Welcome back to my sourdough series! Today we are going to learn a little bit about how and why we shape and score sourdough loaves (and breads in general). If you're new here, welcome! I'm so glad you found your way to Kitchen Joy. In case you missed it, Part 1 was all about the...
Strawberry Shortcake
Happy Fourth of July! We have been crazy busy this summer between cookbook events, two little girls' birthdays, and countless other things all competing for our time, so we are thrilled to have the holiday weekend to catch our breath and relax as a family. When I asked my now-three-year-old daughter what kind of cake...
Homemade Vanilla Extract (Instant Pot Method)
Making Pure Vanilla Extract at home is a fun way to save some money on a high quality ingredient, and also makes for a fantastic gift! Using the Instant Pot allows for the extract to be made quickly and with a much richer flavor than the traditional pantry method of just letting time do the...
A Study in Sourdough: Part 2- Basic Sourdough Bread.
Welcome back to my series on sourdough! Today in part 2 we are jumping in and baking a Basic Sourdough Bread loaf. Please don't be intimidated. I've tried to include enough tips and information to set you up to succeed and get a lovely loaf in no time! Stay tuned for Part 3 where we...
Breakfast Fried Rice
Cooking breakfast is a huge part of my everyday life these days. Because I’m home with my girls every day, I find it can be really easy to run out of creative breakfast ideas and then we fall into the somewhat boring routine of blueberry pancakes, oatmeal, eggs, cereal, repeat. Generally, breakfast foods can have...
A Study in Sourdough: Part 1- The Starter.
A Beginner's Guide to Sourdough Baking at Home Welcome to part one of my sourdough series! Today we are starting at the beginning. Sourdough Starter. What is it? What does it do? How do I make it, and how do I use it? I'm here to break it down to the basics for you! Stay...
Instant Pot Pulled Pork & Michigan Cherry BBQ Sauce
I've made pulled pork in just about every imaginable way over the years, and this Instant Pot Pulled Pork is the one and only method that I recommend. The technique is straightforward yet precise. Sear, cook, shred, glaze, serve. Following these steps ensures the best texture and most well-developed flavors without spending all day roasting...
My Little Michigan Kitchen PRE-ORDER info and COVER REVEAL!
It's announcement day! After almost 2 years of work, the cookbook is officially ready to go out into the world. Today I'm sharing ALL the details regarding the launch, but most importantly, what you can expect when you pick up a copy of My Little Michigan Kitchen. Launch Day: Tuesday, March 19, 2019. This is...
Homemade Chocolate Pudding
Making chocolate pudding at home is easier than you think, and much more rich and delicious than store-bought. “All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.” ― Charles M. Schulz
Snow Day Treat! Maple Snow Taffy
Since the mitten state is pretty much shut down today, I figured it was time that I finally share my recipe for Maple Snow Taffy. It's so fun to make, and is VERY impressive to little kids. Making maple snow taffy is extremely easy, and super tasty on a beautiful, snowy day. The only actual...