February 2013
2 posts
Most Sweet Finishes
Way back when, I was feeling rather gutsy and decided to take myself and the tastebuds of those I love on a plunge into the Granny Smith and McIntosh jungle. After picking the perfect bundle of blushed McIntosh apples and vibrantly tasty Granny Smiths, I came home to make a festive dessert for the holiday season. Quite the adventurous challenge it was.
I boiled the succulent apple slices...
Smothered in Butternut
There is just something so soothingly comforting about a home cooked meal. Maybe its the aroma that really puts you in just the coziest of moods; you know those moods where you can’t help but put on that big comfy sweater packed in your closet or make yourself a cup of homemade hot chocolate the moment you walk in the door.
I was in hot pursuit to make something that wholesomely embraced...
November 2012
4 posts
[Full of stuffing]
I think I’ve finally found the reason why Thanksgiving is my all-around favorite holiday. Besides being cozy which signals the emergence of comfy sweater weather, good smells, family, vibrant colors.. (you get the picture) I think the main reason for my affinity is compacted into one highly-esteemed-adjective- savory. I invite you to consider.
There is something about Thanksgiving that...
[GINGER COOKIES]
Yesterday was the happiest of afternoons spent making bites of heaven, more formally known as ginger cookies. My cooking bug was inspired by the chilly weather and colorful, blanketed leafy yards. As I prepare for the holiday season, I wanted to make my first ever ginger delight that would comfortably adorn a holiday feast (not to mention, could also become the perfect roof and walls to a small...
[CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES]
Admittedly, I was inspired to make truffles by a blog I follow very closely, Cupcakes and Cashmere - I love her niche style of design and her appetite for self-expression. She is quite the example of a successful blogger to which I admire endlessly. My blog writing however, is simply powered by my love to write. Anyway, I wanted to give credit, where credit was due.
On your mark..
On to the...
['DEXTER' THEMED - RED VELVET CUPCAKES]
How spookily delightful these red velvet cupcakes were! Coated with buttercream frosting, they sealed off a winning ticket for a decorating competition I was enrolled in. I find that any celebratory occasion’s pivotal crux of importance lies in the details. Several coworkers and I got together to design our ‘area’ into a scene out of the Showtime series, ‘Dexter.’ I...
August 2012
1 post
1 tag
[CUCUMBER TUNA TARTARE]
First and foremost, I am a huge fan of tuna. On top of that, I enjoy tuna prepared in any fashion, raw, seared, niçoise, tartare.. you name it. I went to my nearest whole foods and ordered a quarter lb of sushi grade sashimi tuna. To accompany my tuna, I invited 1/2 teaspoon of diced green onions, 1/2 teaspoon of diced shallots, 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon of hot...
July 2012
6 posts
[STRAWBERRY APPLE BLUEBERRY JAM]
berry season has made its way to the midwest. we’ve been growing strawberries in our very non-elaborate garden and much to our delight the plant has flowered and presented us with ripe little strawberries. albeit, they’re not the sweetest but terrifically flavorful. that was when my wave of creativity hit me - why not make a mid-summer strawberry jam.
with a quiet 25 minute simmer...
[WHEATBERRY SALAD FROM THE GARDEN]
I’ve recently been getting into healthy grains, specifically quinoa. Today I decided to go off on a limb and try wheatberries. I assuredly can claim that I love these little bursts of grain and am filled with excitement on incorporating them into as many meals as possible. My mind imagines them working quite nicely with yogurt and fruit in the morning or complementing a lunch or dinner...
June 2012
3 posts
April 2012
1 post
2 tags
March 2012
5 posts
o's and ahh's
Donuts are a love of mine.
Like any love, I am rather particular of who receives my love.
Thus, I am partial to a simple donut – sweet with cake and hinted with a gentle cinnamon. (Of course, they are preferred warm and fresh)
Last, they must be baked. This word choice of ‘must’ does not signal an aversion to the fried donut (which I admit- I do indulge on occasion) however; the baked cake is...
November 2011
2 posts
2 tags
"mmmm" uffins
i have a number of reasons to be thankful this year.. loyal friends, a healthy family, two blissful puppies, a warm and happy home, an undeniably loving and dedicated boyfriend and much to look forward to as we celebrate the month of December by relishing the upcoming holidays. what better way to show my gratitude to those who matter most than to bake something that can say a million unspoken...
a warm welcome to chilled weather
in my opinion, some of the best recipes are homemade. a few of my closest friends and i decided that we were going to throw a potluck styled housewarming mini-party. after enjoying an evening of homemade pretzels dusted with salt and cinnamon, succulent balsamic marinated chicken, and san franciscian styled rice, i was delighted with the most heavenly dessert; cream cheese sugar cookies with cream...
October 2011
2 posts
chocolate, please!
this past week i set out on a fairly simple mission, to make something quick, easy, yet sufficiently delightful as i was traveling to new york city to pay a visit to someone very near and dear to my heart. this weather really gets you in the mood for some serious comfort food; you know the food you crave as soon as you put on your oversized, cozy sweater? or the happiness that you cant help resist...
[POPOVERS]
You know fall has arrived when you find yourself almost giddy at the gratifying anticipation of stepping on crunchy leaves and the blissful happiness granted by the innocent smell of pumpkin candles. Treat yourself to a freshly brewed hot chocolate or a caramel apple spice because nothing says “hello fall” like an autumn indulgence.
Recently, I have been feeling quite intrepid and...
September 2011
5 posts
Happy Fall, Happy Tum
Why hello internet! welcome to my beginning of fall budposts, brought to you by..me. Tonight, I write to you in my purple pillowed bed, mesmerized by the final rays of the setting sun sneaking between my bedroom curtains. I have the pleasure of introducing you to one of my favorite, healthy appetizers; Cucumber Sandwiches or as I like to refer to them: Cucumbies.
The recipe has largely been...
a pickle-y situation
I have found the solution to my pickley qualms. If you know me well, you’ll know that I have a knack for pickles. And each week I must succumb to unsuccessful cucumbers which are either too sweet, too vinegary or just don’t taste like a genuine pickle! No longer! Being the ambitious and adventurous type, I have now undertaken a project to rectify my pickle problems.
After tightly packing diced...
[HIMALAYAN PUPPY CHOW]
Pack your snow boots, your climbing tools, and some mittens because we’re heading to the Himalaya’s! This mountainous region travels beyond the sweetest rivers of melted milk chocolate, extensive peanut butter plains, and notorious powdered sugared blizzards; blanketing each and every inch in sight.
No, I’m only pulling your leg. Truthfully though, who would have thought that...
[MUCH KNEADED PRETZELS]
I can’t even begin to tell you the sense of sweet, satisfactory accomplishment I felt after I had successfully made doughy, puffy, soft pretzels. There is just an overwhelming wave of achievement that by mixing some ingredients, letting the dough rise, molding the dough, letting it rise again, and heating it up in the oven for just a few minutes.. VOILA! there you have a warm, soft pretzel!...
[ROSEMARY DRUMMETTES]
My closest friends, my maj and faj and I were all going to the Carrie Underwood concert so I figured what better way to celebrate than with a dinner party. Not to mention, it would give me the chance to get some more recipes online. Allow me to introduce, Rosemary and her Chicken Drummettes, packed with earthy, savory flavor that sends warmth straight to your core. They’re the perfect...
August 2011
2 posts
4 tags
Summery Oatmeal Raisined Cookies
I’m going to make my attempt at describing these delectably little bites o’ heaven; who knew that tasting a cloud would be so easy? These little cookies warm your soul with their sweet balance of cinnamon and lavender. I decided to tweak the original recipe to add some scrumptious flavor into the mix. Not to mention create a delicious unique creation that holds true to the expectations...
HELLO TASTE BUDS!
a blog. i realize the idea of a blog may sound rather cliche, but for me this journey is covered in the brush of undiscovered territory; some sort of an undefined necessity. like you, i am a blog-reading lover and officially decided that it’s my turn to write. i will attempt to not fail you as many other blogs have done but rather enrich your lives with ideas for recipes that will allow you...
