Fried pickles make me think of my friend, Stephanie, who I met in Chicago, but she was Southern as the day is long. She had a beautiful lilt to her voice, she was so comfortable in her skin (I still envy her that), and she'd been through some awful times (her father passed away, and … Continue reading Old Bay Pickle Chips

For whatever reason, when I was a newlywed and found myself in a new town with 0 friends, I discovered Food Network and The Barefoot Contessa and developed a serious girl crush on Ina Garten. Where had she been all my life?? Ohhh, right, living an impossibly posh life in the Hamptons with Broadway producers … Continue reading Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Processed with VSCO with e5 preset Hey! It isn't often you get to partner with adorable, young college students on a food project! Can you imagine my delight at being approached by a former student about collaborating with her on a delicious steak recipe? Collegiate Cattlewomen of K-State is the name of her organization, and … Continue reading Summer Street Tacos

So, I was at a potluck the other night, checking out all the food, since...you know, that's what you do at a potluck. What a feast for the senses! It's so fun to get a glimpse of what everyone's tastes are. What everyone thinks is special enough to serve to their friends. I love it … Continue reading Karie’s Aunt’s Taco Salad

Why ever not? I ask! Candy in cookies is one of life's most precious pleasures. Why should Blizzards and Sonic Blasts get to have all the fun? Through lots of experimentation, I found that leaving the Butterfingers in semi-big chunks creates these addictive little crunch-pockets throughout. If you're as obsessed with crunch as I am, … Continue reading Butterfinger Blondies

Ok, so hotdish/casseroles! They're the bread and butter of a family's survival when extracurricular activities take family members away from home in the evenings. I've been away a lot since rehearsals started for Church Basement Ladies, (I was honestly hoping to audition for the next production at Theater Atchison, but those hopes were dashed when … Continue reading Green Chicken Enchiladas

My mom made these all. the. time. growing up. They are straight out of the church basement cookbook, and as everyone knows, the best recipes come from church cookbooks, don't they? Processed with VSCO with e5 preset I was inspired to revisit this recipe since I was recently cast in Church Basement Ladies, it's adorable, … Continue reading Church Basement Chipper Bars

Processed with VSCO with e5 preset Last week's study of the United States was on Georgia, and as I stated in a previous post, I have the happy task of picking a recipe each week from each state to try with our school group. Georgia...Georgia... Where to go? What to do? The food options were … Continue reading Pecan Pie Minis

Dazzle your friends with this super-pretty appetizer! It’s only two ingredients (ok, ok, not counting the garnishes) plus you can have it with veggies OR carbs, so you are winning, winning, winning your holiday get-together. If you’re not going to a holiday get-together, you can just impress yourself. You will need... 1 10 oz tub … Continue reading Pink Hummus for the holiday win!

As I mentioned in a previous post, on a trip to Massachusetts this summer, I became rather obsessed with these pistachio muffins Scott and I would have every morning. And then I thought, I needed recreate them at home, complete with the crunchy, sugary topping. And so, here they are! A Christmas gift to you! … Continue reading Pistachio Pudding Muffins

This salad has so much going for it, and it's the prettiest winter salad eva! I love how it's mostly sweet, but it's got some spice, kind of like me! hahahahah *kneeslap* I think this salad is truly elegant and definitely worthy of a holiday get-together, whatever the size! The pears and the gorgonzola together … Continue reading Apple Harvest Salad

You guys, this is very, very special. Baked Fontina is a dish as special as grandma's china, your wedding dress, the birth of your children, I'm serious. This is a special occasion appetizer, it's so decadent and serving something warm and luscious in a cast iron skillet brings so much joy. I was so thrilled … Continue reading Baked Fontina

My hubs and son are big fans of pudding. Smooth, creamy and dreamy, plus it keeps great in the fridge! I also tell myself it’s got a lot of protein which is good for the kiddos. I don't talk to myself about the sugar in it. My self doesn't have time for that kind of … Continue reading Vanilla Spice Pudding

When the cold weather sets in, by January I have made chili and cinnamon rolls 1,875 times. This cannot go on. We need a NEW chili recipe that's just as delicious and easy as my fall-back. This pork chili checks all the boxes. I happen to love the zing of lime! You will need...2 TBS … Continue reading Pork Chili Verde

Ok, I'm super excited about this recipe. It's at least half healthy because...it's half cauliflower and half pasta, and it's amazing! It's so saucy, so spicy, and the crunch on the top...I'm dead! I don't feel guilty eating it at all. And you can play with the proportions of pasta to cauliflower, depending on how … Continue reading Chipotle “Mock and Cheese”

Shockingly easy! And who does not love chips and dip for a party! I broke out the Halloween cookie cutters, and toasted up some different colored tortillas in the oven to accompany this truly irresistible dip. It has a little spice from the enchilada sauce, but it's mild enough for your miniature monsters. Liesl happened … Continue reading Easy White Queso

Scott and I took a little holiday this summer for our anniversary, (10 years!) and (to Martha’s Vineyard, if you’re curious) every morning we’d stop by this cute little bakery for breakfast before we set out to do our touristy activities. And, as vacation carbs don’t count, I was intrigued/addicted to these fantastic pistachio muffins! … Continue reading Monster Cupcakes

These are basically just sloppy joes but with pork, all dressed up in their scary Halloween outfits! Sloppy Joes are my kiddos favorite food, maybe second only to chili. So, I knew that these would be intriguing to them!  Everyone in my family also loves pulled pork, so this one is a winner all around. … Continue reading Slow-Cooker Cyclops Sliders

Hearty, and pretty quick and easy for a weeknight, especially if you use canned biscuits. Might I suggest you give my Tall, Flakey, Sexy Biscuit recipe a try? You will need... ● 2 lbs country sausage● 3 cups chopped curly kale● 2 cups cubed squash (butternut or acorn)● 1 cup chopped vidalia onion● 1 cup … Continue reading Sausage Biscuit Casserole

These are a bit of a process, but by golly, they're worth it! Quite literally impossible to stop eating! These are going to be a bit cakier than your normal, yeast donut because of all the sugar in the cider, but they're not as dense as your traditional cake donut. I think they're a perfect … Continue reading Apple Cider Donuts

Every year, when the weather turns chilly, I look forward to the Atchison Oktoberfest like it’s Christmas! And in a way, it is! There’s so much joy, a chill in the air...There are so many crafty vendors up and down the mall, jazz bands, DJs, tons of people and kiddos out enjoying themselves, plus all … Continue reading German Potato Salad

Who says desserts can't be fried? If we're being honest, this is a little Greek/Asian fusion that's so delicious and addictive. It got rave reviews from Jeff and Abby , who came over to help film the Greek Feast Episode a few weeks ago. I wanted to combine the flavors of baklava (honey, nuts, flakiness) … Continue reading Baklava Bites

This could go on any number of desserts. Ice cream, pancakes, French toast, those sweet pita chips from the grocery store?? You will need: 1 pint strawberries, washed and hulled and quartered 2 TBS lemon juice 3 TBS sugar 1 sprig fresh mint Combine all the ingredients in medium saucepan over medium heat. Let the … Continue reading Strawberry-Mint Dipping Sauce

Salty, creamy, spicy, check all the boxes on this appetizer! I promptly devoured this plate of deliciousness after it’s beauty shots were done and made it dinner. It's nice and light, but still hearty and satisfying, I think it checks all the boxes for a summer night on the patio. 1 can chickpeas drained, rinsed … Continue reading Mediterranean Nachos

Sour Cream Scones are getting my family (ok, maybe just me!) through what appears to be a dreary weekend. They’re a snap to put together and you can throw in whatever you want. Chocolate, berries, nuts, anything 🙂 Enjoy! Wet ingredients:1/2 cup cold milk1/2 cup sour cream1 tsp vanilla extract Dry ingredients:2 cups flour1/2 cup … Continue reading Sour Cream Scones

This is a little spin off Sena's Rum cake, which won the Mother's Day recipe contest a few months ago. I happen to love coconut, and I had a can of coconut milk languishing in my pantry. I thought I'd just up the ante on this very shareable cake and make it perfect for summer. … Continue reading Tropical Cake

These are fun and different for your dessert rotation! They're tart, tangy, buttery, and a little zing of lemon calms the grapefruit aftertaste, so you get the best of everything! I think these would look beautiful on a Mother's Day spread or for any kind of summer get-together. These Sunshine Bars will be featured in … Continue reading Sunshine Bars

We're taking a little departure from your usual summer fare here! I lurrrve me some Greek food! There was a fantastic restaurant in Greektown in Chicago that I frequented when I lived there. I remember the grilled octopus and nothing else, honestly. It tasted vaguely of charcoal and the ocean, and it was so tender … Continue reading Greek Lamb Kebabs

 These tangy, delicate little bars make an appearance for every Fry/Knievel holiday. Until recently, I was under the impression that they were my mom's recipe since she makes them for every Fry/Knievel holiday, but no! Lo and behold there was Aunt Rita's name in the Knievel cookbook. It felt like the time I figured out … Continue reading Knievel Lemon Bars

As many of you’ve found, it’s been about bloody impossible to stay out of the snacks during this “unprecedented time.” It’s been a daily struggle for me not to throw caution to the wind, and dive headfirst into multiple bags of chips, crackers, etc. I’ve been trying to keep my sanity with daily walks, etc, … Continue reading Mother’s Day Chicken Salad

Diet food that doesn't taste like diet food? Ok, sign me up! Deprivation is for the birds! Skillet Chicken Enchiladas have so many fun flavors and textures and COLORS, oh my gosh! Plus, I love the presentation of this secretly healthy dish. I happen to use a 12 inch cast iron skillet, but you could … Continue reading Skillet Chicken Enchiladas