By Kristin Helwig
I mean what’s better than a big bowl of soup on a cold night? Easy enough for a weeknight meal and oh so comforting. The tortellini simmers away in a lightly creamy herb tomato broth with ground turkey, mushrooms, spinach and lots of parmesan cheese. …
With fall in full swing I’m looking for all the delicious comforting fall flavors. This sweet potato gnocchi just hits the spot. The gnocchi are light and chewy little pillows that are pan fried for just a couple minutes to get that nice golden sear. …
Sometimes you just can’t beat a good savory loaf! This is so simple to make and made with only a handful of ingredients. It’s a crusty interior with a beautiful chewy interior. Perfect for any side dish to soak up all the sauce or along …
This cake requires a bit of planning ahead, as some of the steps need be made ahead of time. But the end result will be a show stopper and worth the extra effort. The first step will be to make the pastry cream, which needs …
This wild rice bowl is all about the flavors of fall. Really healthy and vegetarian! The acorn squash and mushrooms are roasted together and then topped with seared halloumi and tossed together with a sweet herb maple vinaigrette drizzled over the top! DID YOU MAKE …
What is it about warm apple crisp? It just feels like a big hug. This is my childhood! My mom used to make this for us all the time in fall apple season growing up. It just brings me right back to childhood. I would …
When fall hits its all about the caramel for me. I made this cake for a my cousins wedding shower. It’s decadent, rich and buttery. Layers of the best vanilla cake swirled with rich homemade caramel, topped with dreamy vanilla buttercream covering the cake. DID …
I mean what’s better than a big bowl of noodles? Of course you can buy store bought but there is truly something special about homemade noodles if you have the time. This dish is just packed with so many different flavors. You can always adjust …
Turkey meatballs mixed with lots of garlic and herbs then covered in marinara, basil pesto and lots of cheese. Baked off in the oven until bubbling and golden, sometimes you just have to do it. These are just so good and comforting. Easy enough for …
Just like your classic snickerdoodle but studded with white chocolate chips. They just melt right into the cookie. Chewy and soft in the center and slightly crisp on the edges, with the crackly cinnamon sugar exterior. DID YOU MAKE THIS WHITE CHOCOLATE CHIP SNICKERDOODLE COOKIES? …
When it’s the end of summer and you’ve made all the tomato sauce and salsa, make tomato jam! It’s seriously so easy and so good! Put it on toast, a charcuterie board, or a grilled cheese. The tomatoes are cooked down with brown sugar, cinnamon …
Bakery style muffins that are light bursting with juicy blueberries and topped with an oatmeal crisp. The topping is sweetened with a little brown sugar, warming cinnamon and oats that just melt into the light and fluffy muffins. All I kept hearing from the boys …
How fun is this cake?! A beautifully chai spiced cake topped with a chocolate cream cheese frosting and then whimsical little marzipan mushrooms that are hand sculpted and painted. Topped with edible moss made of shredded coconut and cake crumbs with a little food coloring. …
We recently went up to the north shore and had a garlic lovers pasta salad. It was creamy and garlicky and so delicious. I had to remake it but added a few summer vegetables and seared halloumi to make it a meal. This pasta salad …
What is so fun about having homemade pizza parties?! It’s always a big hit in our house! I make a 1 lb. dough ball and then split it into three. So we can all make our own. Or this recipe can be for one 12 …
This family favorite is sure to hit the spot! End of the summer sweet nectarines and bursting blueberries tossed together with a little brown sugar, honey, vanilla and cinnamon just for some warmth. Wrapped up in a flaky buttery puff pastry, just to cut a …
After a long week of traveling and eating out at restaurants, sometimes I just want to come home to something really delicious, healthy and comforting. This bowl has so many wonderful flavors and textures it’s similar to the Korean dish bibimbap. But we use left …
When just starting out making homemade pasta, pici might be the easiest ones! Flour, water, oil, salt and little time and patience. I love to use ’00’ flour when making this pasta, it gives it a great chew, and absorbs the sauce so well. Pair …
Anyone else’s garden just bursting with greens and herbs right now?! This is such a great way to use all of them up. Layers and layers of flaky phyllo dough with lots of feta, spinach and herbs. Serve it warm or room temperature and either …
Such a quick an easy little appetizer here! The puff pastry is so light, flaky and buttery and then topped with the summers best tomatoes, creamy burrata and fresh pesto. Of course you can always buy pesto but homemade is so much better. It’s hard …
When tomatoes are in perfect peak season there is nothing better! Using such simple ingredients at their best makes this dish really shine! This appetizers comes together in 20 minutes and is sure to be a crowd pleaser! DID YOU MAKE THIS BRAISED TOMATOES WITH …
Rich creamy cheesecake swirled with bursting sweet blueberry jam and topped with more blueberries, this cheesecake is extremely easy to make starting with a buttery graham cracker crust. Perfect for any occasion, family get together or late night snack (no judgement) this cheesecake is sure …
With a couple simple ingredients and marinating the chicken its sure to pack a vibrant punch! I love the char from the grill but this would also be great roasted! The marinade is just soy sauce, garlic, lime juice, spices and olive oil. The longer …
Fresh made ice cream or gelato just hit differently! This lemon gelato is so satisfying, bright and clean. Its made with fresh milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar and lemon…lots of lemons! Juice and zest. But then to finish it off, squeeze a little more fresh …
This spice blend is a big favorite around here. I had to make extra just to keep in a jar. It will last in an air tight container for months but I guarantee it won’t last that long. It’s bold and spicy and would be …
An incredibly easy dish that takes almost no time to make. It’s so bright and fresh, perfect as a side dish or entree with grilled fish. The tomatoes are so sweet and fresh. Immediately you will be transported to the coast of Capri, Italy! The …
Looking for a little something to beat the heat?! This blueberry lemonade is just the best! Homemade lemonade is a game-changer. Its bright and vibrant and great by itself or add a little vodka or effervescence to it and really make it fun. Hope you …
You will absolutely love these zucchini berry muffins! They are wholesome and healthy-ish and only take about 30 minutes start to finish. Great for breakfast or a quick snack on the go. I use honey to sweeten them so there’s no sugar and a little …
With it being so dang hot out, I’m cooling it down with a very indulgent brownie oreo ice cream cake. It was my little guys birthday yesterday, he just turned 4! That sure flew by, but I made all the little 4 year old dreams …
It’s officially summer and that means allll the tomato toast! There really is nothing better than pan fried crispy bread, sweet juicy tomatoes and creamy avocado. But with this one I added whipped feta and sweet peppadew peppers with fresh herbs. It’s bright, creamy, salty, …
Oh man these are so good!! So light and airy! The chai spice really warms you right up. If you’ve never made a popover before they are kind of like an airy donut but better. The high heat and eggs really help them rise and …
Whats better than oatmeal chocolate chip cookies?? Brown butter oatmeal chocolate chip cookies! The brown butter truly just takes it to the next level. It brings such a nuttiness and toasty flavor that elevates the oatmeal and vanilla. The edges are crisp and the center …
Bright lemony muffins studded with sweet raspberries and a swirl of raspberry jam will make these a new breakfast favorite. Honey sweetens the muffins, but a little cinnamon sugar on top really seals the deal. Ingredients 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted or neutral oil 1/2 …
For when you’re looking for a quick no bake dessert… these will bring you right back to childhood with all the nostalgic flavors. It’s the Graham cracker flavors from the Golden Grahams combined with the melted marshmallow and chocolate chips. This will be on repeat …
Looking for a really quick throw together salad for that Fourth of July party this weekend?? This is it!! All the summer flavors! Watermelon, nectarines, cucumbers, tomatoes, cantaloupe, herbs and feta, and a couple snap peas just for fun! It’s so versatile and bright with …
This Mediterranean chicken orzo salad is my favorite go-to for quick and easy pasta salads. Wheather it’s a quick dinner or at the beach, this is so good. Theres so many bright summer flavors and you can throw the chicken in there too if you …
This crispy feta rice bowl is everything I’m craving during the summer. Crispy warmed feta, cool cucumbers, juicy sweet tomatoes, salty olives, all the creamy tzatziki, herbs and homemade naan. It’s become a new favorite. When you’re not really wanting to cook but want a …
I’m going to start adding cocktails to the blog! So here we go, my husband is the mix master over here. I do the food and he does the cocktails. This little beauty though is fresh rhubarb and mint simple syrup with fresh squeezed lime …
Crispy Katsu chicken noodles bowl with marinated chicken in a spicy garlic, ginger and soy sauce. The chicken is coated in panko bread crumbs and sesame seeds, quickly pan fried until golden brown and then placed on top a bowl of noodles and all your …
This is my new favorite summer salad! It’s so bright and flavorful! The juicy tomatoes and sweet melon balance out perfectly with the creaminess of the avocado and burrata, brought to life by the fresh herbs. A little drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle …
Pavlovas are tender light and chewy meringues that love to get all dressed up for any occasion. They are light as air and have tender chewy marshmallow like centers. The egg whites are whipped together with sugar, corn starch, and white wine vinegar baked at …
I love these so much! They are the perfect summertime treat. Sweetened up with maple syrup and vanilla extract. The coconut flakes are mixed together with creamy coconut milk and then drenched in dark chocolate ganache, and sprinkled with almonds. They are perfect right out …
Cacio e pepe, think of it like a grown up Mac and cheese. It translates right to ‘cheese’ and ‘pepper’. This dish is an old Roman classic that will transport you right to Italy. I added a squeeze of lemon and fresh spinach to brighten …
Weeknight meals can sometimes just be so hard, getting a good meal on the table. From work, to practices, to homework it all adds up. Let these peanut noodles help get that meal on the table in no time. The sauce comes together really fast …
I am currently obsessed with these tacos! Marinated beef with lots of dried peppers, spices and tomatoes, the beef is slow braised until it just pulls apart. The corn tortillas are dipped in the chili consummé, gently pan fried until crispy and golden and filled …
Who doesn’t love a quick and easy app?! We get take out often from a Lebanese restaurant up the road and they have these cheese pies that are just amazing, so of course I had to make them too. I had to twist it a …
Welllll these are dangerous! Chewy classic blondie bars topped with dark chocolate chips, pecans and salted caramel. All the classic toppings. The caramel is so easy to make it, no thermometer necessary. It just melts right into the bar and in your mouth. They will …
When making this comforting spiced Indian chicken dish make sure to marinate the chicken with the yogurt and spices. Toasting the spices really enhances all their beautiful flavors. The yogurt will help tenderize the chicken allowing the spices to soak into it. I also love …
Happy almost Easter! Angel food may be my kryptonite! Its just like eating clouds! So light airy and bright lemon zest. Frosted with smooth cream cheese whipped cream it just melts in your mouth with every bite. Perfect for that spring gathering! Lemon angel food …
I have been making this dish for years it’s probably one of the first dishes I made my husband and it’s still one of his favorites. My boys can’t eat it fast enough. I think I’ve nearly perfected it over all the years. The pasta …
Arepas are a popular South American street food, made of masarepa or masa harina, an instant corn masa flour. They are pan fried little corn cakes that are cut in half and filled with meat, cheese and veggies. I braised chicken thighs in chipotle peppers, …
These noodles are great when you are looking for something on the healthier side instead of takeout. Packed with ground turkey and lots of vegetables stir fried together with a sweet, salty, garlic ginger sauce, you will have dinner not he table in about 30 …
This is literally the fastest appetizer everrrr! It comes together in minutes and it’s just sooo good. The feta and yogurt get whipped together until smooth and then the sizzling hot spiced garlic oil just poured right on top. Serve with warm pita or crackers …
This southern classic is such a favorite and even more fun in individual jars. Blue it’s just so easy!! Beautiful layers of homemade vanilla pudding, fresh whipped cream, sliced bananas and crunchy sweet Nilla wafers are the perfect little dessert. Vanilla Pudding 3 cups whole …
Hey vegetarians! Where you at?! This is for you!! Everyone has seen the buffalo cauliflower bites going around but what about making it into a sandwich!? I’m telling you this is soo good. The cauliflower is lightly coated in cornflakes and baked until golden tender …
It’s officially spring! Bring on all the fresh new flavors spring has to offer. I’m celebrating with a classic family favorite, strawberry shortcake. Rich flaky buttery biscuits topped with a big spoonful of fresh whipped cream and perfectly sweet strawberries. It’s just the best! Strawberries …
Salted caramel peanut butter bars….name a better trio of ingredients?! These just bring you right back to childhood. The rich creamy peanut butter is mixed with graham cracker crumbs and butter creating a rich bottom layer than topped with chocolate peanut butter and a layer …
Who doesn’t love a big warm bowl of pasta at the end of the day?! It’s like one giant hug. This bolognese is just what you need at the end of a long day. It comes together in about 30 minutes. It’s rich and meaty …
Well here’s a fun little baking project to do with the kids for St. Patricks day coming up! They are sweet, buttery chewy little sugar cookies with a little added green sugar on top. Why not be festive for the holiday?! Ingredients 1/2 cup unsalted …
Nothing like a big bowl of mussels to bring everyone to the table! It’s really all about the broth in mussels for me. I love to use Prince Edward Island mussels. They are sold at most grocery stores and seafood shops. This broth though…..Drinkable… Lots …
Welllll these were finished in 2 minutes! They were a huge hit and couldn’t be easier. Everything goes in the blender and then baked for about 15 minutes and they are warm and chocolatey and soooo good. I like adding cinnamon and maple syrup for …
If you’ve never had Korean BBQ before this is so inviting! It’s a great way to bring family and friends around the table. Marinated beef ribeye or short ribs, thinly sliced and grilled around a table loaded up in lettuce wraps and it’s really all …
Bringing the middle eastern street food to the kitchen! These are so fun and you can switch out the toppings if you want but the feta tzatziki and all the toasted spices really bring the chicken to life. Fresh naan and pita are also key …
This simple dish is easy enough for a weeknight meal and fancy enough for guests. I love all the different textures and flavors in this. The crispy chicken is lightly breaded in panko, then pan fried and placed on top fresh cucumbers and sweet cherry …
Never underestimate this old school southern classic! This dip is so easy and comes together in minutes. Perfect for the big game gathering! With just a couple ingredients you can dip crackers, crostini, vegetables or spread it on sandwiches. It’s creamy cheesy and a little …
Cookies…for breakfast?! Sounds exciting right?! Well these are the perfect little snacks to grab when you’re in a rush out the door. Make them for the week and keep them in the fridge. No refined sugar and all whole healthy ingredients to keep you full …
Homemade blueberry jam layered between a chewy oat bar and crumbly topping. Perfect for quick on the go breakfast, afternoon snack or with a scoop of ice cream for dessert. The are great warm, room temperature or straight from the fridge. We literally couldn’t stop …
Basque cheesecake! This is one of our favorite ways to eat cheesecake! It’s baked at a really high heat creating the beautiful burnt top and deep cracks. The imperfections are what make it so beautiful! Sweet raspberry jam swirled into the top makes for a …
This southwest salad has so many colors, flavors, textures it’s exactly what you’re looking for when you want a big entree salad. The Mexican spiced salmon is beautifully seared, placed onto a bed of mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, creamy avocado, crunchy purple cabbage, …
I’m always looking for quick and easy appetizers. This one is no exception! The feta is whipped with lemon and honey and then warm garlic herb olives are spooned over the top. The warmth of the oil and olives heat up the cheese, and it’s …
I love this dish when I want something hearty but also light! The chicken meatballs are full of garlic, fresh herbs, tomato paste and spices. I sear them in a cast iron skillet giving them a nice golden crust. But you can always bake them …
Grab a couple cod filets and switch up your next Friday night fish fry! The batter is perfectly spiced and so light and crispy while the fish just melt in your mouth. The homemade tartar sauce is packed with briny capers, fresh dill, garlic and …
I’m always on the search for delicious steamed buns. If you’ve never had them they are filled little buns with ground meat and then pan fried and steamed. They are a popular street food in Shanghai. When you have a little extra time give these …
These little Polish dumpling are so easy to make and so versatile you can fill them with so many options. I just had some leftover mashed potatoes and mozzarella. But they are great to make ahead of time and keep in the freezer, so you …
Classic brownies that are so rich and fudgy with a minty little spin. They are so chocolatey and delicious and then I sprinkle andes candies over the top of them and they just melt into the warm brownies and harden and it’s just the best. …
I’ve been thinking about something like this for awhile! There really is nothing like homemade naan. It’s so light and chewy and then stuffed with buffalo chicken, mozzarella and a little blue cheese. Dipped in more buffalo sauce and blue cheese sauce it really is …
I don’t make steak often but being NYE it was a special occasion. I got a couple beef filets and paired with whipped potato puree and the richness of the red wine demi is really something! Whipping the potatoes with a little milk and melted …
This dish has so many fun components to it. It’s hot, cold, crispy, sweet, light. The salmon is cured and marinated in salt and citrus zest. Then seared so the skin gets really nice and crispy. I place it on top of celery and a …
This is a really simple beautiful way to serve a cheese course! Being New Year’s Eve last night I wanted to make something a little special. The simple creaminess of the brie with the tart sweetness from the balsamic glaze, pair perfectly together. The rind …
Crisp vegetables with pulled rotisserie chicken, scallions, dry roasted peanuts and lots of creamy umami peanut sauce. This dish is really easy to put together and a great way to use up extra vegetables in the fridge. I like the combination of the fresh vegetables …
Classics are sometimes always the best, aren’t they?! These are some of the first cookies I learned to bake when I was a kid and they have been around ever since. Santa would definitely approve! Put a plate of these out on Christmas Eve and …
This beauty came out of a little mistake. Don’t some of the best ones happen that way!? I was making an angel food cake for Finley’s birthday and sprayed the pan, not thinking about it and when I went to invert the pan after baking, …
We do pizza at least once a week for dinner around here, and I wanted to switch it up this week and do calzones. They are so much fun, like little personal hand held pizzas. Kids will love to help make them too. The sauce …
When the holidays hit it’s all about the sugar and carbs and pure delicious comfort food, but sometimes you need to lighten it up. I had a salad like this in Charleston and I had to make it at home. Its so light and delicious …
Orange cinnamon rolls! These remind me of childhood back home. My dad would always buy these orange cinnamon rolls and we would roll them out and bake them on Sunday mornings. I would just eat the orange glaze by the spoonful it was the best. …
I love this side so much! It’s one of my favorite ways to do potatoes! They are boiled in salt water and then spread evenly onto a sheet pan and then gently smashed down. A Drizzle of olive oil, salt and pepper to help them …
Well being the last day in November I had to do one last pumpkin recipe to use it up! These are so incredibly easy to make, perfect breakfast or on the go snack. These are slightly sweet with a little spice and perfectly moist. I …
Ohhhh cacio e pepe I love you! If you’ve never had it before cacio e Pepe in Italian just means cheese and pepper. So this is like a stripped down Mac and cheese. Cacio e Pepe is a beautiful classic as it is, but I …
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, that means bring on all the pies! This one should definitely have a spot at the table if you’re looking to switch it up at all from the classics. It’s rich in pure maple syrup with a nice little …
This is so easy and fast to make. It’s perfect if you are in a time crunch and have people dropping in over the holidays. Halloumi is a semi-hard cheese a mix between sheep and goat milk and has a really high melting point so …
Korean Beef Tacos! These are going to be on repeat over here! The beef is so tender from the Asian marinade the pears help tenderize it a little bit, and add sweetness. Then since the meat is already sliced you just throw it in the …
OK a little gory I know but it’s really the perfect show stopper for halloween! So fun! Buy store bought or homemade frosted cupcakes and then decorate with the glass shards and edible blood! As long as you have a candy thermometer, it’s pretty simple …
I’ve always loved these kind of breads but was intimidated to make them. Thinking it would take forever to make and be really intricate. But it’s actually so easy. If you own a pizza cutter you can make it. It’s just layers of dough with …
When it starts getting cold outside all I think about is ramen! There really is nothing more comforting. This one is a rich chicken broth with lots of noodles, roasted squash, crispy chicken, sautéed mushrooms and kale, a little toasted nori, and a soft egg. …
Three words, crispy warm cheese! I’m telling you this is so good you won’t be able to stop eating it. The whole block of feta is coated in breadcrumbs and then pan fried until crisp. Drizzle a little of the hot honey over the top …
It’s officially spooky season!! These are just like good old Rice Krispie treats but better with melted chocolate and peanut butter over the top and then melted marshmallows stretched over for cobwebs. They come together in fifteen minutes and are perfect for any spooky gathering!! …
I am so excited for fall and all things pumpkin! This pumpkin ravioli is a perfect dinner when you have a little extra time on a Sunday and want to make the pasta! There really is nothing better than homemade pasta. Otherwise of course you …
Last weekend I was back home in WI and had gone for a walk in the woods and stumbled upon these beautiful chicken of the woods mushrooms! They were bright orange on top and perfectly yellow underneath. There were barely any bugs on them and …
