By Kristin Helwig
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 …
Apple Butter Pop tarts! Bringing out the inner child, but so much better than store bought! These are soo easy to make and perfect for any breakfast or a quick snack. I use either leftover pie crust dough or store bought and you can make …
To say I’m a little excited for fall is an understatement! I absolutely love it and everything about it, making this apple butter is so comforting and warming and makes the whole house smell absolutely amazing like apples and spices. There is actually no butter …
Zucchini banana cake, you guys I can’t tell you how good this is! Think banana bread meets zucchini bread and then made it a cake, and put this velvety frosting over the top! Its one bowl and really easy to make, and a great way …
Even though it may still be 90 degrees outside, I find myself wanting something warm and sometimes I still love the comfort of a big bowl of soup! Just like the delicious broccoli cheddar but with a little beer and white cheddar. It’s creamy and …
With all the beautiful blueberries happening right this needed to happen! The sour cream gives a slight tanginess while the coconut milk balances it out with a just the right amount of creaminess. Plus look at that dreamy color! Ingredients 1 cup blueberries, plus more …
Rice bowls are always a really fast family favorite around here!! They are so quick and easy to make with the best of summer produce now it’s even better! Of course you can always switch up what’s fresh as well. This is also great cold …
Two words..Peanut butter and chocolate…. ok four words… but these little one biters are so fun to make!! Rich dark chocolate hard shell filled with creamy peanut butter and fudgey brownies. I mean what could be better?! And it’s only 4 ingredients!! You can make …
What brings you back to childhood more than a corn dog? They are crispy, perfectly golden and slightly sweet. I add a little fresh corn into the batter as well just for a little added burst of sweetness. The batter is super easy to make; …
With the gardens bursting with eggplants, tomatoes and herbs I love making this delicious Sicilian dish! The eggplant is like a sponge and just soaks all the flavors up. I like to add some Kalmata olives and briney capers just to add some brightness with …
What’s better on a hot summer day, than ice cream?! I did the classic! The chocolate wafers are a mix between Oreo and brownie, perfectly soft but also hold the ice cream in place. I made raspberry swirl ice cream, but you can always switch …
It may be summer but you can’t deny a good corn chowder when the corn is just so sweet! I added coconut milk to thicken it up and make it a little healthier. Then big pieces of corn, sun dried tomatoes and crispy feta. It …
It’s like the classic watermelon feta salad but I added some cucumbers and a little hot honey to it. The sweet spicy kick to the watermelon is the perfect combination, with the crisp cucumbers, salty feta, and sweet juicy watermelon. Really quick and great for …
Just like the creamsicles as a kid, but I layered these!! Fresh squeezed orange juice with vanilla extract, orange blossom water just to enhance the orange, and then a vanilla whipped cream, all layered and frozen together! They are so creamy and delicious on a …
These cookies are super soft and chewy with a little vanilla and almond extract in them giving them the extra rich sweetness. Topped with any edible flowers you can find in the garden or bouquet! They make the perfect treat for any occasion. I grew …
This is one of those first garden summer harvests. There’s something so satisfying about growing produce. To be able to go out of your backyard and grow this all is so magical. Life is brought back into the yard again. With only a few simple …
I’m always looking for ways to use up over ripe bananas aside from our everyday smoothies. With one bowl, a couple over ripe bananas these muffins are so quick and satisfying!! Perfect for any quick breakfast, snack or late dessert. The crunchy oatmeal streusel really …
It’s pasta salad season!! You can use any kind of pasta you want but I love the campanelle pasta, they are like little bells. I paired this with a bright herby salsa verde, cherry tomatoes, crispy cucumbers, a little sweet corn and salty feta. It’s …
Ohh how I love steamed buns! I literally crave them and haven’t been able to find really good ones around the city yet! This recipe has been a long time in the making. The chicken is seared and then cooked in honey, soy, ginger, garlic, …
Spring is in the air and my backyard is overflowing with rhubarb! This pie is bursting with juicy sweet strawberries and tart rhubarb topped with a crunchy oatmeal crisp, in a flaky buttery crust. Cooking the fruit together really intensifies the flavors and thickens the …
Tres leches cake it a huge favorite in this house hold, I made it yesterday for Cinco de Mayo. It’s three milks soaked into a sponge cake. It’s beautifully rich and creamy, like having a glass of milk with your cake. But I soaked strawberries …
Spicy and salty pretzel crusted chicken tenders, but on a salad. It’s like the chicken tenders you remember eating but the crushed up pretzels make it that much more fun. Along some sweet cherry tomatoes, roasted corn, crisp cucumbers, creamy avocado and a little nutty …
I love making these in the mornings as a light breakfast or snack. They are really pretty healthy, wholesome and no refined sugar. With only a few simple ingredients you’ll want to make these all the time. Soaking the oats in the milk, to make …
Two words…. grilled pizza…it’s truly a beautiful thing. The simpler the better. When you start with really good simple ingredients it’s pretty easy to have a delicious pie! The key is to have a pizza stone. I know it’s not a new thing but I’ve …
Pavlovas are light beautiful show stopper meringues that are usually topped with whipped cream and fruit. The whipped egg whites transform to a chewy crisp outside and soft marshmallow texture on the inside. It’s like eating clouds they are so light! Ingredients 4 extra large …
Foglie d’Ulivo is such a fun new shape to make with only three ingredients, semolina, water and spinach; plus look at that color! They are the delicate cousin to orecchiette and look like little ‘olive leaves.’ If you don’t have spinach, you can use any …
I have been in search of a great shortbread recipe for a long time. I love it sometimes in the morning with my coffee or tea or just after a meal. These are light and buttery and not too sweet. I added a touch of …
Birria Tacos are also known as wet tacos. The beef is marinated in adobo sauce and then braised low and slow until it just pulls apart so beautifully. The corn tortillas are then dipped into the braising liquid and quickly pan fried to get a …
With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, all I keep thinking about is chocolate and this is just the indulgent fix. Layers of rich fudge brownie topped with luscious vanilla ice cream, and then coated in chocolate ganache and then dipped into creamy caramel. It’s …
Bruschetta has been a favorite in our household for years; it’s our go-to appetizer, but I wanted something a little different. So I whipped the feta together with yogurt until it’s light and creamy. I then pan fried the ciabatta in a little oil and …
Who doesn’t love a good taco night?! It’s a twist on that. This is my go to chicken for tacos I make all the time it’s our favorite. But with this the chicken is wrapped up in a crispy corn tortilla and then topped with …
There’s nothing more satisfying than buttered noodles! This recipe is so easy only a couple simple ingredients and the kids will love to help! Think of pici as a thicker spaghetti noodle, you can really pair it with any sauce you would like, cacio e …
These incredibly easy no bake peanut butter bars just bring you right back to grade school! There’s only a few ingredients and they are rich and creamy with delicious crunch from graham cracker crumbs folded into the peanut butter, and a thick layer of dark …
Gnocchi is one of those dishes people think is complicated to make but with a little extra time it’s very easy and so worth it. They are light and pillowy and, paired with this maple cream sauce, it really brings out the natural sweetness. Adding …
These are just like the graham crackers you grew up with but with all the warm spices for the holidays, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, cardamom. It’s so nostalgic and brings you right back. The key is to roll them thinly and evenly. The kids will love …
Nothing says the holidays more than this little holiday treat!! It comes together in 10 minutes and is so easy. It’s way better than store bought and will just melt in your mouth, plus it’s no bake. It’s the perfect stocking stuffer or gift as …
Anyone else have leftover turkey from Thanksgiving?! This is such a great way to use it all up! Instead of peas I added spinach but you can certainly stick to the peas if you wish. I also tossed the pasta all together and then toasted …
With the holidays right around the corner these are perfect for a little appetizer or breakfast. They are so quick and easy to make. Spiced apples cooked down in brown sugar and warm spices along walnuts and a little fresh thyme. They are perfect for …
With Thanksgiving less than two weeks away, the classic apple pie is essential! I have been making apple pies for as long as I can remember in my mom’s kitchen for thanksgiving and it’s just so nostalgic and brings me right back to her kitchen. …
When I want something a little lighter I always look for salmon or fish of some sort. This dish comes together in about 20 minutes and is so easy to make. I sear the salmon and then make a honey garlic sauce with lemon, thyme …
Now that it’s getting so cold outside all I crave is warm delicious comforting food. What is seriously better than warmly herb spiced meatballs and a rich buttery gravy along whipped mashed potatoes. They can also be a perfect appetizer for the holidays coming up …
There’s something so fun and inviting about gathering around a table for a seafood boil. They are so easy to make and really versatile, and they are one pot, you can use whatever your favorite seafood is. We happen to love crab and shrimp! It’s …
This recipe is so easy to make and takes you right back to childhood in as little as 30 minutes. I used ground turkey instead of beef to make it a little bit healthier and then added mushrooms and corn for a little earthiness and …
It started to snow here today, and for some reason curry is just so comforting I think when it’s freezing outside! So I played around a little bit and instead of just doing traditional curry I put some pumpkin puree in it, and it was …
This is such a perfect snack to throw together if you have friends coming over or if it’s game day, or with the holidays coming up. The gatherings may be smaller this year but snacks still need to happen. It’s also really great if you …
This is just like a traditional pumpkin pie but with a twist! It’s so much fun to make, I mean look at those layers! I did an amaretto cookie crust, spiced pumpkin pastry cream and then topped with a sour cream spiked whipped cream with …
