Spring has not yet sprung in Michigan, but I’m excited to be emerging from my blog hibernation at long last! A lot has happened in the three months since my most recent post. ...
Side Dishes
Copycat Trader Joe’s Cowboy Caviar
When I was deciding where to go to grad school, I found that the advice I received fell into two different camps: some people urged me to consider the location and general atmosphere of the university, while others insisted that I should only pay attention to the reputation of the program and what it had to offer academically. Ultimately, since I’m not the kind of person who can happily exist in a ...
Chickpea and Apricot Salad
This will come as a surprise to, well, approximately no one, but wow - wedding planning sure involves a lot of work! Things are slowly starting to move along, but I feel like my approach leaves a lot to be desired in the way of logic and order. ...
Mediterranean Rice Pilaf
A few weeks ago, after passing his defense and going from Mr. Cake Pants to Dr. Cake Pants, the fiancé moved to California to start a new job. One of the biggest changes for both of us (in terms of practical matters, anyway) has been making the transition to meal planning and cooking for one. Since I’m finding myself busier than ever, I’m not terribly keen on the idea of making partial recipes and ...
Cranberry Sweet Potato Quinoa
When we awoke this past Saturday morning, we found the outside world blanketed with a layer of fresh powdery whiteness. With a backdrop of swirling snowflakes, it felt like the perfect day to spend some quality time in the kitchen! Number one on the list of things to make was this colorful cranberry sweet potato quinoa ...
Barbecue Chicken Mac and Cheese
In my experience, transitions between seasons can be a little awkward, especially when it comes to choosing what to wear or what to eat. There have been both scorching afternoons and chilly evenings lately, as well as both beautifully clear skies and dreary rain clouds. My first day back in front of a class earlier this month ...
Cherry Couscous Tabbouleh
Is it fall yet? This summer has been the hottest summer I’ve experienced in Michigan (although the single hottest day I remember was, naturally, the one on which I moved into my first apartment here), and I am ready for some cooler weather. As a kid, I could tell when it was going to be a scorcher of a day whenever I saw my mom making pasta salad in the morning—that was her strategy to avoid ...
Tzatziki Potato Salad
Happy Tuesday! I’m posting today instead of yesterday because of the holiday weekend—I was so busy with other things that I didn’t have time to write a post until late last night. And I know, I know…I’m posting a recipe for potato salad the day after the Fourth of July, but in my defense, I firmly believe that potato salad ought to be enjoyed all summer long (if not all year long), rather than ...
Chipotle-Peach Three-Bean Salad
Meals right before and right after trips are generally far from ideal. Before a trip, I usually end up stuffing myself silly with various fruits and vegetables in an effort to use up all the fresh produce in the house. A dinner salad with two whole bell peppers, an apple, a crown of broccoli, and three tomatoes? Pretty typical. When I return from a trip, however, the situation is often much ...
Chipotle-Peach Quinoa Salad
We’re gearing up for summer in my household: I’m brainstorming fruity recipes and barbecue menus, the boyfriend is preparing to plant his garden, and Phoebe is busy shedding her winter coat like whoa. Unfortunately, Michigan weather has other plans, because yesterday…it snowed. ...