Lofty, bold statement, I know, but this here Fresh Herb Vinaigrette is hands down the best dressing I’ve ever thrown together, friends. It’s a flavor bomb, in the lightest, most gorgeous way possible….and will be a new staple in my kitchen without a doubt! Continue reading
summer
Potato Gratin with Poblanos, Pancetta and Corn
How about this weather, friends? It’s so random this time of year. Mornings feel like fall at its finest: cool, crisp air perfect for that cozy sweater. Head into afternoon and the sun is blazing and the temps are rising forcing you to tear that sweater off as quickly as you can. Part summer, part fall, no?
And this gratin is right there with the weather these days. Part summer with those farm fresh poblanos, potatoes and corn. Part fall with that comfort an warmth.
Garden Fresh Tomato Basil Soup
What a weekend! Along with some much needed, totally relaxed family time we had a quite a bit of rain around here and it was so cozy. Turned out to be perfect weather for a light, fresh soup. And a giant bowl of Garden Fresh Tomato Basil was just perfection. Continue reading
Steak Balsamic Summer Panzanella
Well now if this doesn’t scream my husbands name, I’m not sure what does. This, right here, is one of his very favorite meals…and I have to admit, he has pretty darn good taste.
Lets just start this party immediately, guys. There’s a lot of celebrating to do, no sense in wasting anyones time.
First, we’ve got grilled bread. No, wait. Glazed with olive oil, grilled, crunchy on the outside slightly crisp on the inside bread. And you know, I don’t eat much bread on the regular. But this bread right here? ALWAYS an exception for this girl. Continue reading
Quick + Easy Garden Fresh Salsa
There really is no excuse not to make this stuff. It takes about as much time as it takes to open up a jar of salsa from the market and, well, I don’t need to tell you how the taste compares, right?
We all know how delicious fresh salsa is. And when the tomatoes, peppers and onions are as fresh and perfect as it comes it really is just the most unbeatable condiment on the planet, in my humble opinion. Gobs of garlicky, acidic, sweet, spicy flavor…yes, please, I’ll go right ahead! Continue reading
Grilled Chicken Mediterranean Bowls
Summer is officially halfway over you guys. Each year around this time I seem to begin easing into fall mindset; it’s a point of bittersweetness thinking about what’s shortly ahead.
School. Structure. Less daylight. Earlier bedtimes. More responsibility. And quite honestly, each time around this year, that all tends to sound slightly appealing to me. As much as I adore our summers here in MN, the fall brings so much wonderful newness. The scenery is impeccable. The crisp air and lack of mosquitos are like a dream. The kids getting into a new routine and their utter excitement about school is so uplifting. And schedules…you know I love a solid, predictable schedule 😉
But before all of that comes, while things are still warm and sticky and loosey-goosey, please, please, I beg you, do me a favor? Celebrate these last days of summer in your kitchen and make this dish. It’s sheer delight; summer at its very very very finest. And if you have even the slightest love for Mediterranean flavor, this is absolutely for you. Continue reading
Cheesy Mexican Zucchini Boats
Truth: my family has about had it with zucchini, I am afraid. As promised, I am dedicating this entire week on the blog to zucchini-because man, it’s everywhere and it’s just got to be utilized. So, as one would assume, I have been testing zucchini recipes left and right in my kitchen for the last couple of weeks. Some failed miserably, some were just mediocre, and some wowed us and actually convinced me that my children like zucchini; these Cheesy Mexican Zucchini boats were one of those.
I shared the recipe on KARE11 a couple of days ago and it was such a great time. I always love spending afternoons around there-the people are just so darn friendly, the work space is so far beyond most local TV station kitchens, and it’s a total excuse for me to get out and ‘work’ outside of my own kitchen; so fun! Click here to see the video if you didn’t catch it. I’m happy to say the recipe was totally loved by all! Continue reading
Zucchini, Corn + Cheddar Cakes
Happy Zucchini Week, friends! I have taken it upon myself to dedicate this entire week of posts to this oh-so-pretty veggie…they are perfectly ripe, perfectly available, perfectly local and so very versatile. I’ll be pumping your recipe boxes full of some really fun ways to utilize this yummy in-season veggie and I hope you love each one!
The goal is to give you zucchini lovers some new, fun inspiration and to turn you haters into believers. Zucchini is so much more than a soggy, sautéed side dish or casserole and I hope to prove that time and time again this week. And what better way to start that mission than with these Zucchini, Corn + Cheddar Cakes? Words cannot express my love for these little bundles of yum!
Grilled Chicken Summer Clubs with Garlic Mayo Sauce
Well, folks, my lovely oven is not working…it’s been a sad couple of days. But you know what? If my oven is going to go on strike it couldn’t have picked a better week for such a catastrophe. It’s hot outside. Like, reeeeaaaaalllyy, really sticky hot. There is just no way I would be using the oven in this heat, that I can assure you. So with the heat, and an oven thats waiting for the doctor to arrive, the grill saves the day!
Here we’ve got Grilled Chicken Summer Club sandwiches; start to finish in way less than 30 minutes. And these are not just any sammich. These are little delicious packages that have summer written all over them. Continue reading
Southwest Summer Chop with Chipotle Dressing
Oh boy oh boy oh boy oh boy! This salad? Life changing…prepare yourself.
You know I love myself a good chop chop. All the bits in one bite. But this salad right here is off the charts. Like, call the bomb squad, friends.