It’s the end of summer. I’ve been trying valiantly to deny it, but here we are. The Minnesota State Fair is in full swing, school is starting next week, and I’ve even seen a few leaves prematurely turning color. Now that it is here, the end of summer means tomatoes. Tons and tons of tomatoes. And what better to showcase the bushels of gorgeous end-of-summer tomatoes but this Roasted Tomato and Ricotta Tart. …
It’s March now and I’m SO ready for spring! And of course, just as I had decided winter was over, Mother Nature goes and dumps a whole bunch of snow all over the Twin Cities. The cold is back. And although I know it will be short lived, it is still a bitter pill to swallow. Since I really needed a bit of spring, I decided it was time to make a great salad. You won’t believe what leftovers you can use to create something entirely new. Chimichurri Panzanella Salad with White Beans is a bit of spring on a plate. …
Here comes 2017 and I honestly cannot be more excited. And whether you like it or not the new year is going to bring Ch-ch-changes! Some are worrisome, some are a long time in coming and hopefully some of them are going to surprise us in good and productive ways. I’m going to share you with you a few changes I’m going to be making and it starts with Sausage and Tortellini Soup. …
As a busy mama, I have come to really appreciate a quick, one-pot meal. Less pots = less clean up and more time with my family and these days, that is worth everything. This One Pot Pasta with Tomato, Spinach, and Mozzarella fits right into my crazy schedule and is gobbled up by my hungry husband and toddler alike. Filled with healthy ingredients available at any grocery store (in other words, I can grab everything in 10 minutes on my way home from work!), this pasta dish is hearty, healthy, and on your table in under 3o minutes. The recipe is based off of a recent feature in Cooking Light Magazine, one of my go to sources for fast and fresh dinners. I’ve adapted the dish to suit my family’s tastes and I hope you love it. It is most definitely becoming a family favorite! …
I’m always on the lookout for a crowd pleasing, easy, appetizer for those last minute get togethers or weekends at the lake. This recipe for Pesto Caprese Dip is one of those recipes that I make again and again that requires minimal effort but packs a maximal punch. It requires only a few ingredients and can be prepared ahead of time and baked just before you’re ready to serve it, which makes it perfect for entertaining. The Pesto Caprese Dip takes advantage of the late summer bounty of cherry tomatoes and fresh basil, but if you have a source for good basil in the winter, it’s really a great recipe year round. Even my picky eater husband (who hates tomatoes!) gobbles it up. It’s rare that there are any left overs! The recipe is adapted from an appetizer a neighbor and dear friend (Hi Kara!) shared with me last summer (find the original here) and I’ve tweaked it over time to reflect my personal tastes but I will say, the original is a mighty fine option as well, particularly if you’ve run out of pesto or just don’t like it….
It is possible some of you are going to say I took too many liberties with this Chipotle Caesar Salad, and maybe that is true. If you are looking for a very traditional version of a caesar salad-well, you may have to keep looking. This salad isn’t your mother’s caesar salad after all. This salad features a lighter Caesar dressing, a hint of spicy chipotle and best of all bacon. And if this doesn’t intrigue you, well maybe we weren’t meant to be friends after all……
I tried to come up with a catchier name than Cabin Burgers, I really did. But the truth of the matter is, this is the meal that the kids beg for when we head to the cabin, and thus they have always been called “Cabin Burgers”. The name just stuck, boring or not. And although the name may be boring, this burger is anything but……
Now that it is almost the middle of summer (can you believe it?), I am turning to recipes with less ingredients, less fuss and more vegetables. This Zucchini Hummus Dip fits the bill in all categories. In fact, you won’t believe how easy it is! Just a few simple ingredients and you will have a party worthy appetizer. Have some extra time? Make the hummus and pesto from scratch (hummus recipe here). In a hurry? Buy your favorite hummus and pesto from the store, and this dip will take you no more than 10 minutes to throw together!…
For years I’ve been obsessed with finding the perfect tomato soup. Obsessed. Every year as the weather turns colder, my attention turns towards the pursuit of that pinnacle of tomato soups, the one you want to make over and over again, and every year I am disappointed. I have tried cream based soups, broth based soups, and even a vegan soup with cashews used instead of cream, but I have not found THE soup…until now. …