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Slightly Simplified Lasagna
I love lasagna, but homemade lasagna is a labor of love. There are some good frozen, pre-made lasagnas out there, but homemade is always better. Something about the cold rainy weather put me in the mood to make a nice big pan. While visiting friends recently, our host made lasagna by winging it almost entirely. I was very surprised and skeptical, but it turned out delicious. This made me wonder if I was making it too big of a deal in my mind. Could it be less complicated and pulled together relatively quickly? I admit I didn’t really pay attention to all the steps my friend took, so I poked…
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Warming Yourself From the Inside Out
This has been quite the weather week for most of the country. Thankfully, here in the Raleigh area, all we have gotten is cold rain – LOTS of cold rain. It is the perfect weather for a big pot of comforting soup. We have always liked chicken tortilla soup, especially when it’s creamy. I found a recipe for just such a thing hiding in my saved files and thought we would give it a try. The recipe comes from www.thecookierookie.com. Her recipe can be made with uncooked chicken breasts, or with cooked rotisserie chicken. I had a package of pulled rotisserie chicken I had recently bought at Costco just waiting…
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Say I Love You With Chocolate
I am a sucker for a truffle – the chocolate kind, not the fungus kind. I love a shiny chocolate shell that promises a creamy, flavorful center. Not just any truffle will do, though. Sorry, but a Whitman’s Sampler does not cut it. I prefer high quality dark chocolate. We have some really nice chocolatiers in our area, like Fera’Wyn’s Chocolate Cafe, and Tsuru Sweets & Coffee. Both of these local shops have some gorgeous options for your valentine, if you want show-stopping chocolate truffles. Fera’Wyn’s has dairy-free and gluten-free options, too. But if you are in the market for something a little more hands-on, you can make some handmade…
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Comfort Combined
While I may still remain the most unknown food blogger in the world, there are several more successful bloggers that I follow and admire. One such blogger is Julia Frey. Her food blog can be found at www.vikalinka.com. She makes amazing dishes and makes them all look effortless. I chose to cook and review one of her recipes this week that combines two of my favorite comfort foods – homemade macaroni and cheese and Bolognese sauce. Her recipe is called “Layered Italian Baked Mac and Cheese.” I had all of the ingredients on hand and it continues to be cold and rainy here, so comfort is in order. Now, I…
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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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Good for the Soul
Last weekend, we took a little break from reality and ran away to Disney World. It seems a little crazy, but it really is a good time to visit the parks. Disney is still limiting how many people can enter the park each day and masks are required everywhere, all the time. They are diligent about cleaning, even more than usual, and there are hand sanitizer stations everywhere. Last time we went, our girls were 5 and 3. Needless to say, they were able to enjoy themselves quite a bit more this time around. We were able to conquer all of the roller coasters and experience Galaxy’s Edge, the new…
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Comfort in the Form of Carbs
I hate to admit it, but carbs are my love language. There is nothing more comforting to me than noodles. I guess I am the human version of the Kung Fu Panda. I have noodle dreams way too much. Well, it’s Finals week for our high schoolers, so extra comfort is in order. Whenever I make spaghetti or Bolognese like I made last week, my oldest just wants plain noodles with butter and Parmesan. She is 17 – I can’t explain it. Anyway, I decided to make the grown up version of that as our recipe review this week. I found a recipe for One Pan Garlic Parmesan Pasta from…
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So Many Recipes, So Little Time
So, we have officially made it to 2021, and so far, we are not off to an auspicious start. We still have Christmas decorations up, our girls are taking 1st semester finals next week, and the country has gone to the wolves. It doesn’t feel much like a fresh start. We just keep taking one day at a time. Some people are really into New Year’s resolutions, like working out more, getting better sleep, being more organized. I am not one for making resolutions, as I know myself and do not stick to them. I have, however, set some goals. I am trying to become more active, to shake off…
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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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A Classic Made Even Better
One of the best things about being a self-declared foodie is people know I love to hear about great places to eat and delicious recipes to try. One such person who shares ideas with me regularly is my friend, Judy. We met quite a few years ago at water aerobics class. Judy’s talents in the kitchen far exceed mine, especially when it comes to baking bread. She also has the gift of improvisation in the kitchen, which brings amazing meals into existence. She has shared many recipes and ideas with me, and this particular recipe idea comes directly from her kitchen. French toast is a classic on it’s own, but…
