By Kristin Helwig
This last week was a really tough week I believe for everyone, I couldn’t even cook I was so saddened by what had happened. But I’m hoping now that things are looking up and going to get better. On another note we had gone home …
This dip has been in our family for years, its an old classic favorite. With all the bright flavors of summer. Bright juicy ripe tomatoes, salty chunks of feta and creamy avocado, with the fresh basil. It’s the perfect go to dip for any backyard …
Well it’s almost Memorial Day weekend and all I keep thinking about is ice cold lemonade in particular those Italian lemon ice. I haven’t had them in years and forgot how delicious they really are. But with the temperatures rising outside this is a perfect …
This plate of seared chicken and halloumi is so bright and flavorful! I was playing around with flavors last night for dinner and came up with this. It’s a creamy herby lemon yogurt underneath broccoli and mushroom orzo, salty seared halloumi and seared chicken! All …
Happy Cinco de Mayo!! What better way to celebrate than by making some delicious enchiladas and a margarita! My mom used to make these for us all the time and I really forgot how good they truly are! Ground turkey mixed with lots of spices …
Tres Leches is a very popular Mexican dessert. It’s a really rich sponge cake with three different milks soaked into it, hence tres leche. This recipe has been with me for quite sometime, and haven’t shared it yet. But with Cinco De Mayo around the …
With everyone home right now making bread, like banana bread and peanut butter bread, I was playing around in the kitchen and decided to combine the two together. It is magical! Sweet delicious ripe banana, creamy peanut butter swirled in and dark chocolate..I mean?! It …
These berry oatmeal bars are filled with a beautiful bright berry filling and topped with a buttery spiced oatmeal crumble on top. They are great for breakfast, quick snack or dessert. Keep them in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 …
The other day I was really craving some good Chinese, and during this time most of our favorite places are shut down so we couldn’t even get take out. So in order to fulfill the craving I made a little orange chicken but added peppers …
Homemade granola! Have you ever tried making your own? It’s a game changer. Granola often gets a bad rap for being too sweet or bland or stale. But this is full of flavor it’s crisp not too sweet and you can make a bunch of …
This dish is so easy to make it’s one pan, 30 minutes and mostly pantry items. You can substitute ground chicken also if you have that instead, and also add in whatever vegetables you have just to give some color! Serve over a little basmati …
Easter may be over but that doesn’t mean you still can’t make pie!! My mom used to make this for us as kids but I switched it a little. Theres a buttery flakey crust with a layer of ripe bananas and then the most beautiful …
I’ve been having a real obsession with this crispy rice lately also know as tahdig or Persian Rice. I got the cook book Salt Fat Acid Heat by Samin Nosrat a while ago from a friend, and also watched her show on Netflix. If you …
It’s almost Easter and I’m sure a lot of you have dyed all the Easter eggs so what better way to use up all the hard boiled eggs when you are done with them than a classic egg salad?! This is so easy takes 15 …
Naan is a pretty regular thing in our home! I make it all the time. It’s fantastic just by itself or with a curry to sop up all that delicious sauce. Store bought is good but there is just something about homemade that doesn’t even …
This is a really easy one pan meal, and it comes together super quick in about 20 minutes! I pan sear the salmon and then make the orzo in the same pan, with lots of lemon, a little cream, thyme, spinach and feta. It’s sooo …
I love fried chicken! Especially when it is done right, you just can’t compare. This is a little twist on that. I took the chicken breast and butterflied it sauteed up some peppers, spinach and feta. Really you can use whatever you would like for …
Looking for a really easy delicious breakfast?! These little mini banana pancakes are the best. Only a couple pantry ingredients and the kids will love them. Plus who doesn’t love pancakes on the weekend? It’s also a great way to use up any over ripe …
Pronounced: Gar-guh-NAY-lee I think it’s pretty obvious how much I enjoy the pasta! It really is one of my favorites things to make. This one is a little tedious to make but I’m telling you it is soo good! It’s just a simple egg dough …
It’s amazing how a few simple ingredients can just be so comforting! That’s whats so beautiful about soups, just be so creative with them. You can really use whatever leftover vegetables you want. I just had broccoli, peppers, mushrooms, cauliflower, and carrots left over from …
Hand pulled noodles are just as the name suggests, there are only three ingredients mixed together and it becomes this beautiful silky chewy noodle that you just can’t get enough of. It does take some patience for sure. If you’ve never seen hand pulling done …
Marinated in a spiced buttermilk and double dipped in the flour so it’s extra crispy….I Mean!! It. Is. So. Good!!! The garlic herb buttermilk mayo just adds the creaminess to balance out all the crunch along with crisp green bibb lettuce. Simply perfection! It’s delicious! …
Happy Valentine’s Day!! If you’re still trying to figure out what to get your Valentine this year, this is the perfect gift. It’s got graham cracker crust velvety chocolate mouse and beautiful light and airy toasted meringue on top. It’s like everyones favorite childhood desert …
Cheddar jalaeño pretzel bites are the perfect midday or game day snack. They will feed a crowd and go fast! Think of a stuffed pretzel but now you don’t have to make the sauce. It’s all in two little bites. I made them a little …
Looking for a really quick, one bowl healthy chocolate fix for your Friday?! These muffins are soo easy to make, one bowl, overripe bananas, coconut oil, good honey, vanilla, chai spices and lots of dark chocolate. They are perfect for a quick breakfast or afternoon …
Yes vegan! If anyone knows me they know that I love my dairy, butter, cheese, cream all of it. But over the holidays I was making some cookies and have a couple family and friends that are living the vegan life and it inspired me …
Coconut vanilla orange soda! Think of the creamsicles you had as a kid with the creamy coconut cream, bright orange juice and bitters. I also like to add vanilla seed or paste to actually see the vanilla in the drink and a little honey to …
On a cold wintery night with a fire in the fire place and a warm soup on the stove there is nothing more cozy than to curl up with a warm fuzzy blanket and a big bowl of soup. This soup is so easy to …
This is a really fast quick weeknight meal. I make this all the time it is one of our favorites. It’s perfect to get in those extra greens and the jalapeno adds a little extra punch of heat that just perfect. I love using the …
Parmesan rinds are something that I like to keep on hand all the time. Once the parmesan is all used up don’t throw out the rind. I like to keep them in a zip lock bag in the freezer and use them whenever needed. They …
Jambalaya is one of those tried and true one pot meals that brings all kinds of people together. Straight from New Orleans its got all the flavors! This rice dish is packed with chicken, andouille sausage and shrimp. I love this recipe because it feels …
Look how fun and festive these are!! They are super easy to make and come together in a flash. You can use any cookie cutters you have just make sure the inner shape is small enough and there is enough cookie to hold the the …
Tis the season to share the love of baking! I’m excited to share my 2019 holiday cookie box! It’s got a couple classics and a couple newer ones. From Pecan Cinnamon Shortbread to Pistachio and the easiest peanut butter cookie recipe ever! Sharing a box …
I love oatmeal all year round but there is something just a little extra special about it when it’s freezing cold and snowing outside. I like to make this for my son when we just need something really healthy and fast for breakfast. It really …
Now you can’t have Thanksgiving with out the traditional pies! Apple pies are always a must! I gave this one a little twist and added caramel inside the pie and topped it with a little crisp topping! You can’t go wrong here! The apples are …
Stuffing has to be one of my ultimate favorite dishes when it come to Thanksgiving. This one particularly! I make this every year for my family and it’s a tried and true. The apples just bring out a little sweetness and crunch and the pine …
Sweet potatoes of some sort are always a must have on the Thanksgiving table. Instead of the normal marshmallow topping I wanted to switch it up and do a little herb pecan crisp on top. It’s sweet, crunchy nutty crips on top of creamy mashed …
This is a new side that I made up to add to the table this year. I always love to have some green on the table against all the beautiful golden colors. The brussel sprouts are roasted at high heat so they get really nice …
This skillet scalloped corn is totally old school but such a perfect side dish for any Thanksgiving. We have had this at the Thanksgiving table every year and it’s always such a favorite! It’s a perfect way to get children to eat their vegetables. Its …
So this recipe has been in my family for as long as I can remember! We make every year around the holidays and it’s the easiest most delicious recipe ever!!! Three….yes Three ingredients, Blue cheese, biscuits and butter. I mean….what better combo! The biscuits get …
So I’ve been on a real pasta kick lately!! I just got a new pasta cookbook and got totally inspired for this dish! This beef ragu is simmered for about 45 minutes, traditionally the longer the better! But all the flavors just merry together and …
What more could you ask for?! These are soft buttery pillows of dough that are just so easy to make! Think of a regular potato roll but this time I switched it up and added mashed sweet potato! It just give it that extra little …
I just posted the whipped acorn squash and apple puree and paired it tonight for dinner along with seared chicken and brussel sprouts! Such a perfect fall dinner. All the flavors just pair so well together. Make sure to get the nice sear crust on …
With Thanksgiving right around the corner everyone is trying to put together the perfect menu. Thinking about all the sides that need to go along with the perfectly cooked turkey. Well if you want to try a little something different this is it. I roast …
Beef stroganoff is one of those classics from back in the 1970’s, cream of mushroom soup, tender stewed beef and wide egg noodles. I alway feel a little nostalgic with this dish. It just brings me back to childhood. My mom would always make this …
This is one of those super cozy meals, on a cold night. It’s like a big warm hug. Best for those nights that you’re craving Italian but also want some of those wonderful fall flavors. The butternut squash is roasted with garlic, shallots and a …
I made these the other day for my brother’s wedding reception. They literally flew off the platters. They are such a perfect little handheld dessert. People could just grab them and be on their way. They are perfectly moist and spiced little cakes with a …
Rice bowls are one of those things that are so simple and quick to put together. You can be so creative with anything you want to put on top of them. I love making mediterranean platters, just putting all these topping on a plate and …
Ohhh it is getting chilly outside!! What a better way to warm up than with a big hot bowl of ramen?! This is super easy to make and only takes about 30 minutes. Of course the longer you simmer the broth the better but it’s …
With summer coming to an end here I have had tons of zucchini and carrots around and finding the best ways to use them all up. I’ve also been thinking about how good a carrot cake is and zucchini bread so I decided to combine …
This is one of those perfect end of summer dishes! It has all the summer flavors but is comforting enough for a warm cozy dinner. I puree carrots into the risotto giving it that beautiful orange pop of color and then stir in sweet summer …
I have had some technical problems with my site lately so it has been down. Sorry for those who have been trying to go on. It’s been tough but it’s back up and running, and should be great now! Anyways I have sooo many herbs …
What a perfect way to celebrate these hot summer days than with some ice cream?! Cool off with this perfect no churn ice cream. It’s just so creamy and dreamy you want to float off and eat the whole thing by yourself. Not really…….but no …
I always love having a quick and easy bread on hand all the time. I make zucchini bread and banana bread quite a bit but with so much growing in my garden right now and a baby that loves bananas I’ve been tending to have …
Who doesn’t love good dill pickles?! They are so crisp and refreshing and slightly spicy from a pinch of red pepper. The dill is so bright and delicious, I could probably eat a whole jar of these. The farmers markets are bursting with all the …
It’s national cheesecake day!! So what better way to celebrate than with all those beautifully ripe summer cherries?! I found some deliciously tart cherries from the farmers market the other day, and wanted to make something special with them. Bourbon and cherries are such an …
Summer is finally here!! That means all the grilling and corn!!! I made this last night to go along with our brats. As the brats were finishing up I literally almost ate this whole bowl to my self. It’s that good. Everything you want on …
Happy summer and almost 4th of July!!! Celebrate with this sparkling firecracker. This no bake, easy to make, delicious dessert is perfect for any backyard party or watching the fireworks! The filling is five ingredients, cream cheese, heavy cream, powdered sugar, vanilla and fresh berries. …
With summer just a day away I wanted to try switching things up so I made this Vietnamese chicken banh mi. It’s sweet, spicy and salty grilled chicken loaded up with a siracha honey, pickled vegetables and lots of herbs. It’s so bright and delicious …
English muffins are one of my ultimate favorite things to make when I have a little extra time, it’s a great weekend baking activity. You can even make the dough at night and bake them off in the morning. It does take a little time …
There are food trucks all over New York city that feature chicken or lamb that’s been seasoned with a Middle Eastern spice mix, seared on a grill or skillet and then served over rice or with a warm pita bread. Being Father’s day yesterday we …
I’ve been testing this recipe for quite awhile now. Subbing out oatmeal for the chocolate chips or swirling in some creamy peanut butter and all options are fantastic! This bread is really healthy, no granulated sugar or butter. So I feel really good about eating …
This Dutch baby is like a cross between a pancake and a crepe. It’s crispy on the bottom and edges and then soft and tender on top! I made it over the weekend for brunch. My husband and I finished it in a matter of …
Buttermilk biscuits are an iconic staple of the south and one of my favorite things for breakfast ever! With just a little homemade jam or salted butter it’s the best! These biscuits are soo flaky and buttery and a mile high with so many layers. …
This is a true fiesta in a bowl right here! Perfect for Cinco de Mayo coming up! It pairs very nicely with a little spicy strawberry margarita as well. The chicken is a little smokey and spicy. While the pico adds a nice freshness along …
I made these pretty little tarts for my sisters wedding shower. I got store bought tart shells making life a lot easier then I filled it with this creamy lemony filling. Adding a little whipped cream to the curd just totally lightens it up. Top …
Bibimbap is traditionally a Korean rice bowl with thinly sliced beef, rice, pickled vegetables and an egg. I made this superfood healthy version of this bibimbap and let me tell you it is so dang good! It has so many textures and flavors that I …
Last night we had a massive spring snow storm! This bowl was everything we needed to get through the night! Just pure comfort food the salmon was tender and had soaked up all that delicious curry sauce along with a little basmati and fluffy naan …
Pupusas are a traditional street food in Central America mostly in El Salvador. They are delicious masa cakes filled typically with pork, cheese or beans. I filled mine with braised chicken and melted cheese. Topped with salsa, sour cream and avocado it’s like going on …
I love a good meal like this after a long day! It’s comforting and healthy. Stuffing chicken may seem difficult but it’s very simple and perfect for a weeknight or a gathering, Plus it looks really pretty when you put this whole skillet on the …
This is such a perfect dessert for a small get together, Easter is coming up! It’s packed with tons of fresh juicy berries and then topped with a crumbly, buttery cookie like biscuits on top, that just gets soaked up by the berry juice. With …
I’ve been thinking about making pop tarts for awhile now and I thought the first day of spring would be perfect! It’s a perfectly sweet homemade jam made with fresh berries, a little maple syrup, cinnamon and vanilla wrapped up in a buttery flaky pie …
Homemade muffins are great for a quick snack or breakfast with a large cup of coffee. They are healthy(ish) and so easy to make in one bowl! I always love the peanut butter banana combination and then decided to add some cinnamon chips and then …
I love making granola bars to have as a quick snack when we are always on the go! I made these for a dear friend that is serving in the air force and am going to ship these to Afghanistan. I know they will keep …
I’m so excited about this recipe! It’s my new favorite vegetarian go to. The whole cauliflower gets smokey and crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, the poaching liquid infuses into the cauliflower and roasting it makes it crispy. While there is a …
There’s nothing I love more on a freezing cold night than cozying up to a big bowl of comforting soup! It takes about 20 minutes from start to finish. It’s all the flavors bright citrus from the lime, creamy from the coconut milk, nutty from …
It was my mom’s birthday the other day! So they came up to the cities here to celebrate!! We love celebrating birthdays in our family, I always try and make their favorite meal and then birthday cake cake is a must have. So this is …
This cake I made over New Years! I wanted the flavors of raspberry and champagne to shine through throughout the cake. I layered an almond cake with a champagne glaze, almond crumb, black raspberry jam, vanilla buttercream and fresh raspberries. I love the idea of …
We love salmon in this house, we probably eat it once or twice a week. This is my simple go to for salmon, it’s quick and easy but yet comforting. The maple adds a nice crust on the salmon and the mustard adds a nice …
It’s officially the holiday season!! This is my twist at making America’s favorite cookie. Who doesn’t love Oreos? The peppermint just makes it that much more special for any holiday party! It was snowing outside here, I had candles lit and listening to christmas …
This is such a comforting dish when it’s cold outside. The beef is slow roasted with a bunch of herbs and vegetables and then gently pulled apart and tossed with a little au jus and pappardelle. It makes the whole house just smell so …
Romesco is typically a Spanish tomato no cook, pureed sauce made with garlic, nuts and vinegar. It’s so versatile and can be put on fish, pasta, or spread on crostinis. I made it with farfalle last night for dinner with roasted red peppers instead. …
Today is my husbands birthday! So to celebrate I made this heavenly chocolate layered cake with a cool mint swiss meringue buttercream. He loves anything mint chocolate, so what better way to say happy birthday?! To give the chocolate cake a little extra I …
Now that it’s full on apple season this is a perfect recipe for all those extra apples that you have to use up! Just set it on the stove and let it go. The whole house will smell like apple cinnamon. Perfect for those chilly …
So it’s officially fall!!! Bring on the sweater weather, comfort food, beautiful colored leaves, jewel toned everything, apples and all the pumpkins. Once that first leaf falls I can’t wait for all the fall fun. It’s a little crisp outside here and there is …
After having Louie a little over a month ago, it’s definitely hard to get back into the kitchen and think about anything other than baby. I can’t wait until he can help me in the kitchen. He is just the light of our lives. …
One of my favorite things during the summer is going to the local market and picking out all the local produce from the farmers. It’s so much fun to see the seasons change through food! I made this salad the other day and it was …
With summer BBQ’s right around the corner, this is a perfect side dish! Chives and chive blossoms are in full bloom right now so it’s really fun to garnish the potato salad with the little purple flowers; it adds a beautiful color and mild …
These are fantastic just by themselves for a quick appetizer when friends come over, or over some risotto or pasta as a meal. I was just craving some good comfort food the other day so I came up with this. I like adding the …
Happy Easter weekend everyone! If you’re looking for a healthy quick bread to make to go alongside you’re brunch this is perfect. I added bananas in here for a healthy natural sweetness along with maple syrup and sour cream to add some richness. It’s …
I got some great lobster tails at a meat and seafood market the other day so I had to make something special with it. I always see lobster with heavy cream sauces, but I wanted to try something a little lighter and brighter. This saffron …
I love making this for breakfast or a snack. I’ve been really craving citrus lately and since it’s in season I thought the color of blood orange would be so pretty with the chia seeds. They are a total superfood that have a ton …
I made this for work the other day. It’s a great vegetarian option, and you can really do any of your favorite combinations; sometimes I also stuff them with ground beef or lamb as well. Just make sure when you grill the naan the …
With the holidays coming up and magic in the air, it’s time to make some christmas cookies for the cookie exchange or party. These melt in your mouth and the dough is like mint chocolate chip ice cream. Just a hint of mint and …
Pot pies to me are pure comfort food. With the temperatures dropping and the holidays around the corner I love making something that just warms the soul. There’s a ton of root vegetables at the farmers market right now so I thought this would …
Well it’s my favorite time of the year, fall!! I love everything about it, from the crisp air, to the stunning changing trees, pumpkin everything and all the delicious comfort food. Agnolotti, it’s very similar to ravioli, little filled pillows. This dish is all …
While apple season is fully upon us, (my absolute favorite) I went to the apple orchard Sunday and had so much fun! We went to a pick your own apples and spent hours wandering around the apple trees and drinking wine in the grass. …
One of our favorite go to meals is a good stir fry. Especially when I have a bunch of fresh vegetables from the market. Plus it’s a great way to clean out the fridge. I got beautiful purple cauliflower heads from the market and …
