December 17, 2015

Peppermint white hot chocolate

Glass of peppermint while hot chocolate.

My posts have been a little sparse this month, and also very short on the usual Christmas cookies and other holiday treats! That's because we are in the process of moving! So, the majority of the kitchen stuff except for what we absolutely need has been packed away. I expect it will be a couple weeks before we get into our new house and settled and I get back into a normal cooking routine. We are moving from a rental into our first house, so we are super happy! But, not having all of my kitchen stuff and props at hand has been a little difficult for me.... Plus, we have NO Christmas tree or any Christmas decorations out. We are really missing our tree this year. Between that and the warm weather, it's not feeling like the holidays at all to me! But, we are so excited to move into our new house. So, after a long day of packing I whipped us up some of this white hot chocolate with a bit of peppermint flavor to help get us into the Christmas spirit. This recipe will make two servings. 


Crushed candy canes on tip of a mug of peppermint white hot chocolate.

December 11, 2015

Eggnog pudding pie

Finished eggnog pudding pie.

A cool and creamy eggnog pie is perfect for a holiday time dessert for the eggnog fans out there.

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I think this will be my last pie post of 2015.... meaning that I only made it to 15 pies, not my goal of 25. It was a lofty goal to be sure, but for whatever reason I thought I'd be able to do it! But, 15 is still a respectable amount and I'll be continuing to post pies in the future, of course. 

My pie making (and crust making) skills have definitely improved through the year. Eggnog pie was high on my list for the holidyas. We always enjoy eggnog, and putting it in a pie seemed like a great idea to me! 

This pie is super easy because it uses a pudding mix in the filling. While I often make the filling all from scratch, this time of year I'm a big fan of some help and shortcuts in the kitchen

This recipe uses a homemade graham cracker crust, but you can use a store bought one to save more time if you prefer. 

So if you and your family enjoy eggnog, this is a nice holiday dessert for you!

Eggnog pudding pie with a slice cut out.

December 7, 2015

Chicken, gnocchi, and spinach soup


We aren't having a very cold December here in the Buffalo area, if you can believe it. In fact, we haven't even had a measurable snow fall yet! It's crazy and we've actually broken a record for the latest measurable snow fall. It's been in the 40s and 50s, which is unheard of in December if Buffalo. It doesn't feel like the holidays at all. But, that doesn't stop me from making and consuming cozy warming soups. It's high soup season in my kitchen

Now, as I'm sure I've mentioned before, my husband isn't always a huge soup fan. It's gotta be a really hearty soup for him to feel like it's a full meal. This soup definitely fits that bill because it's full of vegetables, chicken, and little gnocchi pillows - it's a complete meal with a thick and creamy broth. A hearty bread is never a bad idea to sop all the leftover broth at the end! This soup will serve about four people. It's perfect for a wintery evening or afternoon. 


December 2, 2015

Shoofly pie

Finished shoofly pie in a glass pie plate.

Shoofly pie is a rich molasses pie with a crumb topping and spices. It makes a unique addition to your Thanksgiving and winter holiday dessert tables. 

November 27, 2015

Peanut butter cup bars

Finished peanut butter cup bars.

Need a quick and easy dessert that is also sure to be a crowd pleaser? Then look no further than these Peanut Butter Cup Bars! There are recipes for these bars all over the internet, so I'm not creating anything new here (but I also don't know where they originated from either). I do know that they were something I waited too long to make and that they are good enough that all of you should know about them too if you don't already! They really taste a lot like everyone's favorite peanut butter cup candies, but in a simple bar form. I made these to take to my brother's house warming party and they were a hit. Plus -- there's no baking involved! They will also be perfect for when you need a quick treat to take to a holiday gathering or potluck.

Peanut butter cup bars on a cutting board.

November 23, 2015

Winter squash dinner rolls

Pan of baked winter squash dinner rolls.

I'm behind this year.... It's week 3 of 12 Weeks of Winter Squash, one of my favorite food blogger events... But I missed the first two weeks this time. This year our event is hosted by LeAndra at Love & Flour. Last year I actually made a recipe for each of the 12 weeks! It was a goal of mine since we had so many winter squash and many varieties. I think this is my third year participating in this event and I'm going to try to hit as many weeks as I can. You'd think I'd run out of new ways to use winter squash, but it hasn't happened yet!

This recipe infuses winter squash puree into light and fluffy dinner rolls. There's still time to add these to your Thanksgiving dinner menu. They make a perfect bread to accompany your meal with their light orange color. They don't taste overwhelmingly of squash, especially with the bit of whole wheat flour, but you can detect it. Keep this recipe around to go with your soups and chilis as well all through the winter. I used butternut squash puree, but pumpkin, acorn, kabocha, or any thick winter squash puree will work. This recipe will make about 9 dinner rolls, depending on how much flour your dough takes up.

Winter squash dinner rolls on a cutting board with one sliced open.

November 9, 2015

Cranberry apple pie

Slice of cranberry apple pie.

Thanksgiving is coming and that means it's time for PIE. Well, here it's pretty much always time for pie, but Thanksgiving is the official pie holiday.

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Each year I like to make a new pie along with the standby of Old-fashioned Pumpkin Pie. Concord Grape Tart has pretty much become a standby now since I first introduced it to my family a few years ago. Others we love for Thanksgiving are Maple Pecan Pie, Honey Walnut Pie, Sweet Potato Pie, and Chocolate Cream Pie

This year I wanted to try a pie with cranberry. I really love cranberries and am striving to incorporate them into more dishes through their season other than just cranberry sauce (which I love by the way). We still had some apples left in the crisper from apple picking so I though I'd try combining the two into a pie that is perfect for your Thanksgiving dinner.

I enjoyed this pie a lot because it was sweet, but not cloying sweet - the tartness from the cranberries was a lovely compliment to the pie. 

It's also a pie that's perfect to be served with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream on top, or a good dollop of whipped cream. 

Finished cranberry apple pie.

November 6, 2015

Pickled quince

Jar of pickled quince.

Do you have quince growing in your region? We can find it here in Western New York from a couple local farms in the fall and occasionally in the grocery stores in the fall and winter. They are a very hard fruit that needs to be cooked before eating. 

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A few years ago my husband and I discovered this old Bing Crosby Christmas song "Christmas Dinner Country Style" (if you've never heard it, check it out - it's great) on a holiday album we bought. I absolutely love the song, and then became kind of obsessed with the idea of pickled quince at a holiday table. Lucky for me I have a copy of Ripe and it contains a whole section on quinces and also a recipe for pickles. 

I actually made these pickles last year at this time, but ran out of time to post them before quince season was over.... so I saved them until now. Now is the perfect time to scout out some quince and make a batch of pickles to serve along with your holiday roast, turkey, or ham. 

These pickles offer a unique and lovely compliment to roasted meats - sharp, sweet, tart, and delicious. They will keep in the refrigerator for several weeks and indeed I'd recommend making them at least one week ahead of when you want to eat them so they become extra flavorful.

Finished jar of pickled quince.

November 2, 2015

Bacon cheeseburger pie

Plate with a slice of bacon cheeseburger pie and pickle slices.

Oh my, Bacon Cheeseburger Pie is now in my life and it's left me wondering where it's been all these years. 

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At first, I was skeptical of this idea... But, you see, since I'm trying to work my way through 25 Pies in 2015 (not going to make it to 25, folks) and found myself with a block of Yancey's Fancy Grilled Bacon Cheeseburger Cheese, I had to give it a go! I first saw a recipe for a cheeseburger pie here and have been thinking on this idea for a while now..... We loved it! 

I mean, we truly could not get enough of this tasty pie when we had it for dinner and I totally looked forward to my lunch leftovers the next day. It tasted a lot like a cheeseburger, especially with the dill pickles on the side. Don't forget the pickles, they are very important! My husband kinda swooned over this pie a bit.

I think next time I will serve it with a salad of iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and Thousand Island dressing to keep the burger feel going. This recipe will serve about 6 people (or more, especially with a nice salad, or less if you love it as much as us).

Finished baked back cheeseburger pie.

October 22, 2015

Apple fritters

Glazed apple fritters on parchment paper.

Apple fritters have long been one of my favorite doughnuts (just behind the peanut stick really). I will admit though that we rarely eat doughnuts and through my whole life they were more of a treat than a regular thing (and that's probably a good thing and how it should be). In my quest to try and make more apple recipes though, fritters have been on that list for a while now. Now I can happily check them off! Apple picking always inspires me to use apples in new ways each autumn. Golden fritters that are crisp on the outside and soft on the inside and filled with fresh apple chunks, apple cider, spices, and then topped with an apple cider-spiced glaze. I mean, come on! Who can resist??!! I made these fritters on a Sunday night to eat while we watched some Halloween specials. They were a perfect treat with a cup of decaf coffee!

Apples on an apple tree.

I slightly adapted these from a recipe I found over at The Pajama Chef. I made a few minor changes and my batch ended up making 10 fritters. One big change I made was cutting back on the glaze -- I think there was still more than enough. Apple fritters aren't the most pretty thing to look at or photograph, but they are super tasty!! These fritters are best enjoyed on the first day. Leftovers can be kept in an airtight container, but they won't be as crisp the next day. 

Inside of an apple fritter.

October 19, 2015

Mulligatawny soup


Mulligatawny soup is something I've been intrigued about since the Soup Nazi episode of Seinfeld many years ago. I recently decided it was time to do a little research and give this intriguing sounding soup a try. I learned that Mulligatawny is an English soup based on an Indian soup. I read a lot of recipes and not one was the same... some used chicken, some used lentils, some used cream, some used coconut milk... but a lot of the basics were the same - onions, carrots, celery, apples, curry powder, bay, and something creamy. 

The soup turned our terrific. My only complaint is that it was terrible to photograph. All the apples floated to the top and all the other stuff fell to the bottom. So, it just looks like a curry broth of apples! But trust me, there are a lot of other goodies hiding and swimming below the rich curried broth. This is a soup absolutely fit for a chilly fall or winter evening. It will serve about four people.

October 5, 2015

Chocolate chip pumpkin cookies

Platter of chocolate chip pumpkin cookies with half semi-sweet chocolate and half white chocolate.

Well it's now officially fall for me because we have gone apple picking. Apple picking at Lynoaken Farms has become an early October tradition since my husband and I got married. We go with a bunch of family members from both sides of our family and it's always a good time. Another part of this tradition is that I always bring a post-picking treat for everyone. This year I went with these chocolate chip pumpkin cookies. I was inspired by a recipe from the amazing Sally of Sally's Baking Addiction for these cookies. I only changed it up a little. I doubled the below recipe and put semi-sweet chocolate chips in one batch and white chocolate chips in the other batch. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed the ones with the white chocolate in them. They really complimented the pumpkin flavor and didn't overwhelm it. Even my mom who was resistant to try those claiming she didn't like white chocolate, also agreed after reluctantly giving one a try (and then a couple more). Don't get me wrong, the semi-sweet chocolate ones were also delicious, but I highly recommend giving the white chocolate a try.

I love the tip from Sally to press in a few extra chips into the top of cookies after taking them out of the oven. It really makes them look a lot prettier! I've made them a couple times now and they are best enjoyed a day after they are baked so that the pumpkin and spice flavors really come through. This recipe will make about 2 dozen cookies.

Chocolate chip pumpkin cookies on a platter.

September 29, 2015

White cheddar cauliflower gratin

Baking dish of white cheddar cauliflower gratin.

A creamy white cheddar sauce makes this cauliflower gratin an irresistible side dish. It's baked with some breadcrumbs until golden and bubbly and is perfect for serving along with chicken, pork, steak, and more.

September 15, 2015

Pumpkin streusel muffins

Bowl of pumpkin streusel muffins.

Pumpkin muffins topped with a sweet, buttery streusel make a delicious autumn time snack or breakfast.

September 9, 2015

Chorizo and rice stuffed peppers with spiced tomato sauce

Baking dish of Chorizo and rice stuffed peppers with a spiced tomato sauce.

This is my kicked-up twist on classic stuffed peppers taking stuffed peppers to a whole new level of yumminess.

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A homemade spiced tomato sauce makes the base of the dish and sweet peppers stuffed with chorizo sausage, rice, scallions, and cilantro are nestled in the sauce and topped with cheese. Yum! 

These peppers are a meal to make now as we are still getting tomatoes and peppers from our gardens, but are starting to get into fall and seeking some more comfort food. It's one of those late summer/early autumn transition dishes. I, for one, am really looking forward to fall - my most favorite season. 

I love this time of year when you are in the midst of peak harvest season and surrounded by fresh produce. It's time for me to get canning!

We really enjoyed these peppers a lot. If you want a spicier version, try using poblano peppers instead of sweet peppers - this was my original intention when I was thinking of this dish; however, they didn't have any at the market that day but did have these really lovely red peppers. This dish will feed 3-4 people.

Serving plate with a chorizo and rice stuffed pepper.

August 11, 2015

Green bean and red potato salad

Bowl of green bean and red potato salad.

Summer green beans and baby red potatoes come together in this light and delicious salad. It's perfect for a cookout, picnic, or summer dinner side dish. 

August 3, 2015

Sweet corn chowder


Is everyone enjoying lots of sweet corn right now?!? I was happy to see sweet corn arrived to the farmers' market recently. It's a sure sign that you are at the peak of summer and I think it's something most people look forward to each year. We love to eat sweet corn on its own with some butter and salt, but I also like to make a batch of corn chowder. Surprisingly, I haven't posted my corn chowder recipe on here yet, so it gave me the perfect opportunity to use this fun corn soup bowl. Corn chowder really highlights the sweetness of corn. It's simple in flavors and ingredients to let the corn shine.

This recipe will make enough for about four servings as a main dish. We had our soup for dinner with some garlic bread. It was delicious! It also makes a nice lunch (we will be taking the leftovers to work).


July 25, 2015

Salmon patties with lemon-dill sauce

Salmon patties on a plate with salad and lemon dill sauce.

Some people hear the words "salmon patties" and immediately cringe, but I promise, these salmon patties are light, flavorful, and very tasty! 

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I really love these little patties. Just throw together a salad for the side and you have a really nice and easy summer dinner or lunch. You can change-up the flavorings, but I like the lemon and dill the best. It really compliments the fish and also the sauce doubles and a dressing for your salad.

Finished salmon patties.

July 15, 2015

Zucchini garlic Alfredo pizza

Zucchini garlic alfredo pizza on a pizza stone.

Garlic Alfredo sauce, cheese, zucchini, and fresh oregano all come together on this delicious summer time pizza.

July 4, 2015

Grandpa's hot dog sauce

Finished hot dogs on a plate topped with hot dog sauce.

A meaty and hearty chili sauce is a delicious way to top your summer hot dogs. This recipe is a family favorite and one we look forward to each year.

June 24, 2015

Fresh strawberry pie

Fresh Strawberry Pie with a slice on a plate.
 
Strawberry season is the perfect time to make this fresh strawberry pie! It's such a delicious dessert that really highlights the flavor of ripe summer strawberries.

June 19, 2015

Garlic scape and olive oil cheese pizza

Garlic scape and olive oil cheese pizza cut into pieces.

Garlic scapes are in season and they make the most delicious and colorful garlicky pizza sauce. Grab some at the farmers' market if you can and make this pizza for the garlic lovers out there.

June 12, 2015

Creamy poppy seed dressing


Salad season is upon us! Lots of lettuces and other greens are growing. Chances are if you belong to a CSA, have a garden, or are visiting the farmers' markets, you are experiencing the plentiful greens and other salad fixins. During this time of year, we try to have a dinner salad one night a week, and then for lunch a couple of times. When we have side salads with our meals, our dressing tends to be on the boring side -- just vinegar and extra virgin olive oil for the most part. But, when I make a main course salad, I like to make a tasty homemade dressing to compliment the ingredients. Sweet and creamy poppy seed dressing has always been a favorite of mine, so I figured I was long-past due to make it at home.

I served this dressing with a salad of spinach, green leaf lettuce, strawberries, red onion, feta, and grilled chicken breasts. It went very nicely with the flavors of that salad. The recipe makes about 3/4 cup of dressing and it was just enough for two large dinner salads and two smaller lunch salads the next day. 

June 1, 2015

Strawberry-rhubarb crisp tart

Finished strawberry rhubarb crisp tart.

Strawberries and rhubarb some together in a tart with an crumbly crisp topping. 

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I found some rhubarb at the farmers' market this past weekend and it inspired me to make a dessert. It's a tart/crisp/pie combination that I modeled from this apple crisp pie

This tart was a lovely early summer treat that combined two of my favorites - strawberry + rhubarb - making it burst with sweet-tart freshness. Topped with vanilla ice cream while still a touch warm from the oven, it makes a perfect ending to any meal.

Top view of finished strawberry rhubarb crisp tart.

April 28, 2015

Smoked white fish chowder


Spring has been slow to get started here this year. In fact, it's still be rather chilly most days. I've yet to retire my jackets and sweaters and heavier jammies and it's almost May. On a chilly and damp day, a thick, creamy, and hearty chowder with a side of buttery bread is a perfect meal to me. This chowder uses a firm smoked white fish for the protein and it's paired with lots of vegetables and a creamy broth. Capers and a dash of hot sauce help add that extra something to really bring this chowder together.

This soup will serve about four people, especially with a side of crusty bread. I made a spelt sourdough to go with our chowder and it was a perfect companion for sopping up all the leftover broth. I'm working on perfecting my sourdough skills and will probably begin sharing more recipes using sourdough starter in the near future. You should be able to find smoked white fish in most larger grocery stores near the meat and deli section (probably near the smoked salmon). 


April 22, 2015

Strawberry sour cream-poppy seed pancakes

Stack of strawberry sour cream poppy seed pancakes.

Strawberry sour cream poppy seed pancakes are a delicious way to brighten up your weekend breakfast. 

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These pancakes contain sour cream and then I topped with a bit more. Having a bit of savory contrast is the perfect way to have a pancake to me - otherwise they can be just too sweet for my liking, especially after you throw in the maple syrup. Bacon also helps with this. Or sausage. I'm not picky.

These pancakes will feed about 2-3 people depending on hunger level.

Plate of strawberry sour cream poppy seed pancakes topped with sour cream and strawberries.

April 3, 2015

Silky peanut butter pie

Finished peanut butter pie.

This pie is sure to please everyone at your next gathering or dinner party. Smooth, creamy peanut butter whipped together with cream cheese and whipped cream in a shell of chocolate cookies - I mean, who could resist?? 

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Peanut butter + chocolate is a favorite combination of mine (as I bet many of you) so I knew when I finally got around to making a peanut butter pie during 25 Pies of 2015 that it would be in a chocolate crust. 

We had this pie when my in-laws were over for dinner and then had the leftovers the next night with my mom. It was a big hit with everyone; so much so that I never had the opportunity to get a photo of a slice. We were all too busy eating it! It's okay though - just trust me when I say you won't be disappointed by this rich, delicious pie.

Close up of the top of a finished peanut butter pie.


March 24, 2015

Old-fashioned chocolate cream pie

Top of a finished old-fashioned chocolate cream pie.

A smooth, rich, creamy, and delicious chocolate pie topping with homemade whipped cream and mini chocolate chips makes for a perfect old-fashioned dessert. 

March 18, 2015

Thick and chewy pan pizza

Pan pizza in a cast iron skillet.

A thick and chewy pan pizza made in a cast iron skillet is a delicious way to change-up your regular pizza nights.

March 3, 2015

Chorizo and potato tacos

Plate of chorizo and potato tacos.

Slightly spiced sausage and potatoes are cooked together with garlic, smoked paprika, and a touch of cayenne and then topped with all sorts complimentary toppings. 

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Tacos. Need I say more? Doesn't everyone love taco night? I know it's always been one of my favorite dinners. And while we love a good regular beef taco, we also love to try new taco fillings.

I don't really remember when we first starting making these chorizo and potato tacos, but ever since we first tried them they've remained a favorite in our home.

This recipe is for about 8 tacos, but it's quite simple to double it for more people. This is the amount I make for just me husband and I. 

The toppings below are some of my favorites for these tacos, but others like shredded green cabbage and avocados are also a perfect choice.

Serving plate of chorizo and potato tacos.