Monthly Archives: September 2011

Browned Butter Pumpkin Spice Rice Krispie Treats

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Anyone who knows me well can tell you that I am a bit of a coffee junkie.  I’m only slightly embarrassed to admit that one of the happiest times of the year for me is when coffee shops across the country roll out their Pumpkin Spice lattes and fall flavored coffees.

So, imagine my joy when I was poking around Pinterest (Are you on Pinterest?  If you aren’t, you should be.) and I came across a recipe for pumpkin spiced krispie treats.  The original recipe is on the wonderful baking blog, Cookies and Cups.  As a firm believer in the power of a simple Rice Krispie treat, I knew I had to try this out for myself.  Read more... (541 words, 7 images, estimated 2:10 mins reading time)

Spicy Coconut Shrimp Stew

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Tuesday night has come and gone again in a blur of activity.  To add to the usual excitement, a good friend of ours, who is in town this week, came over for dinner and introduced us to her beautiful baby boy, Anthony.  We were so excited to see them and I think both of my girls are now a bit smitten with the new little guy.  Read more... (1022 words, 8 images, estimated 4:05 mins reading time)

Lemon Chicken Soup with Orzo

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One of the things I miss most about living in the Midwest is that chill in the air when fall first arrives.  I was downright giddy when I was in Michigan a couple of weeks ago and I stepped outside to find that the air was actually crisp.  It’s been so long since I’ve felt that, I’d almost forgotten how wonderful it is!  Down here in Georgia, we’re still waiting for that crisp, cool air and I’m beginning to think it may never come.  I know, I won’t be complaining when my family and friends are slammed with snow and ice come January, but there is something to be said for having four completely different seasons.  I miss fall the most.  Read more... (732 words, 6 images, estimated 2:56 mins reading time)

Butter Pecan Toffee Cookies

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Overall, I like to keep things pretty healthy around my house.  The problem with this is, as I’ve mentioned before,  I love to bake.  As we all know, baked goods aren’t exactly topping the Superfoods lists, no matter how much we want them to.  ”Everything in Moderation” is my food motto.  I enjoy good food way too much to live the rest of my life on lettuce alone.  This cookie recipe is one that can pacify my baking bug and not make me feel too terribly guilty about it.  It’s quick and easy, and best of all, it only makes a couple dozen cookies.  There are some cookie recipes that I love, but after I bake them, the cookie jar calls my name for days.  This recipe makes just enough.  My family and I can enjoy them, I can give some away and it’s done.  Back to salad…*sigh*  Read more... (714 words, 7 images, estimated 2:51 mins reading time)

Slow Cooked Chinese Pork

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Tuesdays are crazy for us. The kids come home from school, grab a quick snack, maybe glance at their homework and then off we go! I go from mild-mannered Mom to a crazed bus driver in a matter of minutes. Tuesdays must run like a well oiled machine for us or else everyone is a mess by bedtime, parents included. I’ve been trying to take full advantage of my Crock Pot on days like this! Throwing something simple into the slow cooker and knowing that dinner is one less thing I have to think about as I’m shuffling people around makes me a happy girl.  Read more... (729 words, 8 images, estimated 2:55 mins reading time)

Banana Streusel Muffins

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My grandmother passed away last night. It wasn’t a surprise, I’d been waiting for the call, but it’s still hard. She lived to the ripe old age of 94, but had been in hospice for the past few weeks. Her little body was giving out on her and we knew it was only a matter of time. That said, today has been a rough day. One of those emotional roller coaster days that just wear me out. I didn’t have time to be tired, though. So, after downing an excessive amount of coffee, I started my day by booking a plane ticket to Michigan and then I made a to-do list that seemed, at the time, a mile long. I had to pack, get the kids’ stuff ready for the weekend, write notes to the kids’ teachers about pick up tomorrow, shoot out about a million emails, run to the grocery store, etc. etc. etc. I was done with all of it before noon. I’m a busybody when I’m stressed out and, much like Izzie on Grey’s Anatomy, when I’ve finished my “stressed out to-to list” I usually end up baking.  Read more... (1049 words, 7 images, estimated 4:12 mins reading time)

Presto! Pesto!

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I’ve had quite a few people ask me for a decent pesto recipe lately.  It seems that this summer’s intense heat made everyone’s basil plants explode!  While there are a gazillion reasons why I think you should grow basil in your herb garden, fresh pesto tops my list.  It takes just a few minutes of your time to make, but there are so many ways you can use it.  Toss it with some pasta, stuff it into a pork tenderloin before you throw it on the grill, drizzle it over some sliced tomatoes and fresh mozzarella cheese, dilute it with a little more olive oil and use it as a marinade, mix it with a little mayo and use it on a sandwich, pour some over a block of cream cheese and serve it with crackers as a quick appetizer.  Or, if you’re my oldest daughter, you could eat it with a spoon and find that perfectly acceptable!  It’s good stuff.  Read more... (563 words, 7 images, estimated 2:15 mins reading time)

Roasted Edamame and Corn Salad

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My family has been a fan of edamame for years. As frequent sushi bar patrons, we’ve grown to love them steamed and in the pod.  At home, I serve them in the pod and shelled as a side dish or snack. In fact, my girls have been known to request a bowl of edamame pods instead of popcorn as we watch a movie.  Adults love them, kids love them and your body loves them.  I won’t bore you with the nutritional nitty-gritty, but know that if you’re eating edamame, your body thanks you.  Read more... (572 words, 6 images, estimated 2:17 mins reading time)

Peanut Butter Cup Brownie Bites

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Something came over me this year. It took me 30+ years, but I’ve finally discovered how truly amazing a chocolate and peanut butter dessert can be. I’ve always enjoyed the combination, but something happened this year and took my enjoyment and made it an obsession. I can’t get enough! A few months ago, I came upon a wonderful chocolate cupcake and peanut butter frosting recipe in Ina Garten’s cookbook, Barefoot Contessa at Home. The cupcakes were fantastic, but the frosting was TO DIE FOR. It’s a delicious recipe and so simple that I’m shocked cupcake bakeries around the world haven’t jumped on it yet. It is truly the smoothest, creamiest, peanut butteriest frosting I’ve ever had. So, I got to thinking and thought that if this amazing frosting was great on a cupcake, it might be even better on a brownie.  Read more... (528 words, 6 images, estimated 2:07 mins reading time)

Fattoush Salad with Chicken and Grilled Flat Breads

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Yes, I know it’s September. I know the kids have been back in school for weeks. That said, it’s still pretty warm down here in Georgia. Summer is hanging on tight (despite my protests) and I’m left searching for crisp, cool, light dinners that will satisfy my family and not heat up my kitchen. I believe that this recipe might just be warm weather recipe perfection. It’s simple, clean, and cool. Plus, I never had to turn on my oven. My husband had to stand over the grill for a few minutes, but personally, I never broke a sweat.  Read more... (704 words, 5 images, estimated 2:49 mins reading time)