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There’s something about being able to pick up your food and eat it with your hands that’s appealing or maybe I just like pretending I’m a cave-girl. Regardless I’m all for it. Give me a plate of ribs and/or wings and I will go to town. The saucier the better. That’s what napkins are for. [...]
One of of my most favorite flavor combinations is that of basil, tomatoes and fresh mozzarella (that’s been drizzled with a little liquid gold and a pinch of kosher salt). Pure bliss I tell you. Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock you’re familiar with Caprese salad. It’s one of the reasons I grow a [...]
Disclaimer: I was compensated by Tyson Foods to produce this content. The countdown to summer is on! I don’t know about you but I can use all the help I can get getting myself ready for sundresses, shorts and gasp bathing suits. I’ve teamed up with Tyson Foods, makers of the Tyson® Grilled & Ready® [...]
I’m trying REALLY hard to incorporate more salads into our weekly meals. For me to get behind a salad it has to have some bang to it. This sesame seared ahi tuna salad does that and then some. It’s base is made up of endive and arugula that’s been tossed lightly in a honey [...]
(Disclaimer: I am working with Miracle-Gro for this project and was provided with samples and compensation-but all opinions are my own.) This season, Miracle-Gro wants to inspire everyone to get out and Gro something. There’s a way to incorporate “Gro-ing” into a myriad of different DIY projects-and you don’t have to be an avid gardener [...]
(Disclaimer: I am working in partnership with the KRAFT brand and I am receiving compensation for my participation in this campaign. All thoughts/opinions are 100% my own) I love this time of year when my local farm stands are open on road sides around my little water-tower town. Little pop up markets here and there. [...]
I have wild mint growing uncontrollably in my yard. If you happen to live nearby and need mint just let me know. I have an UNLIMITED supply and you’re welcome to come pluck some up. I’m not kidding when I tell you it grows like weeds. There’s no taming it. It comes back every. single.year. [...]
Raisin and nut wha? Agrodolce. Agrodolce is Italian for sweet (dolce) and sour (agro). It happens to be one of my favorite combinations and is a lot like me depending on how my day is going. What don’t tell me you’re never moody? This sauce, and it’s actually more salsa or compote than sauce but [...]
Have you noticed a grilling theme going on? Gold star for you if so. As soon as it warms up I’m all about throwing anything and just about everything on the grill. Including vegetables. Sometimes I even get a little crazy and sprinkle them with sugar. Glorious I tell you. Glorious caramelized crunchy outsides. Pass [...]
I know you’ve all heard of drunken pasta. Typically, it’s pasta that has been boiled in red wine. In theory it’s a good idea right, wine, pasta. Yes please. Well it’s yes until the plate arrives in front of you (at least for me). We eat with our eyes first, and red wine turns the [...]
Do you like to get your grill on? As in bbq grill not dental grill (which I have never ever understood – How do you clean those things? I mean just buy a ring or a bracelet already). IF you do, and you think you have what it takes my friends at Dole are hosting [...]
You know grilling isn’t just for meats and veggies (and fruits, can’t leave out fruits, have you tried grilled peaches? Oh sweet drippy goodness do it!). Why let them have all the fun? You can make desserts on the grill too! Sure can. In fact you can make an entire meal on the grill. Besides [...]
Finally grilling season is here. I’m just a tad bit excited about this after a VERY long winter. I love the smells that waft through the neighborhood as soon as the weather has heated up (and the pollen has past ugh). People are out walking the neighborhood (and gasp actually smiling and waving), flowers are [...]
I am a sucker for sweets. Always have been. I wish I was one of those “no thank you” dessert people, but I’m not. Sigh. I’m more of a you order this one and I’ll order that one so we can share. What, y’all don’t do that? Okay, seriously moderation is my motto but that [...]
I am a sucker for pizza. Thin crust please. I might be in the minority but thick crust or deep dish just isn’t for me. Thin it is and the crispier the better. Pizzas are fantastic because lets face it you can honestly top them with anything you like. Some combinations are way better than [...]
This post brought to you by dio. All opinions are 100% mine. Have you heard of dio.com? dio is a new creative and social experience that allows anyone to make and explore unique places based on anything. Food, Travel, Photography, Design. Cork collections. You name it. dio places are public (or private if needed) spaces [...]
You might not think that avocados and pasta go together but surprise they do! Once you’ve twirled your fork around these creamy fettucine noodles that have been slathered in avocado awesome-sauce you’ll be a believer. Avocados are something I can’t ever seem to get enough of. I’m pretty obsessed with them but not nearly as [...]
The countdown to summer is on like Donkey Kong AND yeah yeah I’m on the workout wagon. And by working out I mean walking. We have to start somewhere right. In addition to moving moving it I’m lightening my plate and eating healthier. We’re not talking or mentioning the D word because that doesn’t work [...]
Granitas are pretty much an adult version of a snow cone and what’s not to love about that. This version is made up of freshly pureed strawberries and my bubbly beverage of choice – Prosecco. Hence the name boozy berry granitas. I’m very smart like that. They’re perfect for a lazy afternoon on the deck [...]
Brushetta is one of my most favorite foods on the planet. It’s also one of the top 10 most mispronounced Italian words in my book. It is pronounced: brew-SKet-ta! I’ve actually had waiters in restaurants argue with me over this. Argue. Don’t get me started on that. Sideeye. Brushetta is an appetizer (or anytime all [...]
If I’m being honest, I have to admit that this whole having to wear shorts soon (let’s not even discuss the b word) is kind of freaking me out. It gets HAWT in Carolina people. So shorts are a necessity. One good thing about the weather is the fact that I don’t want to heat [...]
This past weekend we got started planting our deck container garden. I can not tell you how incredibly excited I am to have an abundance of fresh cherry and Roma tomatoes, herbs and PEPPERS right off of my kitchen at my finger tips. I like variety so in the pepper department we’ll have: chile peppers, [...]
I don’t know why I have been hesitant to embrace the flavor combination of beans and eggs before. Before now I should say. Honestly, I don’t know why this flavor combination works, all I know is that it does. I think it falls under the crazy but true tab. I’m going to be making up [...]
Apparently spring doesn’t know it’s spring because we’ve taken a u-turn and appear to be right back into winter. Who authorized this? Obviously I am not happy about this. I’ve had to turn the heater back on and pull out all of the scarves and boots I had put away for the season. The only [...]
I don’t know about you but I feel better about eating a cupcake than I do a slice of cake (not that I’d turn that down mind you, ’cause I would not). Something about it’s size makes me feel quite alright about indulging in one. Okay who am I kidding, you all know about my [...]
There are so many things to love about pasta. I could literally go on for days about it, but mmmmmm better not. Instead I’m going to tell you one reason I love it (delicious is obvious). Versatility. If you tell me you get bored with pasta I won’t believe you. There are too many shapes, [...]
I have a confession to make. I fully intended on cooking and posting these lovely lamb chops last week in time for Easter. Guess what? Life got in the way of that. Did it make these any less special? Absolutely not. In fact I’m pretty sure these are going in my category of Weeknight Wonder [...]
Now that the weather is turning (somewhat) warmer I’m already starting to think about when I can drop the top on my new (to me) convertible, putt around town and enjoy the sunshine. It also means I gotta shed a few lbs that I’ve put on over the “it’s way too cold to go outside [...]
Have you noticed a re-occurring theme of EGGS across the blogosphere this month? Of course you did eggs happen to be one of the stars of the Easter season (hello Easter Eggs) and you guessed it, deviled eggs. Did you happen to catch our CLASSIC DEVILED EGGS post earlier this month? We waxed poetic about [...]
One of my absolute favorite vegetables is asparagus. I love it steamed, roasted, grilled or sauteed. I like it cooked just enough so it still has a little bite to it. Al dente if you will (mushy is not a term I’m going for with asparagus). I fell in love with asparagus in Italy. My [...]
I love pork products. Probably more than the average person (well not as much as Chef Michael Symon who has multiple pigs tattoos – but close). So naturally when I had an opportunity to partner with the National Pork Board it was a big giant no brainer. I am official now. Yes officially a Sister [...]
The incredible edible egg. It’s such a little powerhouse (good things DO come in small packages) and it just happens to be one of the star ingredients for the Easter season. With good reason. It’s incredibly versatile. When I think of eggs, deviled eggs immediately come to mind. They are a classic appetizer and they [...]
If you’re on a diet, click away, OR just plan on getting on the treadmill for a little longer. Fried dough (aka doughnuts, donuts, fried dough, just gimme). There’s something completely irresistible about it. Doughnuts are my weakness. Especially warm right out of the fryer. Swoon. I feel better about eating these small little doughnut [...]
You all know how much I LOVE Italy. Any time you mention the word I can not help but smile. I could talk about it (preferably in Italian) for hours on end. I spent my formative years living in Fruili. It’s my home away from home and where I feel incredibly connected. Once you’ve been [...]
Surprise it’s still COLD. Good thing “Ada” my KitchenAid Range is such a workhorse. She’s been getting a massive workout EVERY.SINGLE.DAY. Especially the oven portion. Besides massive amount of chocolate chip cookies there have been a plethora of pasta bakes. I’m a fan of the pasta bake, aka casserole or cheesy carb-y goodness. You pick. [...]
Whiskey and Caramel went into a bar and they came out sauced! Seriously sauced. Okay okay so then went into a pot instead but the results are the same. This is one boozy sauce that besides eating it by the spoonful (are you not supposed to do that?) it’s amazing drizzled on all sorts of [...]
I’m not sure what took me so long to jump on the couscous train. I suppose better late than never eh? Regardless I’m glad I finally did. It is pretty incredible. Little balls of pasta-liciousness bursting with flavor. Almost like savory boba balls (you know the ones in bubble tea or at the fro-yo [...]
Oh salmon, you’re so gorgeous with your peachy pink flesh and shimmering silvery coat. You’re quick, easy and good for me (how many things can we say that about). Truth be told, I don’t eat nearly enough fish. It’s not for lack of not loving it, ’cause I do. I need to put it [...]
I love big fat sloppy bucatini pasta. They do make twirling challenging (you know how much I love a good twirl), and a little slurping is necessary but I’m okay with that. I understand in some cultures that slurping noodles is not considered impolite at all, instead it’s considered to be quite the compliment. So [...]
Any excuse to make a decadent dessert and I’m in. Valentine’s Day no exception. As much as I love to have someone cook for me, I have to admit I don’t like to venture out for a romantic meal on Valentine’s Day. Why? Because in my experience, restaurants are over-crowded, over-priced and the service is [...]
What is it about pizza that makes it so darn irresistible. The cheese, the crust, the shape, the endless possibilities for toppings, sauces and stuffed crusts? I don’t see how one could ever get bored with pizza. It’s a blank canvas for creativity. I know we all have our favorites, my hands down favorite is [...]
Last month I received an email from America’s Test Kitchen. They shared with me they have a BOOK coming out that’s all about pressure cooking. I almost deleted the email because to be completely honest pressure cookers SCARE me. Seriously scare me. For some reason I truly believed if I used one I was going [...]
Have I mentioned how much I appreciate y’all? ‘Cause I do! Instead of just waxing poetic about exactly how much I do I thought I’d show you just how much! I’ve teamed up with two of my favorite Canon loving girls: Doughmesstic & Eclectic Recipes to GIVEAWAY a Canon EOS Rebel T3i Camera (erv $599) [...]
I LOVE Panettone. It’s probably more like a ridiculous obsession but whatever. I love it so much I usually stock up at Christmas time when they’re out and about in stores. I hoard them because other than enjoying a slice, or two or three for breakfast with my cappuccino I can make things with them [...]
My kids love chicken tenders. Seriously LOVE them. Since I pretty much refuse to take them through a drive thru to get them I make them at home, A LOT. Which means I need variety in my bag o’ chicken tender tricks. What else do they love? Ranch dressing. They would honestly put it on [...]
So apparently there’s a big football game coming up soon. Or so I keep hearing. I’m not a football person. Gasp. Sorry. Never have been. My husband is a football person. I am a snack person. You know that thing about opposites attracting? It’s true. I make the snacks and he gets to watch [...]
Just saying the word lasagna makes me happy. I’m sure I’m not the only one. What’s not to love right? Well other than how long it takes to make. It’s one of the few dishes that I make that does requires the bulk of a day. I’m not going to lie, I don’t make a [...]
If you’ve ever met someone who says they don’t like brussels sprouts chances are they’ve only ever had them boiled to death. Yuck. I wouldn’t eat those either. Roasting or sauteing is the way to go. Adding bacon well that’s just a given. We all know bacon makes everything better. It’s true. Yes even [...]
I visited Chicago for the first time last month. I have to say I wish I’d had more time to hang around and get to know the windy city (which btw she was) a little better. Outside of working almost non-stop while we were there I did manage to squeeze in time for a lip [...]
Coffee. I have to have it. Plain and simple. It’s not pretty when I don’t. I love it in the morning, rubbed onto my steaks, ask a facial scrub (yep) and even in cocktails. You know that coffee liqueur that starts with a K and ends with lua yep this is a pretty awesome knock [...]
