I love the change in season. Not for the change in weather, but for the ever changing seasons of food. But rather than harping on about the latest ancient grain or root vegetable that has just been hand pulled from a small batch, organic farm - YAWN! - my wanton desires are driven by the candy aisles and my local coffee store, which … Continue reading Chewy Gooey Hot Tamales Brownies
I love Halloween. Not only does it give me a great excuse to spend even more time on the sofa, peeking out from the safety of my blanket while watching scary movies, but it also means I get to eat Halloween Candy. Halloween candy is pretty hard (impossible!) to resist. The concierge desk awaits me upon my return home with a bucketful of Halloween … Continue reading No-Bake Pumpkin Cookies
Have you ever seen anyone walk face first into a closed glass patio door? Well my relatives have (yup!) and the utter look of shock on said victims face (me!), is probably as close as I can get to explaining the way we felt as we stepped off the flight back in Seattle. Having enjoyed a week of sheer sunny bliss in Puerto Vallarta, … Continue reading Spicy Pumpkin Crock Pot Curry
It seems that everywhere you go, butter - which used to be considered the arch enemy of healthy eating - is now the "in" thing to eat. Be it good old peanut, almond, sunflower seed, cashew or avocado, butter is being slathered on every edible surface possible. I had never heard of Pumpkin Butter until my husband suggested … Continue reading Pumpkin Butter
Some of the things you find later in life are the things you end up in loving the most. For me that includes my husband, brussel sprouts, meat and pomegranate. It's strange that a food can be so available to you and yet you can reach adult life having never tried it. It wasn't until my husband brought home … Continue reading Pomegranate Chicken Salad
Whether you're partial to Hawaiian style ham and pineapple, Italian sausage and pepperoni, or barbecue chicken, pizza is a universal food that everyone enjoys. This week, as I indulged in my fave Mushroom, Artichoke and Truffle Oil Pizza at Primo's, my mom excitedly told me about Aunt D's Strawberry Pizza. Now, I am always one to … Continue reading Aunt D’s Pineapple Dessert Pizza
Who doesn’t love Toad-in-the-Hole? But before you start calling animal protection out on me, please let me explain! Toad-in-the-Hole is NOT a terrible act of perverse toad punishment, but a tasty English dish consisting of sausages “hiding” in a giant Yorkshire Pudding (Yorkshire Puddings are similar to American Popovers). What’s not to like?! This week, … Continue reading Toad in the Cornhole
We were recently visited by some good friends from Alaska, a really sweet retired couple my husband met, rather randomly, in a local Thai restaurant five years ago. They visit Seattle at least once a year and we always look forward to seeing them, as they always have lots of hilarious stories to tell. This visit they came loaded … Continue reading Sweet Thai Chili Fishcakes
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” ~ Leonardo da Vinci And who am I to argue with the great Mr da Vinci?!! So today's recipe is simple, wholesome, healthy and super tasty - Skillet Roasted Cauliflower. It makes the perfect side for a mid-week dinner party. The sophistication of this dish is partly attributed to my beloved Lodge cast iron skillet. Cast … Continue reading Skillet Roasted Cauliflower
This year the holiday season was, for me, the season of Eggnog. I had heard of Eggnog before, but had never really felt the desire to try it. A hot drink made with eggs? Disgusting! Add it to my latte? Pure coffee travesty! But since nervously taking a sip of my husband's eggnog one morning, I have been addicted - God bless America and all the eggnog recipes made … Continue reading Eggnog Coffee Cake
The Christmas tree is up, the line to see Santa is over 4 hours long outside Nordstrom, and the Gingerbread Village is displayed in full Star Wars themed glory (Gingerbread Star Wars?!!!) at the Sheraton hotel - so it MUST be Christmas! Our holiday always starts on Christmas Eve with mom's yum-tastic Italian dinner, followed by a family breakfast and present opening … Continue reading Christmas Bliss Bowl + Cranberry Sauce Bonus Video!
My appetite and waistline are already well and truly into the Christmas spirit. Being a food blogger, and having Thanksgiving to add to my culinary repertoire this year, I feel just like a turkey with my rapidly expanding waistline in the run-up to Christmas! This week's recipe has certainly not helped matters for it contains my most favourite … Continue reading Christmas Countdown: Peppermint Patties & Mint Crunch
I've just arrived in the UK and am SO excited to be back. I love living in Seattle, but as Dorothy said "There's no place like home" and who could argue with a girl in such fabulous shoes?!!! But there was something rather disagreeable waiting for me in the arrivals lounge at Heathrow - not my family, my girlfriends, or even George … Continue reading Thanksgiving Countdown: Skillet Cornbread
The evenings are drawing in and there's a brisk chill in the air, so I've been seeking warmth and comfort in whatever which way I can. One morning, looking out at a grey sky full of rain clouds I decided to make a bold move and re-light the fires of an old flame. I don't think my husband will mind, … Continue reading Slow Cooker White Chicken Chilli
Trick or treat? Trick or treat? Let's bake something good to eat, Something spooky, scary and mean, Spookadoodles for Halloween! It's just one week until Halloween, and yes, I'm still excited! I have eaten so much pumpkin I'm starting to turn orange and my waistline is steadily becoming pumpkin-shaped due to all the Halloween candy I've devoured. By the … Continue reading Spookadoodles Halloween Snickerdoodle Cookies
We 'Millennials' are often criticised for falling victim to the law of instant gratification. Instant gratification is basically the desire to have what you want and to have it now. Imagine the scene... ...I'm having a fantastically successful girls night in when the unthinkable happens - we run out of wine. Do we go without??? Do we stop … Continue reading Three Ingredient Pumpkin Oreo Chocolate Brownies
My husband has another love. He has been very open about his love affair and I have known about his "weakness" for a few years now. But who am I to complain? Especially as I also share in this particular love fantasy. So when he returned from a business trip away this week, I thought we could both be there to welcome … Continue reading A Pumpkin Bread Affair
Those who know me, know that I LOVE peanut butter. I almost love it more than chocolate, and I definitely wouldn't want to get into an "it's me or the peanut butter" type of fight with my husband! Whenever the opportunity arises I make sure I'm getting my fill - chocolate peanut butter cups, peanut butter on toast, in sandwiches, on … Continue reading Peanut Butter Ice Rockets
Some foods simply aren't worth the time, stress and mess to make 'from scratch'. Puff pastry, for instance, has to be the average person's kitchen kryptonite. Who needs to spend two hours kneading, poking, rolling and chilling when you can buy ready-made, roll and bake pastry? I used to think the same of tortillas. It's not like tortillas … Continue reading It’s Tortilla Time!
Today was one of those days. I just couldn't help myself, the urges were simply too strong! No matter how hard I fought, I could feel I was weakening, until I knew I was no longer in control and the craving for chocolate had indeed won. I searched the kitchen frantically - surely we had some chocolate somewhere??? … Continue reading My Peanut Butter Chocolate Heroes!
Arugula & Rocket 