Pumpkin Bars

  Few ingredients embody a season like pumpkin does for Autumn. Throw on your sweaters and boots, because pumpkin season is here... and so are these delicious pumpkin bars. It's that time of the year when pumpkin takes over my life.  Carving pumpkin, eating pumpkin (pumpkin pie, pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin seeds, pumpkin beer, these delicious pumpkinContinue reading "Pumpkin Bars"

Crock Pot Creamy Tomato Soup

  Tomato soup is nostalgic.  It always has been.  When the aroma of tomato soup fills my apartment, I am instantly taken back to my childhood kitchen table dunking a grilled cheese sandwich into my piping hot bowl of soup. This recipe is creamy and full of tomato flavor.  Made in the crock pot, itContinue reading "Crock Pot Creamy Tomato Soup"

Creamy Polenta with Mushrooms

  This dish is so simple.  This dish is so flavorful.  Creamy polenta, earthy mushrooms, nutty cheese, and fresh herbs.  Simplicity at its best. Also vegetarian! (an added bonus).  For you mushroom lovers, this is perfect. Polenta is made from coarsely ground cornmeal.  It's a staple in Italian kitchens (and mine).  You need to dedicateContinue reading "Creamy Polenta with Mushrooms"

Crock Pot Cinnamon Applesauce

  Cooking in the crock pot is ten times better than any potpourri you could ever use.  With that in mind, nothing beats filling your home with the aroma of apples, sugar, and warm fall spices.  Once you make homemade applesauce, you will never go back to the store-bought stuff.  I'm hooked. This recipe isContinue reading "Crock Pot Cinnamon Applesauce"

Crock Pot Bolognese Sauce

  This is easy. This is delicious. This feeds everyone. This is Italian, and I love it. Bolognese is a meat based sauce ("ragu") originating from Bologna, Italy.  It's a complex and slow cooking sauce.  My variation is made up of pancetta, a mixture of ground beef/veal/pork, onion, celery, carrots, dry red wine, crushed tomatoes,Continue reading "Crock Pot Bolognese Sauce"

Green Beans with Feta and Pine Nuts

  I could have eaten the entire bowl of these green beans.  Seriously, all 2 pounds of them!  (Maybe I did...and maybe I'm proud of it.)  These crisp green beans are paired with salty feta cheese, toasted pine nuts, and sweet red onions.  A big time crowd pleaser. This is a great side dish toContinue reading "Green Beans with Feta and Pine Nuts"

Mom’s Homemade Minestrone Soup

  Those who know me well can attest to the fact that I am a soup junkie.  I could eat soup for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Growing up, my mom made this recipe regularly.  To this day, when I head back to Michigan, it's no surprise to see that she has a big pot ofContinue reading "Mom’s Homemade Minestrone Soup"

Grilled Caprese Salad

  Here's a recent dialogue I had with a caprese salad.  (What, you don't talk to your food?  What, your food doesn't talk back?)  ME: Oh, caprese.  You are the embodiment of simple and delicious.  You make me happy.  There's no way you could be any better.  CAPRESE: GRILL ME! When my food speaks toContinue reading "Grilled Caprese Salad"

Spaghetti with Turkey & Zucchini Meatballs

  I must have been Italian in a past life. I love cooking spaghetti and meatballs.  The actual process of cooking this meal is so enjoyable.  I think I enjoy the cooking as much as I enjoy the eating (and I DO enjoy the eating).  Preparing a homemade marinara sauce and rolling up delicate littleContinue reading "Spaghetti with Turkey & Zucchini Meatballs"

Simple Garlic and Herb Lemon Roast Chicken

  Deliciously tender roast chicken on a weeknight?  Yes please.  Almost no work involved?  Yes please, again! For this chicken, I created a simple, fresh, pesto-esque marinade.  It's garlicky, lemony, and herb forward with a slight kick.  This marinade is a great way to use up the fresh herbs you have in your garden (orContinue reading "Simple Garlic and Herb Lemon Roast Chicken"