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 ...
quick
Sausage and Peppers with Polenta
Polenta was one of the first things I learned to make when I took an active interest in cooking, and it was basically everything I could have asked for as a college student: easy, cheesy, inexpensive, and versatile. To this day, it’s still one of my go-to recipes when I want something quick and comforting. ...
Baileys Leprechaun Chow
In elementary school, I learned that leprechauns are mischievous and elusive beings. Tasked with devising a leprechaun trap, however, I was unable to come up with anything more elaborate than a shoebox with some (chocolate) gold coins inside—in retrospect, this probably should have been an early indication that I was not cut out to be an engineer, which is what most of my family members are! Not ...
Peanut Butter Butterscotch Puppy Chow
Even before the first hints of fall appeared, I began craving all things butterscotch. Which is kind of strange, considering that butterscotch-y treats were never big in my family and I’m fairly certain I’ve never made anything with butterscotch…ever. But cravings are cravings, so I whipped up a batch of this peanut butter butterscotch puppy chow to satisfy my sweet tooth, and it certainly did the ...
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, ...
Jamaican Jerk Chicken Pasta
Ever since our trip to Puerto Rico in November, I haven’t been able to get Caribbean food off my mind. While I’d love to drop everything and jump on a plane (again), eating tropical food is the closest I can get to a(nother) tropical vacation at the moment.* Perhaps it’s because of the winter weather—while this winter has been relatively mild in Michigan, I certainly wouldn’t pass up the ...
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. ...
Mediterranean Chopped Salad
It’s always a challenge for me to put together quick, healthy dinners. I’m no good at planning a whole week’s menu and sticking to it, so when I go to the grocery store, I usually buy the ingredients for two or three specific recipes and then figure that I can create the remaining dinners from whatever happens to be on hand. ...
Mango Thai Chicken Salad with Peanut Dressing
It has been a crazy couple of weeks over here in the Cake Pants household. Final exams (both to study for and to grade), term papers to write, a wedding to attend on the opposite side of the country, a two-day professional workshop, and up next, another trip across the country for a graduation ceremony, and then a set of PhD exams at the end of the month…whew! Anyhow, it’s always difficult to plan ...