For some it’s the crispy buttermilk fried chicken, savory deviled eggs, or hearty shrimp ‘n grits. For others it may be the succulent peach cobbler or buttermilk pie with that instantly transports you back to your grandmother’s kitchen table in one nostalgic bite. For me…it’s always been the pimento cheese….
Happy almost 2015! I hope you find yourself exactly where you’d like to be as you ring in the brand new year. For me, that’s at home with my husband, having a “fancy night in” with aromatic cioppino (seafood stew) simmering away on the stove, snuggling up to old movies with a glass of bubbly in hand, and warmly reminiscing upon memories of the past year. As 2014 comes to a close, I’d like to leave you with a recipe for one of my favorite appetizers, Gochujang-glazed meatballs. Gochujang is a savory Korean condiment composed primarily of red chiles. Its smokey, umami flavor is so addicting that I’m sure it won’t be the last time you use it. Get creative with it! What do you have to loose?…
Happy Sunday, foodie friends! With football season in full swing, I thought I’d share my super simple recipe for spinach and artichoke dip. You can literally throw all of the ingredients in the crockpot in the morning, and this decadent dip will be ready by game time (or party time). ¡Buen provecho!…
Holy crispy-sweet-savory-tangy-fried goodness, y’all. Sometimes, there is really no way to avoid frying something. I racked my brain and used up every last drop of creative juice I had in efforts to create a healthy, yet delicious recipe with these delicate, amber flowers. While I came up with some decent recipes, I came to realize that squash blossoms are one of those ingredients that are simply meant to be stuffed and fried. I would be doing them a disservice if I tried to cut them up and disguise them in some salad or pasta. So why mess with a good thing? Especially a good thing that only graces our farmer’s markets (or neighbors garden!) for a short window in the summertime. So go ahead. Fry some of these up, pop open a bottle of crisp, cold rose, and savor a warm, summer evening with someone you love. ¡Buen provecho!…
Hello and Merry Christmas from snowy Steamboat Springs, Colorado!
It’s a winter dreamland up here. There are snowcapped spruces and pines everywhere your eyes settle, and the snowfall hasn’t ceased since we arrived two days ago. While I “should” be out taking advantage of these perfect skiing conditions,unfortunately (and fortunately) I am confined to a bedroom of our beautiful, rustic chalet due to a pesky virus–yuck. But you know, I am kind of okay with it. In fact, I am grateful for it….
There is something about observing a loved one’s pure, unadulterated joy that springs a little fountain of vicarious, bubbly warmth inside of you. Even if you happen to be in the midst of suffering, their elatedness, their smile alone, has a powerful ability to melt away any and all traces of distress.
For some of you this may evoke fond memories of little ones enjoying simple pleasures like icy popsicles on a sweltering summer day, sticky juice dripping from their stained grin all the way to their bare little toes (and every square inch in between). Even if you having a particularly rough day, little moments like these can immediately bring us back to what matters most in life….
I hope everyone had a fabulous Easter weekend! Mine involved copious amounts of cooking, family dinners, church, and a bit of yoga to make amends for indulgent behavior. I intended to blog a recipe or two from my Easter menu before it actually came and went, but así es la vida! I tend to get a little caught up in the excitement that Easter involves. What a beautiful, blessed day. My heart (and my belly) are brimming with joy and gratitude.
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A few days ago I was struggling to decide what to make for a girl’s lunch I was going to host. There were about 20 recipe ideas swirling around in my brain, none of which really spoke to me. I was stumped. Does that ever happen to you? With endless resources for inspiration (cookbooks, cooking shows, magazines, Pinterest, other food blogs, etc.), sometimes I become overwhelmed rather than inspired to create. And cooking should never feel overwhelming! If it is, you’ve got to change your way of thinking. So I shut my laptop, closed the books and opened the refrigerator. I really enjoy challenging myself with what I have on hand (if I’ve been to the market or in the garden lately). It fuels the creative juices, which is key in the kitchen! Anyhow, what to make? What about……
I am about to say something borderline outrageous and perhaps controversial. But hey, life’s too short not to say what you feel. Please, correct me if I’m wrong, but here it goes: This dip will change your life. Yep, you heard me. If you are not a dip person (who are you?), this dip will convert you into one. If you are not a salmon lover, be prepared to abolish it from your “won’t eat” list. There is something almost transcendent about this, I swear. The texture? Like a cloud. The flavor? Celestial….
Next month I will be graduating from college. As I near this monumental time in life, my tendency towards nostalgia is stronger than ever, and I constantly find myself reflecting on these past four (and a half) years with great joy and yes, a tinge of sadness as well. From Florida, to Spain, back to Texas and everywhere in between, my college years have been replete with constant adventure and growth. There has yet to be a dull moment….
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