Rhubarb Muffins with Cardamom Crunch Topping

Rhubarb Muffins with Cardamom Crunch Topping

The awakening of Spring 2013 was the slowest one ever. In a "normal" year, by the time the calendar was flipped to May, we would have already been enjoying lilacs in bloom. The yard's dreary winter residue would have been raked clean, and the garden turned over, waiting for seeds to be sewn. And we would have already been enjoying a few hearty stalks of rhubarb.... In my attempt to try to keep up with the calendar of fresh spring produce that my mind is accustomed to, I succumbed to the fact … [Continue reading...]

Espresso Brownies with Peanut Butter Marshmallow Frosting

Espresso Brownies with Peanut Butter Marshmallow Frosting

Give me a dark and decadent brownie, and all my problems are solved. Brownies are my go-to. My constant craving. My  chocolate saviour. A couple months ago, I made some brownies with a thick layer of irresistible mocha buttercream, and shared them with my sister’s family and their friends who were visiting from out of [...]

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Shandy Braised Chicken with Mushrooms and Green Olives

Shandy Dandy Braised Chicken with Mushrooms and Green Olives

It never fails. Every time my family walks in the door, home from school and work, and our “big red pot” is in the oven…they all come sniffing their way to the kitchen, wondering what smells so awesome. That gorgeous piece of hardworking Le Creuset definitely has a higher calling than most kitchen pieces, cranking [...]

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Turkey Taco Bowls with Cilantro Lime Rice

Turkey Taco Bowls with Cilantro Lime Rice

My family is in love with Turkey Taco Night. It always brings “yays” and “hoorays”…and for Tessa, a little dancing and singing, too! Turkey Taco Night is never served the same way twice around here. Sometimes all the ingredients are wrapped up in flour tortillas, and other times hard corn shells (Blake’s favorite) serve as [...]

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Coconut Scones with Dark Chocolate Chunks

Coconut Scones with Dark Chocolate Chunks

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, Mom was definitely on my mind with this recipe. She was the flavor inspiration for these Coconut Scones with Dark Chocolate Chunks. Give her anything with that coconut and chocolate combo, and she’s a happy girl! I also know how much she just plain loves any scones that [...]

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Israeli Couscous with Mushrooms, Shallots, and Asparagus

Israeli Couscous with Mushrooms, Shallots, and Asparagus

Spring is on it’s way. Right?! Here in the Midwest, it’s been one crazy slow thaw. Just a few mornings ago, on April 23rd, we woke up to this… Yes, after getting a dusting of snow each day over the past week, we awoke to a new 6″ layer of fresh white stuff. Our local [...]

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Lemon Baby Cakes with Fresh Raspberry Buttercream

Lemon Baby Cakes with Fresh Raspberry Buttercream

We have quite alot to celebrate here today. At the the tippy-top of the list is the birthday of our youngest, Tessa. She is sweetness. She is sparkle. She is pure joy. And today she turns six. Until Tessa grows into the job of her dreams of being a real cowgirl, she is making do [...]

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Honey and Chipotle Vinaigrette

Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette

It’s so easy to not make your own salad dressings and vinaigrettes. Just pick up a bottle from one of the too many choices at the store. Done. But…when I do take the time to mix up my own for a fresh salad…wow, it’s just so fantastic! This recipe for Honey and Chipotle Vinaigrette comes from [...]

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A Simple {yet special} Cup of Coffee

A Simple {yet special} Cup of Coffee

I’ve been doing my best to resist a second piece of coffee making equipment for our kitchen counter, as we just don’t have that much space in our small kitchen. My husband’s “less is more” theory has rubbed off on me over the years, definitely, and I’ve been successful in telling myself that our ol’ [...]

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Homemade {Green} Taco Seasoning

Homemade {Green} Taco Seasoning

I must confess, I’ve never really been a fan of traditional {red} taco spice mixes. I have yet to find a packet at the store that wows me, so I usually end up just winging it when I make tacos, adding a bit of this and a pinch of that. Our spice drawers are stocked pretty [...]

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Water Flavored with Fruits, Veggies, and Herbs

water flavored with fruits, veggies, and herbs

I learned a very important lesson about my body back in 2002, when I was 7 months pregnant with our first daughter. Blake and I had just returned from a long weekend in Las Vegas to attend the wedding of some close friends. We had walked many, many miles and ate as many meals as [...]

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Creamy Homemade Ricotta with Honey and Herbs

creamy homemade ricotta with honey and herbs

From the moment I first walked through the door at Black Sheep Pizza (St. Paul) a couple months ago, when that better-than-the-usual smell of pizza first intoxicated me, I knew this place was going to turn into a tradition. Nestled down a few steps from street level and so unassuming, the room was extremely simple, [...]

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