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Roasted Chai-Spiced Pumpkin Seeds

Hubby loves pumpkin seeds/pie/anything, so when he came home from work toting a huge basket of pumpkins and squash this weekend (courtesy of a generous co-worker who also runs a local produce farm), it was only natural that we would spend a good portion of our weekend roasting, seeding, baking, etc. While these seeds were...

Bacon-Wrapped Green Bean Bundles

Bacon is something that my husband (and most of America) is thankful for everyday, even if it's not always on our Thanksgiving table. I've made this once before for our family Thanksgiving gathering, and it was a hit. This recipe is even better than the one I tried before, according to my husband. Since my...

Michael's Epic Pumpkin Pie and a Gizmodo Shooting Challenge

I submitted this photo of pumpkin pie to Gizmodo.com's Fall Food Porn Shooting Challenge, and it is featured on their "11 Photos of Delicious Fall Foods" page. Check it out here! (It is about half way down the page.) Hope everyone had a lovely weekend! Here is my recipe for Pumpkin Pie, which Hubby described...

Mushroom and Leek Pasta with Garlic Bruschette

Note- This post was updated with new photos in 2020. My week spent cooking from Gordon Ramsay's Home Cooking by Gordon Ramsay has been delectably delightful. He has long been one of my favorite celebrity chefs, but until now, I haven't cooked very many of his recipes. Better late than never, but I definitely plan...

Corn Fritters with Yogurt Dip

Subtle hints of red chile add a bit of heat to these fantastic corn fritters. In less than 15 minutes you could whip these together for a great appetizer, or in our case, a light dinner. Delicious. Also, have I mentioned that this cookbook is amazing? Buy it for yourself, or ask Santa for it...

Beef Meatball Sandwich with Melting Mozzarella and Tomato Salsa

This fancied-up variation of a burger is a must-try. I love the fresh, bright flavors of the salsa combined with the perfectly seasoned meatballs and creamy mozzarella. No store-bought condiments necessary. Spectacular lunch on a cold day. Beef Meatball Sandwich with Melting Mozzarella and Tomato Salsa Credit: Gordon Ramsay's Home Cooking by Gordon Ramsay Ingredients:...

Sirloin Tacos with Quick Pickled Cabbage and Wasabi Mayo

This Asian twist on a Mexican favorite made for a wonderful weeknight dinner, and it came together really quickly. The sirloin is marinaded after it is cooked, and it absorbs the flavors wonderfully. We will definitely be making these again soon. Sirloin Tacos with Quick Pickled Cabbage and Wasabi Mayo Credit: Gordon Ramsay's Home Cooking...

Ten Things I Can't Live & Cook Without For a Year

I'm a planner. It's as simple as that. When we found out we would be moving to Italy, I immediately began a categorized packing list, arranged according to priority, and size. The more time I spend thinking about what I want to bring with me, or what I feel like I NEED to bring, I...

Slow-Roasted Filet of Beef with Basil Parmesan Mayonnaise

Of all the recipes I planned to try this week from my Cookbook of the Week: Barefoot Contessa Foolproof by Ina Garten, I think I was most looking forward to this one. It had nothing but delicious written all over it: filet of beef, fresh basil, homemade mayonnaise, "slow-roasted". I was salivating just reading about...

Birthday Menu-Planning and Bucket-List Recipes

My husband seems to be unusually excited about my birthday this year. Don't get me wrong, he ALWAYS gets excited about my birthday, but it's still a week away and he has mentioned his excitement a multitude of times. I'm one of those lucky wives who doesn't have some story about how he totally dropped...

Lobster Macaroni & Cheese

Nobody is ever too old to enjoy a good bowl of mac & cheese. It's especially "grown-up" in this version which includes freshly steamed lobster. I love Gruyere (from Switzerland- Sorry, Wisconsin!) and combined with extra-sharp cheddar, this is a fabulous homemade macaroni and cheese that I will no doubt be making again soon. Lobster...

Triple Coconut Cream Pie

Ever since I made a few things from The Dahlia Bakery Cookbook when it was my Cookbook of the Week, I've been dying to try out their Triple Coconut Cream Pie. Last night while folding laundry, I could resist the temptation no longer. Oh My. Staying up baking until 11:30 at night on a Sunday...

Coconut Pastry Dough

Coconut Pastry Dough (for Triple Coconut Cream Pie) Credit: The Dahlia Bakery Cookbook by Tom Douglas and Shelley Lance Ingredients: 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose lour ½ cup shredded sweetened coconut ½ cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into ½-inch cubes 2 teaspoons sugar ¼ teaspoon kosher salt ⅓ cup ice-cold water, or...

Jambalaya

I feel as though it is my duty to warn you...this recipe makes SO MUCH FOOD! Invite some hungry friends over. Or have a hungry Hubby who now has lunch for the entire week covered. There are two main types of Jambalaya: Creole and Cajun. This recipe is more of a Creole Jambalaya, also called...

Cookbook of the Week: Barefoot Contessa Foolproof by Ina Garten

This week we will be trying out some new recipes from Barefoot Contessa Foolproof: Recipes You Can Trust by Ina Garten. I have only made a couple of her recipes in the past, and have had some great results (her chicken pot pie is delish), and one that I would never repeat. (In the interest...

Frittata with Potato and Prosciutto

One frittata, two frittata. For our second frittata this week, and the final recipe from my Cookbook of the Week: Everyday Italian by Giada De Laurentiis, we enjoyed this Frittata with Potato and Prosciutto as a quick and easy breakfast-for-dinner. Between this frittata and the one we enjoyed last weekend, Frittata with Asparagus, Tomato, and...

Chicken Saltimbocca

These tender, juicy chicken breasts are filled with prosciutto, spinach, and Parmesan and then drizzled with a simple sauce of olive oil and lemon juice. Traditionally, saltimbocca (translated: "leaps in the mouth") is prepared with veal. Giada de Laurentiis prefers to use chicken, and I must agree. We really enjoyed these, and they took less...

Chocolate Hazelnut Biscotti

Happy October! It's my favorite month, which also means that it's beginning to be hot drink weather again. Looking forward to lots of cool days sipping lattes, chai, coffee, cider, or whatever. I make these biscotti around the holidays usually, but they were the perfect way to use up the rest of my leftover hazelnuts from the...

Reuben Sandwich with Homemade Russian Dressing

Reubens are one of my Hubby's favorite sandwiches. I typically don't order them when we are out on account of my neutral feelings on sauerkraut. I made these for him, but I also really liked them! My favorite Reuben I've ever eaten, and really easy! The homemade Russian dressing was simple to make, and tasted...