salad and do like this cute skeleton from Kraft. ThisRead more
Salmon Cake Salad Nicoise
This updated salad nicoise uses salmon cakes instead of the traditional tuna.  This is a great way to make a salad exciting, or a great way to serve either of these salmon cakes.  Adding salmon cakes to the other traditional aspects of a nicoise salad, like potatoes, green beans, eggs, tomatoes, and olives makes thisRead more
Avocado Buttermilk Dressing
So now that you know how to cut an avocado, let’s put it to good use!  This dressing is creamy and fabulous.  It’s a bit reminiscent of a Green Goddess dressing.  The creamy avocado pairs nicely with the buttermilk, and a bit of basil makes it fresh and summery.  There’s a little kick to itRead more
Champagne Vinaigrette
This is a great simple vinaigrette.  It’s tart and zingy and goes well with other flavors.  I thought it was the perfect accompaniment to this Steak and Blue Cheese Salad, but this would go great with pretty much any salad; it’s a great go-to salad dressing. Champagne Vinaigrette Makes about 1/2 cup Adapted from LoveRead more
Steak and Blue Cheese Salad
Who says salad has to be boring?  This salad is packed with a ton of flavor and feels decadent with just a few special add-ons.  I find that the steak on this really makes it a filling and satisfying salad, perfect for lunch.  Blue cheese adds a great salty, pungent flavor that pairs nicely withRead more
Basil Chicken Salad
Time for another chicken salad variation!  This is a refreshing summery version.  By adding Greek yogurt instead of just mayonnaise, you have lighter version full of good for your protein and calcium.  The basil adds a great fresh taste that feels totally refreshing.  This comes together quickly and stores well in the fridge for atRead more
Blackberry Goat Cheese Salad
After a lovely holiday weekend celebrating and hanging out with family, I’m ready for some lighter food.  It was delicious weekend, but I totally stuffed myself.  If you too are coming off a celebratory weekend, let me suggest this Blackberry Goat Cheese Salad.  This hardly qualifies as a recipe, but it’s a super delicious combinationRead more
Blueberry Corn Salad
I made this salad last year, and apparently forgot to blog about it.  It’s a great summer salad, super refreshing and full of surprising flavors.  I made it for our Fourth of July party and forgot to mention what it was.  Sister thought it was olives and corn, and was quite surprised when it wasRead more
Grilled Ginger-Sesame Chicken Salad
So I’m trying to get more creative with my salads.  And this is definitely going to be filed under filling, delicious, interesting salads.  This is a great summer salad, full of fresh, strong flavors.  The marinade is wonderful on the chicken, and then it’s very easily transformed into a dressing for the salad.  If you’reRead more
Greek Kale Salad
Back to my kale eating ways!  This was something I was able to throw together with whatever I had on hand.  It’s easy and super delicious.  It’s easy to keep feta and olives on hand and during the summer months I usually have some tomatoes, cucumbers on hand too, so this is perfect when youRead more
Mediterranean Quinoa
This is a great grain salad.  It’s got everything you need!  Quinoa is packed with protein, but still has the starchy taste of a grain, the vegetables add fresh flavor and color and vitamins, feta and olives add to the whole Mediterranean deliciousness, and herbs make it fresh and summery.  I expect I’ll be makingRead more
Strawberry Avocado Kale Salad
This recipe is a little bit of a different take on Strawberry Spinach Salad.  The kale makes this a bit heartier, the avocado adds some great healthy fats and creaminess; strawberries for sweetness, and pecans for crunch.  The best thing about raw kale salads is that they’re hearty.  You could easily make this at theRead more
Cabbage Salad with Thai Peanut Dressing
We’re getting temps up in the 90s already in the DC area. So I’m already focusing on meals that don’t require cooking. Salads are also great for taking advantage of spring produce. The star of this is really the dressing, the salad can be made with whatever you have in the fridge (although I amRead more
Garden Bean Salad
I love me some beans.  They’re a great source of fiber and protein.  They’re delicious hot, cold or room temperature, they place nice with tons of different flavors, and they’re easy.  Despite my bean love, I’ve never quite liked three bean salad.  There’s a weird sweetness to it that tastes kind of stale to me.Read more
Springtime Quinoa Salad
Spring this year in DC was a little weird.  We got some crazy hot 90° days and then had some rain and dropped back down to the 50’s…so with our little heat spell, spring seemed to pop all of a sudden.  And despite the fact that the warm weather keeps coming and going, I can’tRead more
Strawberry Spinach Salad
This salad is great.  If you’re not a salad person, give this a try.  It’s a wonderful combination of sweet and savory.  This is one of my aunt’s favorite salads, and when she got married she asked the caterers to make this for the reception.  The caterer (and everyone else) loved this recipe so muchRead more
Grandma Helland’s Potato Salad
This recipe is an oldie but a goodie.  This was one of my grandma’s standby recipes, a total classic.  However, since she passed away in 2007 my mom has refused to make it, convinced that her version never turns out as good as Grandma’s did.  So I have taken up the potato salad making, becauseRead more
Peanut-Lime Cabbage Slaw
So as the first few days of warmer weather are fighting through the cold weeks, it gets a little easier to think about eating cold salads.  However, if you’re still snow bound, maybe the bright colors and flavors in this cabbage slaw will be able to tempt you into eating like spring has arrived. I’mRead more
Thai Turkey Sliders with Cabbage Slaw
These were delicious!  I was a huge fan of this meal.  It’s veggie packed, with lean but moist and super flavorful turkey patties that are conveniently baked in the oven.  While I did have a bit of a challenge finding green curry paste (…how is that not at my local Asian market??), I was ableRead more
Raw Kale and Tofu Salad with Citrus Dressing
This salad was super delicious.  There’s lots of delicious stuff going on in this salad.  Tofu and edamame add protein, the vegetables add a variety of color, texture and nutrients, and the dressing adds a punch of delicious citrusy flavor with salty-sweet flavors from the soy sauce and honey.  The ground flaxseed adds a reallyRead more
Lemony Wheat Berry and Brussel Sprout Salad
As much as I like salad, all the cold weather recently has made them the last thing I want to eat.  So I’m attempting to mix things up a bit and try some new, more creative salads to help me eat more veggies.  This salad is a great side dish since it combines whole grainsRead more
Roasted Cabbage with Toasted Hazelnuts
This salad is a bit different, it doesn’t have a whole lot going on, but it plays well with other dishes.  I served it for a Tuesday night dinner with the most amazing Spiced Stuffed Acorn Squash, which needed a nice supporting character and I thought this Roasted Cabbage fit the bill nicely.  This comesRead more
Black Bean Pumpkin Patties with Raw Kale Salad
I made this dish for Tuesday’s School of Christian Living dinner, and it was SUPER popular!  I have to admit I was really shocked by how much people liked this meal.  I was taking a chance on the raw kale.  I love salad and raw veggies, but I know they frequently feel like “health” foodRead more
Grilled Vegetable Salad
Salads get a bad rap.  They’re frequently thought of as diet or rabbit food.  So I’m trying to make more of an effort to make salads exciting.  And add things to add interest, color, texture and taste to what might otherwise be boring greens.  Last Tuesday for SCL I made this grilled vegetable salad.  YouRead more
Cabbage and Lime Slaw with Toasted Peanuts
I’m a big fan of cabbage and love finding new ways to eat it.  Cabbage is wonderfully inexpensive and goes a long way.  I made this for Tuesday and have already made it again to go with our Thanksgiving leftovers.  The lime is refreshing and tart, the peanuts add a sweet crunch, and the edamameRead more
Asian Sesame Salad Dressing
This is a great recipe to keep in your back pocket.  It’s really simple to throw together and makes for a great, fuss-free salad dressing.  I love the salty-sweet-sesame flavor.  Definitely a keeper! Asian Sesame Salad Dressing Makes about 1 cup (serves 15) Adapted from MyRecipes.com 3/4 cup canola oil 6 Tbsp white wine vinegarRead more
Curry Chicken Salad
I made this recently for my dad’s retreat.  It’s a great make ahead meal and combines some great surprising flavors.  This is another recipe from a woman who used to go to my church.  Further proof  that church ladies know good food, see here and here for the other proof. Curry Chicken Salad Serves 6-8Read more
Turmeric Quinoa with Apricots and Almonds
This is a simple side.  It’s a bit more exciting than your usual rice or plain quinoa.  While the dried fruit adds a little pop of flavor, it doesn’t make the dish overwhelming sweet, just a subtle, chewy fruit flavor.  Turmeric is a lovely spice, so bright and cheery.  It’s also supposed to be goodRead more
Candied Walnuts
Candied nuts are a delicious treat.  I really like making them to add a fun punch to a salad.  Paired with pears, gorgonzola, and/or cranberries, these candied nuts are a wonderful addition to salad.  Make your own balsamic salad dressing and you’ve got a wonderful restaurant-grade salad. Candied Walnuts 1/4 cup brown sugar 1 TbspRead more
Greek Salad
End of summer is the perfect time to make Greek Salad. The ingredients are fresh and flavorful. This time I added some chickpeas to add a little more protein and substance to my meal, but it’s just as good without. To make this super fast, we use Italian dressing (I know it’s not at allRead more
lunch:  Turkey Wrap & Lentil Salad
This past week I made some lentil salad for lunch.  This is one of my go-to vegetarian salads. It’s super convenient for lunch since it can be served room temperature and has a ton of protein in it.  You can find the recipe here.  I added a tomato in the morning before leaving for work.Read more
Basil Vinaigrette
A few weeks ago when Sister (I really do refer to her as “sister” in real life) and Chris were visiting we went to the beach and visited Dogfish Head Distillery and Pub.  I got a salad topped with a crab cake (which was delicious!), but the star of the meal was the basil vinaigrette.Read more
Green Bean, Corn and Potato Salad
Fresh from the farm produce is amazing.  On yet another fruit picking outing, Mom and I picked Honey Crisp apples, blackberries, and peaches.  We also picked up a whole bunch of vegetables while were on the farm.  This salad is a great way of showcasing your farm (or farmer’s market) fresh produce.  The dressing isRead more
Barley Power Salad
This is what I’ve been taking for lunch all week.  This salad has a lot of different tastes going on, which keeps me from getting bored.  I think you can also alter it a lot based on what you like and what you have around.  Switch the edamame for chickpeas, or cherries instead of theRead more
Salmon with Salad and Carrot-Ginger Vinaigrette
This is the perfect dish to serve when a regular salad sounds boring, but you still crave something light, fresh and nutritious.  If you’re like me fish sometimes feels fussy and hard, but in reality fish cooks up really quickly and can be prepared very simply to let the flavor really shine on its own.Read more
Southwestern Quinoa Salad
I wasn’t sure if I was going to post this recipe.  It’s not exactly an exciting, standout recipe (glowing review, I know).  However, it is convenient and perfect for those times when you know you need to be eating healthy things but just want to stuff your face with the nearest and easiest anything, preferablyRead more
Cilantro Lime Chickpea Salad
Sorry for the delay in posting!  Unfortunately I still don’t have power at my house, fortunately my uncle and his family are on vacation so we moved into his house for the time being.  I’ve also been busy doing a Peripheral Blood Stem Cell donation (a type of bone marrow donation).  I signed up throughRead more
Balsamic Vinaigrette
I’ve decided I want to try making more of my own salad dressings.  Dressings aren’t that hard to make and the flavor combinations are really endless.  This is definitely my new go-to dressing.  And much cheaper than store bought dressing. Balsamic Vinaigrette Makes about 1 1/2 cups Adapted from Happy Foody 3/4 cup extra virginRead more
Tomato, Basil, Mozzarella Pasta Salad
After the success of Sandra’s Tomato, Basil, Mozzarella salad during our catering event, I decided to do a similar salad for the Seekers luncheon.  I wanted to have a pasta salad, so to bulk up the traditional TBM I added whole wheat rotini and pesto.  These flavors are just great for the summer, it’s aRead more
Roasted Green Bean, Mushroom and Barley Salad
This is a great easy salad.  I decided to leave out the suggested feta from the original recipe, but I think that would be a wonderful flavor addition, or goat cheese!  This also makes a huge quantity (and is easy to make more or less of), so it’s great for potlucks or parties. Roasted GreenRead more
Tri-Color Slaw
I have a problem.  I am completely unable to estimate amounts.  For the Seekers luncheon we had enough food to feed at least 100 (I’m halving all the amounts I used for a more realistic serving size).  However it’s really hard to guess how much a recipe will make.  For example, the recipe for thisRead more
Grandma’s Broccoli Salad
Sunday we had offered a lunch after church as a way for people to hang out and chat for a longer time than our usual coffee hour.  We had a birthday theme since we’re at the halfway point and can celebrate all the birthdays that have come and all the upcoming ones.  For the eventRead more
Blueberry Balsamic Dressing
Sometimes salad is boring.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m a big fan of salad.  I love all the things you can do with it, and it’s really delicious on a hot day.  But every once in a while it just gets boring.  This salad dressing is for those times.  The blueberry makes it slightly sweet.Read more
Curried Couscous Salad
Sorry for being so slow getting last Tuesday’s recipes posted!  It’s been a crazy week!  I unexpectedly had to go in for a physical to make sure I’m in good health to donate bone morrow through DKMS Americas. Then I worked with my friend, Sandra to do a big catering job.  So for three daysRead more

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Sandwiches 
Sloppy Joes
Sloppy Joes are an American classic, but this recipe includes a small change.  Instead of just using ground beef, I’ve added cooked lentils to cut calories and costs.  The lentils aren’t noticeable since they have a similar texture to the ground beef, but add great protein and fiber, to help you fill up.  If you’reRead more
Mediterranean Tuna Salad
My dear boyfriend told me that he sometimes takes tuna to work.  I naturally assumed he meant as a tuna salad sandwich.  But what he really meant was that he takes tuna in a can, drains it, and then scoops plain tuna on crackers.  That’s it.  (No wonder he thinks I’m a great cook, right?!)Read more
Frittata and Goat Cheese Sandwich
This was a big hit at Carroll Cafe a couple weeks ago.  Frittatas are a great egg dish that are extremely versatile and perfect as breakfast, lunch, or dinner.  They’re a great way to get your protein and add any vegetables you have lying around as well.  For this sandwich I incorporated some greens I’dRead more
Waffle Egg Sandwiches
This isn’t much of a recipe, but it’s a great meal and will hopefully inspire other meal ideas.  These waffle egg sandwiches are also great for any meal of the day.  I had them for brunch, but with a bunch of leftovers in the freezer it’ll be easy to make more for breakfast, lunch, orRead more
Fried Egg Sandwich
So, real life is keeping me from spending much time on menu planning, grocery shopping and cooking, so today you get a real life recipe.  This is what I’ve been eating this week.  It’s one of those super easy dishes that you come up with when you’re staring at your fridge trying to figure outRead more
Apple Turkey Burgers with Cheddar and Caramelized Onions
Sadly apple picking at my favorite farm has ended.  Mom and I made a good showing this year, I think we went fruit picking at least twice a month since the farm opened in late spring.  While I will miss the abundance of apples, it will be nice not to try and force 20 lbsRead more
lunch:  Turkey Wrap & Lentil Salad
This past week I made some lentil salad for lunch.  This is one of my go-to vegetarian salads. It’s super convenient for lunch since it can be served room temperature and has a ton of protein in it.  You can find the recipe here.  I added a tomato in the morning before leaving for work.Read more
Pesto Ricotta Spread
After making pesto, I knew I wanted to include it in my sandwich.  We also had some ricotta, so I whipped up a quick spread.  This was absolutely delicious.  It’s a flavorful, nutritious spread, definitely adds something special to a sandwich. Pesto Ricotta Spread Makes enough for 1 sandwich 1 heaping Tbsp ricotta 1 heapingRead more
lunch: sandwiches
Packing lunches has been an interesting challenge.  I enjoy figuring out new and creative ways to make a healthy, quick, tasty lunch that doesn’t require refrigeration or heating. This week I took sandwiches for lunch.  An easy standby, sandwiches can have a lot of variety. Turkey, Cheese and Hummus Sandwich Sandwich bread Sliced Smoked TurkeyRead more
Black Bean Burgers with Corn
I enjoy experimenting with new black bean burger recipes.   There are so many tasty combinations out there that I can’t commit to just one recipe. This recipe caught my eye because of the corn!  Sweet corn + spicy + smokey cumin + creamy savory black beans = yum!  I definitely enjoyed all the flavorsRead more
Egg Salad
Last Tuesday’s dinner was pretty simple.  I went back to the basics with egg salad on whole wheat spinach bread, salad and strawberries with ice cream.  Even though it was simple it was big hit and I think everyone enjoyed it. I made up this recipe as I went, so taste as you go andRead more
Chickpea Pesto Sandwich
This is one tasty sandwich.  I thought this recipe sounded intriguing and wanted to try it out.  Unfortunately I made an incomplete grocery list and was missing quite a few of the ingredients when I decided to make this, but I just improvised and it turned out really well!  This is a filling, super flavorful,Read more

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Seafood 
Ginger Miso Tuna
This Ginger Miso Tuna was awesome. It comes together really quickly, packs a ton of flavor and would easily work with other types of fish. I’ve had a tub of miso in the fridge for a really long time, it’s a great source of umami and lasts a really long time, so it’s great toRead more
Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas
I’ve made these shrimp sheet pan fajitas multiple times now, they’re so easy and delicious. The dressing for this is great, it’s smokey and a little sweet. You can pair it with any veggies you like, I like to use bell peppers, onions, and red cabbage, but this is a great way to use upRead more
Ginger Soy Tuna Bowls
As a dietitian I talk about appetite a lot. With every new resident, I ask about how their appetite has been recently. And it’s always interesting to hear what people have to say, especially when telling about their appetite leads to talking about everything else that’s been going on recently. Some people eat a lotRead more
Blackened Fish Taco Bowls with Cilantro Lime Slaw
I have over 20 recipes for fish tacos pinned on Pinterest. I’m always a little hesitant to cook fish, it feels expensive, and I never know what kind to buy and I don’t have a lot of experience cooking it. Which is quite silly since fish so good for you and I’ll only get moreRead more
Tuna Pasta Salad
Tuna pasta salad is a summer time staple in my family.  I was shocked to realize I haven’t blogged about it previously.  It’s super easy, coming together in less than 30 minutes.  There are tons of ways you can make this, so feel free to add whatever you have on hand.  Cucumber, celery, sugar snapRead more
Salmon with Israeli Couscous Salad
Did you know you’re supposed to be eating 8oz of fish or shellfish each week?  Seafood is full of great nutrients, but especially omega-3 fatty acids:  EPA and DHA.  Both of these fatty acids are incredibly beneficial to our brains as well as our cardiovascular systems.  EPA is also thought to help decrease joint inflammation.  EatingRead more
Mediterranean Tuna Salad
My dear boyfriend told me that he sometimes takes tuna to work.  I naturally assumed he meant as a tuna salad sandwich.  But what he really meant was that he takes tuna in a can, drains it, and then scoops plain tuna on crackers.  That’s it.  (No wonder he thinks I’m a great cook, right?!)Read more
Broiled Cumin-Lime Fish
Raise your hand if you never have problems getting dinner on the table on a weeknight… If you hand is raised, please leave a message and tell me how you always find the time, energy, motivation and ingredients to get a healthy, delicious meal on the table.  We all want to know.  Weeknights are alwaysRead more
Maryland Crab Cakes
As sister says, “Old Bay is the food of my people.”  Having been born and raised in Maryland, loving Old Bay is a requirement.  The smokey, salty, slightly spicy flavor of Old Bay does pair perfectly with seafood (it’s also great on potatoes!).  If you for some reason don’t feel like adding Old Bay toRead more
Caribbean Jerk Salmon with Mango Salsa
I’m a huge fan of salmon.  Not only is it delicious, but it’s full of those good for you fats that people are always talking about (Omega-3 fatty acids).  Because of the health benefits of seafood (supports brain health, reduces risk of heart disease), it’s recommended by the USDA and USDH that we eat twoRead more
Baked Coconut Shrimp with Apricot Dipping Sauce
Coconut shrimp is one of my favorite appetizers.  After having some fantastic coconut shrimp at Bonefish Grill, it was time to try my hand at making coconut shrimp.  I, however, am not going to try deep frying things at home, so I looked into making a baked version.  Now I have to confess, in myRead more
Spice-Rubbed Salmon with Avocado Salsa
This salmon is fantastic.  The spice rub is flavorful, but not overwhelming, and it’s paired with this amazing avocado salsa that’s super fresh and creamy.  Fish is always a great weeknight option because it cooks up so quickly.  So while this is easy enough for dinner on a weeknight, it’s also fancy enough to impressRead more
Little Fish Cakes
Here’s another dish I tried for my nutrition class project of trying 5 new, whole foods…sardines!  Don’t run away!!  These were actually really good!  Sardines definitely have a bad reputation, but they’re a nutritional powerhouse and are a good sustainable fish.  Sardines are high in vitamin B12 (especially important for people who don’t eat meat),Read more
Holy Trinity Salmon Cakes
These salmon cakes were fantastic.  The name comes from the addition of onion, celery and bell peppers, referred to as the “holy trinity” in Cajun/Creole cooking because it’s such a fundamental part of recipes.  I love adding extra veggies, it adds great flavor and texture.  While these totally taste like beach food (from the OldRead more
Salmon Cakes
I’m so glad these salmon cakes turned out well!  While I’m a fan of canned tuna, I have to confess that other canned fishes kind of creep me out.  But since I trust Prevention RD to have a good recipe, and have been wanting to try to eat more fish, I knew I wanted toRead more
Maple-Mustard Glazed Salmon
Last week was Mom and Sister’s birthdays.  And while I didn’t get to celebrate in person with Sister (yet) this year, Mom requested a salmon dinner on the night of big day.  As you may have guessed from my surprisingly few seafood recipes, seafood is something I haven’t quite mastered yet.  And this was anRead more

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Sides 
Broccoli Melts
I don’t usually get very fancy with vegetable side dishes, but when I saw these broccoli melts from Smitten Kitchen, I knew I’d be giving them a try.  These are fantastic!  The broccoli really shines with the bright lemon flavor and salty cheese.  These are great on their own, but would be a perfect accompanimentRead more
Mustard-Crusted Potatoes
These are possibly the best potatoes I’ve ever eaten.  I made these for special dinner with Boyfriend, and despite having an amazing steak to go with them, I’d say the potatoes stole the show.  The potatoes are tossed with a mustard dressing and then roasted until crispy.  They don’t have an overwhelming mustard flavor, but justRead more
Roasted Asparagus with Red Wine Mushrooms
I hate it when cooking experiments don’t turn out.  I’ve recently gone through a string of recipes that have all just been so-so at best, and complete failures at worst.  This meal came from a failed experiment, but resulted in a delicious meal anyway.  While I wouldn’t normally go to this much work for aRead more
Crash Potatoes
These crash potatoes were also part of my Valentine’s day meal.  I saw these potatoes from the Pioneer Woman ages ago and obviously knew they’d be great (because I’m pretty sure everything the Pioneer Woman makes is great).  And I was not disappointed.  These potatoes are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside andRead more

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Snacks 
Pumpkin Drop Scones with Cinnamon Glaze
Easy to make, with a subtle pumpkin flavor these drop scones are moist and tender with just a hint of sweetness on their own. But with a cinnamon glaze, these go from subtly delicious to fall-flavored scrumptious. Perfect with a cup of coffee or tea for breakfast or afternoon snack. These scones are a greatRead more
Coconut Streusel Banana Muffins
These Coconut Streusel Banana Muffins are delicious, the perfect tender crumb, the right hit of sweetness with a touch of crunch. Definitely worth making. And just the right thing for when you’re on the go. I’ve started a new job as an outpatient oncology dietitian, and it’s been the perfect fit. I’m loving the work,Read more
Lemon, Dill, Havarti Savories
Not quite a cracker, these savory cookies, are so scrumptious.  I decided to make these Lemon, Dill, Havarti Savories over the holidays because the Boyfriend’s Sister-in-Law has a salty-tooth, not a sweet-tooth.  And I have to say, these were one of my favorite things I baked during the holidays!  The lemon and dill add aRead more
Cinnamon Chip Banana Muffins
Bananas are great to have on hand for a quick snack, but getting the timing right so that they’re at the perfect ripeness can be challenging.  Fortunately, overripe bananas are a delight for bakers.  Banana bread is a family favorite, but to mix things up I tried these cinnamon chip banana muffins.  They’re great forRead more
Fancy Ginger Zucchini Bread
When Sister went to Stockholm she learned all about “Fika,” which is like tea-time, but with coffee and pastries and every 3 hours (at least that’s how I heard it).  In an effort to be more worldly, I think we should adopt this tradition.  And since we’re getting fancy, let’s go ahead and make someRead more
Strawberry Summer Cake
It’s finally strawberry season, the very first of picking season at my favorite farm, Homestead Farms.  And despite a spring full of rain, the strawberries are fantastic!  After picking strawberries I browsed around for the perfect way to let them shine (besides just eating them, of course), and this Smitten Kitchen recipe caught my eye.Read more
Grandma Helland’s Banana Bread
I’ve only dreamt about my grandma 3 times since she passed away in 2007.  Last night was one of those times.  We were at a family reunion/Valentine’s Day party and everyone was dressed in white except Grandma.  And she was there to babysit my cousins.  I told her that I’d just eaten some of herRead more
Blueberry Scones
As you may have heard, the East Coast got slammed with a blizzard.  In anticipation of being snowed in for days, I’m staying with my parents since Boyfriend has to work downtown.  Yesterday when I woke up and their was almost 2 feet of snow outside, I decided to make muffins.  After about 20 minutes ofRead more
Spiced Pumpkin Carrot Muffins
These muffins are fantastic.  I doubled the original recipe (because 9 muffins that the original made is way too few), and then as Mom and I helped ourselves to a second, and Dad said he liked them.  We decided we needed to make more.  So I made another batch, this time tripling the original soRead more
Cranberry Oat Muffins
I made these muffins for breakfast on Thanksgiving, and my family devoured the first batch so quickly that I made a second batch.  These are tender and toothsome.  The cranberries are bright, tart bursts surrounded by just sweet enough crumb.  The oats and walnuts keep them chewy and filling.  I used chopped black walnuts thatRead more
Banana Oat Walnut Muffins
I don’t usually make muffins because they tend to be a bit indulgent, but aren’t quite indulgent enough to feel like a dessert.  Well, these muffins are the perfect solution.  I loved these because they’re just the right amount of sweet and are full of good-for-you ingredients.  These muffins are perfect for breakfast with theirRead more
Cinnamon Zucchini Muffins
I’ve been getting tons of zucchini and summer squash from my CSA.  It’s a challenge to keep up with them all, but these muffins are definitely going to be made again.  After my cousins came over for an impromptu sleepover, I made these in the morning to give them a healthy treat for breakfast.  EveryoneRead more
Brown Sugar-Pecan Swirl Banana Bread
As soon as I saw this recipe I knew that’s what my bananas were destined for.  And then, with 3 nicely blackened bananas on my counter, I read the recipe…and realized I only needed 1 banana.  So this recipe is heavily adapted so I could use my 3 bananas.  It turned out as deliciously asRead more
Very Blueberry Muffins
Muffins are a weakness of mine.  There’s nothing quite like the taste of a pillowy-soft muffin.  These blueberry muffins are packed with blueberries and are super tender.  These are best eaten the day they’re made, but if you can’t eat them all in a day you can store them in an airtight container or freezeRead more
Cranberry Buttermilk Cake
This cake was gorgeous.  It just might be the perfect treat for Christmas morning.  The cranberries are bright bursts of tart juice, the batter is full of sweet orange flavor, and the cake is light and fluffy.  With the cranberries, this isn’t a very sweet cake, so it’s great for brunch or tea.  This isRead more
Cinnamon Sugar Apple Zucchini Cake
So this is one of the desserts I made for Friday night’s Carroll Cafe.  I had made a Cinnamon Sugar Zucchini Cake, and as I was slicing it to serve I sampled a piece and was HORRIFIED by how it turned out!  It was gummy and weird and totally not cake-like.  I’m not sure whatRead more
Apple Crisp Muffins
These were delicious.  The perfect taste of fall flavors.  Dad said they were the best muffins he’s ever had.  My only complaint is that the recipe only made 10!  Next time I’ll definitely be (at least) doubling the recipe! These are super moist due to the combination of butter, oil and applesauce.  The fresh appleRead more
Stovetop Popcorn
Ok, so our kitchen is being redone.  Which is hugely exciting!  But also means that my cooking options are rather limited for the next couple weeks.  I’ll still try to keep up with posting, but they won’t all be recipes. While we’re trying to clear out the entire kitchen, the last thing I’ve wanted toRead more
Blackberry Banana Smoothie
This purple people eater is a delicious summer-time treat.  It’s crazy hot in the DC area now, so flavorful, nutrient-dense drinks are super appealing.  I used the blackberries Mom and I picked last week (in the rain…so much more pleasant than roasting in the sun).  This is also a great use of bananas that areRead more
Roasted Banana Oatmeal Muffins
How do you like your bananas?  I’m a pretty firm believer in eating them when they’re completely yellow, I’ll even take a hint of green.  Once the spots start they’re overripe and I wait until they’re good and splotchy and use them for baking.  Lately it seems like my bananas are ripening faster than ever,Read more
Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins
Lemon poppy seed is my favorite muffin flavor.  It’s been ages since I’ve had one, so I decided it was time to make a batch.  These were very yummy.  The glaze adds quite a bit of sweetness with a balance of tart lemon zest.  The poppy seeds give a nice little crunch to the delicateRead more
Blueberry Buttermilk Breakfast Cake
Happy Mother’s Day!! Sister came down early to celebrate Mother’s Day, so we had our Mother’s Day brunch a day early.  When we were growing up Sister and I would make breakfast in bed for Mom.  So breakfast foods are our traditional celebration.  This year Mom requested this herbed ricotta tart, and something fruity forRead more
Smooth and Creamy Hummus
I might also call this obsessive-compulsive hummus, but I’ll let you decide for yourself what name you’ll call it.  What makes it different, is that you actually peal the chickpeas.  I know, say what?! Peel chickpeas?!  Well this advice comes from the incredible Smitten Kitchen, so I knew the recipe would be great…so while IRead more
Caramelized Onion Dip
Onion dip was a pretty traditional treat in my family growing up.  It was incredibly easy to make by adding a packet of onion powder to a bowl of sour cream.  And while you can’t get much simpler than that, this dip is a more grown-up, flavor-packed dip.  This takes the magic of caramelized onionsRead more
Mini Corn Dog Muffins
Here’s another great recipe to get you ready for Spring and Summer.  Now I do have to confess that I’ve never had a corn dog before, so I can’t speak to how “traditional” these taste, but they’re delicious.  Not only are these cute, they’re easy to make and super yummy.  I could see these beingRead more
Morning Glory Muffins (Paleo)
I saw this recipe ages ago, and while I was intrigued, I was also totally skeptical…a delicious baked good without butter or oil or flour???  So when I was doing some cooking for a paleo-eating friend of mine, it was the perfect excuse to try out these muffins, and holy delicious, Batman!  These are awesome!Read more
Grapefruit Bundt Cake
This was my contribution to our Easter Sunday potluck breakfast at church.  I saved this recipe from Cooking Light over a year ago, and have been eagerly awaiting a chance to make it.  It was definitely worth the wait!  I absolutely loved this! I’m a huge fan of grapefruit, so I was excited to seeRead more
Roasted Cauliflower Hummus
As I may have mentioned before, I’m a fan of dips.  I think they’re a great food to take to work, and I love that they can get me to eat a whole pile of veggies without being a salad.  Bonus points if the dip is healthy, so clearly hummus is a top contender.  HummusRead more
Hearty Spiced Oatcakes
These oatcakes are dense and hearty and filled with oat-y goodness.  I wasn’t sure what I thought of these at first, but they definitely grew on me.  They aren’t muffins, they’re way too dense and substantial to be muffins.  But that makes them a great breakfast or snack, they have serious staying power.  These areRead more
Raspberry Chocolate Pecan Rugelach
I’ve always been a fan of rugelach, they’re like delicious pastry cookies.  When I was younger I’d always go for the chocolate ones, but my mom liked the raspberry ones.  So imagine my delight when my new Smitten Kitchen Cookbook had a recipe perfect for the both of us.  These rugelach are the perfect balanceRead more
Avocado and Chickpea Dip
After all the feast of the past several weeks (months?), having something simple, light and green is exactly what I need.  This is a really simple recipe, but all the ingredients really shine.  This is a great dip to take to a party, but it also makes for a great sandwich.  This combines healthy omega-3sRead more
Veggie Greek Yogurt Dip
In this season of lots of holiday parties, and lots of desserts and cookies, it’s the perfect time for a veggie dip.  This dip is a great healthy way to sneak some more vegetables into your diet and makes a great addition to any holiday party.  This has tons of flavor and is great withRead more
Cranberry Snacking Cake
This snacking cake is delicious.  It’s easy, and casual enough to be served for an afternoon snack.  It’s not too sweet, so it’s perfect for tea time (because obviously you take a break for tea time, right?).  But it’s also great to add a little contrast to all the sweet cookies and treats that areRead more
Black Bean and Corn Salsa
This was a dip I made for my very good friend, Becky‘s housewarming party.  I forgot to post this in a timely manner, it’s almost too easy to be a recipe.  But if you’re looking for a good salsa recipe that doesn’t depend on summer produce, this is a good one.  This is also greatRead more
Pumpkin Poppers
It’s that time of year for pumpkin everything!  These poppers are like doughnut holes.  A little dense and super moist they’re a delicious fall treat.  I made these for church last Sunday.  Not knowing how many the original recipe made I decided to quadruple the recipe (me and my inability to estimate quantities).  I alsoRead more
Whole Wheat Pumpkin Scones
Mom had a no good, very bad day yesterday, so I told her I’d treat her today.  When I saw this scone recipe I knew it’d be a great way to start the day and make her feel taken care of. These scones are very subtly sweet, so if you’re into sweet baked goods forRead more
Candied Walnuts
Candied nuts are a delicious treat.  I really like making them to add a fun punch to a salad.  Paired with pears, gorgonzola, and/or cranberries, these candied nuts are a wonderful addition to salad.  Make your own balsamic salad dressing and you’ve got a wonderful restaurant-grade salad. Candied Walnuts 1/4 cup brown sugar 1 TbspRead more
Homemade Applesauce
After Mom and I went apple picking last Monday, we had a ton of apples (more than would fit in the fridge).  So I decided to try my hand at applesauce.  I don’t usually eat applesauce, but I have fond memories of the kind Mom used to make.  The internet was down yesterday, so IRead more
Blackberry Coffee Cake
Since we had some blackberries to use up, I tried this coffee cake.  It’s a simple, rustic little cake.  Not very impressive looking, but with the perfect balance of sweet, tart, crumble and cake.  This makes a wonderful casual coffee cake.  If you don’t have blackberries you can sub in whatever fruit you have onRead more
Savory Zucchini Cakes
We bought a bunch of big, beautiful zucchini and summer squash the other day on the way home from the beach.  We didn’t really have a plan for them, but I stumbled upon this simple recipe for savory zucchini cakes.  I liked that the ingredient list is short and it comes together really quickly.  I’llRead more
Rosemary and Garlic White Bean Dip
I find that taking dip to work is a convenient and tasty lunch.  There are lots of options for things to eat dip with, so your lunch can vary a lot too.  This dip also makes a great sandwich spread, so if you’re a vegetarian it adds a nice protein kick to a sandwich. RosemaryRead more
Hummus
I’ve wanted to make my own hummus for a while, and I’m not sure what has taken so long as it’s terribly easy to make.  I look forward to experimenting with some different flavor and bean combinations.  In the meantime here’s the basic recipe I started with.  I was a little concerned when I sampledRead more
Very Berry Muffins
We still have some blackberries from when we went berry picking a few weeks ago.  In an attempt to find a way to cook with them, I stumbled across these muffins.  I liked the sound of them because they’re full of healthy ingredients and aren’t full of sugar like a lot of muffins can be.Read more
Rhubarb Snacking Cake
Sister has been making this cake like weekly since rhubarb came in season.  She was telling me how much Chris likes it even though he’s not normally that interested in baked goods.  So I knew I needed to try it.  We’re a big fan of rhubarb pie in this household, but our usual pie isRead more
Strawberry Rhubarb Drop Scones
These scones were delicious, although “scone” might not be an accurate name for them.  Scones tend to be denser and these were very light and almost fluffy.  They’re also not very sweet, so if you like sweeter treats feel free to add more sugar.  But I thought these were just perfect with a bit ofRead more
Chamomile Tea Cakes
These tea cakes are a delicate, light, and sweet treat.  They’re perfect for a a little snack with your tea or coffee! I found chamomile at my local Asian market (Hmart), but if you can’t find it you can use chamomile tea bags.  The chamomile I found was full of large pieces, so I’d recommendRead more
Savory Rosemary Parmesan Shortbread
I’ve wanted to try this recipe for ages.  As soon as I saw it, I thought it would be an awesome combination.  I was not disappointed.  These shortbreads have an amazing buttery taste even though there’s no butter.  The rosemary and parmesan are a great match. These are perfect as a snack, a fun appetizer,Read more
Snickerdoodle Biscotti
Biscotti is an excellent coffee snack.  These snickerdoodle biscotti bring the cinnamon-sugar flavor of a snickerdoodle cookie and combine it with the crunchy tasty log of a biscotti.  Dip these in your coffee (or milk or hot chocolate) and you have the perfect mid-morning or mid-afternoon pick-me-up treat! Snickerdoodle Biscotti makes about 20 biscotti AdaptedRead more
Creamy Green Pea Dip
In addition to the Asian Cabbage Salad, Homemade Pita, and Edamame Dip I made this Creamy Green Pea Dip. I loved the smooth, slightly sweet taste of this dip.  It gets a little kick from the jalapeno, but isn’t spicy.  This would also make an excellent cold pasta sauce.  With the addition of silken tofu itRead more
Edamame Dip
This Edamame Dip was a great addition to Saturday’s Women’s Retreat.  Edamame (soy beans) are an excellent source of protein and with flavorful ingredients like sesame oil, siracha, and lemons, it makes a tasty snack!  This would also make an excellent spread for a sandwich! Edamame Dip Serves 22 Adapted from La Fuji Mama 2Read more
Banana-Pecan Biscotti
I love banana bread.  It’s delicious and moist and reminds me of my grandma.  The problem with banana bread is that you need 3 bananas, sometimes you don’t have 3 extra ripe bananas.  So when I have 2 almost-too-disgusting-to-look-at bananas I make Banana Cookies.  But when you just have one, I recommend these Banana-Pecan Biscotti.Read more
Feta & Sun Dried Tomato Quinoa Cups
I hope everyone had a lovely Easter and/or a lovely Sunday! At my church we have a potluck Easter breakfast before the service.  It’s a wonderful time to have a bit more conversation with people and enjoy good food together. After much debate, Mom and I agreed that I would make vegetarian quinoa cups andRead more

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Soup 
Ham and Cannellini Bean Soup
I’ve been enjoying having some soups tucked away in the freezer. They’ve been great for a quick meal when I don’t feel like cooking. This is a great soup that I was able to make with some leftover ham I had in the freezer. If you don’t have leftover you can buy some smaller hamRead more
Slow Cooker Moroccan Lentil Soup
Soup season is here! This Slow Cooker Moroccan Lentil Soup is a great one for the repertoire. The flavors are deep and rich, and it’s super filling. This makes a huge portion, so it’s great to freeze, share with others, or plan on eating all week long. A slow cooker makes this super easy, butRead more
Sausage and Vegetable Soup
Husband isn’t much of a soup person, but I’ve apparently knocked it out of the park and have created 2 soups he loves this month! I’ve made variations of this soup, but apparently never blogged about it. Sausage is a super flavorful option and soup is a great way to use up vegetables that mayRead more
Roasted Tomato Soup
If you’ve still got some of the last tomatoes of the summer lingering, this is the perfect tomato soup for you. Husband (who is not a soup person) says this Roasted Tomato Soup is one of the best soups he’s ever had. Roasting the vegetables intensifies the flavor and makes this soup very easy andRead more
Moroccan Lentil Stew
This is one of Mom’s masterful creations. She has the magic touch when it comes to making the best soups and stews. So mom generously wrote out all the ingredients so I could make this, and it’s just as delicious as I remember it. Stews are a great way to use up what’s in theRead more
Black Bean Tortilla Soup
Sister has been raving about this simple tortilla soup for months!  Sister is all about a food with lots of toppings, and this soup allows for a ton of options.  Black beans make this tortilla soup a hearty vegan dish (depending on the toppings you use).  While the original recipe calls for frying corn tortillas,Read more
Cauliflower, Kale and Chickpea Stew
You know that feeling when you’ve returned from an awesome trip, and your body says “please give me vegetables”?  Well that’s how I felt last week when I got home from an awesome whirlwind road trip up to Boston and back.  It was a busy weekend with lots and lots of delicious meals and drinks.Read more
Asparagus Potato Soup
This asparagus soup was a fantastic addition to Carroll Cafe.  Asparagus is a fantastic spring vegetable, and this soup highlights these delicate spring stalks.  Potato keeps this soup creamy and vegan.  Despite the simple ingredients this soup is full of flavor and is a perfect light soup during this transition season. Asparagus Potato Soup ServesRead more
Curried Chickpea Soup
What’s your favorite way to get recipe inspiration?  I follow a lot of food blogs (using Bloglovin to keep track of them), spend way too much time on Pinterest, and love looking through food magazines.  Sometimes I follow a recipe, and other times I use it as a jumping off point.  This is one ofRead more
Potato Kale Soup
Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful… And so is this soup.  While this delightfully green soup may look like spring, it’s the perfect bowl of healthy comfort food for the lingering cold weather we’re having.  This soup smells fantastic when it’s cooking!  Make sure you take your time makingRead more
Smoky, Spicy, Sweet Chili
When I went outside today my car was encased in ice.  It was quite the challenge to try and even begin to get through the ice!  So with all these cold (or snowy, depending on where you are) days, there’s nothing like a warm pot of chili to help warm you up. I’ve been anRead more
Turkish-Inspired Lentil Soup
I just got back from an awesome vacation in Mexico.  My family went four hours south of Cancun to a little hotel on the beach, called Mayan Beach Garden.  We had a fantastic time, we celebrated 3 birthdays, Sister and Chris got engaged, and in general had a wonderful time together.  It was an excellentRead more
Slow Cooker Rosemary Beef Stew
So I went on a bit of a hiatus.  With the holidays, and then a cold, I’ve been feeling a bit overwhelmed.  I’m thinking of some new features for this little old blog, so I hope you’ll bear with me as I figure out and experiment with some ideas.  The new year is always aRead more
Thai Pumpkin Coconut Soup
This was a recipe I tried out for Carroll Cafe.  And it was awesome.  It’s incredibly easy to make, and yet is packed with flavor.  This is a bit spicy, but I found the heat to be really warming, perfect for a cold winter day.  This is also a great recipe to keep the ingredientsRead more
Chicken and Vegetable Soup
My boyfriend might call this Vegetable and Chicken Soup, as his only complaint was that there wasn’t enough chicken.  However, I intentionally added lots of vegetables.  Most Americans have no problem getting the protein that they need in their diets, but fruits and vegetables are usually lacking.  So when it comes to soups I likeRead more
Carrot Coriander Soup with Cumin and Citrus
I just finished making this soup for tonight’s Carroll Cafe, and I have to say it is a knock-out.  It’s the perfect meal for fall.  It’s creamy and complex.  The citrus adds a fresh, tart note that’s absolutely amazing with the sweet carrots.  It totally takes this soup from average to memorable.  This would beRead more
Curried Eggplant and Red Lentil Soup
Last week was the end of my CSA boxes.  The CSA was definitely a fun challenge this summer!  I’ve enjoyed the challenge of cooking with a variety of surprise vegetables!  The last box included a small eggplant and I still had an eggplant from the week before, so it was quite fortunate when I stumbledRead more
Vegetarian Chili Verde
I’ve been getting a ton of tomatillos in my CSA boxes, so I have an abundance of salsa verde.  When I saw this recipe, I knew it was the perfect way to use up some of my salsa.  And after making this, I’m so glad that I have some salsa verde tucked away in theRead more
CSA Gazpacho
Gazpacho is a cold, raw vegetable tomato-based soup.  It’s great for summer time, and is a cinch to put together.  This is a great way to use up all the summer produce.  I was able to use cucumber, zucchini and onions from my CSA, tomatoes from the farm we go berry picking at, and aRead more
Roasted Carrot Soup
This is probably one of the best soups I’ve ever made.  It’s simple to make but is filled with a ton of flavor.  The broth is infused with ginger and thyme, which adds great warmth.  By caramelizing the carrots you bring out the deep rich, sweet flavor of the carrots.  This is a great soupRead more
Curried Ginger Red Lentil and Quinoa Soup
This is one flavorful vegan soup!  Even though I know better, it’s still sometimes hard to think of vegetarian/vegan soups as something complex and flavorful.  Meat adds a lot of flavorful layers to a soup, even if there’s a lot of vegetables mixed in.  However, this soup is definitely not lacking in complex flavors!  Read more
Slow Cooker Thai Coconut Soup
This is a lovely fragrant soup.  I’m trying to use my slow cooker more, but I think this would be just as easy to make on a stovetop.  One of my problems with using the slow cooker is that usually everything turns out so meaty.  Vegetarian meals don’t hold up to the long slow cookingRead more
Lasagna Soup
I have pinned at least 4 different versions of lasagna soup, so I figured it was about time that I got around to making it.  I’m so glad I did.  This was the perfect soup for a cold, snowy day.  This soup comes together pretty quickly and is quite simple to make.  It’s an excellent,Read more
Butternut and Sweet Potato Soup
My poor mom had some dental work done this week and has been feeling under the weather.  So in an effort to get her back in tip-top shape, or at least eating again, I created this soup for her.  It’s a quick soup, but tastes great:  creamy and comforting, just what you need when you’reRead more
Stuffed Bell Pepper Soup
This is a great soup!  I adapted the recipe to include more veggies and I left out the rice.  I was going to add in some barley, but my pot was too full!  But honestly I don’t think anyone missed it.  Everyone went back for seconds, and I was glad I’d made enough that we’dRead more
Seekers Luncheon
So last Sunday I cooked the quarterly after church lunch.  There were about 55 people and for the first time ever there were hardly any leftovers!  I think at the end of the meal there was one bowl of chili left and one small serving of salad.  It helps that no one told me howRead more
Ham and Green Bean Soup
This is an old family recipe.  My mom’s grandma would make this every spring just as the green beans came up in the garden.  It’s a great, easy recipe that’s total comfort food.  I actually made this using a frozen ham hock that we saved from Easter.  You can also just buy a ham hockRead more
Springtime Chicken Soup
Spring can be a challenging time of year, at least in the DC area.  The weather jumps around like crazy, sometimes it’s under 50, and a day or two later it can be over 80.  The mornings and nights are cold, but the afternoons are delightfully warm.  All I want to do is embrace theRead more
Curried Sweet Potato Soup
This soup is a wonderful, fragrant, slightly sweet, slightly spicy and completely delicious.  It’s a perfect warming soup for the last cold days of winter.  This is always a big heat for a group, and except for dicing tons of sweet potatoes, it’s easy to scale up or down, and is definitely a crowd pleaser.Read more
Lentil-Barley Soup
I love lentils.  They’re so delicious and nutritious and versatile.  In this soup, they make a great one-pot meal.  This soup has your protein, whole grains, and vegetables all in one convenient pot.  Serve this with a side salad, your favorite bread, and/or some fruit and you’ve got yourself a feel-good meal.  My only qualmRead more
Mennonite Borscht
This is an old family recipe from my Grandma.  Imagine my confusion when I finally heard that borscht has beets in it!  Beets?!  Doesn’t that make it sweet??  Definitely no beets in Grandma’s borscht.  So after a little research I discovered that Mennonites make a type of borscht that’s beef and cabbage based.  Glad IRead more
Roasted Cauliflower Soup
This soup is creamy and rich tasting.  It feels like a decadent treat, but without the guilt.  Pureed soups like this just feel like a hug in a bowl.  This soup gets better the longer it sits, so feel free to make it ahead of time and just reheat. Roasted Cauliflower Soup Serves 4-6 AdaptedRead more
Red Lentil Mexican Soup
This is a great soup to whip up on a gloomy day or when you’re feeling under the weather or when you just don’t know what else to make.  I usually have most of these ingredients on hand, so it can come together quickly and doesn’t take a lot of forethought.  The lentils make itRead more
Roasted Carrot Soup
This is a wonderfully simple soup.  The flavors are delicate and warm.  I think it would be a great soup for when you’re feeling a little under the weather, or when you just need a light but delicious soup.  Roasting the carrots brings out their sweetness, and the ginger and thyme infused vegetable stock addsRead more
Turkey and Dumpling Soup
Unfortunately the chest cold that hit my parents over Thanksgiving weekend has now come to me.  The only good thing about being sick is that it gives you an excuse to have your favorite comfort foods.  One of my favorites is Chicken and Dumpling Soup–way better than Chicken Noodle in my opinion.  I even convincedRead more
Broccoli and Leek Soup
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  We had a great celebration and while we’re still in the throws of Thanksgiving leftovers, if you’re looking for something different this is a great flavorful but light soup.  This also freezes great, so you can make a lot and save the rest for a rainy day.Read more

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Vegetarian 
Chickpea Coconut Curry
This was a super simple meal to throw together that packs big flavor. The coconut curry is rich and creamy. The Mae Ploy curry paste is packed with flavor (although it does contain shrimp paste) that pairs great with just a hint of sweet. It was a super satisfying dish and I’m excited to haveRead more
Lemon Herb Tofu
This Lemon Herb Tofu has become a fan favorite at Thanksgiving. We’ve been perfecting it over the past several years and this year, BIL was good enough to weigh out all the ingredients so we know exactly how we like it. This tofu is super lemony from the addition of preserved lemon. You can useRead more
Sheet Pan Teriyaki Tofu
This sheet pan teriyaki tofu is one of those simple, adaptable recipes that’ll definitely be on repeat in my house. I’m always talking about the benefits of soy foods, it’s a great plant-based protein. There is some research indicating that soy foods may decrease risk of lung cancer in non-smokers, decrease risk of prostate cancer,Read more
White Bean and Feta Dip
This is a great dip for your next get together. Similar to hummus, this white bean and feta dip has protein and fiber, making it more filling and satisfying, and a great punch of flavor. I used dill for this, but a variety of herbs would work well with this. I served this as aRead more
Eggplant Parmesan in the Air Fryer
I recent received an air fryer from a friend who was upgrading to a larger one, I’ve been intrigued by all the rave reviews I’ve heard about air fryers. After making this eggplant parmesan, I’m pretty impressed with what the air fryer can do! Husband also really enjoyed this meal. The eggplant was crispy withoutRead more
Caprese Pasta Salad
Every once in awhile, there’s a recipe that I just can’t get enough of, and this pasta salad is it. This Caprese Pasta Salad is going to be on repeat for the rest of the summer. It’s the perfect recipe to highlight our delicious home-grown tomatoes. This pasta salad has a super flavorful dressing that’sRead more
Okonomiyaki – Vegetable Pancakes
Okonomiyaki is a delicious Japanese-style vegetable pancake. There are various styles of making these, and this is by no means a traditional recipe, but it’s a delicious and unique way to serve vegetables. You can really use a wide range of vegetables for this, but usually includes quite a bit of cabbage. More traditional versionsRead more
Asian Eggplant Stir-Fry
Well it’s been a while since I’ve blogged! Life got a little busy with starting a new job and getting used to that routine. I’m really enjoying my work, and am finally feeling like I’m getting into a routine. Cooking has definitely taken a bit of a backseat while I adjusted, but I’m hoping toRead more
Slow Cooker Moroccan Lentil Soup
Soup season is here! This Slow Cooker Moroccan Lentil Soup is a great one for the repertoire. The flavors are deep and rich, and it’s super filling. This makes a huge portion, so it’s great to freeze, share with others, or plan on eating all week long. A slow cooker makes this super easy, butRead more
Roasted Tomato Soup
If you’ve still got some of the last tomatoes of the summer lingering, this is the perfect tomato soup for you. Husband (who is not a soup person) says this Roasted Tomato Soup is one of the best soups he’s ever had. Roasting the vegetables intensifies the flavor and makes this soup very easy andRead more
Baked Orzo with Eggplant
I don’t frequently cook with eggplant since it has always felt a little finicky to me. While I love this Roasted Eggplant and Smoked Almonds Salad, I’ve been looking for some other ideas for cooking eggplant. Mom suggested this recipe and it is such a winner. This Baked Orzo with Eggplant is a great vegetarianRead more
Moroccan Lentil Stew
This is one of Mom’s masterful creations. She has the magic touch when it comes to making the best soups and stews. So mom generously wrote out all the ingredients so I could make this, and it’s just as delicious as I remember it. Stews are a great way to use up what’s in theRead more
Adobo Black Bean Bowls with Chipotle Dressing
Black beans and rice is one of my favorite meals.  They’re tasty, easy, and make great leftovers too.  These Adobo Black Bean Bowls with Chipotle Dressing are a great twist with awesome smokey flavor.  This comes together quickly, and works well with the Adobo Chicken I made previously, but it’s also a completely satisfying dishRead more
Chickpea & Sweet Potato Curry
I’ve been working on doing more meal prep on the weekends.  Weekdays are busy and in an attempt to eat out less and save more money I’m upping my weekend cooking game.  It has taken a while to figure out good strategies for meal prepping.  I can get bored with the same thing day afterRead more
Veggie Soba Bowls with Tofu
These veggie soba bowls are the greatest, they have everything you need for a delicious, nutritious, all-in-one meal!  This is super versatile, so it’s great for using up whatever’s in the fridge.  Soba is a buckwheat noodle.  Eating buckwheat is associated with lower cholesterol levels, and is a high source of magnesium, which is goodRead more
Broccoli Melts
I don’t usually get very fancy with vegetable side dishes, but when I saw these broccoli melts from Smitten Kitchen, I knew I’d be giving them a try.  These are fantastic!  The broccoli really shines with the bright lemon flavor and salty cheese.  These are great on their own, but would be a perfect accompanimentRead more
White Asparagus Pizza
Boyfriend and I had my parents over for dinner, and I made two fabulous (if I do say so myself) pizzas:  white asparagus pizza, and BBQ chicken pizza (coming soon).  And as we’re digging in to said pizzas, my parents commented about how good they were and wondered why we don’t do this more often….andRead more
Zucchini Feta Fritters
It’s a little off season for zucchini, but I received an enormous zucchini the other week from Hungry Harvest (kind of like a CSA, but they deliver rescued food).  I was able to get about 4 cups of shredded zucchini, which was perfect for this recipe.  These zucchini feta fritters were great with a niceRead more
African Peanut Stew
I think this is the first time I’ve cooked collard greens before.  They work wonderfully in this African Peanut Stew; they hold up well, add a subtle earthiness, and a great texture to this creamy stew.  Collard greens tend to be inexpensive compared to other greens, but kale, swiss chard, or other greens would workRead more
Black Bean Tortilla Soup
Sister has been raving about this simple tortilla soup for months!  Sister is all about a food with lots of toppings, and this soup allows for a ton of options.  Black beans make this tortilla soup a hearty vegan dish (depending on the toppings you use).  While the original recipe calls for frying corn tortillas,Read more
Asparagus Wheat Berry Salad with Pistachio Pesto
Wheat berries are a delicious option for grain salads.  They’re super chewy and can hold up to dressing so you don’t have to worry about them turning to mush.  They complement the tender asparagus nicely.  This recipe takes you through a simple pistachio pesto, but if you’re not in the mood you could easily use aRead more
Marinated Celery Chickpea Salad
Mom and I always fight about celery.  Mom likes celery in everything, and I don’t think celery should go in anything.  Well I don’t mind it in a few things, but celery has quite a strong flavor so it can steal the show if it’s just an ingredient in a salad.  So when I sawRead more
Zucchini Carrot Fritters with Basil
While visiting Sister and her husband a couple weeks ago, I got to help out with their CSA.  They had a ton of carrots and zucchini, so I did a little research and came up with these zucchini carrot fritters.  The original recipe called for fresh dill, wish I’m sure would be amazing, but sinceRead more
Colorful Lentil Salad with Walnuts
The summer is always a good time for eating salad.  While this isn’t a completely cook-free salad recipe, the small amount of heat and time that it takes to sauté the vegetables helps meld the flavors together.  Although, I bet this salad would be delicious with raw vegetables too.  I love using legumes in saladsRead more
Greek Tortellini Salad
A few weeks ago Sister got married!  It was a fantastic celebration! As you probably know, there’s a lot of prep work that goes into a wedding.  So when Sister arrived on Thursday before her wedding, I was prepared with food for the rest of the weekend (you know, besides what was being catered byRead more
Lemony Pasta Alfredo
I don’t make a lot of pasta dishes, but this is definitely going to be one I come back to time and again.  The lemon in this dish brightens all the flavors and keeps it light and refreshing.  Cream and parmesan make this alfredo creamy and rich.  I love dill, and the dill in thisRead more
Deconstructed Falafel Salad
I’ve had my eye on this falafel salad for a while.  I love the idea of deconstructed meals made into salads.  This is a fun twist on falafel and these roasted chickpeas are fantastic.  They’d be great on a variety of salads, or just as a snack, or mixed with popcorn (definitely going to haveRead more
Basil Ricotta Lasagna Pasta
I don’t cook a lot of pasta dishes for myself.  Pasta wasn’t something Mom made often when I was growing up, and I tend to eat a lot more rice dishes than pasta dishes.  That said, there’s something super comforting and warming about lasagna.  We always give my dad a hard time because any timeRead more
Red Beans and Rice
One of my goals for 2016 is to eat out less, and therefore cook more at home.  Finding easy, healthy recipes that make good leftovers is definitely going to help me achieve that goal.  My schedule is usually changing based on class schedules, and work, and when Boyfriend is home.  So it can be aRead more
Asparagus Cheese Egg Puff
Sister just told me that they are doing a winter share of their CSA, and added an extra share of eggs too.  Then she found out that the winter CSA comes with 2 dozen eggs each week, and she doesn’t know yet how many more eggs she’ll get with the extra share of eggs.  SoRead more
Apple Lentil Celery Salad
Lentils are a fantastic source of protein, iron, and fiber.  I love making lentils salads because they’re easy, convenient, and filling.  I love using the precooked lentils from Trader Joe’s, it’s not that cooking lentils is hard, but I love the convenience of having a package of lentils ready when I need a quick, easyRead more
Cauliflower, Kale and Chickpea Stew
You know that feeling when you’ve returned from an awesome trip, and your body says “please give me vegetables”?  Well that’s how I felt last week when I got home from an awesome whirlwind road trip up to Boston and back.  It was a busy weekend with lots and lots of delicious meals and drinks.Read more
Mediterranean  Chicken Salad
  This is a fantastic new salad.  Perfect for summer, it’s filling, packed with veggies, and so refreshing.  While I made this with chicken I think it could easily be made vegetarian by substituting in chickpeas for the chicken.  This is also great for mayo-haters.  It’s easy to throw this together and can easily beRead more
Black Rice Not-Tabbouleh Salad
Tabbouleh is a Middle Eastern salad that’s typically made with bulgur, parsley, mint, tomatoes, onion, and lemon.  It’s not one of my favorite salads because I usually find the parsley to be overbearing.  But since I had some black rice in the cupboard leftover from this Emperor’s Rice Salad, and some sumac I’d been wanting toRead more
Chocolate Chia Pudding
Remember chia pets?   Those funny shaped pots that would grow “hair” from chia seeds?  Well now chia seeds are all the rage for the variety of health benefits they provide.  Chia seeds are high in omega 3 fatty acids, fiber, protein and antioxidants, to name a few.  Because of all the fiber in chiaRead more
Herb Orzo Salad
Surprise Chemistry…unfortunately I’m not talking about the surprise of hitting it off with someone you’ve just met, I’m talking about my summer class.  Just as I was finishing up Chemistry this spring, and looking forward to a relaxing, study-free summer.  I learned that I had to take another chem class before I could register forRead more
Radish and Fennel Orzo Salad with Parsley-Lemon Vinaigrette
I’d never had fennel until last year during my nutrition assessment to try 5 new foods.  Fennel has a slightly sweet licorice taste when it’s raw, and is then deliciously sweet when roasted.  So for this salad, I took the best of both, and roasted half of the fennel and left the other half raw.Read more
Asparagus Potato Soup
This asparagus soup was a fantastic addition to Carroll Cafe.  Asparagus is a fantastic spring vegetable, and this soup highlights these delicate spring stalks.  Potato keeps this soup creamy and vegan.  Despite the simple ingredients this soup is full of flavor and is a perfect light soup during this transition season. Asparagus Potato Soup ServesRead more
Lemony Breakfast Grains with Blueberries and Hazelnuts
Easter morning we have a potluck breakfast at my church.  This year mom and I debated what to make all week, we wanted something that would be easy to make ahead of time, would be healthy and vegetarian, and couldn’t be too fussy to heat up.  So we tried out this recipe I’d printed outRead more
Thai Cabbage Salad
This was a big hit at last month’s Carroll Cafe.  I even had people coming back for seconds.   So I’m apparently not the only one that loves Thai food.  And while this might not be a traditional dish, it is packed with flavor, texture and crunch.  Cabbage is great for mixing up the usualRead more
Curried Chickpea Soup
What’s your favorite way to get recipe inspiration?  I follow a lot of food blogs (using Bloglovin to keep track of them), spend way too much time on Pinterest, and love looking through food magazines.  Sometimes I follow a recipe, and other times I use it as a jumping off point.  This is one ofRead more
Kale and Cheddar Frittata
This dish came together from a quick perusal of my fridge and a growl in my stomach.  I started pulling out veggies that needed to be used up, and whipped up this delicious frittata.  I think the real key with this is to get good caramelized color on your vegetables and to balance the crunchyRead more
Potato Kale Soup
Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful… And so is this soup.  While this delightfully green soup may look like spring, it’s the perfect bowl of healthy comfort food for the lingering cold weather we’re having.  This soup smells fantastic when it’s cooking!  Make sure you take your time makingRead more
Pineapple Fried Rice
When I saw this dish I knew I had to make it ASAP.  Boyfriend loves fried rice, so I knew this would be a good dish for him to take to work.  And the addition of the pineapple made this reminiscent of one of my favorite dishes from our recent trip to Mexico.  This dishRead more
One-Pan Mexican Quinoa
I’ve been working on collecting recipes that can easily be made with just a couple of pantry items and whatever is in the fridge.  This recipe is a good stand-by.  It also works great for lunches because it doesn’t have to be served hot and it’s full of protein to keep you full all afternoon.Read more
Emperor’s Rice Salad
I’m a bit obsessed with Pinterest.  I can spend hours browsing on there, and love all the inspiration that it provides.  It’s especially useful for salad inspiration.  Salads can be a little boring, and aren’t exactly something I crave in these cold months.  But I’m a firm believer of eating your veggies, so with aRead more
Sesame Tahini Cookies
Ok, I’m going to let you in on a secret.  When I hear that a dessert is vegan and/or gluten-free, I pretty much assume it can’t possibly be delicious.  This is entirely unfair.  I myself have made several delicious vegan or gluten-free desserts.  I know it’s not impossible, yet my skepticism remains.  But in an attemptRead more
Turkish-Inspired Lentil Soup
I just got back from an awesome vacation in Mexico.  My family went four hours south of Cancun to a little hotel on the beach, called Mayan Beach Garden.  We had a fantastic time, we celebrated 3 birthdays, Sister and Chris got engaged, and in general had a wonderful time together.  It was an excellentRead more
Kale and Brussels Sprout Salad
I’ve been seeing quite a few raw brussels sprout salads, so it was finally time to try making one.  This salad is refreshing, tart and tangy, salty, and crunchy.  It’s absolutely delicious.  It’s a simple and fantastic winter salad.  Since kale is hearty I think leftovers would hold up pretty well.  The dressing makes quiteRead more
Thai Pumpkin Coconut Soup
This was a recipe I tried out for Carroll Cafe.  And it was awesome.  It’s incredibly easy to make, and yet is packed with flavor.  This is a bit spicy, but I found the heat to be really warming, perfect for a cold winter day.  This is also a great recipe to keep the ingredientsRead more
Harvest Wild Rice Salad with Apple Vinaigrette
Can you believe that Thanksgiving is next week?!  I’m not sure how it snuck up on me, but I’m in shock that it’s approaching so quickly! I made this salad for Carroll Cafe, but it would be a great addition to your Thanksgiving spread.  It’d also be great to make with leftover roasted vegetables.  ThisRead more
Roasted Asparagus with Red Wine Mushrooms
I hate it when cooking experiments don’t turn out.  I’ve recently gone through a string of recipes that have all just been so-so at best, and complete failures at worst.  This meal came from a failed experiment, but resulted in a delicious meal anyway.  While I wouldn’t normally go to this much work for aRead more
Cucumber Raita
I love Indian food!  When visiting Sister we made an epic Indian feast.  It was a lot of fun making all sorts of dishes together and that included this cucumber raita.  Raita is a creamy, cold yogurt sauce that helps balance out the spicy Indian food.  Sister took an Indian cooking class last year, soRead more
Velvety Tomato Sauce – only 4 ingredients!
Sometimes less is more.  This recipe is definitely a supporter of that theory.  You’d be hard pressed to find a simpler recipe, but this recipe definitely doesn’t skimp on taste!  This tomato sauce is velvety, almost creamy tasting.  While this recipe has a long cook time to let all the flavors meld together, the actualRead more
Frittata and Goat Cheese Sandwich
This was a big hit at Carroll Cafe a couple weeks ago.  Frittatas are a great egg dish that are extremely versatile and perfect as breakfast, lunch, or dinner.  They’re a great way to get your protein and add any vegetables you have lying around as well.  For this sandwich I incorporated some greens I’dRead more
Carrot Coriander Soup with Cumin and Citrus
I just finished making this soup for tonight’s Carroll Cafe, and I have to say it is a knock-out.  It’s the perfect meal for fall.  It’s creamy and complex.  The citrus adds a fresh, tart note that’s absolutely amazing with the sweet carrots.  It totally takes this soup from average to memorable.  This would beRead more
Curried Eggplant and Red Lentil Soup
Last week was the end of my CSA boxes.  The CSA was definitely a fun challenge this summer!  I’ve enjoyed the challenge of cooking with a variety of surprise vegetables!  The last box included a small eggplant and I still had an eggplant from the week before, so it was quite fortunate when I stumbledRead more
Creamy Banana Oatmeal
Do you ever have food phases (technically called “food jags”)?  I occasionally go through phases, especially with breakfast.  Like the baked oatmeal phase (pumpkin, banana, apple, strawberry-banana, cranberry apple pecan, banana walnut, zucchini) and I also went through many months of fruit/yogurt/granola for breakfast.  Recently, however, I’ve been uninspired by breakfast. I have a fewRead more
Spiced Eggplant, Chickpea, and Bulgur Salad
I’ve been getting quite a few eggplants from my CSA.  I’m a huge fan of this eggplant salad with goat cheese and smoked almonds, but in hopes of learning other ways to cook eggplant, I tried out this recipe.  This is a fantastic salad.  The spices add just enough flavor and the fresh lemon andRead more
Vegetarian Chili Verde
I’ve been getting a ton of tomatillos in my CSA boxes, so I have an abundance of salsa verde.  When I saw this recipe, I knew it was the perfect way to use up some of my salsa.  And after making this, I’m so glad that I have some salsa verde tucked away in theRead more
Basil and Spinach Pesto
Pesto is one of those quintessential summer foods.  The fresh, bright taste of basil just screams summer produce.  So I’ve been making pesto like crazy while there’s still an abundance of fresh basil.  You can easily freeze pesto too, so make lots and save it for a cold, wintery day when you need a hitRead more
Tomatillo Salsa Verde
Have you ever seen tomatillos?  They’re quite strange looking, little green tomatoes with a papery peel.  I’ve always wondered how to cook them, and when I saw some at the farm we go berry picking at, I knew it was time to try them out.  Then I’ve been getting them in my CSA box too.Read more
CSA Gazpacho
Gazpacho is a cold, raw vegetable tomato-based soup.  It’s great for summer time, and is a cinch to put together.  This is a great way to use up all the summer produce.  I was able to use cucumber, zucchini and onions from my CSA, tomatoes from the farm we go berry picking at, and aRead more
Baked Mac and Cheese
Is there anything more comforting than mac and cheese?  Mom’s baked mac and cheese is definitely one of my comfort foods.  When she tried this version, she said it was better than hers.  It’s rich and creamy with a crunchy, crisp topping.  There’s a slight onion flavor that adds depth, and the mustard in itRead more
Moroccan Roasted Vegetable Salad
A lot of people in my life are vegetarians, so I’m pretty aware of vegetarian options when I go out to eat.  Even though I’m not always ordering a vegetarian option, I have a lot of sympathy for vegetarians when restaurant options are sparse and/or uninspired.  Vegetables are delicious and just because an entree doesn’tRead more
Mini Egg Frittatas
I’ve been holding out on you.  I’ve been making mini egg frittatas for at least a year and have yet to give you the very basic recipe.  These mini frittatas are great as part of a large brunch spread, or are perfect for make-ahead breakfasts for the week.  I love them because they’re so easyRead more
CSA: Sesame Noodles with Napa Cabbage
I love sesame.  Sesame oil has such a great fragrant smell to it and is fantastic in Asian dishes.  These sesame noodles are great as a side dish, but also work as a light lunch.  I got some napa cabbage in my CSA and saw this recipe on the same day, so I thought theRead more
CSA:  Kale and Basil Pesto Pasta
Nothing says spring like a freshly made pesto.  I love the vibrant flavor and color of basil pesto.  I had bought a bunch of basil for a recipe that I ended up not making, so I had to figure something else out for the gorgeous herb.  When I got some kale in my CSA, IRead more
Lebanese Chickpea Salad
This is a delicious salad.  Totally addictive and packed with flavor.  I even got a bean-hater to eat this salad.  It has bright bold flavors with lemon and za’atar, parsley and mint.  Za’atar is a middle eastern spice blend that has thyme, sumac, oregano and some other delicious spices in it.  It’s a bit challengingRead more
CSA:  Balsamic Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese and Pecans
This salad was inspired by my CSA.  I had two weeks worth of beets and wasn’t quite sure what to do with them.  I’ve had beets a couple of times, but didn’t think I was a big fan of them.  They tend to be rather sweet, which is a little off-putting to me.  However, thisRead more
Waffle Egg Sandwiches
This isn’t much of a recipe, but it’s a great meal and will hopefully inspire other meal ideas.  These waffle egg sandwiches are also great for any meal of the day.  I had them for brunch, but with a bunch of leftovers in the freezer it’ll be easy to make more for breakfast, lunch, orRead more
Savory Cheddar Scallion Waffles
It’s always great to find another use for a waffle iron, and these savory waffles are fantastic!  I made these for brunch this past weekend, and while my friends were dubious about savory waffles, they were convinced by these.  They’re crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, with salty cheese and bright scallions throughout.Read more
Confetti Quinoa Salad with Cumin-Lime Vinaigrette
Well I found out that May is not the last Carroll Cafe!  There will be one more for the season on June 13th!  So you’re in luck if you still haven’t made it out to one! This salad is the savory option I served for May’s Carroll Cafe.  I loved this salad.  As I wasRead more
Feta Hummus Sandwich
This isn’t much of a recipe but I’ve been eating quite a few of these so I figured it was worth sharing.  It’s always nice to get a fresh take on what kind of sandwich to make.  I made this an open-face sandwich because I was eating at home.  I prefer the proportions of open-faceRead more
Asparagus and Artichoke Egg Casserole
I made this casserole for Easter breakfast.  It’s a great way to display the first asparagus of the season and the artichoke goes really nicely with egg. If you happen to have young kids in your life, I discovered the perfect way to get them to try asparagus.  My aunt had us over for aRead more
Lemony Orzo, Feta, and Chickpea Salad
This is another great salad from the Women’s Retreat.  I think this one was my favorite, because you can’t go wrong with lemon, feta and dill.  The lemon really brightens up this dish and keeps the orzo from feeling slimy, which can happen with cold pasta salads.  This also has great texture from the crunchyRead more
Wheat Berry Waldorf Salad
This was the third salad for the Women’s Retreat.   I really liked the unique spin on this Waldorf salad.  Adding wheat berries is a fun chewy twist that adds so much texture to the crunchy apples and celery.  I also love that this uses a Vidalia onion dressing instead of the traditional mayonnaise-based dressing.Read more
Moroccan Kale and Citrus Salad
Last Saturday my church held a Women’s Retreat – a time for the women in the community to gather and talk and share parts of our life stories with one another.  It was a really fun and energizing day and I am so glad I got to be a part of it.  Like last year,Read more
Kale and Feta Frittata
This has been one of my favorite go-to breakfasts lately.  I’ve made it three times in the past couple of weeks.  The third time I made it was for brunch with my grandpa and Mom.  Mom told Grandpa we were having a frittata and he said, “these names get so fancy you don’t hardly knowRead more
Curried Ginger Red Lentil and Quinoa Soup
This is one flavorful vegan soup!  Even though I know better, it’s still sometimes hard to think of vegetarian/vegan soups as something complex and flavorful.  Meat adds a lot of flavorful layers to a soup, even if there’s a lot of vegetables mixed in.  However, this soup is definitely not lacking in complex flavors!  Read more
Tofu Veggie Bowls with Peanut Sauce
This is rapidly becoming a favorite meal.  It’s based off of these tofu lettuce wraps, but combined in a bowl for a more filling/less fussy dinner.  I made it twice in a week, it’s that good.  It’s super flavorful and customizable to what you have on hand.  And while I know that tofu isn’t everyone’sRead more
Cornbread Vegetable Strata
Sometimes cooking problems turn in to the opportunity for some kitchen creativity.  When baking for the January Carroll Cafe, I got distracted and over-cooked my cornbread scallion muffins.  They weren’t burnt, but they were definitely unattractively dark and therefore not suitable to sell.  But I hated to waste all that food, so I got creativeRead more
Autumnal Butternut Squash
This semester I’ve been taking an online nutrition class.  It’s been really fun and interesting.  Our last project of the semester was to try 5 new, whole foods, meaning foods that haven’t been overly processed.  As a child who grew up with a strict one-bite rule, I’m a big fan of trying new things andRead more
Seekers Luncheon
So last Sunday I cooked the quarterly after church lunch.  There were about 55 people and for the first time ever there were hardly any leftovers!  I think at the end of the meal there was one bowl of chili left and one small serving of salad.  It helps that no one told me howRead more
Stovetop Popcorn
Ok, so our kitchen is being redone.  Which is hugely exciting!  But also means that my cooking options are rather limited for the next couple weeks.  I’ll still try to keep up with posting, but they won’t all be recipes. While we’re trying to clear out the entire kitchen, the last thing I’ve wanted toRead more
Egg and Veggie Scramble
We all know we should eat more veggies, so here’s an easy way to start the day’s veggie count early.  This is also a great way to use up some of the veggies in your crisper.  Since this was served for breakfast on the last day at the beach house, we were eager to useRead more
Easy Homefries
So after making baked potatoes to go with the delicious Santiago Bean Dip, we had a couple left over.  So on our last morning at the beach, it was time to use up the leftovers.  These homefries were the perfect thing.  Everyone loved these and they’re a cinch to make when you already have aRead more
Santiago Bean Dip
This dip is fantastic.  If you’re having a get together for Labor Day, you should definitely make this.  Everyone will thank you. My dear friend, Becky, made this a while back for a baked potato bar dinner party, and it was super scrumptious!  I’ve been dreaming about it ever since.  So since we were cookingRead more
Spinach Pesto Strata
This strata was something that I whipped up because we had guests coming to the beach, a loaf of bread getting stale, and some egg whites leftover from the German Chocolate Cake.  This is a great recipe to make for company since you assemble it the night before and bake it off in the morning.Read more
Southwest-Style Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
The idea for this dinner came from a craving for sweet potatoes, and thinking of the ingredients in a sweet potato hash.  After going berry picking at the farm this weekend, I had farm fresh sweet potatoes, jalapeno peppers, poblano peppers and zucchini.  The perfect ingredients for a southwest inspired mixture.  I add some blackRead more
Spanakopita Quinoa
Hello, Delicious!  This is a must make.  This super delicious dish is packed with flavor and definitely filling.  Quinoa is a good protein source, containing most of the essential amino acids our bodies need from food sources.  And while I have heard complaints that quinoa is boring, this is anything but boring!  There’s a littleRead more
Tomato-Goat Cheese Tart
I made this over the 4th of July, and loved the simplicity of it.  This super delicious, cheesy tart comes together quickly, takes advantage of the lovely summer tomatoes, and looks impressive enough for company.  As the saying goes, it’s easy as pie.  I think this would also work well as a galette…which might makeRead more
Broccoli Pesto Pasta
With an abundance of broccoli on hand, I was looking for something different to make than the usual steamed or roasted broccoli.  This takes the super healthy benefits of broccoli and turns it into a great spread, or in this case, sauce.  While this is definitely different from traditional pesto since it doesn’t include basil,Read more
Blackberry Goat Cheese Salad
After a lovely holiday weekend celebrating and hanging out with family, I’m ready for some lighter food.  It was delicious weekend, but I totally stuffed myself.  If you too are coming off a celebratory weekend, let me suggest this Blackberry Goat Cheese Salad.  This hardly qualifies as a recipe, but it’s a super delicious combinationRead more
Blueberry Corn Salad
I made this salad last year, and apparently forgot to blog about it.  It’s a great summer salad, super refreshing and full of surprising flavors.  I made it for our Fourth of July party and forgot to mention what it was.  Sister thought it was olives and corn, and was quite surprised when it wasRead more
Black Beans and Rice
While this is a simple dish, it packs a ton of great flavor and nutrition.  Beans and rice make a complete protein, meaning you get all of the essential amino acids that your body needs.  It’s great on its own or topped with a variety of tasty options, like cheese, pico de gallo, avocado, sourRead more
Tofu Lettuce Wraps with Hoisin-Peanut Sauce
I loved this meal.  It’s super flavorful, comes together quickly and works great as either a main dish or would be a lovely appetizer (just omit the rice).  These were a bit messy and I ended up eating them more as a salad than a wrap, but that made them no less delicious.  This isRead more
Greek Kale Salad
Back to my kale eating ways!  This was something I was able to throw together with whatever I had on hand.  It’s easy and super delicious.  It’s easy to keep feta and olives on hand and during the summer months I usually have some tomatoes, cucumbers on hand too, so this is perfect when youRead more
Ginger-Scallion Cold Tofu
With summer approaching and the temperatures rising, you can bet I will be eating a lot more of this tofu.  This is super simple to prepare, it’s refreshing and cold and light.  This goes great with a salad (I’d recommend an Asian cabbage salad like this or this or this) for a quick, light summerRead more
Mediterranean Quinoa
This is a great grain salad.  It’s got everything you need!  Quinoa is packed with protein, but still has the starchy taste of a grain, the vegetables add fresh flavor and color and vitamins, feta and olives add to the whole Mediterranean deliciousness, and herbs make it fresh and summery.  I expect I’ll be makingRead more
Strawberry Avocado Kale Salad
This recipe is a little bit of a different take on Strawberry Spinach Salad.  The kale makes this a bit heartier, the avocado adds some great healthy fats and creaminess; strawberries for sweetness, and pecans for crunch.  The best thing about raw kale salads is that they’re hearty.  You could easily make this at theRead more
Miso Glazed Tofu and Bok Choy
This is based off of a recipe I saw in a magazine, I thought it sounded delicious, and went to the grocery store intending to make it later in the week.  And yet some how I forgot to get half of the ingredients.  So when trying to eat up all the produce before leaving forRead more
Smooth and Creamy Hummus
I might also call this obsessive-compulsive hummus, but I’ll let you decide for yourself what name you’ll call it.  What makes it different, is that you actually peal the chickpeas.  I know, say what?! Peel chickpeas?!  Well this advice comes from the incredible Smitten Kitchen, so I knew the recipe would be great…so while IRead more
One Pot, Stovetop Mac and Cheese
Who doesn’t love macaroni and cheese?  It’s definitely a favorite of mine and one of my favorite comfort foods.  This stovetop mac and cheese is wonderful.  The macaroni is cooked in milk, which makes it creamy and easy; and the combination of cheese is salty, creamy, melty deliciousness.  I’m getting cravings just writing this!  OneRead more
Amazing Bruschetta
This is AMAZING.  My new favorite summer dish.  I plan to eat this all summer long.  It’s fresh and easy and absolutely delicious!  Bruschetta is a fun, classy appetizer that’s perfect for your next get together.  I’ve always thought of bruschetta as something reserved for ordering at restaurants, but it’s actually very easy to makeRead more
Greek Nachos
I got this idea from something I saw on Pinterest, and loved the concept of mixing up the idea of nachos for something fresher.  This is kind of an assembled meze plate.  Meze is a bunch of small plates typically served in Mediterranean, Middle East and Balkans (according to Wikipedia).  The benefit of a mealRead more
Baked Falafel
Falafel are great.  They’re a wonderful vegan option (I was surprised to learn they don’t even use egg to bind them).  They’re super flavorful, have a nice texture and are a great compliment to other delicious foods.  I’ve always thought of falafel as being rather fussy and something better ordered out than made at home.Read more
Roasted Cauliflower Hummus
As I may have mentioned before, I’m a fan of dips.  I think they’re a great food to take to work, and I love that they can get me to eat a whole pile of veggies without being a salad.  Bonus points if the dip is healthy, so clearly hummus is a top contender.  HummusRead more
Curried Sweet Potato Soup
This soup is a wonderful, fragrant, slightly sweet, slightly spicy and completely delicious.  It’s a perfect warming soup for the last cold days of winter.  This is always a big heat for a group, and except for dicing tons of sweet potatoes, it’s easy to scale up or down, and is definitely a crowd pleaser.Read more
Moroccan Chickpea, Squash and Sweet Potato Tagine
This is a great vegetarian dish.  It was a great vegetarian option to go with the Moroccan Chicken recipe.  The spices are a bit more subtle in this, but I thought it was a great dish that highlights the flavors of the sweet potatoes and the butternut squash.  I love when a dish brings out theRead more
Raw Kale and Tofu Salad with Citrus Dressing
This salad was super delicious.  There’s lots of delicious stuff going on in this salad.  Tofu and edamame add protein, the vegetables add a variety of color, texture and nutrients, and the dressing adds a punch of delicious citrusy flavor with salty-sweet flavors from the soy sauce and honey.  The ground flaxseed adds a reallyRead more
Lemony Wheat Berry and Brussel Sprout Salad
As much as I like salad, all the cold weather recently has made them the last thing I want to eat.  So I’m attempting to mix things up a bit and try some new, more creative salads to help me eat more veggies.  This salad is a great side dish since it combines whole grainsRead more
Roasted Cauliflower Soup
This soup is creamy and rich tasting.  It feels like a decadent treat, but without the guilt.  Pureed soups like this just feel like a hug in a bowl.  This soup gets better the longer it sits, so feel free to make it ahead of time and just reheat. Roasted Cauliflower Soup Serves 4-6 AdaptedRead more
Red Lentil Mexican Soup
This is a great soup to whip up on a gloomy day or when you’re feeling under the weather or when you just don’t know what else to make.  I usually have most of these ingredients on hand, so it can come together quickly and doesn’t take a lot of forethought.  The lentils make itRead more
Homemade pizza
Happy new year!  Are you a resolution maker?  While I don’t really make resolutions, I do like the fresh start of a new year.  And whether you’re resolving to eat healthier, spend more time with your family, cook more meals at home, save money, or you just want a delicious meal, I’ve got the recipeRead more
Roasted Carrot Soup
This is a wonderfully simple soup.  The flavors are delicate and warm.  I think it would be a great soup for when you’re feeling a little under the weather, or when you just need a light but delicious soup.  Roasting the carrots brings out their sweetness, and the ginger and thyme infused vegetable stock addsRead more
Sesame Kale
I’ve been craving kale lately.  Definitely an odd craving, but at least it’s healthy!  With all the great nutrients found in kale (vitamins K and C, calcium, iron…) it’s a great winter vegetable.  This is one of my favorite ways to eat kale.  The dressing is salty, sweet, and nutty from the toasted sesame oil.Read more
Roasted Cabbage with Toasted Hazelnuts
This salad is a bit different, it doesn’t have a whole lot going on, but it plays well with other dishes.  I served it for a Tuesday night dinner with the most amazing Spiced Stuffed Acorn Squash, which needed a nice supporting character and I thought this Roasted Cabbage fit the bill nicely.  This comesRead more
Spiced Stuffed Acorn Squash
This stuffed squash was DELICIOUS!  This will definitely be a regular recipe for me.  It took quite a bit of searching to find an acorn squash recipe I liked the sound of.  So many vegetarian squash recipes out there don’t sound like a main dish (in that they don’t have a lot of protein), soRead more
Veggie Greek Yogurt Dip
In this season of lots of holiday parties, and lots of desserts and cookies, it’s the perfect time for a veggie dip.  This dip is a great healthy way to sneak some more vegetables into your diet and makes a great addition to any holiday party.  This has tons of flavor and is great withRead more
Black Bean Pumpkin Patties with Raw Kale Salad
I made this dish for Tuesday’s School of Christian Living dinner, and it was SUPER popular!  I have to admit I was really shocked by how much people liked this meal.  I was taking a chance on the raw kale.  I love salad and raw veggies, but I know they frequently feel like “health” foodRead more
Roasted Garlic and Mushroom Pasta
The enjoyable thing about the School of Christian Living’s vegan challenge is that it forces me to get creative and adapt recipes to work within the limits I have set.  This pasta dish was loosely based off a recipe, but to make it vegan and fit in my price point, I took quite a fewRead more
Cabbage and Lime Slaw with Toasted Peanuts
I’m a big fan of cabbage and love finding new ways to eat it.  Cabbage is wonderfully inexpensive and goes a long way.  I made this for Tuesday and have already made it again to go with our Thanksgiving leftovers.  The lime is refreshing and tart, the peanuts add a sweet crunch, and the edamameRead more
Broccoli and Leek Soup
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  We had a great celebration and while we’re still in the throws of Thanksgiving leftovers, if you’re looking for something different this is a great flavorful but light soup.  This also freezes great, so you can make a lot and save the rest for a rainy day.Read more
Banana Leaf Vegetable Curry
I made this dish for Tuesday’s School of Christian Living.  It was a big hit.  This comes by way of another church lady, but she got it from Sheila Lukins’ All Around the World Cookbook.  There are no bananas, leaves or banana leaves in this curry, so I’m not sure where the name comes from…mightRead more
Spicy Vegetable and Bean Soup
My mom has a special touch with soup.  She has the power to whip up delicious soups without a recipe or a plan.  She can take whatever ingredients are laying around the pantry and create delicious hearty stews.  While I have yet to inherit this superpower,  I’ll stick to making adaptions of delicious recipes.  WhileRead more
Cheddar Cornmeal Waffles
I was making my favorite vegetarian chili again for an event, but wanted something new and different to go with it, so I decided to change up the usual cornbread muffins and make these waffles.  This was a fun recipe.  It comes together quickly and gets some extra use out of your waffle iron thatRead more
Frightfully Good Stuffed Pumpkin
Happy Halloween!  To celebrate… more pumpkin!!! A year ago my aunt, Sharon, told Mom and me about this amazing recipe she made.  It sounded delightful, but stuffing a pumpkin sounds kind of hard, so we didn’t ever get around to making it until now.  And as I text Sharon, I kind of hate myself forRead more
Indian Dahl
This was a recommendation from Sister.  It’s a great dish!  Definitely not much to look at, but it came together quickly and  was so delicious!  This is a great vegetarian protein source and is so tasty!  The original recipe includes 1 lb of spinach, but I left that out since I served this with anRead more
Channa (Chickpea) Masala
I love Indian food.  But I’ve been rather intimidated to try making it at home.  I finally got over my fear, and tried several recipes for a culinary adventure!  This dish came out really well, and actually came together pretty quickly.  I’d recommend having everything ready to go before you start so you can justRead more
Turmeric Quinoa with Apricots and Almonds
This is a simple side.  It’s a bit more exciting than your usual rice or plain quinoa.  While the dried fruit adds a little pop of flavor, it doesn’t make the dish overwhelming sweet, just a subtle, chewy fruit flavor.  Turmeric is a lovely spice, so bright and cheery.  It’s also supposed to be goodRead more
Tomato Cobbler
I didn’t used to like tomatoes, but growing up with the One Bite Rule I was instilled at an early age with a standard of trying things repeatedly.  And fortunately over the years I learned how wrong I was not to like tomatoes.  So when I saw this Tomato Cobbler I thought it would beRead more
Roasted Acorn Squash
I have to say that until now, acorn squash was my least favorite squash.  Why have acorn when you could have spaghetti, or better yet butternut: the best of all squashes.  But now I have a finer appreciation for the acorn squash.  As I’ve said before, roasting veggies makes magic happen.  If you think youRead more
Zucchini and Spinach Strata
Stratas are savory bread puddings.  They can be served for breakfast, lunch or dinner.  They need good crusty bread that takes a good long soak.  I made this for a retreat my dad went on, so I prepared it in stages which worked great.  Two days before the retreat I sautéd the vegetables and preparedRead more
Mushroom-Artichoke Soup
This recipe is a trusty stand-by.  I’ve made it several times in the past and it continues to be a delicious fall soup.  It’s hearty and chunky and keeps well so you can make it in advance if necessary.  Fortunately it doesn’t take long to cook either, so it’s perfect for a week night dinnerRead more
Zucchini and Basil Lasagna
This lasagna was amazing!  The recipe comes from a family from my church who sends a favorite recipe in their Christmas letter each year.  While this recipe is from their 2007 letter, better late than never!  I don’t recommend waiting 5 years before you try it though!  It’s perfect for this time of year whereRead more
Roasted Mushroom and Pesto Pasta
This is a quick, easy meal to throw together.  I’d been planning on making pesto stuffed mushrooms, but I needed something a little more substantial than that.  Throwing in some whole wheat pasta and ricotta makes this dinner!  Paired with a salad, it’s quite the tasty dinner. Roasted Mushroom and Pesto Pasta Serves 6 16ozRead more
Herbed Ricotta Tart
Yum.  I tore this recipe from a magazine in 2010.  I apparently made it that fall, loved it, stuck it in a binder with tons of other recipes waiting for their chance to be tried, and forgot about it.  I made it again this week.  WHY OH WHY did I wait SO long???  It’s easyRead more
Shakshuka-Eggs poached in Tomato Sauce
I’ve been intrigued by this dish for a while.  Recently when I was in Boston I tried some and knew that it would be a dish Sister would love.  So when she and Chris were visiting last week, it was the perfect chance to try it.  We had Chris’s parents over for brunch and IRead more
Italian Squash Quiche
My aunt and cousins have returned from Japan!  To help their transition home I made a quiche.  The girls really like quiche, so it’s a convenient anytime of day meal.  Since this was for kids I kept the flavors pretty mild. Italian Squash Quiche Serves 6-8 1 pie crust (I like pillsbury) 1 large summerRead more
Savory Zucchini Cakes
We bought a bunch of big, beautiful zucchini and summer squash the other day on the way home from the beach.  We didn’t really have a plan for them, but I stumbled upon this simple recipe for savory zucchini cakes.  I liked that the ingredient list is short and it comes together really quickly.  I’llRead more
Black Bean Burgers with Corn
I enjoy experimenting with new black bean burger recipes.   There are so many tasty combinations out there that I can’t commit to just one recipe. This recipe caught my eye because of the corn!  Sweet corn + spicy + smokey cumin + creamy savory black beans = yum!  I definitely enjoyed all the flavorsRead more
Summer Squash and Ricotta Galette
So a galette is really just a free-form pie with the edges folded partially over the pie filling.  They’re casual enough to make for yourself for lunch, but impressive enough to make for company.  The crust on this is made lighter with olive oil instead of butter and is a light and flakey crust. IRead more
Sloppy Veggie Joes
For Tuesday’s dinner I decided to try making vegetarian Sloppy Joes.  This was pretty challenging to get the right flavor without the flavor that the meat usually brings to the dish.  But I think I created something pretty close. Sloppy Veggie Joes Serves 15-20 Adapted from Rachael Ray 1 Tbsp olive oil 3 bell peppers,Read more
Veggie Chili
This is probably the recipe I’m asked for the most.  It’s absolutely delicious and I don’t think I’ve ever made a different kind of chili.  Hard-core carnivores love this too.  I originally got this from Chris, Sister’s boyfriend, and I think he adapted it from a Moosewood cookbook.  Chili is super adaptable, so taste asRead more
Kale and Quinoa Stuffed Peppers
Mom and I made this for lunch the other day at the spur of the moment.  I saw a recipe for stuffed shells with kale and thought we could mix something up for stuffed peppers.  Dishes like this are a great way of using up some of the things you have in the fridge thatRead more
Tomato, Basil, Mozzarella Pasta Salad
After the success of Sandra’s Tomato, Basil, Mozzarella salad during our catering event, I decided to do a similar salad for the Seekers luncheon.  I wanted to have a pasta salad, so to bulk up the traditional TBM I added whole wheat rotini and pesto.  These flavors are just great for the summer, it’s aRead more
Roasted Green Bean, Mushroom and Barley Salad
This is a great easy salad.  I decided to leave out the suggested feta from the original recipe, but I think that would be a wonderful flavor addition, or goat cheese!  This also makes a huge quantity (and is easy to make more or less of), so it’s great for potlucks or parties. Roasted GreenRead more
Grandma’s Broccoli Salad
Sunday we had offered a lunch after church as a way for people to hang out and chat for a longer time than our usual coffee hour.  We had a birthday theme since we’re at the halfway point and can celebrate all the birthdays that have come and all the upcoming ones.  For the eventRead more
Curried Couscous Salad
Sorry for being so slow getting last Tuesday’s recipes posted!  It’s been a crazy week!  I unexpectedly had to go in for a physical to make sure I’m in good health to donate bone morrow through DKMS Americas. Then I worked with my friend, Sandra to do a big catering job.  So for three daysRead more
Creamy Green Pea Dip
In addition to the Asian Cabbage Salad, Homemade Pita, and Edamame Dip I made this Creamy Green Pea Dip. I loved the smooth, slightly sweet taste of this dip.  It gets a little kick from the jalapeno, but isn’t spicy.  This would also make an excellent cold pasta sauce.  With the addition of silken tofu itRead more
Edamame Dip
This Edamame Dip was a great addition to Saturday’s Women’s Retreat.  Edamame (soy beans) are an excellent source of protein and with flavorful ingredients like sesame oil, siracha, and lemons, it makes a tasty snack!  This would also make an excellent spread for a sandwich! Edamame Dip Serves 22 Adapted from La Fuji Mama 2Read more

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