Jarred roasted red peppers are one of those things I often don't have on hand when I need them. Can you relate? It's the same story with several other things, which is why I developed the very best recipes for items like tahini paste, marzipan/almond paste, teriyaki sauce, … Continue reading →
Plum Butter (Pflaumenmus)
Plum Butter brings back memories of the time I spent with my Oma and Opa growing up in southern Germany. There it's called Pflaumenmus and you can readily find it in any grocery store next to the jams and marmalades. My Oma used to make Kartoffelpuffer (potato pancakes) … Continue reading →
Pickled Turnips
Pickling is a method of preservation that dates back to Neolithic times around 7000 BC. During this anaerobic fermentation process strange and wonderful things happen that transform the original product into something quite different. And very healthy with all those … Continue reading →
Grilled Sweet & Sour Meatball Kabobs
This post is in partnership with Veal Made Easy. I love food. All kinds of food. From north, south, east and west, exploring flavors from near and far is my passion. And I'm always looking for ways to incorporate more healthy vegetables in a way that makes them … Continue reading →
Sicilian-Style Grilled Tuna Steaks
A mouthwatering Sicilian-style grilled tuna steaks recipe! Grilled to perfection and topped with the flavors of sun-kissed Sicily. It's easy and delicious! A special thank you to Lindsay for sponsoring this post From my early childhood trips to Italy's beaches to … Continue reading →
BEST Authentic Hoisin Sauce
Potently flavorful and fragrant, Hoisin sauce is a central ingredient in many Chinese dishes and will work absolute MIRACLES for the foods you add it to! Look no further for the BEST hoisin sauce recipe! What is Hoisin Sauce? Hoisin sauce is a thick, dark, fragrant … Continue reading →
Roasted Sweet Potato Fettuccine Alfredo
Even though the holidays are long over, our consumption of sweet potatoes doesn't have to be - nor should it be! Find out more about the U.S.history of sweet potato consumption and why you should be eating them throughout the year in my post on Curried Sweet Potato Soup … Continue reading →
BEST Chinese Black Bean Sauce
This authentic black bean sauce recipe holds the grand secret to making some of the best Chinese food on the planet! It will work absolute flavor miracles for your Chinese dishes! Chinese Black Bean Sauce Recipe For those of you who know what Chinese black bean sauce … Continue reading →
Greek Meatballs
These Greek Meatballs capture the exquisite flavors of sun-kissed Greece and will make your taste buds sing and have you coming back for seconds! Thank you to Lindsay for sponsoring this post! Our family loves meatballs. For many of us they're linked to childhood … Continue reading →
How To Make a Bouquet Garni
If you like French food and you want to cook like the French, you have to become acquainted with the Bouquet Garni. An indispensable part of French cuisine, the bouquet garni is quick and simple to put together and will do wonders for your food. Plus, I've got some great … Continue reading →
Authentic Lebkuchengewurz (German Gingerbread Spice)
THE essential ingredient to authentic tasting Lebkuchen, Pfeffernusse and more, absolutely NOTHING compares to the bold and vibrant flavors of homemade Lebkuchengewurz! This German gingerbread spice mix will make you think you're walking the streets of one of Germany's … Continue reading →
Fettuccine Alfredo + A Case for Tradition: Musso & Frank Grill
Thank you to Bon Appetit for sponsoring this post! The best Fettuccine Alfredo I've had was at Hollywood's oldest restaurant, the Musso and Frank Grill. Not coincidentally there's a reason for this and it goes back nearly 100 years. But first let me take you back … Continue reading →
Roasted Pumpkin Hummus
Thank you to Food Should Taste Good for sponsoring this post! Robust and flavorful and perfectly creamy, this Roasted Pumpkin Hummus is simply out of this world! Let me tell you, this pumpkin hummus ROCKS! I didn't get to eat as much of it as I would have liked, … Continue reading →
Spiced Pumpkin Vinaigrette
This Spiced Pumpkin vinaigrette is super quick and simple to make and will positively transform a bed of greens or a piece of grilled squash into something truly irresistible! The robust flavors of pumpkin, garlic, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves are combined with … Continue reading →
French Entertaining “Country Style” + Alexian/Le Creuset Giveaway!
I've teamed up with Alexian to bring you this delicious post! I recently had the opportunity to try some amazing products from ALEXIAN. Let me tell you a little about them. Alexian is America's premier producer of the finest pâtés and mousses all made with the finest, … Continue reading →
White Bean & Sun-dried Tomato Pesto Dip
I looooove a good dip. Growing up I always had my staple favorites: French onion, sour cream & onion, a variety of cheese dips, and bean dip. In recent years I've really enjoyed experimenting with a variety of flavors and mediums. Here is one we really enjoyed and … Continue reading →
Blueberry Lemon Apricot Jam
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 →
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 →
Homemade Sweet Corn Relish
This homemade Sweet Corn Relish recipe is superbly delicious, fabulously versatile, and comes together in a snap! You'll be enjoying the taste of Summer corn all year long! One of the things I love about canning is that it enables you to enjoy the fresh flavors of … Continue reading →
Homemade Lemon Lime Marmalade
Lemon lime marmalade is fabulous but it's difficult to find in stores. And when you do it's generally a little pricey. So why not make your own? 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 →
Homemade Dry French Onion Dip Mix {Copycat Recipe}
I'll admit it. I actually like the Lipton onion mix stuff. You know, the stuff in the envelope that can be used to make soup or dip? I've never used it to make soup but as a dip it tastes pretty good. Tear open the envelope, pour the contents into a bowl of sour cream, … Continue reading →
How To Make Candied Ginger
Make your own homemade candied ginger! The flavor is WAY better than store-bought, much fresher and more vibrant. It will bring your baked goods to life, plus they're fabulous just to snack on! PLUS there's the additional bonus of an amazing ginger simple syrup you'll … 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 →
Homemade German Fleischsalat
Nothing remotely fancy - just a simple, traditional, homespun German favorite that takes all of 5 minutes to throw together. There isn't a German alive who isn't familiar with Fleischsalat. In Germany it's practically as common as peanut butter and jelly is here in the … Continue reading →
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Reduction
If you're a Brussels sprouts lover, then this recipe is a must-try. A simple, elegant, delicious side dish. If you're a Brussels sprouts hater...sorry, it's a hopeless cause and there's no converting you. Why? It's genetic. Yes, there's actually a gene that explains … Continue reading →
Gourmet Marinated Olives
Thank you to Lindsay for sponsoring this post! A special thanks to Lindsay Olives for sponsoring this post! These homemade marinated olives are a real show-stopper. Plump, juicy, and packed full of flavor, they're perfect for entertaining, snacking, including at the … Continue reading →
Homemade Chili & Taco Seasoning Mix
Leave the store bought seasoning pouches on the shelf. Not only is this homemade version free of any fillers and MSG, it tastes better! Use this Homemade Chili and Taco Seasoning Mix exactly as you would the store bought stuff in any recipe that calls for it. It takes … Continue reading →
Béchamel Sauce with Parmesan
An easy, perfectly creamy béchamel sauce with Parmesan cheese for a wonderfully delicate flavor. Probably the most versatile of all sauces, you'll be making this again and again! … Continue reading →
Homemade Bread & Butter Pickles
Have you been noticing the sales on cucumbers lately? Well gather up the cukes and make yourself enough Bread and Butter Pickles to last you until next season! They're super easy to make, you'll be delighted with the results, and you'll experience that wonderful feeling of … Continue reading →
Homemade Dill Pickle Relish
An easy, wonderfully versatile and utterly deeeeelicious homemade dill pickle relish recipe! Canning instructions are included so you can enjoy this relish all year long! It's relish like this that makes eating a sandwich or hot dog just that much better. It also … Continue reading →
Applebee’s Oriental Chicken Salad
One of my most favorite restaurant salads. Now you can make it at home for a fraction of the cost and it tastes as good, or better, as the "real thing"! … Continue reading →
Spicy Moroccan Veggie Burgers
The name doesn't begin to capture all the deliciousness that's in these burgers. Layers and layers of flavors and a great texture, these burgers are simply amazing! So good in fact that you'll never miss the meat! If you've never been much of a veggie burger fan (myself … Continue reading →
Preserved Lemon Cilantro Yogurt Sauce
Fresh and vibrant in flavor, this sauce is fantastic with grilled meats, on burgers, and in wraps! … Continue reading →
Vegetarian Sausage Gravy and Biscuits
I've teamed up with Morningstar and BlogHer to bring you this post. Here is the dialogue that took place between my husband and I after I handed him a plate of this and he took his first bite: Me: "So, what do you think?" Todd: [chewing and nodding simultaneously] … Continue reading →
BEST Marzipan and Almond Paste Recipe
Growing up in Germany, home to the world's most famous marzipan, I was practically raised on this stuff. Well, not really, but I wouldn't have protested had my parents tried :) If you're looking for an authentic marzipan recipe that's easy to make, is much cheaper than … Continue reading →
Bacon Pineapple Chicken Kabobs with Hawaiian Sauce
Bacon Pineapple Chicken Kabobs with a sweet and sticky Hawaiian sauce. The perfect Summer grilling recipe! … Continue reading →
Spiced Chicken Kabobs with Tahini Yogurt Sauce
Juicy chicken breast is marinated in a potpourri of savory spices, grilled with a variety of vegetables, and then slathered with a mouthwatering yogurt tahini sauce that is accented with preserved lemon and mint. Heavenly! … Continue reading →
Mexican Wheat Berry Salad with Chipotles and Toasted Walnuts
A deliciously flavorful, vibrant and healthy whole grain salad laced with smoky chipotles, tangy cheese, and a sweet & savory vinaigrette! PLUS, a cookbook giveaway! … Continue reading →
Balsamic Glazed Steak Rolls
Here's a great dish for the grill that is low cal, low carb, low fat, paleo...and tastes incredible! And just wait till you've tried this rosemary-garlic balsamic glaze...you'll be making it to pour over everything else! Truly, the glaze is downright delicious. I'll be … Continue reading →