After I graduated from college, life got a whole lot busier. While I still loved to cook, I found that I simply didn’t have time to whip up a whole meal every night or even every other night, as I typically did during undergrad. I eventually settled into a routine of cooking one or two big meals (like a tuna noodle casserole or a pound of spicy peanut noodles) over the weekend and then ...
cheese
Broccoli Cheese Quinoa Patties
St. Patrick’s Day is tomorrow, and today I am bringing you something that is…not even remotely Irish. #foodbloggerfail, I know. I wanted to make something to share with you in honor of St. Patrick’s Day like I did last year, but planning that far in advance is just not my strong suit lately. Just know that I WILL be wearing green (mint green counts, right?!) and eating potatoes and plenty of Irish ...
Hawaiian Pizza Gnocchi
My university is on break this week. Most people I know seem to be fleeing Michigan for warmer places, but since I’m staying in town, I’m leaving it up to my food to transport me (mentally) to balmy, faraway destinations. Last week I shared a tropical version of carrot cake with you, so we’re all set on the dessert front (which is, incidentally, how my family often works – make dessert first ...
Hamburger Helper Copycat Pasta
This recipe came about not so much as an accident but as an act of frugality and conservation. A few years ago when I was moving to Michigan, I was trying to ensure that as little as possible went to waste, so after I had packed up everything I could for the movers to take and given away to friends whatever they could use, I was left with a rather random assortment of things and food items. ...
Cheesy Texas Hash
Texas hash made a fairly regular appearance at my family’s dinner table while I was growing up, but for some reason, it was never really my favorite. I liked each of the individual ingredients well enough (rice, tomatoes, onions, ground beef/turkey, and even green pepper, which I realized only recently a lot of people loathe), but it always ranked below other casseroles like macaroni and cheese or ...
Pepper Jack Mac Cups
Mac and cheese is one of those dishes that need very little introduction. It’s a classic, yet the variations are endless. In this version, Greek yogurt brings in some tanginess and added protein, and pepper jack cheese introduces an element of heat – this is actually my favorite way to use pepper jack! In my family, we typically have macaroni and cheese as an entrée, but it’s a ...
Hash Brown Breakfast Pizza
Potatoes are one of my favorite foods. In fact, my go-to breakfast order at my favorite local diner is called “The Potato Lover”: just a plate full of hash browns with a smorgasbord of toppings! I know. It’s kind of weird. But hey – if it’s on the menu, then other people must order it too, so that means I’m not the only weird one! Or that’s what I like to tell myself, at any rate. ...
Herbed Pasta with Roasted Zucchini and Potatoes
Happy Friday! I made us some pasta. More specifically, I made us some herbed pasta with roasted zucchini and potatoes! I'm not entirely sure what it is about this pasta, but it strikes me as distinctly summery pasta…it could be the corn and zucchini (the power couple of summer vegetables, if you ask me), it could be the sweetly fragrant basil, or heck, it could just be the fact that it’s simple ...
Mexican Cotija Corn
Since I’m feeling a little lazy today, I’m bringing you a recipe for a really simple yet lip-smackingly yummy side dish, Mexican cotija corn. Having a ready supply of fresh, sweet corn is one of the perks of living in the Midwest, and I’m excited to make good use of it this summer! ...
5-Ingredient Animal-Style Skillet Potatoes
You miiiight be asking yourself, "What does 'animal-style' mean, and what does it have to do with potatoes?!" If this is the case, you are probably not from California (or the Southwest), so I'll explain. Animal-style skillet potatoes are diced potatoes cooked with some Thousand Island dressing and topped with cheese and caramelized onions - a dish inspired by In-N-Out Burger's (in)famous ...