Summertime brings such a shift in our home- the lack of rhythms and schedules, and ways of being. The kitchen is a different space altogether. With teenagers at home and a son home from college- the kitchen seems to be in use all day and night- so much food, so many dishes, so many baking … Continue reading Standout Summer Salad: Peach Cherry Tomato Burrata Salad
Tres Leches Cake
It has taken me over 2 years to finally post the third wonderful recipe from the birthday dinner that my friend, Melissa, gave me in 2020. (This pace of marking things off of my list sounds about accurate these days, sadly.) The birthday gift was: cooking together + a menu I didn't have to choose … Continue reading Tres Leches Cake
Carrot Cake: No Matter What
Last month was my 50th birthday and my husband continued his tradition of baking a cake of my choice for me. This carrot cake was this year's pick. It was incredible. I flagged the page in my King Arthur Flour Baker's Companion Cookbook for the recipe. This is my favorite Carrot Cake recipe. It's dense … Continue reading Carrot Cake: No Matter What
Chicken Piccata: Tastes Like Love to Me
For my birthday last year, my friend Melissa S. wanted to prepare her family's favorite meal for my family. What a treat it was! She knows me well and therefore invited me to come and cook with her and learn the recipe. Cooking with a friend + Learning new recipes + Sharing a meal together … Continue reading Chicken Piccata: Tastes Like Love to Me
Crustless Vegetable Quiche
When making a breakfast feast, my problem with breakfast casseroles and quiches is that they usually have crusts or bread baked in. And while this is delicious, my digestive system is much happier when my gluten intake is at minimum. Which has been a journey- of which I will spare you the details. I would … Continue reading Crustless Vegetable Quiche
MLK Holiday Celebration: “What is your Life’s Blueprint?” & Flourless Peanut Butter Ganache Sandwich Cookies
It’s MLK Day weekend and time to bake a birthday treat and discuss materials with my family in reflection and honoring of the holiday- a tradition in our home. The Birthday Goody: Every year, for this holiday we make a dessert that has an "integration" theme (usually some kind of chocolate, integrated with other colors/flavors). … Continue reading MLK Holiday Celebration: “What is your Life’s Blueprint?” & Flourless Peanut Butter Ganache Sandwich Cookies
Lovely Lemon Cake- A Dessert for All Seasons
The weather here in Tennessee is erratic- one day hot and muggy, another day rainy and stormy, then a chilly day, and more than likely a week later it's mild and lovely. It's hard to keep up. At my home, we check the weather channel & step outside to determine what to wear...and then dress … Continue reading Lovely Lemon Cake- A Dessert for All Seasons
Cozy Modern Meat & Potatoes
Meatloaf is not a dish that is talked about much these days. I don't think it is because we are anti-beef, since in the U.S. we seem to be obsessed with burgers. Maybe people think meatloaf is a dated and tired dish. If that's you, I believe this Fresh Italian Meatloaf recipe (that my friend … Continue reading Cozy Modern Meat & Potatoes
Nacho Table!
Our family would be glad to have Mexican food/Tex-Mex multiple times a week. Sometimes we have a taco bar, other times these verde enchiladas, or Tostadas, or DIY Tortilla Soup, but thanks to Lucy's TikTok feed, she requested that we make a Nacho Table. It was on her "Pandemic Bucket List". It is a fun … Continue reading Nacho Table!
Caramel Apples- Autumn is Near & Braces Are Off!
Lucy got her braces off and we celebrated with corn on the cob (Elote style) and caramel apples- two foods that aren’t possible with braces! I wanted to make real caramel rather than store bought, but I always struggle with getting it to stay on the apples. Braces Off Day! Elote! I wanted to spend time … Continue reading Caramel Apples- Autumn is Near & Braces Are Off!