What says comfort like a slice of freshly baked bread slathered with butter and homemade jam? I've been experimenting with a few jams this Summer and this one has become a family favorite.  The combination of blueberries-nectarines-lemons works beautifully and I'm sure … Continue reading →
10-Minute Margherita Flatbread Pizzas
Thank you to La Brea Bakery for sponsoring this post! Pizza is pure bliss, don't you think? Â There's just something about that crispy-chewy bread crust topped with sauce, oozing cheese and any variety of toppings that speaks universal comfort. I enjoy all kinds of … Continue reading →
Creamy Rice Pudding with Yogurt (Dairy-free, Gluten-free, Vegan)
Thank you to Silk for sponsoring this post! Aren't those rice puddings pretty? Â This recipe for Creamy Rice Pudding is super easy and adds an element of fun and variety by stirring in your yogurt of choice. Â The yogurt not only makes the rice pudding even creamier, it … Continue reading →
Peter Piper’s Pickled Peppers
 Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked. If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers, Where's the peck of pickled peppers that Peter Piper picked?  (*scratching my head*)  Have you ever stopped to really think … Continue reading →
Pulled Pork Burritos with Creamy Tomatillo Sauce
Few things can top meat that's been cooked for hours in the slow-cooker until fork-tender and saturated with flavor. This pulled pork is a prime example. And I can't even begin to describe how delectable it is once it's packed into a burrito shell with rice and black beans … Continue reading →
French Connection Sandwich (Two Ways)
Partnering with Castello for a Summer of Blue Cheese has a way of reconnecting me to my original home of Europe. Â Every time I sample some European cheese my mind is taken back to the lands and regions I spent my childhood through young … Continue reading →
Homemade Lemon Lime Marmalade
Lemon lime marmalade is fabulous but it's difficult to find in stores. Â And when you do it's generally a little pricey. Â So why not make your own? Â It's not only cheaper, it's tastes a lot better too! The question on your lips may be, "And why would I even want to make … Continue reading →
German Tomato Salad (Tomatensalat)
This is a fresh and vibrantly flavorful Summer tomato salad that is typical of the ones I know and love from Germany. Â Simple, quick and as easy as 1, 2, 3, all you have to do is cut up the tomatoes, onions, and herbs, prepare the vinaigrette, and pour the vinaigrette over … Continue reading →
Chicken Meatballs
Italian Chicken Meatballs This Italian Chicken Meatballs recipe features deliciously seasoned ground chicken enveloped a simple but dazzlingly vibrant and flavorful tomato sauce! If you prefer, you can use ground beef instead. Â I'll make it both ways depending on … Continue reading →
Greek Lemon Chicken
Capers are one of those ingredients you come across occasionally but may have never cooked with or even tried. Â But they're an integral part of Mediterranean cuisine. Â Their use dates way back to ancient Greece. Â They come from a perennial plant that bears edible flower buds … Continue reading →
Grilling Steak & Snake River Farms Beef Review
I received some steak from Snake River Farms for review. Â All opinions are entirely my own. In preparation for Father's Day, Snake River Farms and Double R Ranch are offering some special Father's Day Gifts packages containing premium steaks (see special offer at the … Continue reading →
Broccoli and Pasta Salad with Olives, Parmesan & Toasted Walnuts
There simply is no excuse for buying those pre-packaged boxed pasta salad mixes. Â Not when you can whip up something this delicious and wholesome in minutes! I love the combination of chewy-crunchy, especially in a flavorful and wholesome pasta salad. Â This salad comes … Continue reading →
Locomotion Barbecue Sauce (Weber Genesis EP-330 Gas Grill Review)
I've teamed up with Weber to bring you this post! I can't even tell you how done I am with rickety grills.  We've gone through two of them in the last 5 years and it's one of those hard lessons learned:  You end up paying more for cheap quality items because you have … Continue reading →
Goat Cheese, Spinach and Bacon Wontons
If you don't like goat cheese, no problem - use cream cheese instead. Â Either way, these crispy bundles of goodness are simply irresistible! They are dangerous though, I have to warn you. Â These are one of those foods that are hard to stop eating. Â You pop one in your … Continue reading →
Beef Stir-fry with Snow Peas and Mushrooms
Who doesn't enjoy a good stir-fry? One of the things I about Chinese food, aside from the fact that it's delicious, is that it's generally so doggone quick to make. Â Really the only time involved is the prep work - the chopping. Â The actual cooking takes less than 5 … Continue reading →
Cream of Jerusalem Artichoke, Leek and Potato Soup
"Cream of" soups have always been some of my favorites. Â They really bring out the flavor of the vegetables and love their creamy texture. The Jerusalem artichoke, also called sunchoke, is native to eastern North America. Â It's a root vegetable and is actually related to … Continue reading →
Havarti Dill Corn Cakes
Thank you to Castello for sponsoring this post! If you enjoy traditional cornbread or corn cakes these are a "must try." Â The combination of a high class European cheese with all the goodness of down-to-earth, traditional home-style Southern cooking makes these Havarti … Continue reading →
Spanish Steaks
This is the recipe that had my husband's work staff clamoring at his office door because of the aroma flooding the clinic at lunchtime. It's always rewarding when you can prepare a meal that smells amazing, tastes as good as it smells, and is visually appealing. Because … Continue reading →
Roasted Tomato Risotto
Incorporating the fresh and vibrant flavor of roasted tomatoes and garlic with the wonderful texture and flavor of melted mozzarella, Parmesan and herbs, this Roasted Tomato Risotto is absolutely delicious! Roasted Tomato Risotto Recipe Risotto is a culinary art of its … Continue reading →
Classic Angel Food Cake
The food of angels. Â I've always thought this cake had a fitting name. Â White as wool, light an airy as a cloud, and a deliciously delicate flavor - Â it's easy to see why this 19th century American creation has remained a favorite through the generations. … Continue reading →
Kusksu (Libyan Couscous with Spicy Beef and Vegetables)
The national dish of Libya is couscous, commonly prepared like this, with stewed beef, sweet potatoes, carrots and garbanzo beans in a spicy hararat tomato sauce. Â It's a warming, hearty, comfort dish featuring a delicious blend of Middle Eastern spices. Couscous is … Continue reading →
German Pea Soup with Egg Dumplings (Erbsensuppe mit Eierschwämmchen)
 "Pea soup" is the literal translation of this dish but that doesn't even begin to do it justice.  There is a TON going on here flavor-wise.  With the flavor of caramelized onions and bacon combined with savory leek, carrots, celeriac, potatoes, peas and dumplings, … Continue reading →
Sausage, Fennel & Butternut Squash Lasagna
Here's a delicious variation of lasagna that will "wow" everyone who has the good fortune to eat it! … Continue reading →
Frozen Caramel Apple Crunch Cake
Apples. Â Caramel. Â Ice cream. Â Cake. Â EASY. … Continue reading →
Blonde French Onion Soup
Sponsored Post - The Art of Cheese with Castello Aged Havarti This all-original Blonde French Onion Soup is a deliciously creamy twist on the classic version. Â You'll love it! French onion soup is rather sentimental to me. Â It played a special part in the dating years … Continue reading →
Chewy Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies (GF)
Chewy.  A double dose of chocolate.  Gluten-free.  You're welcome. No, I haven't converted to a gluten-free diet and no, I won't be bombarding you with gluten-free recipes.  Remember my Perfect Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies from a few months ago? Yep, those … Continue reading →
Curried Apple & Butternut Squash Soup
Easy to make, this Curried Apple & Butternut Squash Soup is perfect for a starter or side dish or as a light dinner served with crusty bread and side salad. Simple enough to enjoy for a casual family meal and elegant enough to serve at a fancy dinner party. … Continue reading →
Easy Green Bean Casserole From Scratch
Thank you to Del Monte and POPSUGAR SELECT for sponsoring this post! I don't know when or how or by whom the classic green bean casserole was invented, but whoever did should have a holiday named after them.  Or at least a postage stamp, don't you think? I mean, the … Continue reading →
Mini Pumpkin Lattice Pies (baked inside the pumpkins!)
Yes, you read it right. Â These are mini pumpkin lattice pies INSIDE of mini pumpkins! Â Easy to make and it doesn't get any more adorable than this! … Continue reading →
Chili In A Pumpkin
Growing up my mom would make some fabulous meals inside of pumpkins during the Autumn season. Â It was always fun to lift off the lid and scoop the food out along with some of that beautiful orange pumpkin flesh. Â I've adopted the tradition in my own family and this year … Continue reading →
Chocolate Butterscotch Pumpkin Streusel Cake
This cake represents a match made in heaven:  Chocolate and butterscotch folded into a sweet and tender pumpkin cake, topped with a buttery walnut and cinnamon streusel, and drizzled with sugar icing.  Yummmmm! … Continue reading →
Beef and Pepper Stew
As much as I love the Summer I'm always ready for the Fall by the time it rolls around with its dip in temperature. Â That's in part because I can start cooking those wonderful cool weather comfort dishes, like hot stews. Â Here's a beef stew with a delicious depth of flavor … Continue reading →
Bechamel Sauce with Parmesan
A deliciously rich and flavorful Bechamel Sauce recipe that features the addition of Parmesan cheese for a truly unforgettable sauce! Easy to make and wonderfully versatile! An easy, perfectly creamy bechamel sauce with Parmesan cheese for a wonderfully delicate … Continue reading →
Homemade Snickers Candy Bars
My favorite candy bar.  18 of them.  That's e.i.g.h.t.e.e.n. Snickers bars in one glorious, chocolatey-peanuty-caramelly batch. *Sigh* … Continue reading →
Fiesta Meatballs
Mexican Fiesta Meatballs. Â Vibrantly colorful and boldly flavorful with a touch of kick...let's get this party started! Another impromptu creation. Â I seriously had about 8 bell peppers stuffed in my two crisper drawers in the fridge screaming to be used. Â That's what … Continue reading →
Italian Stuffed Squash
A simple, healthy, delicious and low-calorie meal to enjoy any time of the year. Â Select seasonal squash accordingly. … Continue reading →
Orange Butter Croissant French Toast (+ Taste of Washington Cookbook Review)
Deliciously delicate, buttery croissants are infused with multiple sources of orange flavor and prepared French toast style. Â The results will make any orange and French toast fan swoon! … Continue reading →
Pulled Pork Gyros
The Best Homemade Gyros recipe I posted a while ago has been a family favorite for several years. Â These Pulled Pork Gyros are an even easier take on that original recipe with identically flavorful results. … Continue reading →
Greek Orzo Salad
You can never have too many good pasta salad recipes and this one is goooood. Â Quick and easy to make, packed full of wholesome ingredients, and bursting with flavor! … Continue reading →
Perfect Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
I've been making some gluten-free baked goods lately. Â No, I haven't turned gluten-free. Â And no particular reason other than just wanting to master the art and to do some experimenting. Â Today I'm sharing one of the results with you: Â Perfect Gluten-free Chocolate Chip … Continue reading →