I should not be allowed in Hobby Lobby. Last week I walked out with a silver glitter charger and a mat made completely of rainbow glitter, because, obviously, I needed them for business purposes. Who am I kidding? I have zero self-control in the face of glitter. So, in order to justify the expense, I […]
I had a hardcore hankering for hot cocoa. To the pantry, pushing the Raisin Bran and mixed nuts to the side, looking for hot cocoa. Wooo hoo! There’s a canister of cocoa! Hmmmm…I wonder if cocoa expires. Awwwww, crap. March 15, 2013. I should probably do a pantry clean-out… [scratches head] Pish-posh, I can make my […]
Napoleons are technically layered desserts, but being that this appetizer is layered, I’m sticking with the Napoleon name. I wanted to give these little guys a regal name because they look so stately. I mean, just look at that celery leaf, like a feather in it’s cap! In my mind, they’re a perfect two-biter for […]
I grew up a house divided. Mom and I loved eggnog. Dad and sister didn’t. Now, a family of my own, I still love it, but Ryan’s not a fan. My annual ritual is to pick up a bottle on December 1st and sparingly use in my morning coffee. I usually drink my coffee black, but […]
I was at the grocery store (an almost daily occurrence) and noticed that persimmon is totally having a moment. Like, marketing people gone buck-wild, kind of moment. Persimmon is the new kale? Well, maybe not, but there sure is a lot of it out there. It does have a short season, though, so if it’s […]
[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]I love to celebrate Christmas like the Whos in Whoville with a grand roast beast. However, my budget’s tight and I can’t afford to go all out on a standing rib roast. Luckily, there’s a much cheaper cut of meat that, if prepared properly, can be a striking centerpiece to your holiday meal. I’m […]
This poor recipe has been sitting on the shelf, waiting to be shared since July!!! I was cleaning out my files, getting organized and the file “Pineapple Monkey Bread” blazed boldly only the screen, saying, “Pick me!!!”. I’m so sorry, Monkey Bread! It’s not because you weren’t interesting, or noteworthy, or utterly scrumptious! You were […]
I had a friend in high school who was Italian and her Mom’s specialty for birthday parties and sleepovers was stromboli. What is effectively an Italian turnover, filled with deli treats, is emblazoned in my memory as a favorite adolescent food memory. It’s also a festive party dish, perfect if you’re feeding a crowd. One […]
Arancini are balls of rice, stuffed with anything from cheese to ragu, then fried to a golden hue. They are a traditional Sicilian dish served in December for the Feast of Santa Lucia, commemorating the arrival of a grain ship to the island in 1646 during a time of famine. What does that mean to us? An […]
Okay, so calling this “bruschetta” is a stretch, but you can’t argue that it makes a fun twist for brunch. It’s also kid friendly, as evidenced by my junior sous who joins me in the video for this super simple recipe. He’s such a ham. Where on earth does he get it?!? Get the full […]
I have been making chili for eons. It’s probably the thing I have cooked most in my life, but Ryan has always joked that no two chilis of mine were the same. I have never worked from a recipe. I always just start slinging things in a pot. But, there has been consistency between bowls […]
The last few years we have cooked two birds in our house for Thanksgiving. I do a traditional roast turkey in the oven and Ryan goes with spatchcocked in his smoker. The problem has been that we both believe in the power of brining and I go berserk with sides, so fridge space becomes a major […]
