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

Is there anything more perfect for Easter than a beautiful, show-stopping ham? Methinks not. I love how this dish is so hands-off! Show-stopping and easy?? I'm all ears! (Hahah bunny reference there!) You will need: 1 9-12 lb spiral-cut pre-cooked ham 1 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup honey 3 TBS stone ground or spicy mustard … Continue reading Pecan Glazed Ham

I love these spicy little guys! They've got the whole shebang, literally! Spice, crunch, sweetness, and bite. They're the perfect size too, I like putting the chicken on a slider bun so the chicken drapes out the sides. Side note: is food draping a thing? Add some pickles, and stick a fork in me, I'm … Continue reading Nashville Chicken Sliders

Sometimes the best recipes are the simplest, no? You don't get much more simple than these home fries. I love to add in the sweet potato for some beautiful color and flavor. You will need: 3 medium brown potatoes 1 peeled medium sweet potato 3 TBS olive oil 1 tsp salt 1/2 tsp pepper 1 … Continue reading Perfect Home Fries

So much to love, so much to love...Chocolate (duh), spice (surprise!) and beer? This cake surprises me at every turn! I love any baked good that includes sour cream, because you know you're in for a moist, decadent treat! Give this a try, swap in root beer if you're not a beer person, but either … Continue reading Chocolate Pub Cake

Nothing makes me feel more French (sometimes I DO want to feel French, don't you? Oui? Non?) than a classic Croque Monsieur. The bechamel sauce that elevates this humble ham and cheese is a cinch to make, and you've probably already got the ingredients on hand. You can swap out the fontina and gruyere for … Continue reading Croque Monsieur

Madeleines are beautiful “squat, plump little cakes"immortalized by Marcel Proust, and loved by generations. I like to think of them as French biscotti in a sense because they are purrrfect with coffee. Since I baked bunches of them for “French Cafe at Home,” I’ve had a surplus of madeleines on hand, and no lie, I … Continue reading Chocolate Pistachio Madeleines

There is something so extra about French Onion Soup. Is it the crusty bread, soaking in all the savory broth? Is it the rich, melty cheese ostentatiously melting over the sides? I think at it's core, it is the onions. There is no rushing that beautiful, golden brown color and silky texture. They must take … Continue reading French Onion Soup

This has definitely become a family favorite. Scott just lurrrrves this soup. And so do I! It's the perfect thing for a cold weekend, you can save time by using frozen cubed potatoes if you don't want to peel and dice your own. I've saved myself that step many a time. You will need: 6 … Continue reading Bacon Cheeseburger Soup

Nothing makes me feel so accomplished as making my own bread. If I can do bread, I can do anything! World peace, calculus, space engineering...It just takes a little more time, but warm bread out of the oven is so very satisfying. 2 1/2 cups AP flour 1/4 cup olive oil, plus more for drizzling … Continue reading Classic Focaccia Bread

In case you were wondering, "con" means "with" in Italian. As in "accelerando con moto" means "accelerate with motion" (going back to my music major days!). I digress and I'm trying to impress you with my Italian. Now if you're a busy mum, I know I am, I just swap in some frozen Italian meatballs … Continue reading Italian Wedding Soup con Homemade Meatballs

1 lb ground beef1 lb cooked ham2 eggs1 cup diced onion1 cup of crushed graham crackersa few dashes Worchestershire 1 TBS mustardsalt and pepper to taste The sauce:  1 cup ketchup1 TBS mustard1 cup orange juice or pineapple juice1 cup brown sugar Mix the first 8 ingedients in a very large bowl and form into balls. … Continue reading KBRX Hamballs

Is it even a holiday without green bean casserole? This version is much more flavorful than the traditional soup-from-a-can kind. Bacon is the base for the sauce, and then adding garlic?? Mmmmmhmmmm. It is a leeeeetle bit last minute, so what I like to do is cover the whole platter up with foil and leave … Continue reading Green Beans with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Growing up, my mom would always make popcorn balls for Halloween. We’d get out the corn syrup, the food coloring, the cellophane, and since we would know all the trick or treaters that would stop by, homemade treats were acceptable. Since Halloween has become a dress rehearsal for Christmas, (it's an all day marathon with … Continue reading Old-Fashioned Popcorn Balls

Sometimes you just need a new spin on an old classic, no? Funny Face Pizza Sticks are a great way for kids to play with their food. They still get all the flavors of pizza, just presented in a new way. I fixed this easy, kid-friendly snack-a-roo for Santa’s little helpers, and served it up … Continue reading Funny Face Pizza Sticks

So pretty, so rustic, you'll be so glad you gave this a try! It's a hearty, satisfying breakfast. Flakey crust enveloping delicious sausage, creamy potatoes and the whole eggs resting on top? I'm dead! You will need: 12-16 oz breakfast sausage (such as Jimmy Dean's) 2 medium red potatoes diced to bite size pieces 1/2 … Continue reading Potato Sausage Galette