The first time I truly remember creme brulee was when I worked at a restaurant in uptown Minneapolis, and I got to sample some one night. I’m certain I ate it prior to this, but there is no recollection before this moment. It was because I never saw the fantastic way these desserts are finished….
Mango Avocado Salsa Salad w/Corn & Black Beans
Bring on different types of greens and combine that with a tropical summer feel (and maybe a light tropical cocktail), and you have yourself a salad that eats like a meal. Or omit the greens and add chips and queso for a new kind of nacho spread. Either way, this Mango Avocado Salsa w/corn &…
No Boil Shrimp Boil
As a Midwesterner with a taste for spice, I wanted to challenge myself with the flavors of southern gulf coast line. That’s when I discovered an amazing recipe for a no-boil shrimp boil with Cajun spices and cayenne pepper. Each time I make it, the excitement builds as I imagine the warmth of the Gulf Coast, the lively sounds of zydeco music, and the laughter-filled patio with perspiring cocktail glasses. The combination of Andouille sausage, seasoned shrimp, buttery potatoes, and fresh corn creates a symphony of flavors that I can’t resist. It’s a simple yet successful dish that fuels my passion for cooking and motivates me to recreate it all summer long.
Panzanella Salad
It is done – we have signed up for the 2023 CSA summer season! It will be the fourth year in a row and I am struggling to contain my excitement to start receiving weekly boxes of fresh, local produce. Followed quickly by spending time on my deck in the sunshine and brainstorming ways to…
Wedge Salad
As the weather gets warm each year, a crisp cold salad feels supremely refreshing. At our house this spring/summer of 2022, we owned the tradition of the Wedge Salad. Serving this many times and looking forward expanding it’s possibilities each time with the changing seasons. Typically iceberg lettuce is not our go to for salads,…
Roasted Delicata Squash w/Apple & Fennel Slaw
This is the mother of all fall side dishes. The abundance of squash and apples this year is something to celebrate and we definitely celebrated with this meal! Where I appreciate experimenting with different applications for the same ingredient – there are some moments when you don’t mess with the tried and true. In the…
Candied Walnuts
It’s can be so hard to resist the perfectly candied walnut – and this recipe does not disappoint. I was determined to make the quintessential fall meal with brined pork, roasted squash, topped with an acidic slaw. But this side dish needed something that added a depth and sweetness to balance everything out. In walks…
Rhubarb Ginger Planters Punch
Mother nature is turning up the heat and humidity in the Midwest, making it feel downright tropical at times. We answered the call this week by brewing up some rhubarb and ginger symple syrup, throwing it together with some rum and sitting back to enjoy the sun and temps. This will not be the first…
Roasted Cauliflower Nachos
They say that necessity is the mother of invention. If I believe that to be true – then our necessity was needing to eat dinner and the invention began with wanting cauliflower and seeing a half full jar of queso sauce and the idea of cauliflower nachos was born. I fully know that I’m not…
Caprese Lamb Burger
For over a decade, the traditional caprese flavor combo has been a favorite in our household. It doesn’t matter if it’s the straight-up caprese salad or it’s baked counterpart on a margherita pizza, there is an unmistakably wonderful balance of fresh mozzarella, fresh basil and sliced tomatoes drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkled…