Few dishes spark more intense feelings at the Thanksgiving and Christmas table than Brussels sprouts. Â A close runner up is probably sweet potato casserole - you know, the stuff with the brown sugar and marshmallows on top? Â I've always hated that stuff. Â But my parents and … Continue reading →
Pickled Turnips
Pickling is a method of preservation that dates back to Neolithic times around 7000 BC. Â During this anaerobic fermentation process strange and wonderful things happen that transform the original product into something quite different. Â And very healthy with all those … Continue reading →
Burmese Yellow Split Pea Fritters (Baya Kyaw)
If yellow split peas aren't something you use very often, get ready for a fabulous way to put them to use! Crispy, spicy and flavorful, these Burmese yellow split pea fritters can be served as appetizers or the main course with your favorite dipping sauce. Â They can also … Continue reading →
Lemon Quinoa & Bean Salad
Quinoa is a fascinating food and it has long been lauded for its unique nutritional benefits. Â For example, you may have heard that it's a complete protein. Â What that means is that it contains all 9 essential amino acids that your body can't produce on its own but has to … Continue reading →
How To Make Homemade Canned Boston Baked Beans or Pork and Beans
Here's the thing, if I'm going to make the effort to can I like to make a huge batch to make my efforts worth it, because it doesn't take any longer to do so. Â But it does save me the time of making a second batch later. Â But, you need a really large stock pot. The best … Continue reading →
French Entertaining Part II: Nouvelle Cuisine (+ Alexian/Le Creuset Giveaway!)
I've teamed up with Alexian to bring you this post. Welcome back to Part II of French Entertaining! In our last post French guest cook Sandrine Vannson enlightened us on French entertaining "country style" with Duck Rillette and Pheasant & Rosemary … Continue reading →
Salmon Risotto with Preserved Lemon
This dish is perfect for a family meal, a couple's night at home, or a dinner party. Risotto uses a special rice, most commonly arborio, and it cooks up into a deliciously creamy texture with the the perfect touch of chewiness. Risotto has a bit of an upscale image … 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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
Baked Endives with Ham and Bechamel
If you've never had endives before, let this be your first experience. Â And if you have had them before, be prepared to fall head over heels. This dish is very easy to prepare and you can serve it as a side dish or as a light entree with some crusty bread and a side … Continue reading →
Darn Good Cornbread
A tender and moist crumb with lots of flavor. Â Make it. What kind of memories does cornbread conjure up for you? Â I didn't grow up in the U.S. but there's still something, somehow, sentimental about it. Cornbread is nostalgic. Â It evokes images of a rustic country … Continue reading →
Spelt Buttermilk Biscuits
No more dense, whole grain bricks posing as biscuits. Â Â These Spelt Buttermilk Biscuits are fluffy with a great texture and delicious flavor! … Continue reading →
Spicy Grilled Edamame
Crispy-soft edamame are sprinkled with spicy Japanese nanami togarashi seasoning and grilled to smoky perfection. … 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 →
Pan-fried Fingerling Potatoes with Leek
Simple and quick to make, this side dish is elegant and delicious. Â … Continue reading →
Greek Grilled Asparagus Salad with Tomatoes and Feta
This salad is so fresh and vibrant and the flavor of the grilled asparagus is out of this world! I stopped at a favorite international grocery store in Seattle a couple of days ago to pick up some fresh Feta cheese. Â When I asked for some domestic Feta the man behind the … Continue reading →
Maple Spice Boston Baked Beans
Packed FULL of flavor and easy to make in your slow cooker! And a little history lesson about the day a molasses flash flood hit the streets of Boston. Â Seriously. … Continue reading →
Restaurant-style Mexican Salsa
It's National Tortilla Chip Day! Â Who knew there was such a thing? Â Well there is, and what better way to enjoy the crunchy tortilla chip than with a bowl of homemade salsa? … Continue reading →
Mega Healthy Wheat Berry Salad
Absolutely packed full of healthy veggies, oils, and wheat berries, this latest addition to my "Mega Healthy" series is both tummy-satisfying and delicious. … Continue reading →
Herb Roasted Potato Wedges
As easy as these are to make these from scratch, why buy frozen? Â Plus these are packed full of herby flavor and beat any French fries out there. Â Bake them until they're crispy brown and enjoy them plain or with your favorite dipping sauce. Â They're the perfect side dish to … Continue reading →
Mu Shu Pork Wraps
Thank you to Campbell’s Dinner Sauces for sponsoring this post! Mu Shu Pork originated in northern China and first became popular in the U.S. in the 1960's.  It quickly became popular and is now a staple in Chinese American cuisine.  There are many variations of this … Continue reading →
Southern-style Green Beans with Caramelized Onions and Bacon
Green beans, depending on how they're prepared, can be either just "tolerable" or they can be something that are actually enjoyable to eat. Â This recipe makes eating green beans a pleasure. Â You won't find yourself gulping them down just so you can clear your plate and pat … Continue reading →
Perfect Indian Naan Bread
A traditional flatbread that commonly accompanies Indian dishes, this recipe yields deliciously soft, moist, and tender Naan Bread. … Continue reading →
Authentic Zwiebelkuchen
Authentic German Zwiebelkuchen recipe from the heart of Swabia in southern Germany! Loads of caramelized onions and savory bacon are packed into this incredibly delicious pie that has been a favorite for generations! What is Zwiebelkuchen? Autumn in Germany means a … Continue reading →
Quinoa Cornbread
What better comfort accompaniment to a bowl of hot soup or stew than homemade cornbread? Cornbread has been around...well, forever it seems! Â For many it brings back childhood memories. Â And even for those who didn't grow up with it, cornbread carries with it an element of … Continue reading →
Buttery Sautéed Leek with Bacon
Something simple. Â Something good. Â A quick and easy side dish to enjoy with virtually any meal. Simple enough to serve with good ol' comfort food while elegant enough to serve at a dinner party. Regardless where or how it's served, anything with butter and bacon is … Continue reading →
Indian Red Lentil Dip
If you think this sounds and looks familiar, you're right! Â A while back I posted my recipe for Masoor Dal, an Indian red lentil soup. Â It's my favorite Indian soup and I've discovered that the way I enjoy eating it best is as a dip. Â This is a thicker version of Masoor Dal … Continue reading →
German Picnic Salad
Thank you to Honest Cooking and Castello for sponsoring this post! Though I do try to exercise self-control, I'm a bit of a cheese addict. Â Growing up in Europe with regular access to the world's best cheeses rendered me into something of a cheese snob. Â I can't help it. … Continue reading →
Ginger Scallion Noodles
Ginger Scallion Noodles. Â Ready in less than 15 minutes + can be made ahead of time + tastes delicious = Yes, please! … Continue reading →
BEST Homemade Rice-a-Roni
 Do you like the taste of boxed Rice-a-Roni but have been looking for a healthier alternative?  Do you dislike store-bought Rice-a-Roni but would still love a great side dish?  Whichever camp you're in, you're going to love this Homemade Rice-a-Roni! I've been making … Continue reading →
Nasi Goreng (Indonesian Fried Rice)
Two years ago CNN conducted a poll among 35,000 individuals to determine the world's 50 most beloved foods.  The results were unexpected.  Guess what ranked #2?  You got it, Nasi Goreng! Nasi Goreng, the national dish of Indonesia, translates as "fried rice."  A few weeks … Continue reading →
Curried Hash Brown Scramble
I made potato salad this past Saturday to take on a family picnic. Â I ended up boiling more potatoes than I needed, so I put the leftovers in the refrigerator for another use. Â The potatoes ended up coming in handy for a quick meal on a time crunch. I love potatoes. Â Made … Continue reading →
Watercress Salad with Strawberries and Hazelnuts
Whether deliciously complex or refreshingly simple, I love a good salad.  The other day the sun was shining, the birds were singing, and the beautiful rhododendrons were starting to blossom.  I felt like something fresh and vibrant.  So I picked up some fresh watercress and … Continue reading →
Sincronizadas (Mexican Ham and Cheese Melts)
With Cinco de Mayo approaching, I wanted to share a few more authentic Mexican recipes with you. Â Authentic? Â That's right. Â Sincronizadas. You'd think these were Americanized/Tex-Mex creations, but in fact they are authentically Mexican. Originally from Chiapas, a beautiful … Continue reading →
Sichuan Chicken and Cashew Noodles
Here is a dish I threw together a few years ago and it's been a family favorite since. Â It's quick and easy to assemble. Â It's also a perfect dish for using up leftover chicken. Â A delicious blend of Asian flavors, tender chicken, and crunchy cashews makes for a … Continue reading →