this … Peppermint patties…..so underrated. I confess, when I think of my favorites, I tend to lean towards more chocolate, peanut butter, and caramel centric delights. After being invited to a family christmas cookie swap, I decided I wanted to make something unique, something unexpected. I happened to be drinking some mint hot cocoa as […]
Tags: Chocolate
December 17, 2012
These award winning bars from my dear friend Kelli Abrahamian will blow you away with a very unique combination of flavors only one of the most creative, free flowing, heartfelt, and excellent bakers I know could come up with. Kelli moved back to California in July after living in Minnesota for 20 years and I sure […]

December 2, 2012
Where has this fall gone? To think that Thanksgiving week is upon us baffles me. I’m not complaining though, as the classic dishes that inspire the season are some of my favorites. Sage and rosemary, cranberries, squash, turkey, roasted root vegetables, mashed potatoes, brussels sprouts, pumpkin…..comfort food at its best. And then there’s the wine. […]

November 19, 2012
Finger foods, tiny foods, appetizers, small bites….whatever you like to call them, they’re great to nibble on. They can jazz up a party spread and give you the green light to get a little taste of everything. How genius was it of Teri Lyn Fischer and Jenny Park of the fantastic blog Spoon Fork Bacon […]

October 1, 2012
this … Simple recipes with just a few ingredients are often times the best. I find they grace my kitchen the most, using what I have available to create something delicious. They make an average cook feel like a mighty cook…. This soup is all about the flavor that emerges from the art of roasting. […]

September 15, 2012
There’s something about waiting for all stars to align when it comes to the August harvest, when you have so many fresh, perfectly ripe vegetables staring you in the eyes, longing to become part of a nourishing meal. The markets are overflowing with bushels of sun kissed tomatoes, pickling cucumbers, piles of peppers, summer squash, […]

Tags: Tomatoes
August 30, 2012
A wine glass in hand at 8:00 a.m.? Yes, I did it and oh did I love it. You see, earlier this week I shared a bottle of the beloved Arton Rosé with my gal Allison as we plotted our plan to conquer the world. Literally I couldn’t stop dreaming about the strawberry and raspberry […]

August 13, 2012
Cherries: deep crimson red, sweet like candy, and enticingly fun to eat. This time of year I can’t get enough of them. Greedy me bought 6 pounds worth when Whole Foods had them for $1.99 a pound and I think my teeth nearly turned red from eating so many. It was a change from the […]

July 30, 2012
this … Tomatoes picked straight from the vine, still warm from the sun, and juicy like a peach are the quintessential bode to summer. There are few things I look forward to as much each summer. Living in Minnesota means we are only graced with this form of beauty for about two to three months. […]

Tags: Tomatoes
July 24, 2012
this … Beans are so versatile and a great way to eat healthy on a budget. I throw them into lots of salads for extra fiber and protein, use them as the base for veggie burgers, and even make healthy desserts with them. These Caribbean Barbecue Baked Black Beans are naturally gluten free and were […]

July 8, 2012
Jicama – say it with me: Hick – i – ma! It’s fun isn’t it? And it’s got lots of possibilities in the kitchen. Never had it before? Well, you are in for a real surprise. You look at it and think – geez, it’s got thick skin, it’s hard and dense, and when you […]

June 28, 2012
Radishes can be a tough one for some people to like. They sure don’t get the same love as spring vegetables like asparagus, carrots, or delicate spinach leaves. Paired with butter though, how can you go wrong! I grew up eating my grandmother’s fresh baked bread, smeared with salted butter and slices of crispy radishes. […]

June 25, 2012