• Food

    Roasted Acorn Squash Soup

    Right now I am spending time in Western Idaho with my parents. Autumn is in full force here, the leaves are changing from greens to beautiful yellows, oranges, and reds. The temperature has fallen and we have the heater on. It has been a decade since I spent quality time in an area where Autumn is a real season. Las Vegas Autumn pretty much just means that you have to begin wearing a sweater in the mornings and swim season is over. I have been enjoying this cooler weather and took full advantage of it with this recipe. My parents’ garden was super productive this year and dad ended up…

  • Food

    Dutch Baby Pancakes

    Dutch Baby, or commonly known as German Pancakes, have been a staple in my life since I was a tot. It is one several breakfasts my dad would make on the weekends. We’ve always called it Dutch Baby, mostly due to this cookbook… Both of my parents are from Oregon and this cookbook has been a primary go-to all of my life. An aunt gifted me my own copy when I married and started my own family. While this cookbook does have a Dutch Baby recipe, I have formed my own over the years. The Dutch Baby was born in Bismarck, ND and has been called a variety of names…

  • Food

    Everything Bagel Dip

    I’m constantly looking for quick recipes that are easy to share at a party, potluck, or any sort of get together with friends and family. Homemade dip is always a crowd pleasing go-to, whether it is sweet and served with wafers and fruit, or it is savory and served with crackers and vegetables. The everything bagel seasoning is very versatile and can be used in a variety of ways. I like to especially use it to make my own spread. The everything bagel dip can be used solely for a cracker and vegetable dip, or it can be used as a spread for sandwiches, bagels, or wraps. While the everything…

  • Food

    Lefse

    Every holiday season as far back as I can remember, making lefse has been a family tradition. It wasn’t until I became an adult and moved away that I realized just how many steps it takes to create it. The first year I tried my hand at lefse making without parental supervision, I made too large of a batch and it took me several hours four nights in a row to finish baking the batch. I have seriously wised up, and I now have many willing helpers so I don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen. This year was especially fun having these two nerds helping me. I don’t…

  • Food

    Thumb Print Cookies

    One holiday baked good I remember my mom making often was the thumb print cookie. She would vary in the jam flavors from year to year, but the dough and technique was always the same. Whenever I make thumb print cookies, I always think of the first time my mom taught me how to make them. I was not an easy child to convince to learn the art of cooking and baking. I just wanted to eat the food, I didn’t want to put forth the work. Little did I know how much I would later enjoy the culinary arts. This year I knew I needed to recreate the thumb…

  • Family

    EGGLESS – Royal Icing

    Developing an eggless royal icing was never on my to-do list, but I thought I had some meringue powder in my baking supplies. Turns out I didn’t, and I couldn’t run to the store when I had planned on icing the sugar cookies I had baked the day before. Thus the science experiment of creating eggless royal icing. Royal icing is typically used for detailed designs, I also use it when we make gingerbread houses because it also dries quickly and is a great edible glue. When I decided to try my hand at eggless royal icing, I knew I would need to be able to create a binding agent…

  • Food

    Holiday Spritz Cookies

    I am back at you all with 12 Days of Holiday Baking. Last year was my first year of taking on the project, 12 different recipes, 12 different blog posts, 12 different baked goodies, and lots…lots…LOTS of kitchen messes, flour, sugar, and fun with my kiddos. One request I had for this year’s holiday baking was to add in some recipes that are simple and quick, so here is my first baked goodie that falls into that category. Spritz cookies are like if sugar cut out cookies and shortbread cookies had a baby. They have the flavors of both, and they are in fun shapes; BUT the hassle of making…

  • Food

    Copycat Olive Garden Creamy Gnocchi Soup

    Can I tell you a secret? The day that Olive Garden came out with their soup, salad, and breadsticks combo I just about died and went to heaven. There are very few things that are more comforting and fulfilling during the fall season than a tasty soup, garlicky carbs, and a salad on the side. One of my favorite’s has to be hands down OG’s Chicken Gnocchi soup. The creamy texture combined with fresh vegetables and the pillowy goodness of the gnocchi, just the perfect combination of flavors and textures. I’ve been wanted to create my version if this soup for a long while now, but was stuck on feeling…

  • Food

    Cran-Apple Harvest Salad

    Fall season maybe just around the corner, but here in Las Vegas the 100º+ weather doesn’t agree. Finding recipes that fill my need for harvest season foods while not overheating myself spending too much time in front of a hot stove. This quinoa fruit and vegetable filled salad definitely fits that harvest food spot. Add in some grilled chicken and it goes from being a side salad to a main dish. If you aren’t a fan of some of the fruits or vegetables I have added to my salad, then exchange them for some in-season produce that you love. Orange slices, dried apricots, raisins, pears, carrots…all of these would be…

  • Food

    Summer Lemon Chicken & Asparagus

    Asparagus is a vegetable that is easily misunderstood. Just like Brussels sprouts and artichokes, there is a specific way to prepare asparagus. It isn’t like green beans, peas, or corn where you can boil or steam then serve. While some people do love asparagus from a can, I will only eat it if it is roasted or grilled. Additionally, preparing asparagus is important. The thicker the asparagus stock, the more fibrous. It is difficult to figure out what part to trim and what to eat. The way I prepare asparagus is I hold each end of the stock. Then I bend it until it snaps. The stock naturally snaps in…