Most of you may know by now that I am originally a Wisconsinite who is currently residing in Iowa. That’s right, I am a cheese head, through and through. Honestly, I don’t really care about football too much (don’t hate me), so I am not talking about being a Packers’ fan kind of cheese head. I am talking about rich, salty, creamy, dreamy cheese! I love cheese. Cheddar is like gold to us Wisconsinites. Growing up, I rarely found a refrigerator that did not contain cheese of some kind. It’s … [Read more...]
Cauliflower Balls Stuffed with Cheese
Have you heard of cauliflower pizza crust? The idea is to make a healthy, low-carb, gluten-free option for pizza crust. Sounds like an ingenious idea, especially since cauliflower is a vegetable, right? Wrong! I have tried making it about 3 times. Each time I have been disappointed in how the consistency of the crust holds up. The toppings fall right off, the crust crumbles, and you have to use a fork to eat it. I believe that you should always be able to eat pizza with your hands, … [Read more...]
Curried Pumpkin Soup
Pumpkin, pumpkin, and more pumpkins! We are all about pumpkins these days, mostly pumpkin-spiced desserts and lattes. Last week I joined in on the pumpkin mania by making my Pumpkin Bars with Honey- Sweetened Cream Cheese Frosting. They hit the spot! Today I am adding a savory recipe to our pumpkin recipe collection! Why do I dare stray away from pumpkin-spiced desserts? Because our poor little orange squash friend has been sweetened and turned into every dessert possible. It has … [Read more...]
Grilled Sweet Corn with Curried Butter Compote
It is the middle of August and that means one thing in Iowa: bucket loads of sweet corn! Iowa may not have the freshest sea food or the greenest avocados but we do have amazing sweet corn. That has to be worth something, right? My August is not complete without gnawing on an ear of the most delicious sweet corn. Seriously, sweet corn is so tasty with some melted butter and a kiss of salt and pepper-- it doesn’t get any better than that. Wrong! Sweet corn just got better. Enter Curried … [Read more...]
Greek Watermelon Salad
When I think of summertime, I think of eating big bright juicy slices of red watermelon outside. The juice from the watermelon usually runs down my chin and makes its way to my arm at some point. All while trying to fish for the black seeds in my mouth so that I can spit them out. Watermelon is the ultimate refreshing fruit to enjoy during the summer. It is delicious and fun to eat a slice all by itself. But sometimes it’s fun to play around with fruit. Let’s take watermelon to a new and … [Read more...]
Roasted Red Pepper White Bean Hummus
I am in love with hummus. Hummus is a staple in our household. I make some kind of hummus at least once a week, maybe twice, or three times. What is not to love? It is smooth, creamy, and robust. You can eat it with a variety of veggies, pita chips, pita bread, tortilla chips, crackers, or smear it onto a sandwich. Did I mention that hummus is good for you? It contains fiber and protein from the beans. The olive oil and tahini paste add healthy fats. Plus the garlic; did you know that … [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...]
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...]
