this … Happy 2014 friends! During this time of year there’s a lot of talk about making better food choices and I want you to know that doesn’t mean you have to eat boring, tasteless food. You don’t have to embark on a juice cleanse. You don’t have to give up meat. You don’t have […]
Tags: Chickpeas
January 8, 2014
this … Move over Baked Brie, you’ve got competition. This easy appetizer, a Pistachio Crusted Cheese Log, studded with ruby red pomegranate seeds naturally says “Happy Holidays” with just a few ingredients. It’s a bit creamy, fruity, and a delightful play on textures. Make it a day ahead and you’ll be as relaxed as can be when party […]

December 28, 2013
Raise your hand if you’re scared of the candy thermometer….. Hand raised HIGH here. The vanilla bean caramels I tried to make once? Fail. But Homemade Espresso Marshmallows? Major win. So much easier to make than I thought. I really wanted to try making my own fluffy, homemade marshmallows. Besides my fear of the candy […]

Tags: Chocolate
December 18, 2013
this … On the 4th Day of December my Sweet Tooth Gave to Me……. Flourless Chocolate Peppermint Blossoms! With just 6 ingredients, these pretty holiday cookies starring chocolate and peppermint bark are rich, fudgey, and naturally gluten free. That’s reason for an all out kitchen happy dance. Normally I’m a peanut butter blossom or frosted […]

Tags: Chocolate
December 4, 2013
this … When fresh Wisconsin cranberries begin to appear in early November at the farmer’s market it’s like nature signaling the holidays are here. With their scarlet red hue matching the universal color of the season, they brighten many Thanksgiving tables in the form of relish or a smooth sauce, but this Cranberry Orange Salsa […]

November 24, 2013
this … Not only did I realize this week that I’m getting older, but I did some reflecting on how my life differs from many of my peers because I’m not a parent. After lunch with a college girlfriend who has an infant son (he’s cuter than cute by the way), I got to thinking […]

October 27, 2013
Saturday night was the first time this year it truly felt like fall. Dampness in the air from intermittent rain brought a chill to the bones, scarlet and golden bronze leaves floated to the ground with their last breath. As I cozied in for the evening after cleaning up the huge mess I’d made constructing […]

October 23, 2013
this … The vegetable side dish you’ve been looking for. This flavor pairing of brussels sprouts and butternut squash is so good! Black pepper dusted pecans, dried cranberries, & a touch of orange zest in a light buttery glaze. A sweet & savory combo gets me every time. With inspiration that stemmed from an addicting […]

October 14, 2013
One thing I’m constantly striving to incorporate into my kitchen is less waste and preserving more vegetables before they end up in the trash. I love making a batch of no-peel tomato jam each summer, and of course we love eating chard for the big leafy greens, but did you know you could quick pickle […]

September 25, 2013
Canning may seem intimidating, but honestly, it just takes one or two times to get the hang of it. Grab your favorite summer produce, find a canning recipe that appeals to you, whether it’s Red Wine Fig Jam, or Hot Pepper Jelly preserve the harvest one jar at a time like I did with this […]

Tags: Tomatoes
September 11, 2013
Is it possible to enjoy the Minnesota State Fair even though you’re gluten free? In true Minnesotan dialect I’ll give that a “Heck Yes!”. You can even pair Minnesota wines with them to capture a true local feel. On Sunday, Stephanie Meyer had a wonderful time speaking on this very topic at Minnesota Wine Country, […]

September 2, 2013
What Inspired This Sweet Corn Ice Cream Recipe? You may think the idea of sweet corn ice cream is just plain weird, but I’m telling you – it just works. I was inspired by a few of my favorite summer foods, as well as an unforgettable evening a few years ago at the Minnesota State […]

August 20, 2013