Genuinely good food, catered to you
The holidays are coming up, and one menu item that will likely be showcased at one dinner or another is a fresh-baked homemade pie. This pie crust recipe I’m sharing today is one that I’ve been using for years, for everything from sweet pies and tartlets to savory pot pies and galettes (pictured below). It’s easy, deliciously rich, and a secret ingredient (cream cheese) makes it a bit sturdier to stand up to just about any filling.
This granola recipe has always been one of my favorite things to make, particularly because of how deliciously wonderful it smells coming out of the oven. This warm, cinnamon-spiced toasty oat blend makes a great snack or breakfast choice during these winter months.
Continue reading “MMMM…Granola! Try This Easy Gluten-Free Recipe”
As the cold autumn weather persists, we Minnesotans are preparing to hunker down for the winter months with cozy blankets, fuzzy slippers, and a favorite book or TV program. One necessary accoutrement would be a hot mug of something delicious to sip on whilst curled up on your favorite chair. Lately, I’ve been enjoying a hot cup of cocoa when I’m wanting to snuggle in. Here are some recipes to keep you toasty this winter, including my favorite hot cocoa!
Continue reading “A Warm Mug is like a Warm Hug”
It’s comfort food season! Hot dish, stews, and hearty meals abound. But when you think “comfort food,” you might be thinking slow cookers and hours in the oven. But with this hack, your dinners can take about fifteen minutes or less. And that is very comforting.
Continue reading “Dinner Hack: Creamy Chicken & Vegetable…”Last weekend my family was grilling out and I brought a fruit dish. Being it later in the season, I decided to go with: apples! and what better to season them with than: cinnamon!
Continue reading “…Because Who Doesn’t Like THEM Apples?”
It’s important for kids to eat a well-balanced meal, but sometimes it’s not always easy to plan one. As opposed to the unhealthy (and expensive!) snacks from the store, here are some great healthy lunch and snack ideas, most of which can be made ahead of time.
Continue reading “Lunches & Snacks for the Kiddos”
Spice blends are always great to have on-hand. They basically take the guesswork out of making something taste good. You can toss them with vegetables or potatoes before roasting; add flavor to chicken, fish, or other meats; season a soup, stew, or skillet meal; add to a sauce, hummus, or a quick sour cream dip. However, store-bought spice blends can be expensive, and often contain unwanted ingredients like MSG or way too much sodium.
Continue reading “Spice Up Your Routine”
Produce season is finally here, and local farmer’s markets are starting to fill up with this year’s crop of Minnesota goodness. Summer’s vegetables are meant to be eaten fresh, giving you hydration and the best possible nutrients to nourish and replenish your body from Summer’s heat. Deli salads are a great way to enjoy them! Keep reading for a killer Curry Couscous salad recipe and another of my favorites, Quinoa Tabbouleh salad.
Continue reading “Easy, Delicious, Deli Salads”
A few years ago, I was invited to attend a huge food show in California. There were hundreds of vendors with samples! It was sheer Abby Heaven. The vendor I remember the most was sampling a Moroccan Tagine sauce, made with olives and lemons. I was immediately in love. The flavor was deliciously tangy, yet deeply complex. There was something there I couldn’t place, and to this day I still haven’t been able to re-create that magnificent sauce. However, I think I now know why: Preserved lemons. These were something I have always heard of, but hadn’t typically used myself in cooking. I am now convinced this was the magical flavor that is almost a distant memory to me now…
For many, quarantining has meant having lots of unplanned spare time. Some have turned to baking, some are working from home, but with fewer hours; and some are re-creating dance routines for social media.
Why not plant a garden? It’s not too late to get those seeds in the ground; or you can find pre-sprouted seedlings at farmer’s markets or other garden stores.
Continue reading “Back to our Roots”