I received some products from Hammer Stahl for review. All opinions are entirely my own. I've gone through many cookware brands and products over the last 20 years and only ONE has remained a constant in my kitchen, and that's my cast iron cookware. All of the … Continue reading →
Scottish Barley Pudding
During the seven years I lived in England, our family would visit Scotland almost every Summer, spending some time in Edinburgh and then traveling far and wide throughout the Scottish countryside. As I've been doing more genealogy work and tracing some ancestral lines many … Continue reading →
Steak Salad with Spinach & Roasted Butternut Squash
Thank you to New Seasons Market for sponsoring this post. It's approaching the end of September and Autumn is definitely in the air. One of the things I always look forward to come autumn, aside from the beautiful fall foliage and the excuse to eat lots of hearty soups … Continue reading →
Peach Bacon Jam
Get ready for the ULTIMATE bacon jam recipe! The combination of flavors will absolutely "wow" your taste buds and have you coming back for more! Is that making you drool? Because it's making me drool. And I've already had it several times. So I can fully vouch for … Continue reading →
Honey Peach Cardamom Sauce
Peaches are in season here in Washington State and I picked up a bulk load of 75 pounds of them last week! I've been busy chopping and freezing them for smoothies, canning them, making fruit leather, peach cobbler and peach crisp, and thought I'd try something new - this … Continue reading →
Southern Sorghum & Black-Eyed Pea Salad
Sorghum is an interesting grain with a rich heritage and unique flavor. Plus it's something of a superhero crop because it's one of the most efficient crops in conversion of solar energy, is environmentally friendly, requires less water than other grain crops and is … Continue reading →
Dilly Beans (Pickled Green Beans)
Dilly Beans (pickled green beans) have been a beloved classic for generations. And for good reason: They're absolutely delicious! Plus they're super easy to make and keep for a long time! If you've never tried Dilly Beans you don't know what you've been missing! … Continue reading →
How To Can Diced Tomatoes
There are several reasons it's a great idea to can your own tomatoes. The first reason is this: BPA's. Nearly everyone's heard of this chemical because of the health risks associated with it. Sadly it continues to be used in so many of our food products. In the case … Continue reading →
Classic Homemade Caramel Sauce
Thank you to New Seasons Market for sponsoring this post! Is there anything more swoon-worthy than a waffle cone dripping with ice cream or a loaded ice cream sundae? I can totally relate to one of my favorite actresses, Ginger Rogers, when she said: "My love for ice … Continue reading →
Cherry Barbecue Sauce
A deliciously flavorful and fruity cherry barbecue sauce you can enjoy on your grilled meats, chicken, burgers, pulled pork sandwiches, and used in any recipe that calls for barbecue sauce! What would you do with 75 pounds of cherries? That's what I picked up this … Continue reading →
Pickled Asparagus
Pickled Asparagus is easy to make, keeps for many months, and tastes absolutely FABULOUS! Asparagus is something I look forward to every year. Steamed and served with a Hollandaise sauce, sauteed with butter, added to stir-fries, made into a creamy soup, roasted or … Continue reading →
Chocolate Nut Banana Protein Smoothie
Thank you to Silk for sponsoring this post! Protein is vital. And it's especially important to get an adequate amount of it for breakfast. I was reading a recent article from The Atlantic wherein they were taking a look at the latest research findings on protein … Continue reading →
How To Smoke Neck Bones & Ham Hocks
At the heart of Southern home cooking, smoked neck bones and ham hocks are commonly enjoyed with things like beans, potatoes, rice, cabbage as well as in soups and stews where they're slow-cooked until their smoky, fork-tender meat falls right off. Most of you have … Continue reading →
Squid Ink Paella (Arròs Negre/Arroz Negro)
I've partnered with Aneto to bring you this post. If it isn't obvious by now how much I love paella then let me say it again: I LOVE PAELLA! For a national dish that's thoroughly unique, super fun to make and incredibly delicious, it's hard to rival Spain. Another … Continue reading →
Slow Cooker Pineapple Orange BBQ Chicken
Sweet, tangy and juicy with a touch of kick, this Pineapple Orange BBQ Chicken takes less than 10 minutes of prep time and the slow cooker does the rest. This dish features a fun interplay of flavors that compete for attention just long enough to be noticed and then blend … Continue reading →
Wild Foraging: How To Identify, Harvest, Store and Use Stinging Nettle
I have lots of childhood memories of getting stung by stinging nettle - I grew up in Germany and the stuff is seemingly everywhere! Being the adventurous, outdoor-loving child that I was, getting stung was just inevitable. But in spite of its viciously stinging … Continue reading →
Staying Hydrated with the Brita Stream Pitcher
This post is sponsored by Brita. All opinions are entirely my own. I have memories as a kid of pouring water from the faucet into a filter pitcher and standing there drumming my fingers on the counter for several minutes as the water sloooowly trickled through the filter … Continue reading →
Easy Mexican Chocolate Pots de Crème
I first introduced you to my Easy Chocolate Pots de Crème in early 2015 and it has remained our favorite chocolate dessert since. It's the sweet treat my husband requests the most and is always a hit with our guests. We've gotten many emails from our readers echoing the … Continue reading →
Sweet Pea Risotto with Basil & Pancetta
This luxuriously creamy pea risotto recipe combines the freshest sweet peas with the irresistible flavors of basil, Parmesan and pancetta! I've partnered with Aneto to bring you this post Pea Risotto Recipe In celebration of Spring, I want to introduce you to a risotto … Continue reading →
Lemon Dill Mustard Dressing
Dill has always been one of my favorite herbs. I've had success in growing nearly all of my culinary herbs from seed and planting them in my herb garden, but dill has been a challenge. I've been trying to grow it for the past three years and just haven't had much luck. I … Continue reading →
The Micro-Dwelling Project Part 9: The Water Heater
We purchased our 105 year old farmhouse a little over a year ago and have been working on renovating a tiny guesthouse on our property. The guesthouse is 96% complete! We're just installing the baseboards in the upstairs loft and then need install a railing on the outside … Continue reading →
The Micro-Dwelling Project Part 8: The Heating
Welcome to the 8th installment! We purchased our 105 year old farmhouse a little over a year ago and have been working on renovating a tiny guesthouse on our property. The guesthouse is 93% complete!! All that's left are some final touches in the upstairs loft and we have … Continue reading →
Healthy Food Swaps + 10 Healthy Salad Dressings
Since the start of the new year I've been focusing on cutting back on calories in an effort to shed the final few pounds I put on during the holidays. Rather than go on an extreme diet, I've just been taking small, simple steps on a daily basis, swapping out high calorie … Continue reading →
The Micro-Dwelling Project Part 7: The Kitchen
We purchased our 105 year old farmhouse a little over a year ago and have been working on remodeling one of the outbuildings. Welcome to the 7th installment of The Micro-Dwelling Project wherein we've single-handedly remodeled a tiny guesthouse on our property from the … Continue reading →
Slow Cooker Creamy Tortellini Soup
This wonderfully creamy and flavor-packed tortellini soup is super easy to make and is sure to become a family favorite! It's been a crazy week and I'm ready for the weekend, how about you? I've been nursing a case of strep throat with accompanying fever while still … Continue reading →
Cast Iron Skillet Mexican-Style Deep Dish Pizza
Thank you to Lindsay® for sponsoring this post! Have you ever tried making pizza in a cast iron skillet? If not, you're in for a real treat. The crust on this pizza is simply awesome. You're also in for a real flavor explosion with this Mexican-inspired deep dish … Continue reading →
The Micro-Dwelling Project Part 6: The Bathroom
Thank you to American Standard for sponsoring this post! We moved in our "new" 105 year-old home last year. This gorgeous historic home on nearly 8 acres is in virtually immaculate condition and has many of its original elements intact. There is a TINY … Continue reading →
Slow Cooker Chinese Fried Rice
Fuss-free, hands-off, one-pot, now you can enjoy a Chinese take-out favorite and let your slow cooker do everything for you - try our Slow Cooker "Fried" Rice recipe! Chinese fried rice has always been a favorite of mine, but it's a long process to get it right, to … Continue reading →
How To Create a Cheese & Charcuterie Board
Thank you to New Seasons Market for sponsoring this post! I can't think of anything classier than a cheese & charcuterie board for entertaining or to enjoy for a couple's night in. Todd and I have a tradition where a few evenings a month, after the kids are in bed … Continue reading →
Spanish Deviled Eggs
Thank you to Lindsay® for sponsoring this post! Spaniards are masters of appetizers, which they call “tapas.” For them it's an art form and every restaurant and bar features its own carefully crafted selection of tapas. In Spain when you go out for dinner it's … Continue reading →
Traditional Spotted Dick (English Steamed Pudding)
Traditional Spotted Dick Recipe A quintessential British dessert, Spotted Dick represents everything that is delicious about traditional English cooking. Tender steamed pudding dotted with succulent currants is drizzled with a luxuriously rich and creamy vanilla custard. … Continue reading →
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cranberries, Bacon & Balsamic Reduction
Few dishes spark more intense feelings at the Thanksgiving and Christmas table than Brussels sprouts. A close runner up is probably sweet potato casserole - you know, the stuff with the brown sugar and marshmallows on top? I've always hated that stuff. But my parents and … Continue reading →
Best Gluten Free Gingerbread Cookies
Gluten Free Gingerbread Cookies Same great flavor and terrific texture but without the gluten! I've been cutting back on our family's gluten intake the past few months and so have been experimenting with more gluten free baking. During the Christmas season it's … Continue reading →
Mozzarella-Stuffed Crispy Portobello Burgers (“One to Five” Cookbook Review + Giveaway!)
I received a copy of Chef Ryan's cookbook for review and all opinions are entirely my own. If you like easy, quick, affordable, and crowd-pleasing dishes (I do!) then you should check out this new cookbook from Chef Ryan Scott which has been endorsed by celebrated chefs … Continue reading →
Salmon with Cranberry Ginger Mustard Sauce
Tender and moist salmon topped with a luscious cranberry ginger mustard sauce. It's delicious and it couldn't be easier! I've teamed up with Hamilton Beach to bring you this delicious post! Last week I found an incredible deal on fresh cranberries at a roadside produce … Continue reading →
Cranberry Ginger Mustard Sauce
Cranberry sauce. Whether you love it or hate it, Thanksgiving and Christmas simply aren't the same without it. As a kid and teenager I used to avoid the stuff. You know, that thick gelatinous stuff that retains the shape of the can after it's unceremoniously dumped onto … Continue reading →
Maximizer Fruit & Apple Cider Press Review + How To Bottle & Preserve Fresh Apple Juice
I received this cider press from Pleasant Hill grain without any obligation to write a positive review. All opinions are my own. We purchased our dream home last December - a 104 year old historic home on nearly 8 acres, complete with a barn, stone greenhouse and … Continue reading →
Coyote Asado Smoker Review
I received this grill from Coyote for review. As always, all opinions are entirely my own. I never thought I'd be grilling in November, but I am. That's because I've been playing with our new Coyote Asado Smoker and it's heavy ceramic construction makes it perfect … Continue reading →
The Micro-Dwelling Project Part 5: Flooring
A special thank you to Armstrong Flooring for partnering with us on this project. Welcome to Part 5 of The Micro-dwelling Project where we single-handedly completely remodel a tiny guesthouse on our historic property! We are so close to being done I can almost … Continue reading →
Caramel Pear Butter
If you're an apple butter fan you've got to try this with pears. A fuss-free recipe utilizing the slow cooker, simply dump in the ingredients and let the slow cooker work its magic. The result is a wonderfully deep, caramelized flavor that comes from slow cooking the pears … Continue reading →