For someone who would rather eat a bowl of broccoli for breakfast than eat a banana, I love banana bread an awful lot. In that sense, there’s something fascinating about bananas. Put them in a smoothie, oatmeal, or bread, and they become something so much more than you would ever guess when eating a banana on its own. If you have bananas that are a bit too ripe, chances are you’ve made banana bread. Chances are, if you’re anything like … Read More
Potato Pancakes
In my opinion, there’s nothing more satisfying that finding a great deal on an article of clothing, especially when it’s something you’ve had your eye on. The thrill of the hunt, extra cash in your bank account, and, of course, being able to tell your friends about your good fortune. But second to finding something great on sale, is finding a new way to use leftovers, and as far as leftovers go, it doesn’t really get any more versatile than … Read More
White Chocolate Nutella Truffles
The more I listen to the people around me talk, I realize Valentine’s Day is a very polarizing holiday. There aren’t many people who don’t have strong feelings about the day designated above all others to celebrate love. People love it, people hate it, some people pretend it doesn’t exist, and while browsing the card isle at Target yesterday, I even saw “Anti-Val” cards for the ultimate cynics out there. Me personally? I love Valentine’s Day. Romantic valentine or not, … Read More
30 Minute Vegetarian Chili
I love chili. In all forms, flavors, and areas of the country, with cornbread, rice, toast, if you put a bowl of chili in front of me, I will eat it. The only exception to this rule being that chili is not allowed to be watery; it has to have substance, a mix of textures, and big flavor. But unfortunately, chili and I have a bit of a love-hate relationship. In the winter I could eat it every night, but … Read More
New Take On: Scotcheroos
If you’re from the Midwest, or have spent any prolonged amount of time in the area, you may want to stop reading right now. I mean it, this post may offend you, but if you ignore my warning and keep reading, please don’t say I didn’t warn you. Because I’m about to take issue with one of the most beloved desserts that exist in the Midwest. Heck, Scotcheroos may have cult status in other areas of the country, too, though … Read More
Open-faced Pumpkin and Peanut Butter Whoopie Pies
My two absolute favorite ingredients are peanut butter and pumpkin. Impressive, exclusive, gourmet? No. Delicious and versatile? Most certainly. Because they are both so versatile, and can star in dishes both sweet and savory, I never run out of ways to use them, and if at all possible, together. If you take a seat at my breakfast table during the winter months, which here in Iowa the term ‘winter months’ can mean any time between October and April, you will … Read More
Italian Ricotta Mashed Peas
When I moved into my apartment and went grocery shopping for the first time, I was all about my freezer. In an effort to save money, I read a lot about good foods to freeze/keep in the freezer, and in my excitement about great frozen foods I bought a large bag of peas, thinking they would be incredibly useful. But instead of being useful, they have taken up permanent residence in my freezer, untouched in the month+ since I moved … Read More
Dijon Beans and Greens
There are some scary vegetables out there. You know, the ones you pass by every time you’re at the grocery store because you’re just not sure what to do with them, or if you’re like me, you’ve been told they just don’t taste very good. Case in point? Brussels Sprouts. If we played a little game of word-association when I said “Brussels sprouts,” you would probably think, “stinky, green, something mom made me eat before I could have dessert.” Am … Read More
Peanut Butter-Butterscotch Blondies with Salted Peanut Butter Cream
I wasn’t planning on posting anything until after the weekend, but this idea was nagging at me all week, begging “bake me!” And now I’m glad I didn’t wait, because it would be cruel and unusual punishment to withhold this recipe from you all. Seriously, this is without a doubt the best recipe to come out of my kitchen in an awfully long time. One of my favorite food trends to surface in the past year has been kosher salt … Read More
Basic Bread Dough
In the last two months, I’ve had a revelation. It started with a loaf of cranberry walnut bread from Great Harvest, and after one bite I was immediately filled with regret. I, like almost everyone else, had been buying generic, mass-produced, whole-wheat bread from the grocery store and was eating my way through life, ignorant of how deliciously different freshly-baked bread tastes. This revelation was followed by another, equally important one. Baking bread yourself can be every bit as easy. … Read More
Craft Project: Cookies
Anyone who knows me would be able to tell you that Hobby Lobby is the bain of my existence. I have a very passionate love/hate relationship with the place. Sure, I find myself spending hours browsing through aisles upon isles of paper, fabric, stickers, and ribbon. In my mind I am Martha Stewart. I will buy those craft supplies, hurry home, and any number of beautiful hand-made cards, floral arrangements, and customized lamp-shades, after which I will step back, admire … Read More
Spinach and Shrimp Crostini with Mozzarella
As a food editor at Better Homes and Gardens, it’s my job to think about food all day – planning, photographing, tasting, testing, and writing. So despite my love for all things food, when I get home at the end of the day, actually making myself dinner takes more than a little effort. Throughout the day thoughts of what I could do for dinner with the items at home float through my mind, but when I kick off my shoes … Read More