This penne with quick green chile marinara sauce is an old recipe, not only because I first posted it several years ago (in my pre-DSLR days) but also because it has been a family favorite for nearly as long as I can remember. In fact, when I asked my dad about the origins of the recipe (and of its obscure name, “penne al boccalone”), all he could tell me was that he found the recipe in a ...
meatless Monday
Pesto Caprese Egg Tacos + Third Blogiversary!
One of my favorite things about summer is fresh, homegrown produce. Unfortunately, I’ve got a remarkably brown thumb. I know lots of people say that, but I’ve even killed ivy…by accident. Luckily for me, the boyfriend enjoys and is good at taking care of plants, and his garden is thriving this summer. The most abundant crops so far are tomatoes and basil, which led me to the idea for this quick ...
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. ...
Roasted Broccoli Couscous
I’ve always admired (and kind of resented) those people who genuinely love eating their greens. I’ll eat my greens, but I’m not exactly enthusiastic about them…unless it’s broccoli. I ate a lot of stir-fried or steamed broccoli as a kid and liked it well enough, but then sometime in the last few years, I “discovered” roasted broccoli and fell head over heels in love with it. There aren’t many ...
Creamy Pesto Gnocchi with Vegetables
We really lucked out this past weekend in Michigan, with temperatures in the 70s and low humidity. It was the first truly beautiful weather we’ve had this year—the kind of weather that can (at least temporarily) melt away your stress as soon as you step outside and let the sunshine wash over your skin. The recipe I’m sharing today, creamy pesto gnocchi, is well-suited for spring days like these, ...
Caprese Quinoa Salad with Sun-Dried Tomato Vinaigrette
This past week, the boyfriend and I have been visiting his family in Arizona, where the temperatures have been akin to what Michigan experiences during the summer, but without the attendant humidity. Even though we had a mercifully moderate winter (after one winter with record-setting amounts of snow and another winter with record-setting cold), I’m already looking forward to warmer weather, and ...
Roasted Red Pepper and Hazelnut Pesto
Okay, enough is enough: I’ve been stalling on sharing this recipe with you, because I simply could not describe this roasted red pepper and hazelnut pesto in such a way as to do it justice. I mean, if I just told you, “It’s really good and you should try it,” would you be convinced? Probably not. (If, however, you are convinced by that alone, you are wonderful and I love you for trusting me so ...
Wild Rice and Sweet Potato Salad
After several weeks of plying you (and myself) with holiday treats, I figured we could all use some extra greens. I know, I know…most people don’t want to hear about salads until January, when the cold reality of New Year’s resolutions sinks in, but hear me out, because this wild rice and sweet potato salad is about as cheerful and celebratory as they come! ...
One-Pot Pumpkin Ale Mac and Cheese
Once upon a time, I had oodles of time to cook well-planned, lovingly-prepared meals several nights a week. Or that’s how I remember it, at any rate. I’m no longer even sure when (or if) these culinary golden days took place. Maybe during my senior year of college? Maybe during the summer months of grad school when classes weren’t in session? The details are hazy. ...
Moroccan Apricot Couscous
Do you ever find yourself in a side-dish dilemma? I bet you know what I'm talking about: dinnertime is drawing near, you’ve got the main dish covered, but you still need something more to complete the meal. I often find myself in this predicament. While there’s no shame in plunking down a few random veggies or a dinner roll and calling it a side, these last-minute additions can sometimes feel ...