Snacks
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Never Too Many Cookies
Freshly baked cookies are one of the most comforting treats around. I have tried many different cookie recipes over the years and cannot recall being disappointed by a single one. We do have favorites, but I always like to try new types of cookies, especially cookies that get a lot of press. One such famous cookie recipe is Former First Lady Laura Bush’s Cowboy Cookies. These cookies were originally made famous when the magazine Family Circle pitted Laura Bush’s cookie recipe against Tipper Gore’s ginger snaps. Laura Bush’s cookies won, as did her husband’s bid for office. That was obviously a long time ago, but the recipe still gets occasional…
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Fruit Salad – A Summer Staple
I’m not going to lie to you – it’s been a week. I have managed to make dinner every night, but something has gone amuck each evening and dinner has ended up very late. This is not my favorite scenario, but some weeks are like that. The one bright food spot in the week for me was a visit to our local fruit stand. It was one of those perfect golden moments when the last of the strawberries were in, along with the first watermelons and cantaloupes, and some elusive early season peaches – all the makings for a beautiful fruit salad. So, that’s just what I did. I made…
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Perky, Peppy, Pickled Vegetables
We have been lucky enough to have some food adventures lately. One such fun adventure was to celebrate birthdays for my husband and one of our best friends at Carolina Grill and Tiki Bar in Carolina Beach. It was the perfect evening to sit on the dock sipping amazing drinks and eating salty food. One of the dishes we ordered was Pimento cheese with pita chips. That was amazing in and of itself, but it was served along with pickled vegetables that were out of this world. I could have happily eaten a plateful of those alone. This got me to thinking that I should make some pickled veggies at…
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A Celebration of Strawberries
It is finally here! It is officially strawberry season in North Carolina. We had to wait a couple extra weeks due to a few cold snaps. But it was worth the wait. The berries are huge, sweet and oh so delicious. Our local fields officially opened last week, and we are on our second gallon bucket of berries already. They have been eaten straight out of the bucket, some have topped oatmeal, and others went on top of ice cream. But that still leaves lots of berries waiting for other yummy recipes. Last week, we took a shopping trip to Wegman’s and bought their delicious New York bagels and a…
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Spring Delights
We have finally reached the best part of Spring here in North Carolina. The weather has warmed up, birds are nesting, everything is in full bloom and best of all, the blasted pine pollen is finally gone. We have the windows wide open and we are loving it. Along with all the sights and sounds that herald Spring, there are certain flavors that represent Spring. One of those flavor combinations is lemons and blueberries. Maybe it’s because the flavors are so bright and cheerful on their own, but together tangy lemon and sweet blueberry are amazing. As I looked through my many saved recipe files, I realized I had saved…
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Puffy, Cheesy Breadsticks
I first learned about Halloumi cheese a couple years ago from a fellow food blogger. It is a delicious Mediterranean cheese that is salty, chewy and very versatile. It is widely available in Europe, but thankfully, it is becoming more popular here in the US. I have been able to find it consistently at Wegman’s, but recently I found it for significantly cheaper at Lidl. Our favorite way to eat Halloumi is to slice it and fry it in a pan with just a little bit of olive oil. This turns it into an upgraded snack, or a great addition to a salad. But a few months ago, I found…
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The Pursuit of Perfection
When it comes to homemade chocolate chip cookies, I believe there are 2 kinds of people. The first kind has a secret family recipe they use every single time. The second kind of person is like me, always in pursuit of THE perfect recipe. Siri Daly, Today Show contributor and wife of Carson Daly, is also this kind of person. In her cookbook, “Siriously Delicious”, she shares that she has tried many recipes but has come up with an “ideal” cookie. Hers are chewy in the middle and crispy on the edges. They are also the perfect combination of bittersweet chocolate and salt! I decided to try out Siri’s Perfect…
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Gifts Made with Love
Here we are again, at the doorstep of another holiday that will likely be very different than years before. Christmas for most of us will be more subdued. There will be no office holiday parties, and likely no cookie exchanges. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still show your love and appreciation for family, friends and neighbors with a little something. In fact, maybe this year more than any other, we should show a little extra love, even if it’s a simple gesture. I have always loved gifts handmade with love and have shared a few with you in the past. Some of my favorites to make and share include…
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Thanksgiving’s Forgotten Meal
Most families will be having a very different kind of Thanksgiving this year. Traditionally, this is our biggest family holiday, with most of my side of the family coming to town for the weekend. Sadly, this year it will just be our local family, a whopping 8 of us altogether. In years past, we are usually buzzing with activity early in the day, with family popping in and out of my front and back door, prepping food for the early afternoon main-event meal. Our family likes to eat THE meal around 2 p.m., and then a light dinner in the evening, consisting of turkey sammies in all of their glory.…
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Seasonal Fries
Apples aren’t the only seasonal thing in at the farmers market. Root vegetables are also having their moment. Sweet potatoes in particular are in abundance. There are many ways to serve up sweet potatoes – bake them, roast them, stick ‘em in a stew. But sweet potato fries are always a crowd pleaser. We have been having a debate in our house since last year about whether or not to purchase an air fryer. I am generally all for the latest kitchen gadgets that make cooking easier. But it appears that most air fryers are large, countertop appliances and my counter space is already at a premium. Last week, many…
