Say it’s the morning of something. (It could be anything…say an event you’re speaking at, or a lunch where you’re meeting clients, or an interview with a potential employer…basically anything where you want to look halfway decent.) You wake up like any other day and head to the bathroom. Sleep blurring your vision, you glance in the mirror and do a double take as you notice that the worst is upon you....
Strawberry-Filled Vanilla Layer Cake with {Stabilized} Whipped Cream Frosting
In my home, desserts are just as seasonal as any other food. It would be strange to have a hearty beef stew for dinner in the middle of summer, and it would be all but unheard of (except for a birthday celebration) to have a rich, heavy chocolate cheesecake for dessert. Summer calls for fresher, lighter fare all around…dessert included....
Chicken Salad Bowl with Avocado, Strawberry, and Walnut {Paleo}
I have a weird method of cooking for Mike and I. One thing I adore about him is how even though he is a crazy-picky eater, if it’s a dish he likes, he doesn’t mind eating it for leftovers…for a week straight. Yup, I’m a lucky girl....
Strawberry Black Bean Salad
Some things just naturally go together swimmingly. Effortlessly. Like cheese + crackers. PB + J. Summer + corn on the cob. Cake + birthdays. Pizza + movie night. Chocolate + ladies. Those pairings need no explanation....
Strawberry Grilled Cheese {With Fresh Strawberry Balsamic Relish}
Grilled cheese, the iconic American sandwich, is a favorite of most kids growing up and never stops being comfort food, even to adults. Crisp and buttery outside and gooey with melted cheese inside, it’s the perfect sandwich, even in its most basic form. I grew up on American cheese-grilled cheese sandwiches, usually paired with tomato soup, which was of course the perfect accompaniment for dipping purposes. As my sister and I would greedily scarf down our sandwiches and soup, my mom would enjoy grilled cheese of a different kind: a much more grown-up version, usually with a sweet flair....
Sparkling Frozen Strawberry Lemonade
This fruity treat is like a cross between sorbet and lemonade. Not only will this drink rehydrate and recharge you, but it’s full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory phytonutrients (thanks to the strawberries and blueberries!), is a decent source of fiber, and has no added sugar. Basically, it’s the ultimate refreshment for a hot day....
Strawberry-Vanilla Smoothie
What is one thing you eat every single day? For me it’s cottage cheese and for Mike it’s yogurt (ironically, I’m also a big yogurt eater but he won’t touch cottage cheese with a 10 foot pole). That’s ok, I use the fact that he likes yogurt to my advantage. Namely, to get more fruits and veggies into him whenever I can....
Red, White, & Blue Sorbet Sundaes
This sorbet is the perfect summer treat and it makes a great dessert for the Fourth of July. For the full recipe, please see my post on All Through the Year Cheer....
Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes
Independence Day (July 4th) is almost upon us, and along with it comes a host of outdoor picnics and parties. My family celebrates this day with a casual feast – fresh, local fruits and veggies, potato and pasta salads, and grilled meats. And always strawberry shortcake for dessert. I’m not a huge fan of strawberry shortcake in general (shocking, I know :) ), mostly because I don’t like how soggy the shortcake gets once the strawberries are scooped on top. These cute little cupcakes completely eliminate the soggy shortcake problem. And better yet, they can be made in advance. I’ve noticed that buttercream is a […]...
Easy Cheddar-Studded Bread & Peach-Strawberry Fizz Drinks
If you decide to make just one of my recipes, I highly recommend you make this bread. It requires only minimal ingredients and effort, but still tastes like a million bucks. You can make your own pizza dough if you have the time, but I made this recipe as part of my Mother’s Day Menu on a day when I was seriously pressed for time…and it came out perfectly. My hubby who was born and raised with Arabic bread (and normally isn’t tempted by baguettes, country breads, or fresh, yeasty loaves of any kind) said that this was the best bread he ever had. I […]...