Butternut Squash Carbonara If you had told me two years ago that I would post a recipe with the words "butternut squash" in the title, I would have laughed and said you were crazy. I have always hated squash with a passion. If I wanted something soft and sweet, I'd eat a bowl of ice cream. Every September, though, my dad insists we take some squash from their garden. Every September I do. Then I either feed it to my husband or add it to a pile of small pumpkins for a nice fall centerpiece. I love the strange shapes and bright colors of squash. The taste and texture? No thanks. Until I made this recipe, that is. A few years ago, I shared a post Keep Reading
How to Make Roasted Marinara Sauce
Roasted Marinara Sauce Sitting in a restaurant at the beginning of September, I overheard a waitress ask another customer, "How was your summer?" He replied, "So far, so good." It made me smile. So far? Doesn't he realize that school buses loaded with backpack-clad children are rumbling down the street as he speaks? Or maybe instead, kids have started their Zoom classes and online learning? #2020 The more I thought about it, though, the more I had to agree with his present-tense assessment of summer. Despite the fact that school has started, early September really is prime summer time here in the Northwest. The days are comfortable and hazy. Keep Reading
Middle Eastern Vegetable Salad
Middle Eastern Vegetable Salad I have been making this Ina Garten recipe on a weekly basis. My husband is a big fan, and it receives rave reviews anytime it hits the road, potluck style. This Middle Eastern Vegetable Salad is a great end-of-summer recipe because it highlights vegetables that are coming out of the garden at the end of the summer: tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, parsley, and basil. However, I'll often mix and match vegetables based on what I have on hand; zucchini, green beans, olives, artichoke hearts, or avocado all complement or substitute for the tomatoes and cucumbers. Or whatever you can find at the store. I've only made slight Keep Reading
How to make slow cooker caramelized onions
Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions Apparently, I am on a caramelizing kick. First, this butternut squash. Last week was roasted garlic. Now caramelized onions. Somebody stop me! The ingredient list is so short, the steps so simple, and the results so good that it's hard not to be a fan. Just like with roasting garlic, caramelizing onions replaces that often sharp, bitter bite with a sweeter, deeper flavor. These mellow onions can be used in anything from soups and stews to pizzas and burgers. Or just spread some goat cheese over a slice of bread and lay some caramelized onions on top. I did. Then I ate it for breakfast. I'm not pregnant or anything, Keep Reading
How to Make Homemade Corn Dog Muffins (+ gluten-free, dairy-free options)
Homemade Corn Dog Muffins With Fourth of July coming (and just summer in general), you should start to see grocery stores release some great sales on hot dogs. If you're looking for ways to use them outside of just throwing them on the grill, these Homemade Corn Dog Muffins are so fun and easy AND they freeze well. And you don't have to fry anything like a traditional corn dog. Less mess, less fuss. For a dairy-free option, use coconut oil and almond or coconut milk. For a gluten-free option, swap out the flour one-to-one with your favorite gluten-free flour. The texture may be a bit cakier, but should still taste great! Corn Dog Keep Reading
White Bean Spread (gluten-free, dairy-free recipe)
White Bean Spread Recipe I started making this White Bean Spread recipe three years ago and haven't looked back. I could eat it with a spoon, on a house, with a mouse. You name it. It is so crazy delicious. If you aren't a big fan of hummus, you might prefer this variation. It has most of the same ingredients, simply swapping white beans for garbanzo beans and omitting tahini (sesame seed paste), which is a pretty strong flavor. Plus it's gluten-free and dairy-free! I've slightly simplified the original recipe from Heidi Swanson, who is one of my all-time favorite vegetarian food bloggers and cookbook authors. This recipe is light and healthy, Keep Reading
Maple Bacon Baked Beans
Maple Bacon Baked Beans The forecast is looking bright and sunny for this weekend. Perfect weather to kick back, hang out, get outside. BBQ. Just in time for summer, these baked beans go perfectly with anything you pull off the grill. This recipe came from my grandma's cookbook, which is a great place to start. She originally used 1 pound of hamburger as a base. You could do that and create a sort of main dish. I cut it back and used bacon for flavor instead. You could also omit the meat altogether for a vegetarian option. You may be thinking, Why would I go to the hassle of making baked beans when popping open a can is way easier? Good Keep Reading