Five Recipes Perfect for Fall

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Gnocchi {sans the pancetta} via The Bonjon Gourmet

For the first time this month, yesterday finally felt like fall. I couldn't wait to get home, turn off our AC, light my favorite fall candle, and open the screen doors to let in the cool, crisp air. There's something about the onset of fall that makes me feel the urge to nest. To sit by the fire with a blanket and a bottle of wine. To clear the house of clutter {a crazy busy summer has left me feeling perpetually behind on keeping our house clean}. To sit outside by the fire with s'mores. To give Ryan the feeling of coming home from work to a kitchen filled with love and the intoxicating scent of dinner on the stove. And for that, I've pulled together five recipes that I'm looking forward to trying this fall. Enjoy!

Spring Vegetable Tartine with Grilled Meyer Lemon

Last month Kate of Taffeta & Tulips asked me if I wanted to participate in a recipe swap with her, and of course I jumped at the chance! Inspired by the spring bounty at my local farmer's market, I put together a quick and easy recipe for a spring vegetable tartine with grilled Meyer lemon. Originally shared on Kate's blog, it was too good not to share here too. Enjoy with a crisp glass of Chenin Blanc on a warm summer afternoon.

Recipe Swap: Taffeta & Tulips Meyer Lemon Cocktail

I'm excited to share that today Kate, of Taffeta and Tulips, and I are doing a recipe swap featuring one of my favorite spring ingredients—Meyer lemons. Kate is one of my long-time blog friends and I couldn't be happier to be partnering with her again. Kate's effortless sense of style translates perfectly to her recipes which are always simple, elegant, and fresh, and her Meyer Lemon Cocktail recipe is no different. Enjoy Kate's delicious cocktail, and be sure to check out Taffeta & Tulips for my Spring Vegetable Tartine recipe.

My Favorite Food Blog

Ribollita - Tuscan white bean soup

As I mentioned previously, I have been a vegetarian for the past 13 months, and until recently was stuck in a bit of a food rut. I made the decision to cut out all meat abruptly and didn't spend much time really figuring out my next step. That compounded with being overwhelmed with a new job, decorating a new house, and planning a destination wedding resulted in my diet last year being pretty redundant. I ate a lot of salads, meatless chicken patties, canned tuna, and a lot of quinoa {ok, and a decent amount of pasta too}.

Our Valentine's Day Dinner Plan

Butternut squash, mushroom and fontina nachos with crispy sage by How Sweet It Is

While most years Ryan and I have looked at Valentine's Day as another opportunity to get dressed up and spend a night on the town, ever since moving into our new house we have slowly started transitioning into total homebodies. Maybe it's the fact that it's been so cold outside and our fireplaces, cozy blankets, and cuddly pup make our home feel that much more cozy, but to be honest, there's nowhere we would rather be than our little yellow cottage!

So this year for Valentine's Day we will be staying in, opening a bottle of wine from our last trip to Italy, and making dinner together. Thanks to my vegetarian diet plus the fact that our wedding is just a little more than six months away, we have been eating very, very healthy. We decided to ignore the wedding diet for the evening and instead have indulgent night of comfort food. As an afternoon snack we're going to have butternut squash, mushroom and fontina nachos with crispy sage. For dinner, a simple salmon filet roasted with olive oil, sea salt, and pepper, John Legend's famous macaroni and cheese, and roasted carrots and onions with fennel and mint. And last but not least, homemade chocolate cupcakes with sea salt buttercream. A cozy night at home with Ryan, Yoda, and some delicious food? I can't imagine anything better!

Seven Desserts Perfect for Valentine's Day

White Chocolate Spiced Cake with Rosewater Cream Cheese and Pistachios by Constellation Inspiration

With Valentine's Day being less than two weeks away, it's time you start making your plans. Whether you plan on spending it with your special someone, your gal pals, or simply relaxing at home with your favorite furry friend, there's no excuse not to indulge in a few decadent sweet treats. Last year Ryan planned a romantic date night where we visited all of my favorite spots in the city, but this year I'm leaning towards a quiet evening at home by the fire {and of course, some chocolate and wine}. What are your plans this Valentine's Day?

In the Kitchen :: Five Last Minute Thanksgiving Recipes

{Brûléed Bourbon-Maple Pumpkin Pie by Bon Appétit}

Thanksgiving is almost here and I couldn't be more excited!  I'll be a first to admit I'm a total nut over the holidays and tomorrow marks the official kickoff for me.  In case you're still trying to figure out what to make for your Thanksgiving dinner I've pulled together five scrumptious recipes that will surely be the highlight of your feast!  Bon appétit!

Recipe :: Roasted Pear and Brie Tartine

Well hello strangers!  My first week on the job was fabulous and I'm excited to see what this next week brings me.  I'm not going to lie - things have been a little hectic around here, and I haven't had a lot of time to dedicate to cooking.  So today I'm going to be sharing with you a recipe I created for Taffeta & Tulips last month for our blog swap.

Thanksgiving is nearly upon us, and this Roasted Pear and Brie Tartine is a festive option for a indulgent lunch or a holiday hors d'oeuvre.  You could easily cut the tartine into rectangular slices or serve it on small slices of baguette as a crostini.  The combination of sweet and savory, crusty and creamy, rich and light, makes for an absolute treat. 

Recipe :: Weeknight Coq Au Vin

Last week I had a couple of girlfriends over for a Parisian evening.  We ate French cheese, drank French wine, listened to French music, talked about France, and ate French food.  My friend brought over the most delicious Potato Dauphinoise for our side, and for our main dish I decided to take a stab at making Coq Au Vin.  It paired perfectly with the potatoes and I served it with some big homemade croutons to soak up all the delicious wine sauce.  The traditional Coq Au Vin uses mostly chicken legs and thighs, but since I prefer white meat and had a few organic chicken breasts in the fridge I used those instead.  I will admit, that it turned out to be so delicious I didn't even have time to photograph it!

Recipe :: Fall Leaf Cookies

One of my favorite family traditions is my annual trip home to Oakwood, OH every autumn to make Fall Leaf Cookies with my mom.  I have fond memories of sitting together in the kitchen after school, sipping hot cocoa and decorating dozens upon dozens of cookies.  Over the past twenty years we have tweaked the recipe several times and thankfully my technique has improved a bit {I can only imagine my first attempts as a six-year-old looked more like a messy art project than vibrant autumnal leaves}.  The best part about these cookies, asides from how delicious they are, is that while they look quite impressive are actually incredibly easy!

Recipe :: Radicchio, Pear, and Arugula Salad from Taffeta & Tulips

Well hello dear readers!  I have a very special surprise for you today.  A few weeks ago Kate from Taffeta & Tulips reached out to me to see if I would be interested in collaborating on a fall food post, and obviously I jumped at the opportunity.  We decided to create recipes based around one of our favorite autumn ingredients - pears.  I created a savory roasted pear and brie tartine and Kate made an absolutely gorgeous radicchio, pear, and arugula salad.  The photos clearly speak for themselves {YUM!} but I'll let Kate tell you more...

In the Kitchen :: Five Recipes for Fall

Brie + Cheddar Apple Beer Soup by Half Baked Harvest

Well hello there!  Sorry for my unexpected absence yesterday, a weekend back at my alma mater plus coming home to a swelteringly hot house on Sunday night {requiring us to sleep in the living room} left me a total zombie yesterday.  Thankfully we opened the windows and were much more comfortable last night...it's amazing what a good night of sleep will do for your energy levels!  Anyways, I'm back today sharing with you five fall recipes that I'm absolutely drooling over.  Looking for more food inspiration?  Check out my Pinterest board :)

Recipe :: Heirloom Tomato Tart

I don't know if it's just me, but I get a literal high every time I am at the farmers market.  Perhaps it's the combination of gorgeous and fresh produce, the fact that everyone there is always smiling, and knowing that I'm supporting local businesses...but it seems like no matter how much money I bring there I never fail to spend it all.

Late summer is really when Indiana produce shines, so this past Saturday I picked up an inordinate amount of produce {you'd think I was feeding a family of five!}  It's hard to pick a favorite, but the beautiful heirloom tomatoes might just win the prize for my favorite September vegetable.  Using a few of the tomatoes I decided to throw together a quick heirloom tomato tart.  Served with arugula dressed in olive oil, cracked pepper, and Maldon sea salt flakes, it makes for a delicious and somewhat indulgent lunch.  Enjoy!

Recipe :: Cobb Pasta Toss

I first made this Cobb Pasta Toss recipe a couple of years ago for Ryan, because to be honest it seemed like something that he would go nuts over.  I mean bacon?  Blue cheese?  Pasta?  What more could a guy want?  However, to make it a bit more healthful {and because I don't eat pork} I swapped the bacon for organic turkey bacon, amped up the vegetables, and use whole wheat pasta.  I was right...he absolutely loved it and so did I!  Since our farmer's market stands are bursting with fresh produce and my herb garden is flourishing, I figured this would be a perfect time to recreate it.  The recipe turned out just as great as the first time and has made for some delicious leftovers!

Recipe :: Peach Burrata Caprese

When posting recipes I'll often make something a week or two before putting it on my blog, giving me time to edit the photos and tweak the recipe.  However when I made this one on Monday night I knew I just couldn't wait to share it...it's just that good.

In the summer it seems like I simply just can't eat enough peaches, and after seeing a Bon Appétit image with different variations on the standard caprese I decided to give one a shot.  Enter two juicy yellow peaches, a super indulgent burrata cheese, some fresh basil from my garden, a drizzle of olive oil, and a few slices of fresh baguette you've got yourself the perfect dish for a relaxing dinner al fresco.  Seriously, is there anything better than a simple meal made with fresh, high quality ingredients?  And I have to say this one absolutely knocked it out of the park.  It was all Ryan and I could talk about on Monday evening and I've already made the same dish served over fresh arugula for a couple mid-week lunches.  Enjoy!

Peach Burrata Caprese
Serves 2

INGREDIENTS
2 firm but ripe yellow peaches
Burrata, sliced in half {save the other half for lunch!}
Fresh basil
Extra virgin olive oil
Kosher salt
Cracked black pepper
*Optional baguette

INSTRUCTIONS
Start by halving and pitting the peaches.  Using a sharp knife, cut peaches in circular vertical slices.  Arrange on plates.

Divide halved burrata in two and spoon onto the center of the peaches.  Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, sprinkle with salt and cracked black pepper, and serve with fresh basil and slices of baguette.  Savor the taste of summer, for it will be gone before we know it!

In the Kitchen :: Fourth of July Recipes

Lobster Salad with Grapefruit & Avocado by Taste Williams Sonoma

We're currently in Breckenridge, CO to celebrate the Fourth of July and attend my cousin's wedding in the mountains.  If you're still not sure what you will be making for your Fourth of July festivities, I have rounded up some drool-worthy recipes that will be sure to please a crowd even on the hottest summer days.  Bon appétit!

Mexican Street Corn by A House in the Hills

Tuscan-Style Marinated Chicken with Couscous by Dreams in HD

Mussels with White Wine by Bon Appétit Magazine

Mango & Salted Coconut Popsicles with Crushed Peanut Topping by The Design Files

Strawberry Lime Basil Shortcakes by The Artful Desperado

Recipe :: Ginger Berry Chia Seed Pudding

After having friends over on Tuesday night and making The Artful Desperado's wickedly delicious {but wickedly sinful} Salted Chocolate Diablo Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches, the following morning I felt the need for a super healthy breakfast.  I have been putting Chia Seeds in my smoothies for quite some time {they are packed with fiber and vitamins}, but decided to follow Camille Styles' recipe and make Ginger Berry Chia Seed Pudding...and I couldn't have been more pleased with the results!  I loaded mine with berries and nuts, but I could see a dozen different variations that could easily take it from breakfast to dessert.

Ginger Berry Chia Seed Pudding (Recipe via Camille Styles)
Serves 1

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons almond milk (or the milk of your choice)
2 teaspoons honey
2 tablespoons chia seeds
6 – 8 raspberries, blackberries or blueberries, plus more for topping
1/2 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
1/4 teaspoon finely grated fresh ginger
1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of kosher salt
Nuts or seeds for topping (I love a mixture of slivered almonds and hemp seeds.)

INSTRUCTIONS
In a mason jar or other container with tight fitting lid, combine almond milk and maple syrup. Shake to combine.

To the jar, add next 6 ingredients. Shake well, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.  During the first 2 hours of chilling, shake well every 30 minutes to evenly distribute the chia seeds.

The pudding is ready when it’s very thick.  Pudding keeps for up to 3 days in the fridge.

In the Kitchen :: Five Brunch Recipes

Coconut Banana Oats Bowl with Black Sesame Quinoa Cereal + Mango by Half Baked Harvest

On those few weekends where we actually don't have any plans {or weddings!!} there is almost nothing I love more than a lazy, leisurely brunch.  I love waking up and looking through my cookbooks or Pinterest Board to find a new recipe to try, biking to the farmers market to pick up any extra ingredients I may need, and wasting away the morning with a hot cup of tea and a delicious breakfast.  Luckily for Ryan I am an early bird and will often have the whole thing ready before he even gets out of bed :)

Dark Chocolate Waffles by Bon Appétit

Butternut Squash and Barley Salad with a Poached Egg by Cherry on My Sundae

Buttermilk, Quinoa, and Poppy Seed Lemon Pancakes by Dreams in HD

Italian Baked Eggs by Damn Delicious

In the Kitchen :: Five Spring Cocktails

Vodka Lavender Lemonade by The Effortless Chic

This warm spring weather {it's over eighty degrees here today!!} has me ready to sit outside with friends and cocktails.  Thankfully I'll be doing just that this weekend, as I'm currently en route to the beautiful Greenbrier!  As much as I love to try new recipes, I rarely make cocktails at home.  We typically stick to a bottle of wine and leave the craft cocktails to the pros.  However, these five recipes have me aching to host a party with of of these signature drinks...all of which are light, fresh, and perfect for spring.  Enjoy!

Peach Rosemary Lemongrass Cocktail by Apartment 34

Blackberry Basil Fizz by Coco and Mingo

Sotol Swizzle by Honestly YUM

Pineapple Mint Agua Fresca by Apartment 34

In the Kitchen :: Five Recipes to Try for Spring

Cauliflower and Roasted Garbanzo "Rice and Peas" by The First Mess

Happy May 1st!  I for one couldn't be more thrilled that Spring is finally here to stay, and with that comes the opening of outdoor Farmers Markets!  Our local market opens up this Saturday and I absolutely can't wait to scoop up fresh spring produce and try a few new recipes.  I've rounded up five that I am most excited to make, including a wickedly delicious ice cream sandwich.  Have a great day!

Fish Tacos with Avocado Crema by Camille Styles

Spring Potato & Egg Bake by Camille Styles

Spring Asparagus and Gruyère Tart by Dreams in HD

Chocolate Salted Diablo Ice Cream Sandwiches by The Artful Desperado