I don't know about you guys, but I am looking forward to enjoying a beautiful fall weekend with my family. Especially after the dramatic week our country has experienced this week. (You know, the time change...What did you think I was talking about?) I hope we can all take a break from the crazy and...
Dinner
Grilled Spatchcock Chicken
Life has definitely been complicated lately. I'm not sure how else to express it except for to say that it's been messy, and we've been desperate for some time to unwind. That was our goal for this past weekend. We spent a lot of time together enjoying the nice weather and unwinding from the crazy...
Pork Tenderloin with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
When life gets messy, make something saucy. I'm sure someone has that embroidered on a pillow or something like that. If not, they should. Life has been completely crazy lately, but we've still been eating well. One of the greatest skills I've acquired while teaching myself to cook has been learning to make sauces from scratch. This recipe...
Buttermilk Chicken Strips
Chicken Strips are another of my favorite kid-foods-that-I-will-never-outgrow. They're flavorful and crispy on the outside and perfectly juicy on the inside. Paired with your favorite dipping sauce and you've got a fantastic weeknight meal that will please the whole family. Buttermilk Chicken Strips are easy to make, especially if you follow a couple of little tricks....
French Dip Sandwiches with Au Jus
Despite the name, a French Dip sandwich is not French. It is a California creation, and two restaurants claim to be its inventor. I have eaten a famed French Dip at one of the two, Philippe's in Los Angeles. It was fantastic, although I didn't get to do any of the"dipping" because the buns are...
Creamy Chicken and Noodles
Sometimes there just isn't enough time in the day (or night) for a perfectly planned out menu. I call those days Tuesdays. When Michael and I were dating, he used to cook up some chicken breasts and some white rice, and then make a sauce with cream of chicken soup. It was a very filling,...
Spicy Mac and Cheese with Grilled Chicken
There are some things I will never outgrow. Today I get to travel to Walt Disney World in Orlando to attend Food Blog Forum 2015, my first blogging event. I've wanted to go to an event for a while, and Kitchen Joy just had its 2nd birthday so this seemed an appropriate way to celebrate....
Spinach and Chicken White Lasagna
In the battle between white sauce lasagna and red sauce lasagna, I am a firm believer in calling it a tie. Why should anyone have to choose between two so incredible dishes that are sure to please almost anyone? One of my favorite menus for a casual dinner gathering is making one of each. There’s...
Friday Favorites: Homemade Soup Edition
Happy Friday, Friends! We've made it to another weekend. I don't know about you, but I have been fighting various illnesses for a week or so and my appetite has been suffering. Homemade soup is the answer to many of life's dilemmas. Today I've gathered up some of my very favorites for your weekend inspiration....
Tuna Noodle Casserole
My mission: To create a fantastic Tuna Noodle Casserole that involves no canned soup and will put all other versions to shame. It's not much to look at, but let me tell you...It is amazing. People often comment to Michael and I about how on earth we don't weigh 500 pounds, considering the fact that...
A Valentine's Day Menu for Guys to Cook & How To Pull It Off Flawlessly
Valentine’s Day is coming up quickly, and I can’t help but think that maybe there are some well-intending guys out there who would love to be able to pull together a romantic meal for their lovely lady. I am here to (hopefully) help. For Christmas this year, one of the ideas my husband had for...
Boeuf Bourguignon (Beef Stew with Red Wine and Mushrooms)
Boeuf Bourguignon is arguably Julia Child's most famous recipe, or at least near the top thanks to the movie Julie & Julia. The recipe itself is quite a masterpiece, but certainly not overly difficult or intimidating. I have nothing but love for dear Julia, but after making her version of the classic Beef Stew with Red...
Venison Goulash
American-style goulash made with venison might as well be called Michigan Goulash. Around here, November 15 marks the beginning of the guys' favorite weekend of the year, and a time affectionately referred to as Widow's Weekend complete with sales and promotions for the ladies who have the itch to shop while the boys go to deer...
Crispy Thin Crust Pizza
Our first meal when we arrived in Italy was pizza. Exhausted and jet-lagged, we were feeling hungry and groggy. We walked the route from our apartment along the main street of our little town to explore our new surroundings, and then picked up two pizzas to bring back with us for lunch (or dinner to...
Campfire Chicken and Dumplings
I don’t know about all of you, but I am thoroughly enjoying the New Year thus far. Michael and I have been having a splendidly relaxing time up north at our cabin for the last week or so. One of the highlights would definitely have to be cooking over the campfire. For Christmas, I was...
Homemade Chicken Pot Pie
We are home sweet home from Italy and my first order of business in my beloved, familiar kitchen was to make Homemade Chicken Pot Pie (emphasis on the homemade). We needed some delicious, home-cooked meals to warm us up in this cold Michigan weather and to help us recover from jet-lag and the terrible colds...
Minestrone with Pesto
It's nearly time for me to pack things up and head back home to the US. In preparation for our departure there are lots of things to be done, details to be arranged, etc. But a girl's gotta eat! In an effort to avoid many more trips to the market before we leave, I made...
Homemade Gnocchi with Creamy Gorgonzola Sauce
If there's one thing I thought would be easier to get used to while living here, it would be the lack of conversation. In two months, I have only spoken to my husband of course, and my family a few times via Skype. Everything else is patchy Italian for survival. While I'm definitely not lacking...
Whole Fish Baked in Salt Crust
This technique has been on my to-try list for ages. I wish I had a good reason for putting it off so long, but we're making up for lost time. We may or may not have enjoyed three fish prepared this way in the past week alone. It is incredibly easy to do, and in...
Bolognese (Ragù alla Bolognese)
All meat sauces are not created equal. While there's nothing wrong with tossing some ground beef into your favorite tomato sauce, there happens to be a much better, more authentic way to prepare a meat sauce that will sort of take your breath away. Believe me-- this is coming from the person who likes ground...