If you love to eat something creamy, something that you can dip a crunchy cracker, chip, or veggie into repeatedly, raise your hand! If you didn’t raise your hand, are you even human? I love, love dips. There is something comforting about the smooth creamy texture of a dip being transported into your mouth by a crunchy, edible spoon. This is probably the reason that I enjoy eating both guacamole and hummus so much. This creamy carrot dip is incredibly addicting. It is smooth and creamy, … [Read more...]
Pesto and Mozzarella-Stuffed Potato Skins
After making my Taco-stuffed potato skins, I realized that potato skins are a blank canvas for any combination of flavors. I needed more of these crunchy little dudes in my life. This time, we are keeping it light. Homemade pesto, homemade roasted red pepper, and fresh mozzarella slices that are melted to perfection. That’s it. Simple, yet bursting with flavor and a hint of sophistication. The pesto is nutty, salty, and herby. The roasted red pepper adds a roasted sweetness, and the … [Read more...]
Mixed Nuts with Thyme and Rosemary
This July I am going on two separate week-long trips that are back-to-back. I am super excited! First is a trip to Canada with Paul’s family and the second trip is my annual family vacation in South Carolina. Two very different trips with a tight schedule. I am only back in the Midwest for one day and I am not even coming home to Iowa. I am transferring cars at a rendezvous point in Illinois and going to my parent’s house in Wisconsin to fly out with them for our family vacation. I will need to … [Read more...]
Orange and Jicama Guacamole
I am a huge fan of my basic guacamole. It is a dish that I am constantly making during the summer. It’s such a cinch to whip up and it is always tasty. It doesn’t last very long around here. Sometimes we need to mix it up. Sometimes we need to experiment. I mean no disrespect to my trusty basic guacamole but once in a while we need to leave the tomatoes behind. So, I came up a guacamole that is a little unexpected, and maybe a little crazy. I promise that it is scrumptious, and that’s all … [Read more...]
Roasted Chickpeas with Indian Spices
If you’re like me, or pretty much anyone else in the world, then you love crunchy, salty snacks. Such as crackers, chips, popcorn…the list goes on. We know these snacks aren’t healthy for us, yet it’s so hard to stop eating, especially once you start. The crunch is so satisfying, the saltiness is so addicting. Your hand just keeps reaching for that tasty, crunchy snack. Am I making you hungry for a bag of potato chips yet? Don’t reach for them, don’t do it! Instead make these crunchy, salty, … [Read more...]
Almond Joy Raw Energy Balls
Happy Monday friends, I have some exciting news to share with you! Paul and I bought our very first house. Goodbye apartment that won't let us use our grill anymore; hello to our very own house with a large backyard so that we can grill whenever we want! Yes, being able to grill again is one of the things I am most looking forward to. I have missed out on some serious grill time so far this summer, I will be playing catch-up shortly. Anyways, we are moving in as you are reading this. We … [Read more...]
Taco-Stuffed Potato Skins
If you are watching the World Cup nonstop, you need delicious, filling finger food that you can enjoy while you are cheering for your country to win. There is no time for a formal sit-down dinner this month, not when the World Cup only comes every 4 years! So, I created these filling, delicious, meal-in-one, taco-stuffed potato skins. Yes, they may take a little time to make, but if you plan ahead you can be right back to watching the World Cup with a taco stuffed potato skin in your hand. … [Read more...]
Broccoli and Cheddar-Bacon-Quinoa Bites
This past weekend Paul and I went on a weekend getaway to celebrate our first wedding anniversary. We had a wonderful time exploring a new city. For me, breakfast is a huge topic. I absolutely believe that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It is how you start your day off, and it is up to you to kick-start your day in a healthy way. This, in my opinion, makes a total difference in how well my day turns out. Our hotel offered a complimentary breakfast, which is great to take … [Read more...]
Bacon-Wrapped Dates
This weekend is our one year wedding anniversary! Paul and I seriously don’t know where this first year has gone! It feels like we got married just yesterday; I suppose that’s a good thing. Paul and I got married at a gorgeous little winery in Iowa set among rolling hills. The ceremony and reception were both outside on a sunny 75 degree day. It really was perfect! To celebrate our anniversary I wanted to make one of our favorite foods we served at our wedding: bacon-wrapped dates. They … [Read more...]
Artichoke and Fennel Caponata
Have you ever been asked by a friend to bring an appetizer to a party and didn’t want the challenge of keeping a hot dish warm while transporting it? This is a huge challenge for me, especially since a lot of times we are traveling an hour away for family gatherings or friends’ get-togethers. In these situations my go-to-recipe is usually hummus. It’s simple to make, easy to transport and is delicious at room temperature. As much as I love hummus and can eat it every day, I like to mix things … [Read more...]
