October 19, 2010
Hearty Beef and Potato Stew
I’ve posted a lot of sweet stuff lately, so I decided it was time to switch things up and post something healthier. Since the weather finally started turning cooler this month, I’ve been on the look out for some new soups or stews that I love as much as my chicken tortilla and chicken pot pie soups. Unfortunately, there are a lot of soups out there that are bland and boring, but after trying out two disappointing soups I was happy to find out that the third time was the charm with this recipe.
October 6, 2010
Chocolate-Pumpkin Marble Cake with Cream Cheese Glaze
I am officially addicted to pumpkin. Maybe I’m just trying to make up for all the lost years of not eating it, but I’ve been making myself a pumpkin spice latte every morning and it’s pretty much the only thing I’m interested in baking with lately. And did you hear? The canned pumpkin shortage is over, so it shouldn’t be so hard to find it this year! I’ve already stocked up.
When I was going though my recipe archives for last week’s Fall round-up post and remembered the Double Chocolate Pumpkin Cupcakes, I knew I wanted to make something else with pumpkin and chocolate and since we’ve already established that I love any kind of marbled dessert, I decided a marbled chocolate and pumpkin cake would be perfect.
September 30, 2010
Fall Recipe Round Up
Okay, I’m cheating a little with this post. I’ve just gotten back from vacation so I haven’t had time to try out any new recipes in a few weeks, but I did bake a bunch of muffins and breads to take on our trip and that got me looking though my recipe archives. Plus, I’ve seen a big increase in search engine traffic looking for soups and other Fall comfort foods, so I thought I’d make a list of my favorites.
I’ll be back next week with something new, until then try out some of these great recipes:
September 14, 2010
Pumpkin-Cinnamon Streusel Buns
So I know the actual first day of Fall isn’t for a few weeks, but as far as I’m concerned Labor Day is the end of summer. After that it’s Fall. Even when it’s still 90 degrees outside. A year ago Brandon had just gotten a job here and we were preparing to make the move from Florida to Virginia. I cannot tell you how much happier I am in Virginia and the main reason for that is because of Fall (and Winter, Spring and even Summer). There are actual seasons here! Maybe I’m strange for being so affected by the weather, but I found the static-ness of Florida’s temperature and landscape to be utterly depressing (I probably would’ve felt differently if we had lived closer to the ocean, which I love, but unfortunately we were right in the middle of the state). Since I wasn’t here this time last year it’s nice to go out and see the beginnings of Fall; leaves are already starting to change color and fall off. In short, I’m really excited about Fall. Probably more excited than …
August 31, 2010
Strawberries and Cream Frozen Yogurt
I can barely believe it’s September already. The summer is basically over and I realized that I haven’t made any ice cream yet! I had all these grand plans that I was going to finally buy an ice cream maker and make all different kinds of flavors of ice cream and frozen yogurt. But no, I never did get that ice cream maker and now it’s looking like I’m going to have to buy a new blender, so I guess the ice cream maker will just have to wait another year.
But I didn’t want the summer to be over without making any ice cream and luckily, it’s still pretty easy to make without the machine. All you need is a freezer and a mixer (or even strong arms and sturdy whisk will do). I decided to make frozen yogurt again because of how much I enjoyed the frozen yogurt I made last summer. It’s better for you than ice cream, but it’s just as creamy and delicious so it doesn’t taste like you’re sacrificing anything.
August 17, 2010
Dulce de Leche Peach Tart
I’ve always been a really picky eater. I’ve made some progress on that front since I started this blog, but I’m still way too picky to be called a “foodie” or anything like that. But this summer I’ve made some pretty big discoveries that have challenged my preconceptions of certain foods and because of that I’ve decided to change. I made this challenge to myself: I will try everything at least once. If I don’t like it, fine, but at least now I know I don’t like it and I’m not just assuming based on how it looks or smells or whatever weird childhood memories it brings up.
For example, I’ve never liked carrots because in elementary school I threw up in the middle of the cafeteria after eating some. Now it turns out, I still don’t really like the taste of raw carrots. But I use carrots in my cooking all the time now because I’ve discovered that if they are in something else, like a soup or salad or pot pie, then I don’t mind them. I used to obsessively pick …
August 4, 2010
Caramelized French Toast (Plus Homemade Raisin Bread!)
I’m not 100% happy with the name of this recipe. Caramelized Cinnamon Toast might be better, but calling it French Toast is more descriptive of how it’s made. I would say this is a combination of French Toast and Cinnamon Toast, but Caramelized Cinnamon French Toast is way too long, so we’ll just keep it simple. Everyone knows what French Toast is, right?
I’ve never been a big fan of French Toast. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve never disliked it, but in the world of breakfast foods, I’d usually rather have pancakes or pastries. In fact, I’m not sure I’ve ever even made it at home before. I remember my mom used to make it when I was a kid (though not as much as pancakes or waffles) and of course I’ve had it at restaurants, but I guess it’s never occurred to me to actually make French Toast myself. But Cinnamon Toast? Well, that is one of my most favorite things in the whole world. I make that all the time. So much so that I have a bottle just to store my …
