Sweet & Tangy Cucumbers

If I see yet another flake of snow this year, I’m going to scream. Pittsburgh was hit pretty hard with several major snow storms and it has been months since I’ve seen something other than white in my front yard. Even Sophie is over it.
With the official day of spring just around the corner, I’m [...]

Roasted Maple Dijon Brussel Sprouts

My favorite way to cook brussel sprouts is by roasting them. I love how the edges get crispy from the intense heat and they seem to take on a hint of sweetness. Many sprout recipes usually incorporate some sort of meat like bacon or prosciutto. While they are tasty, I wanted to do something a [...]

Double Chocolate Swirl Bread

When I plunged my tense hands into the semi-dark dough, my frustrations began to melt away.  There was something wonderfully relaxing about kneading the dough when the only thing I wanted to do was scream at the stupidity that inspired me to bake bread in the first place.
I rarely bake breads for the simple fact [...]

Impromptu Dinner Party: Brent & Ty Take Over

After returning home from a wonderful trip in Toronto, the last thing I wanted to do was eat in yet another restaurant.  I craved a home cooked meal and the comfort of relaxing in the backyard, without the annoyance of servers asking us if we were American based on what we ordered.  While trying to [...]

Lemon Vegetable Pasta Salad

When I’m in the kitchen, I get into a zone.  It’s hard to have anyone help me because my head typically spins 100 miles per minute as I’m stirring, chopping and baking.  Time is always of the essence when it comes to styling the food for a photo.  I try to plan in advance how [...]

Savory Couscous

This was also a side dish for my Saturday Dinner Party.
I work in a completely beige, windowless, office with giant Post-it sheets covering every square inch of my tiny space.  I have three mismatched chairs for visitors, my filing cabinet sticks when I open it, and my tired old desk is piled with my various [...]

Whole Grain Pasta Salad

Spring is in the air with a light aroma of charcoal and grilled meats hovering over my neighborhood.  In the back of my mind, I can hear the sizzle of a juicy steak hitting the hot grates of a shiny new grill.  I’m looking forward to this weekend when I will attempt to find an [...]

Slow Cooker Applesauce

Applesauce is a versatile treat that can be used in both sweet and savory dishes.  I’ve seen variations of applesauce used with a great loin of pork and then in the very same breath used to create sensational sweet bundles of love…whatever that might be.
Last week, I decided to transform a bounty for delicious Granny [...]

Twice Baked Potato Wedges

The first job I ever had was the coveted cart boy position at my local golf course.  I spent many summer days wiping down carts and carrying heavy golf clubs.  Yeah, I knew I was cool with my oversized walkie talkie clipped to a brown belt bought on sale at Kmart.
One day the clubhouse restaurant [...]