I am not normally a fan of shortbread cookies – or any cookies that don’t feature chocolate, for that matter. But I was home for the holidays, my mom had a box of shortbread mix that had been given to her by a friend, and I didn’t want it to go to waste. Also I was looking for a new recipe to liven up our usual Christmas cookie options. So… Continue Reading
Spruced Up Shortbread Cookies
Blueberry Lemon Muffins with Tarragon
Blueberries, lemons and tarragon – oh my. I stumbled across this combination of flavors one day while I was feeling creative in the kitchen and looking for a wholesome but zesty way to start off my morning. First, a word about tarragon: tarragon is my current favorite herb. It has a rich, almost licorice-like taste, and can be used in a variety of dishes, from pasta to meat dishes to… Continue Reading
The Most Scrumptious Lasagna
One of my absolute favorite things to make from scratch is lasagna. I learned how to make lasagna when I studied abroad in college, so this recipe holds a lot of good memories for me. Everyone in my program (there were about forty of us) lived in the same building together, and this lasagna recipe featured prominently at the Friendsgiving celebration we threw for ourselves. Not really your traditional Thanksgiving… Continue Reading
Mama’s Chicken with Peppers
You know how there’s always that one recipe that reminds you of childhood? The one that you always request when you go home to visit? Well for me, my mom’s recipe for chicken with peppers is just such a recipe. She came up with it one day, many years ago, when she was trying to figure out something new to make for my brother and me for dinner, and the… Continue Reading
Shepherd’s Pie With a Spicy Twist
I’ve always loved shepherd’s pie. There’s something so satisfying and comforting about it, maybe because every time I eat it, I picture old timey shepherds coming home in the evening after a long day of keeping track of animals, sitting down in front of a roaring fire, and warming up with a big, hearty bowl of shepherd’s pie. (Surely I can’t be the only person who envisions this, right?) Anyway,… Continue Reading
Lemon Tomato Fettuccine with Herbs
Like so many among us, I have great affection for pasta dishes of all kinds. Who doesn’t love a delicious bowl of spaghetti? But among all the pasta dishes I’ve ever made, this one holds a special place on my recipe roster. I routinely break out this recipe when I’m having friends over for dinner – its simple elegance makes it a guaranteed crowd pleaser, with zero preparation stress. One… Continue Reading
My Favorite Winter Reads
One of my favorite things to do when it’s cold and snowy out is to curl up on my couch or in bed with a book. I’ve always loved reading, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve noticed that it’s become more and more difficult for me to find books that I truly enjoy reading. I’ve also begun to notice that my taste in books runs toward the macabre. The darker… Continue Reading