White Peach Strawberry Salad

When I first started this blog, I was living in Old City and working in Center City Philadelphia, which meant I got to stop at Reading Terminal on my way home and get inspiration for my meals based on what looked the best that day. I stopped by the Historic Lewes Farmers Market recently looking for some inspiration while at the Delaware Beaches. While I was there, I was able to catch a demonstration by SoDel Concepts’ Pastry Chef Dru Tevis and Bennett Orchards’ Henry Bennett. I picked up some White Peaches from Bennett Orchards while I was there, which inspired me to make this perfectly summery White Peach Strawberry Salad!

This salad is very simple to make, and has less than 10 ingredients, but delivers a balanced mix of sweet, toasty, earthy, and acidic flavors, making for a truly memorable bite!

Ingredients:

Salad:

  • 1/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted
  • 1 (5 oz) bag spring mix
  • 2 sliced white peaches or nectarines
  • 1 cup sliced strawberries
  • 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese (if you don’t like blue cheese, you can substitute in feta)

Dressing:

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons champagne vinegar
  • pinch of salt and pepper

Continue reading White Peach Strawberry Salad

Prosciutto Asparagus and Quail Egg Tarts

Note: I was sent some quail eggs from Spring Creek Quail Farms in order to write this post. Opinions are mine alone.

I love a recipe that looks fancy, but really takes minimal effort, like this recipe for Prosciutto Asparagus and Quail Egg Tarts, adapted slightly from a Spring Creek Quail Farms recipe, created by Chef Andrea Monzon. When Spring Creek Quail Farms contacted me with a bunch of quail egg recipes, I jumped at the opportunity!

Spring Creek Quail Farms, a small, family-owned, zero-waste farm in Saint Anns, Ontario, offers a small but powerful, nutritious alternative in the Egg aisle: quail eggs. Quail eggs have long captivated food enthusiasts with their exquisite taste, enticed health-conscious consumers with their remarkable nutritional benefits and have been viewed as a delicacy by many communities. Spring Creek Quail Farms eggs can be found in multiple stores across the US and Canada.

Quail eggs are an easy and effective way to elevate really any recipe where you’d use eggs. The quail eggs, buttery puff pastry, tangy goat cheese, salty prosciutto, and fresh asparagus result in an absolutely delicious dish that can be served either as an appetizer or as a smaller main course.

Ingredients:

  • 1 sheet puff pastry
  • 1 (4 oz log) goat cheese
  • ~40 pencil asparagus spears
  • 4 slices prosciutto, torn into pieces
  • 1 tablespoon milk
  • 8 quail eggs
  • chives, chopped, to taste

Continue reading Prosciutto Asparagus and Quail Egg Tarts

Easy Shrimp and Grits with Sarges Shrimp and Grits Sauce

Note: I was sent a jar of Sarge’s Shrimp and Grits Sauce, Yellow Stone Ground Grits, and Seafood Seasoning in order to make this post Opinions are mine alone.

If I see Shrimp and Grits on a Menu, you better believe I am ordering it! Despite this, (and inexplicably despite feeling fine about making shrimp and grits separately), I’ve always been a bit hesitant to make shrimp and grits at home.

So when I was contacted by Sarge’s to try their sauce, I jumped at the chance. Sarge’s sauce is made by Chef Julius West in Raleigh, NC. The sauce is a unique take on a classic Southern dish that has been a staple in the region for generations. Sarges Shrimp & Grits Sauce is a savory, rich, and versatile sauce that can be used as a marinade, a dipping sauce, or a cooking ingredient. Made with high-quality ingredients, including fresh shrimp, butter, and spices, our sauce is the perfect addition to any seafood, meat, or vegetable dish.

Sarge’s Low Country Shrimp and Grits Sauce is a delicious and savory combination of aromatic spices with a hint of fire to spice things up. The sauce blends together chicken broth, all purpose flour, garlic, vegetable oil, hot sauce, Sriracha, bell peppers, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and a special blend of herbs and spices.

With the help of Sarge’s sauce, this recipe for Shrimp and Grits can be made in just 20 minutes!

Ingredients:

Continue reading Easy Shrimp and Grits with Sarges Shrimp and Grits Sauce

Rosemary White Beans with Onions and Tomatoes

This recipe for Rosemary White Beans with Onions and Tomatoes has quickly become a staple in my house this winter.

It is quick to prepare, I tend to have most of these ingredients already on hand, and it is so darn comforting! It is also a one pot meal so there are less dishes to clean up when you’re done cooking and enjoying your meal!

I adapted this recipe from NYT Cooking slightly.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup olive oil, divided
  • 1 large onion, thinly sliced
  • salt, to taste
  • 8 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 2 (15 oz) cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
  • 3 plum tomatoes, chopped (about 1 cup)
  • the zest of 1 lemon
  • 1 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
  • 1 loaf Italian bread, sliced

Continue reading Rosemary White Beans with Onions and Tomatoes

Bacon Cheddar Chive Scones

Note: I was sent a copy of Father Dominic Garramone’s Breakfast Breads & Sweet Treats in order to write this post. Opinions are mine alone.

I’m back with another awesome recipe from the Bread Monk himself, Father Dominic Garramone, with this recipe for Bacon Cheddar Chive Scones is from his latest cookbook Breakfast Breads & Sweet Treats (paid link). What better way to start off 2023?

I have only made “real” scones once before (as well as kind of a “cheat” drop scone), so this was a fun opportunity for me to do something I don’t often bake!

Breakfast Breads & Sweet Treats is a great cookbook for any breakfast afficionado in your life. Father Dominic really covers it all, from how to make puff pastry from scratch to baking mixes, to even a recipe for English muffin bread!

There is also an entire chapter dedicated to scones, which is where I found this mouthwatering recipe for Bacon Cheddar Chive Scones.

Ingredients (Serves 8):

  • 8 oz bacon, cooked crisp and chopped (about 1 cup)
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup (one stick) cold butter
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (I went with sharp)
  • 1/4 cup minced fresh chives (the original recipe had 1/2 cup; I only had enough for 1/4 cup!)
  • 1 cup sour cream

Continue reading Bacon Cheddar Chive Scones

Eggnog Date Nut Bread

Note: I was sent a copy of Baking Secrets from the Bread Monk (paid link) in order to write this post for an Eggnog Date Nut Bread. Opinions are mine alone.

We hosted Christmas this year for the first time, so my house is stocked with half opened and half eaten, well, everything. My husband, a lifetime grazer, is in his element, but I am still trying to best use up ingredients to make new recipes, like using up any remaining eggnog to make this Eggnog Date Nut Bread!

I had exactly one cup of eggnog left in my fridge, so when I was paging through Baking Secrets from the Bread Monk (paid link) and found this recipe for Eggnog Date Nut Bread that uses one cup of eggnog, it felt a bit like destiny.

Baking Secrets from the Bread Monk is filled with Father Dominic’s favorite tips and tricks for baking, so this cookbook is a lovely read. He even includes substitutes for common ingredients, hints for kitchen organization and storage, advice on the best baking tools for the job, and fun historical facts and kitchen wisdom.

Some of you may know Father Dominic Garramone, known as “The Bread Monk,” from the PBS cooking show Baking Bread with Father Dominic that aired from 1999 to 2001. He also has a number of cookbooks (I have another cookbook I’m excited to share with you in the new year). I recently was lucky enough to catch him at a virtual event hosted by the Hillside Public Library and loved hearing about his passion for baking.

This specific recipe for Eggnog Date Nut Bread is found in the “Food Holiday Mash-ups and Recipes for All Seasons” chapter under December and doesn’t require yeast to make, or any kneading at all.

Ingredients:

  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus flour for dusting pan
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans
  • 1 cup chopped dates
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature, beaten
  • 1 cup eggnog
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil

Continue reading Eggnog Date Nut Bread

Autumn Delicata Squash Salad

Note: I received a cooler bag with BrightFarms local leafy greens and salad ingredients in order to write this post. Opinions are mine alone.
I am so excited to share this Autumn Delicata Squash Salad recipe with you, thanks to BrightFarms!
I recently received a lovely delivery from BrightFarms, the leading provider of locally grown packaged salads.
BrightFarms operates hydroponic greenhouse farms right outside the communities where they are sold, including one in Selinsgrove, PA, about 150 miles from Philadelphia. The indoor farming company has revolutionized what’s possible in the agricultural industry by growing produce indoors and in carefully controlled greenhouses without ever using pesticides.
Their products are:
  • Pesticide-Free: Proudly pesticide free and non-GMO to keep your family safe
  • Greenhouse/Sustainably Grown: Greenhouses provide the ideal environment to grow 365 days/year to peak flavor
  • Locally Grown: Greens are grown, harvested & delivered to stores in as little as 24 hours, so BrightFarms greens are at peak freshness and flavor when arriving in your fridge

My BrightFarms cooler bag was filled with a bunch of goodies, including the ingredients to make this delicious Autumn Delicata Squash Salad!

Ingredients:
Salad:
  • 1 (4 oz) container BrightFarms Keystone Crunch
  • 1 medium delicata squash
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 cup shaved parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup roasted pumpkin seeds
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries

Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing:

  • 2 tablespoons aged balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

Continue reading Autumn Delicata Squash Salad

The BEST Chocolate Chip Cookies

I have been making this chocolate chip cookie recipe for years, and I always get compliments on how soft and chewy these cookies are. So yes, I am hereby declaring these the BEST chocolate chip cookies!

I’m actually surprised I haven’t posted this recipe before. Recently, I made a batch of these chocolate chip cookies, and one of my friend’s kids liked the recipe so much that she asked me for the recipe, and I realized my mistake. So, I am finally rectifying that issue!

This recipe is really easy to make, and the dough doesn’t need to rest in the fridge before baking! I do strongly suggest that you let the butter and egg come to room temperature though, it will make for a better cookie texture.

Ingredients (makes about 2 dozen cookies):

  • 1 1/2 cups flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg, at room temperature
  • 1 cup chocolate chips

Continue reading The BEST Chocolate Chip Cookies

Seared Tuna with Orange Fennel Salad

About a year and a half ago, I was sent an affiliate box from Sitka Salmon Shares, and I loved the quality of the seafood so much that I have had a Premium Seafood Subscription Box ever since. I love the variety as well, but some of the seafood I am not as familiar with how best to cook it. Luckily, Sitka Salmon Shares has some seriously amazing recipes on their website, including this one for Seared Tuna with Orange Fennel Salad.

To make this recipe easier to come together, I strongly suggest using a mandoline (I love the one that comes in Oxo’s Mini Complete Grate and Slice Set [paid link]) to slice the fennel and red onion. I am quite accident prone, so I also strongly suggest purchasing a cut-resistant glove (paid link) so that you keep all of your fingers cut-free.

Ingredients:

  • 2 (8 to 10 ounce) portions albacore tuna
  • 3 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1 tablespoon ground coriander
  • salt, to taste
  • ground pepper, to taste
  • 1 large navel orange
  • 1 fennel bulb, trimmed and very thinly sliced
  • 1/2 red onion, very thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup coarsely chopped pitted Castelvetrano olives (I like to keep half of them whole and chop the other half)
  • the juice of 1 lemon
  • 2 tablespoons reserved fennel fronds, plus more for garnish
  • 3 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley, plus more for garnish

Continue reading Seared Tuna with Orange Fennel Salad

Sheet Pan Balsamic Fish with Roasted Tomatoes

Seafood is a favorite weekday dinner of mine because it usually takes under 30 minutes to make a seafood dish. This particular recipe for Sheet Pan Balsamic Fish with Roasted Tomatoes has become a staple in our home because of the relatively easy clean up as well – most of the meal is made right in one sheet pan!

I like to serve this over rice or couscous to soak in all of the juices on the sheet pan. This makes 2 hearty servings, with plenty of the tomato mixture to enjoy!

Ingredients (serves 2, multiply as needed):

  • 16 oz cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
  • 2 large shallots, thinly sliced
  • 5 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, plus more to taste
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper, plus more to taste
  • 2 white fish fillets (such as cod or halibut)
  • the zest of 1 lemon
  • fresh basil, chopped, for garnish
  • 1 cup cooked rice or couscous

Continue reading Sheet Pan Balsamic Fish with Roasted Tomatoes

No Bake Chocolate Eclair Cake

It’s that time of year where there are plenty of barbecues and outdoor gatherings again. Whenever our friends host, I never want to come empty handed so I like to have a bunch of dessert recipes on hand, especially no bake dessert recipes!

This No Bake Chocolate Eclair Cake is perfect for summer meet ups – you don’t have to turn on your oven and overheat your own home, and it can be made ahead and served chilled or at room temperature.

The cake is super simple to make. It is layers of graham crackers, whipped cream pudding, and chocolate frosting, mimicking the flavors of a chocolate eclair. If you don’t want to make your own frosting, you can also buy store bought and just use that.

Ingredients:

  • 1 pint heavy whipping cream
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 (16 oz box) plus 2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar, divided
  • 2 (3.4 oz) boxes instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 3 cups whole milk, divided
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon coffee extract
  • 1 (14.4 oz) box graham crackers

Continue reading No Bake Chocolate Eclair Cake

Leek and Potato Soup

I know it is quite late in the season for a soup recipe, but I made this Leek and Potato Soup recently and just had to share it. This is a fairly traditional Irish Leek and Potato Soup, but the simplicity means you can really make it your own with some tweaks if you wanted.

Leeks are in season late winter to early summer, so this soup is great for those slightly cooler days, or when you’re looking for something simple to make that is ultimate comfort food.

This recipe uses under 10 ingredients and can be made in under 30 minutes!

Ingredients:

  • 4 tablespoons salted butter
  • 1 yellow onion, chopped
  • 3-4 leeks (depending on their size), sliced
  • 1 pound Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes
  • 3 1/2 cups vegetable stock
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • fresh chives, for garnish

Continue reading Leek and Potato Soup

Banana Walnut Bread

I recently came home after a weekend trip to some of the saddest looking bananas I’ve seen in a long time. Which means I spent my Monday making this super delicious Banana Walnut Bread!

This recipe largely uses typical pantry items, so the next time you find yourself with overripe bananas, there is a good chance you will already have everything on hand to make this banana bread — if you don’t have any walnuts, you can substitute another nut or omit them completely.

If kept in a sealed container at room temperature, the bread will last for 4 days so it’s perfect for breakfast for most of the week!

If you want to store it longer, you can also freeze the bread by wrapping it completely in plastic wrap before adding to your freezer.

Ingredients:

  • 3 medium very ripe bananas
  • 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups flour
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Continue reading Banana Walnut Bread

Salmon with Lemon Parsley Pesto

I originally started this blog as a way to learn to cook and to catalog recipes I enjoyed. So, recently, I have been revisiting recipes from early in my blogging journey and remaking them, like this recipe for Salmon with Lemon Parsley Pesto, served with orzo.

This recipe is a slight adaptation from a previous recipe I posted for Salmon Skewers with Lemon-Parsley Pesto.

Ingredients (served 2, multiply as needed):

  • 1 cup orzo
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
  • 1/4 cup lightly packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves
  • 2 tablespoons drained capers
  • the zest and juice from 1 lemon
  • 1 small garlic clove
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
  • 2 (8-10 oz) salmon fillets
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Continue reading Salmon with Lemon Parsley Pesto

Coconut Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

I have been trying to get back in the habit of making a few make-ahead meals on weekends to make weekdays a bit more manageable. While looking through old recipes, I came across a recipe I made nearly a decade ago for Coconut Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins. I decided to revisit the recipe, adding a bit more lemon flavor through the addition of lemon extract (paid link). These yummy little guys are the result!

Ingredients (makes 12 cupcake-sized muffins or 6 large muffins):

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 6 tablespoons coconut oil, melted and allowed to cool slightly
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs, at room temperature, or 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce to make vegan
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract
  • 1 cup whole milk, or coconut milk to make dairy free/vegan
  • the zest of 2 lemons
  • 2 tablespoons poppy seeds

Continue reading Coconut Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

Exit mobile version