Near and Dear

36 Years Ago

Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake (100% Anniversary Worthy)

Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake - Gluten-Free and grain-free cookie cake that tastes like an ice cream cookie sandwich in cake form

Homemade Fish Sticks (Aren’t You Impressed?)

Homemade Fish Sticks (Aren't You Impressed?) - 30-minute fish sticks that are moist inside and cruncy outside. The only dilema? Dipping sauce

An Iowa Summer

Chicken Tikka Masala

Chicken Tikka Masala - A creamy, spiced curry made with tomato and hunks of chicken that's a longtime favorite of Indian food lovers.

A Pilgrims Day Breakfast Casserole

Parmesan Noodles (From Mom, With Love)

Parmesan Noodles (From Mom, With Love) - Easy buttery noodles with grated Parmesan cheese, parsley, and plenty of butter!

Lately

Lately

Hamburger Tater Tot Casserole (The Comfy Pants of Dinner Recipes)

Hamburger Tater Tot Casserole (The Comfy Pants of Dinner Recipes) - Over the years the casserole that's maintained a soft spot in my heart.

Dear Miss Poppy

Cinnamon Sugar Bread Pudding (Cute Older Recipes Are Modern Day Gems)

Cinnamon Sugar Bread Pudding (Cute Older Recipes Are Modern Day Gems) - I’ve done bread pudding many, many ways over the years. Definitely a winner!

Fried Rice Nirvana

Lately

Lucy - January, 2019

Scotcheroos (The Nostalgic Desert I’ve Been Bringing To Every Party)

Scotcheroos (The Nostalgic Desert I've Been Bringing To Every Party) - Most people will walk past all sorts of fancy cookies to get to the Scotcheroos

On Vulnerability

Escape Of The Brussels Sprout: A Thriller

Escape Of The Brussels Sprout: A Thriller - A quick and easy recipe for caramelized brussels tossed in balsamic vinegar that'll convert the biggest skeptics

A Big Hug From A Bowl of Soup

A simple squash soup - squash, carrots, potatoes, fall spices, and orange juice are pureed to make this fall favorite

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies (Quite Possibly the Best Cookie Ever)

It's not often you hear “These are seriously the best I’ve ever had,” come out of people’s mouths. A family recipe for a cookie that's truly fantastic!

Have A Happy Fall Weekend

On Starting Over

Happy Joe’s Taco Pizza (An Iowa Classic)

Happy Joe's Taco Pizza (An Iowa Classic) - A pizza with all of your favorite taco toppings. A great excuse to eat a whole pizza pie all by yourself.

Mid Week Inspiration No. 10 – On Kindness

The Carrot Cake Family Traditions Are Made Of

The Carrot Cake Family Traditions Are Made Of - It's the carrot cake that people fight for the last piece, leaving all others behind. Traditionally inspired, yet somehow unbeatable

Workin’ On a Wedge (The Blue Cheese Kind, Of Course)

Workin’ On a Wedge (The Blue Cheese Kind, Of Course) - Not a salad person?  This might seriously make you reconsider.  It's incredible

Chocolatey Caramel Sticky Date Cookies (For Celebrating)

Chocolatey Caramel Sticky Date Cookies (For Celebrating) - Studded with caramel-like Medjool dates and dark chocolate drizzles, studded with oats. You're in for a real treat.

Veggie and Turkey Skillet Lasagna (Healthy Comfort Food and We Need It)

Veggie & Turkey Skillet Lasagna (Healthy Comfort Food & We Need It) - This is a true (and healthy) weeknight lasagna. No pre-cooking sauces or noodles & it's so good!

Chawanmushi (You’ll Never Think About Custard the Same Way Again)

Chawanmushi (You'll Never Think About Custard the Same Way Again) - Feed your obsession of Asian flavors, as in this steamed Japanese egg custard with mushrooms and shrimp

Merry Christmas to You and Yours

Slow-Cooker Three Bean Casserole

Slow-Cooker Three Bean Casserole - You know you have a winning recipe when it shows up again and again, no matter where you are or what the occasion.

Ina Garten’s Unforgettable Beef Stew

Ina Garten's Unforgettable Beef Stew - One of the classics that is just good to have in your back pocket. With salad and crusty, bread it's so very, good.

Dear Eli

The Cheeseburger Salad You’ll Want On Repeat

The Cheeseburger Salad You'll Want On Repeat - It's all of the goodness of a cheeseburger (or Big Mac) .. in salad form. A great option for weeknight dinners

For This I Am Grateful No. 2

Summer Recipes on Repeat

Skillet Chicken Swimming in Spicy Pizza Sauce

Skillet Chicken Swimming in Spicy Pizza Sauce - With a topping of tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella, I think of this easy skillet dish as pizza chicken

Bibimbap

Bibimbap - The bed of pearly white rice adorned with a ring of colorful vegetables and beef, and a bright yellow egg, the shining star in the center

Dear Sam

Savory Herbed Parmesan Dutch Baby

Golden, crunchy, and covered in a salty layer of baked Parmesan, this savory herbed Dutch Baby has a crisp outer crust and a soft, cheesy, custardy center

Spicy Thai Fried Rice

Spicy Thai Fried Rice - Rice seasoned with chilies, fish sauce and lime giving it a bright and spicy, Thai inspired complexity

Hasselback Sweet Potatoes with Thyme, Pecans and Parmesan

Hasselback Sweet potatoes with Thyme, Pecans and Parmesan. They're crispy on the outside and fork-tender on the inside and go with any dish

Lately

Dear Z

Sassy Beef and Mushroom Sloppy Joes

Sassy Beef and Mushroom Sloppy Joes - They might be a mess of a meal (3 napkins required) but they're full of richly flavored beef & mushrooms

Have a Wonderful (and Delicious) Weekend

Chicken Tetrazzini

Chicken Tetrazzini - A retro casserole that's hearty, humble, & delicious. This version lends a modern spin with truffle butter, white wine, & greek yogurt

Spanish Garlic Shrimp and Scallop Saute

Spanish Garlic Shrimp and Scallop Saute - Garlic, shrimp & scallops take center stage in this classic Spanish dish, which is served as a tapa in Spain but also makes a great main dish

Winter’s Bliss Citrus Salad

Winter's Citrus Bliss Salad - A dramatically bold, bright, colorful and fresh salad, filled with winter greens and sweet-tangy citrus

Lemon Caper Salad Dressing

Lemon Caper Salad Dressing - If you're worried about becoming salad dressing complacent - this will push you to your limits, and make you beg for more

The Benefits of Bone Broth (Turns Out Our Grandmothers Were Right All Along)

My Mom’s Weekend and A Half Bone Broth Stew

My Mom's Weekend & A Half Bone Broth Stew - Slow cook your way to health & happiness with a stew filled with bone broth, herbs & veggies

Beef Bone Broth

Beef Bone Broth - From a healthy gut, to radiant skin, hair, and nails, bone broth is the superfood our grandmothers have been making for generations

Boozy Holiday Gummy Candies

Boozy Holiday Gummy Candies - They're easy to color, flavor, and shape in just about any way and should make an appearance at every holiday party

Cranberry-Lime Pie with Gingersnap-Pecan Crust

Cranberry-Lime Pie with Gingersnap-Pecan Crust - A fun and incredibly delicious pink pie, which looks like it took a jaunt through a grassy meadow (lime zest!) and forgot to dust itself off

Spritz Cookies (A Family Recipe)

Spritz Cookies (A Family Recipe) - A cookie that's delicate, crisp, buttery & terribly addictive. There are many good reasons why we still make them .. and justify eating a forest's worth

Lamb Stew with Spring Veggies

Lamb Stew with Spring Veggies - If a stew could be classified as refreshing, this would be the one. Full of color and flavor, it makes for an impressive looking meal that's sure to satisfy

Have a Wonderful Weekend

Caramelized Butternut Squash with Herbed Hazelnut Pesto

Caramelized Butternut Squash with Herbed Hazelnut Pesto - Caramelized squash with bronzed edges and a candied interior .. combined with an impossibly fragrant and rich herbed hazelnut pesto

April Bloomfield’s English Porridge

April Bloomfield’s English Porridge - There's something magical about a steaming, creamy bowl of porridge. This version the perfect blend of salty, sweet & milky

Boo Berry Superfood Smoothie

Boo Berry Superfood Smoothie Bowl - A superfood smoothie that's sure to make you smile. It's smooth and not too sweet .. filled with blue majik, banana, blueberries, dates & protein powder

Savory Stuffed Mini Pumpkins

Savory Stuffed Mini Pumpkins - Pumpkins as cooking vessels are one of the simplest and unadulterated pleasures of the season.

Roasted Mushroom, Tomato and Chicken Pasta

Roasted Mushroom, Tomato & Chicken Pasta - Roasted mushrooms & tomatoes, along with chicken & pasta, make for a quick & easy meal. It's perfect for casual dinner parties or an everyday dinner

Apple Pecan Snack Cake

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Dear Sam // 10 Months Old

Dear Sam - Sam and Little Z - September 17, 2016

Potato and Caramelized Onion Gratin

Potato and Caramelized Onion Gratin - This is a flavorful, deeply rich gratin, with a streak of caramelized onions and thyme sandwiched between layers of thinly sliced potatoes

Dear Harry and Sally // 9 Weeks Old

Dear Harry and Sally - Thank-you for the reminders that life is better when we're together .. to always remember to play .. and to savor whatever the day brings

Warm Salad of Roasted Kale, Coconut and Tomatoes

Warm Salad of Roasted Kale, Coconut + Tomatoes - Oven-roasted tomatoes slicked with olive oil and lime. Kale cooked with soy sauce and coconut has a deep savory flavor & an amazing crunchy texture

Chocolate Cherry Red Wine Torte

Chocolate Cherry Red Wine Torte - A gluten-free cake filled with fudge rich chocolate, cherries and red wine. It isn't fussy, is naturally reddened, and intensely flavored

Dear Harry and Sally // 8 Weeks Old

Dear Harry and Sally - Thank-you for reminding us how to play .. and that no one should ever let a day go by without a big sloppy kiss and a tickly ear nibble

Green Goddess Cobb Salad

Green Goddess Cobb Salad - Green Goddess is the perfect name for this heavenly dressing, which will elevate any salad. This version is gorgeously creamy, yet dairy free

Dear Sam

Baby Sam - June 2016 - 7 Months Old

Greek Lamb with Lemony Herbed Orzo

Greek Lamb with Lemony Herbed Orzo - A dish that's easy to make, absolutely delectable, wonderfully fragrant, feeds a crowd and looks stunning on a platter

Decadent Chocolate Stout Bundt Cake

Decadent Chocolate Stout Bundt Cake - A chocolate bundt cake filled with yogurt and stout beer. Topped with a silky glaze, it's light, incredibly moist, & absolutely delicious

Have a Happy Weekend

Have a Wonderful Weekend

Salad e Olivieh (Potato Salad with Chicken and Eggs)

Salad e Olivieh (Potato Salad with Chicken + Eggs) - A traditional salad in Russian cuisine .. with a creamy goodness from mashed potatoes, umami from chicken, & brightness from tangy cornichons, lemon, & peas

Crunchy Apple, Fennel, and Grains Salad

Crunchy Apple, Fennel + Grains Salad - Refreshing, crispy, crunchy & light. It's a salad that brings color and happiness to any meal.

Pasta with Shrimp in Madeira Wine Sauce

Pasta with Shrimp in Madeira Wine Sauce - A sauce that exudes the essence of tomatoes. Add the sophistication of Madeira wine, along with shrimp, & you have a pasta dish that's an attention grabber

Rosemary Olive Oil Cake + Bittersweet Chocolate

Rosemary Olive Oil Cake + Bittersweet Chocolate is a cake I love. It's incredibly moist, golden-crumbed, flecked with rosemary, and dotted with chocolate

Oatmeal Souffle with Berries

Oatmeal Souffle + Berries - A healthy, elegant, and lighter textured version of baked oatmeal. It makes for a satisfying breakfast or brunch

I love you .. So very, very much

Stellar Quinoa Burgers

Stellar Quinoa Burgers - A really great veggie burger recipe is always nice to have on hand. This version is both tasty and hearty. Sweet potato are a binder, quinoa for protein, & mushrooms for depth.

One-Skillet Southwest Ranch Chicken

One-Skillet Southwest Ranch Chicken - A one-skillet southwest ranch chicken that's not only delicious, but easy to pull together any night of the week without a lot of fuss or fanfare

Bacon Dog Biscuits

Bacon Dog Biscuits - Our favorite dog treats that are filled with flavor and wholesome ingredients. Your dogs will love them, guaranteed

Meat Loaf

Meat Loaf - A simple recipe really, without a lot of bells and whistles. One that produces a really great and delicious meat loaf. Comfort food at its finest!

Winter Wealth Salad

Winter Wealth Salad - A salad made of grains threaded with pecans, dried fruit and herbs. It's brightened with arugula, radishes, and a wash vinegar & oils

Veggie and Potato Egg Baskets

Veggie & Potato Egg Baskets - A fun & delicious take on breakfast. Tender but crispy veggie potato nests with a baked egg in the middle.

The Beautifully Bold Coffee Smoothie

The Beautifully Bold Coffee Smoothie - A beautifully bold coffee smoothie that's healthy and delicious. A perfect breakfast or snack

Oatmeal Cookies with Dark Chocolate and Nuts

Oatmeal Cookies with Dark Chocolate + Nuts - Oatmeal cookies filled with dark chocolate, and nuts, are just right alongside a glass of cold milk

Almond Thumbprint Cookies with Dark Chocolate and Sea Salt

Almond Thumbprint Cookies with Dark Chocolate and Sea Salt - A welcome addition to any cookie tray. Fragrant vanilla-almond shortbread filled with a rich, salty chocolate center

Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Baked Oatmeal

Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Baked Oatmeal - An easy make-ahead breakfast idea .. baked oatmeal with all the flavors of your favorite oatmeal raisin cookie

Carnival Cookies

Carnival Cookies - A butterless, flourless, eggless, and potentially sugarless cookie that incorporates peanuts, popcorn, & chocolate

Baked Honey Garlic Chicken

Baked Honey Garlic Chicken - A healthier, cheaper, and tastier version of a take-out favorite. Baked chicken bites in a honey, Sriracha sauce is a great weeknight meal or appetizer

Yoga Pot with Veggies, Lentils, and Herbs

Yoga Pot with Veggies, Lentils and Herbs - A warm and comforting stew filled with fresh veggies, lentils, and herbs that are thrown into a pot and left to simmer

You Make My Heart Beet Smoothie

You Make My Heart Beet Smoothie - The earthiness of the beets offsets the sweetness of the cherries .. while the Beauti-fuel protein powder decreases the appetite

Roasted Tomato with Sourdough Soup

Roasted Tomato with Sourdough Soup - The modest list of ingredients yields the most delicate soup. It's truly wonderful

Savory Marinated Peach Pizza

Savory Marinated Peach Pizza - A marinade of sherry vinegar & dark rum offer a complex tart to balance the sweet from the peaches. They're wonderful on top of pizza

“Fifty Shades of Green” Summer Salad

"Fifty Shades of Green" Summer Salad - The perfect combo of sweet and savory with a chive dressing to hold it all together .. This little green summer number is a favorite

Ring Macaroni with Tuna Salad

Ring Macaroni with Tuna Salad - Originating as a back-of-the-box recipe from the '60s, this salad is sweet yet tangy, a confetti of fun colors and textures

Ricotta Cheesecake with Summer Veggies

A veggie filled ricotta cheesecake .. flavored with garlic, lemon, and dill. Wonderful for brunch or as a side in your summer picnic basket

Potato Vindaloo

Potato Vindaloo - The perfect combination of red and sweet potatoes .. simmered in a mix of Indian spices .. and topped with thick yogurt.

Broccoli Crunch Salad with Walnuts and Raisins

Broccoli Crunch Salad with Walnuts & Raisins - A crunchy broccoli salad that combines a variety of veggies, sweet raisins, dried cranberries, salty sunflower seeds, & a delicious dressing

Pumpkin Quinoa Muffins

Pumpkin Quinoa Muffins - The combination of whole wheat pastry flour and quinoa gives these muffins a nice, chewy, yet moist texture. Perfect for breakfast or snack

Spelt and Almond Waffles

Spelt & Almond Waffles - Waffles that are uniquely tender with a crisp edge .. with a distinct fragrance from orange & vanilla. They're wonderful!

Spinach and Kale Power Salad with Avocado Dressing

Spinach and Kale Power Salad with Avocado Dressing - A spinach and kale salad with an avocado dressing that's a powerhouse when it comes to nutrition

Coconut Cake with Vanilla Bean Frosting

Coconut Cake with Vanilla Bean Frosting - A coconut cake that's vegan .. and made without refined white flour or sugar. It's incredibly decadent and delicious.

Chocolate Ice Cream with Peanut Butter Swirl

Chocolate Ice Cream with Peanut Butter Swirl (Vegan) - A paleo chocolate ice cream with peanut butter swirl .. that's thick, creamy, salty, sweet, and absolutely delicious!

Coconut and Almond Banana Pancakes

Coconut & Almond Banana Pancakes - Bananas make the batter sweet and airy. Almond meal and spelt flour hold them together, with coconut milk to make them moist.

Thai Tuna Sliders

Almond Joy Oatmeal Cookies

Almond Joy Oatmeal Cookies - Almond flour, shredded coconut, chocolate, and oats make up the base for these cookies. They're soft and chewy gluten-free

Artichoke Hearts Provencal Over Pasta

Artichoke Hearts Provencal Over Pasta - A subtle melange of fresh herbs, tomatoes, and artichokes, this dish evokes the feeling of a sunny late summer day in Provence.

Chocolate Avocado Cupcakes

Chocolate Avocado Cupcakes - A gluten-free chocolate avocado cake that's naturally sweetened, incredibly moist and fudge-like

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes - Light, fluffy ricotta pancakes are more sophisticated than traditional pancakes, making them perfect for special occasions

Creamy Breakfast Rice Pudding with Honey-Poached Figs and Pistachios

Creamy Breakfast Rice Pudding with Honey-Poached Figs & Pistachios - Rice and nut milk combined with spices, honey poached figs and pistachios, make for a wonderful breakfast treat

Flourless Dark Chocolate Cake

Flourless Dark Chocolate Cake - This intense chocolaty cake is filled with all natural ingredients. A perfect finish to a great meal, special celebration, and everything in-between

Tom Kha Gai (Thai Coconut Chicken Soup)

Tom Kha Gai (Thai Coconut Chicken Soup) - This simple, aromatic soup is a complete meal in a bowl. A broth made from coconut milk, it's filled with chicken, mushrooms, and authentic thai flavors

Baked Orzo with Veggies, Goat Cheese, and Oregano

Baked Orzo with Veggies, Goat Cheese, & Oregano - A luxurious pasta bake, that's comforting in every way. Fresh veggies, goat cheese, and fresh oregano lend sophistication and character

Simple, Perfect Chocolate Pudding

Simple, Perfect Chocolate Pudding - Everything one could ask for - an intense chocolate flavor & silky texture that's still firm enough to stand a spoon in

Feta-Spiked Quinoa Porridge with Roasted Tomatoes and Garlic

Feta-Spiked Quinoa Porridge with Roasted Tomatoes & Garlic - Quinoa cooked on the stove-top to a porridge-like consistency. Topped with tomatoes, basil, and herb oil. A perfect winter meal

Chicken, Black Olive, and Provolone Grandma Pie

Chicken, Black Olive & Provolone Grandma Pie - A rectangular, sheet-baked pizza .. with incredible flavor, a crispy bottom, pillowy-soft middle, and rich cheesy top.

Cornbread, Chorizo, Cherry and Pecan Stuffing

Cornbread, Chorizo, Cherry & Pecan Stuffing - Cornbread mixed with chorizo, dried cherries, pecans, and herbs makes for an incredible holiday stuffing

Beef Tacos with Homemade Tortillas

Beef Tacos with Homemade Tortillas - A recipe for good old fashioned taco meat, versatile enough for your choice of toppings. A great go-to for weeknights.

Lamb Sliders with Date Ketchup, Caramelized Onions + Feta

Lamb Sliders with Date Ketchup, Caramelized Onions + Feta - From Bon Appetit’s RSVP Section .. a spicy lamb slider with caramelized onions, and feta. An incredible combination of flavors .. you won’t be disappointed

Nut, Millet + Chocolate Power Bars

Nut, Millet + Chocolate Power Bars - A power bar that's a perfect snack. Nuts & puffed millet to fill you up, with dates & chocolate for a bit of sweet

Zucchini Bread with Walnuts + Chocolate

Zucchini Bread with Walnuts + Chocolate - Love this healthy version of a classic made with almond flour & all-natural sweeteners. It's moist, fluffy, and absolutely delicious!

Perfect Whole Grain Buttermilk Pancakes with Maple + Apple Compote

Perfect Whole Grain Buttermilk Pancakes with Maple & Apple Compote

Honey Cloud Pancakes

Honey Cloud Pancakes - Honey cloud pancakes with fruit. Light, eggy and sweet, they're the perfect cross between a pancake and a Dutch baby

Lentil Sloppy Joes

Baking Sheet Vegan Macaroni & Cheese – 2 Ways

Frozen Pink Cheesecake

Frozen Pink Cheesecake - With a raw crust, a filling of mascarpone, yogurt, & oodles of berries - it's a wonderfully light dessert

Kai Wot (Ethiopian Beef Stew) Spicy!

Kai Wot (Ethiopian Beef Stew) Spicy! - There's really nothing shy or subtle about Ethiopian .. it's a bold .. in your face flavor .. if there every was one.

Flavored Water

Flavored Water - A beautifully colored container graces on our kitchen counter .. a refreshing & delicious invitation to drink more water during the day

Vanilla Wedding Cake

Vanilla Wedding Cake - This 19th-century classic is the mother of so many American cakes.   If you have only one cake recipe in your repertoire, this should be it

Roasted Butternut Squash and Tahini Dip

Roasted Butternut Squash and Tahini Dip - There's no better description than that offered by the Jerusalem cookbook itself "A dip that's fantastically popular with anyone who tries it" Enjoy!

Wally

Wally - Featured

Brown Rice Pudding

Brown Rice Pudding - Featured

Honey Graham English Muffins

Honey Graham English Muffins - Featured

Conversations at the Tattoo Parlor

Whole Wheat Banana Yogurt Snack Cake

Where Everybody Knows Your Name

Being-A-Regular-Featured

Brotherly Love

Frittata with Green Veggies, Herbs and Parmesan

Frittata - Green Veggies - Featured

Homemade Puppy Treats?

dog-treats-featured

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