I first made this dish about a year ago. I know that, because it was right around the start of this blog. It was supposed to make it onto the blog, but somehow that didn't happen. I even photographed it. It's a shame that I deleted those pictures, because it would be fun to show you how my photography has changed over the years. Anyway, let's talk peas. Whenever I see that cliqued up picture of a dinner plate with the heap of super boring peas on the side, I get kind of sad. Peas have such a negative, or at very least boring reputation. But they don't have to be either of those! I've come up with a number of fun ways to cook peas, but this one is by far my favorite. It's super easy to whip … [Read more...]
Chocolate Cupcakes and a First Blogiversary Giveaway
Giveaway Closed! See here for the winner I've been thinking about today a lot, but I can't believe it actually came. It was one year ago that I published my first ever recipe. I know that most bloggers follow up on that statement with "I am so embarrassed of that post" or "I can't believe how far I have come since then!" or "it was totally on a whim that I started my blog!" But I am not going to say any of that. Sure, I think I have come pretty far since I wrote and photographed that recipe, but I am proud of that post, just as I am proud of every post I have up on this blog. This blog wasn't started on a whim, it was the result of weeks of planning … [Read more...]
Homemade Strawberry Lemonade
You know how they say that some of the world's best discoveries have come about through accidents? Well, I wouldn't quite equate this with turning moldy bread into penicillin, but it was a pretty lucky- and awesome- discovery. It started on a day like today, when it felt like it was a million degrees outside, but in actuality, it was only about a hundred. Either way, it was the kind of day that makes you want a tall glass filled with ice- and some refreshing drink poured over it. I walked into the house, grabbed a glass, and discovered that there was no ice in the freezer. Oh, the horror. After searching the freezer and determining that there were, indeed, no ice cubes, I started to look … [Read more...]
Mini Quinoa Pizzas
You know what the problem is with typing up blog posts when you are rushed and tired? You forget some totally important things. For example, I was exhausted when I finished up my review of Herbivoracious. So exhausted, in fact, that I forgot to post the whole big teaser I had planned. What I meant to write was that you should note the recipe closely because I have another awesome recipe coming up that is based on that one. Here's how it happened. Those savory quinoa cakes were delicious right out of the frying pan, but once they were cool they needed a little something. I dipped them in some tomato sauce, then the flash of brilliance struck. Pizza. On my quinoa cakes. You might think … [Read more...]
Quinoa Cakes and a review of Herbivoracious
When I was given the opportunity to review Herbivoracious, by Michael Natkin, I knew it would be perfect for the nine days. Remember how I said I can't eat meat all week? Well what better time to review a vegetarian cookbook? None, I say. I loved these quinoa cakes, and enjoyed this cookbook! At first glance: There is such a wide variety of recipes in here, you wouldn't imagine that this book is vegetarian. The pictures are beautiful and eye-catching, and best of all, inviting. Some features I liked: You would think that there wouldn't be a wide variety of sections in a vegetarian cookbook (no meat, poultry and fish sections) but the cookbook was very cleverly organized. Main course … [Read more...]
Zebra Bundt Cake
Ever since I made that zebra cake months ago, I have been completely fascinated by the possibilities that this method allows. Zebra cheesecake, zebra cupcakes, zebra layer cake...I totally want to try all of those. Enter pinterest and the ideas seriously don't end! Then I saw this Zebra Bunt Cake on Bakers Royale, and I was totally infatuated. Combine zebra style with my favorite kind of cake (bundt cake, duh) and you have a gorgeous and winning dessert. Best thing about this cake? It looks gorgeous, but it totally tastes amazing too! The zebra style does take an extra couple of minutes, but I think it's well worth it. If you're confused about how to get the pattern, scroll down for my … [Read more...]
Spaghetti Cheese and Spinach Pie
You know how they say that you don't fully appreciate what you have until you don't have it anymore? Well I eat chicken for supper pretty much every night of my life, and I only really think about it once a year, during the nine days. (For my non Jewish readers, we are currently in a time period called The Nine Days (of mourning) in which many observant Jews traditionally don't eat meat or chicken, among other restrictions.) For most people, this isn't a huge deal. They pull out the fish dishes and eat those for a week. I'm not sure if I've mentioned this before, but I despise fish. Seriously, can't touch it, can't serve it, can't even smell it. Dairy? Well sure, I love pasta as much … [Read more...]
Homemade Iced Mochaccino
Coffee is a very serious and important part of my life. Let me explain. I like to say I am not a caffeine addict. And honestly, I believe that I am not. Sure, I have three cups of coffee every weekday morning, and I am grumpy like you-don't-want-to-see if I don't get my coffee. (And unproductive, but my manager reads this blog on occasion, so we aren't going to talk about that at all.) Suffice it to say, I start my day off with coffee. Piping hot in the winter, and even the fall (I'll have to remember to post that when (if?) the weather gets cold again. When the weather gets hot, and scalding hot drinks aren't quite as desirable, I bring a huge cup of ice into work with me, and make my … [Read more...]
Cookie Dough Thumbprint Cookies and a Cookie Dough Lover’s Cookbook Review
I can't begin to tell you how excited I am to have been given the opportunity to review The Cookie Dough Lover's Cookbook, by Lindsay Landis (of Love and Olive Oil Fame). I have been a fan of Lindsay's for ages, and from the minute I picked up this book I was amazed by her creativity and ideas. At First Glance: I loved this cookbook from the moment I picked it up. Before I even read any of the recipes, I noticed that the pictures (all taken by Lindsay herself- speak of talented!) are unbelievably eye-catching and drool-inducing. It's hard to look at this cookbook when you're on a diet (trust me, I had to do it!) because you will want to make every single thing in it. And you won't like not … [Read more...]
Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
I know that many people out there are not very big fans of Nestle Toll House cookie. I am not one of those people. I think that Ruth Wakefield was a genius, and I never found any need to change it up. Sure, I made some fun plays on chocolate chip cookies from time to time, but the basic recipe never failed me. One day I had a radical idea of trying a couple of chocolate chip cookie recipes to see if anyone had improved on the original. Shortly after that, I discovered this recipe, claiming to be the best chewy chocolate chip cookies in the world. Sounds intriguing, doesn't it? I decided I had to make them. Then I got busy making a whole ton of other types of cookies, and my plan of … [Read more...]