Roasted Fennel, Garlic & White Bean Crostini

roasted garlic, fennel & white bean dip

It’s party time people. Swanky part time. We’re talking bow ties, Louboutins, diamonds – the works. Pinkies up. At least this is where my mind wanders to when I hear words like “crostini” and “canapes”. Does this really have to be the case though? Can’t we just eat fancy, without having to be fancy? Maybe even get some elegant […]

Shepherd’s Pie

shepherd

My calendar just informed me that it’s March. Apparently this has been the case for a few days now. It also informed me that there’s this holiday coming up where we all pretend to be Irish for a day, so I guess my recent craving for shepherd’s pie worked out pretty nicely. Any dish where […]

Lemon-Mint Cake with Lemon Syrup

lemon-mint cake

I know what you’re thinking. More lemon? Yes! More lemon! I’m not even going to apologize. Sometimes I’m a little extremely obsessed with an ingredient, and right now it’s lemon. Breakfast, lunch, or dinner; sweet or savory – lemon is always welcome at my table. We went savory last time, so I figured a lemony dessert was in order. […]

Croque Madame & Photo Roundup: Valentine’s Day

croque madame

If there had to be a theme to my Valentine’s Day, I think it would be “making food for Josh that he absolutely loves and I never make for some reason.” A close runner up would be “delicious.” This man’s favorite breakfast, brunch, and lunch is a croque madame. I know this not because he’s […]

Roasted Carrot & Parsnip Soup with Lemon Ginger Cream

roasted carrot & parsnip soup with lemon ginger cream

Are you noticing a pattern yet? I love soup. And I saw a cloud in the sky yesterday for the first time in about a week, so I made some. This has to be my favorite soup genre. The “chop stuff up, roast it and blend it with some stock” kind. It works for every […]

Maple Stout Cupcakes with Candied Cayenne Bacon (aka Mancakes)

maple stout cupcakes with candied cayenne bacon

Let’s face it: guys get the short end of the stick on Valentine’s Day. For weeks leading up to February 14th, every commercial, magazine ad, and billboard is not so subtly reminding men: make this year special, show her how much you care… ’bout time to propose, isn’t it??? And if a guy forgets the holiday all together […]

Chicken & Lentil Stew

chicken & lentil stew

Sometimes your timing is just off. Like right now. The beginning of this week was all rainy and gloomy-like, causing me to dream of a thick, hearty stew. But by the time I bought the ingredients and got around to making one, I think it was about 68 degrees and sunny. Where is all this […]

Chocolate Pots de Crème

chocolate pots de crème

Can you believe I had never made pots de crème before the other day? I couldn’t either. I was forced to face this reality while flipping through the February Martha Stewart Living. After drooling over the photo in the magazine, I fondly recalled a few of these darling cups of decadence I had enjoyed in […]

Braised Kale and Cannellini Beans

braised kale & cannellini beans

Whoa, where did this day go?! I guess I got a little distracted by that amazing 49ers game (and black bean hummus, and good beer). That’s kind of how this whole week has felt, actually. I cooked this lovely little side dish on Thursday (I think?) and I’m just now sitting down to tell you […]

Spiced Cider Cocktail

spiced cider cocktail

I don’t drink cocktails too often; I’m more of a beer and wine kind of gal. However, there’s something wonderful about being handed a beautiful, seasonally appropriate cocktail as you arrive at a dinner party or holiday gathering. And if the cocktail is strong… well now we’re really getting a party started. I don’t mean […]