A few days after Thanksgiving, we had some people over for dinner. We had a still untouched pumpkin pie, so we served it for dessert. They commented they had never eaten homemade pumpkin pie before. I was astonished! Imagine my surprise when I told this story to someone else who admitted the same thing. It… Continue reading Meaty Lasagna
Sometimes, certain food really speaks to you. Maybe you had a craving and when you eat that food, it hits that spot just right. Or maybe you just make a meal that tastes extra delicious that day. It doesn't have to be something special or fancy. These meatballs were that meal for me. I felt… Continue reading Easy Meatballs
December is such a busy time of year for most of us. Lots of gatherings, shopping, school functions, sporting events, etc. I usually have a pretty open schedule and found myself booked 3 of the 5 work days this week. What?! However, busyness doesn't mean you have to get take out. You are spending enough… Continue reading Slow Cooker Ratatouille and Polenta
One of my husband's sisters is currently serving a mission for our church in Italy. She's been gone for almost a year and half and comes home soon. Periodically, while she has been gone, we have tried to make at home or to eat at restaurants more authentic Italian dishes. We've tried some pizzas that… Continue reading Rice Stuffed Tomatoes
What's your favorite part of going out to eat? The ambience? Being served? Not having to cook or to do dishes? The variety? The free bread? I'll admit, I like all of those things, but all the yummy different breads you can get at restaurants is pretty high up there. Sometimes I'm as extreme as… Continue reading Rosemary Bread
At my house, it is beginning to warm up and feel like spring and summer might actually happen. I spent so much time at the park yesterday that I got my first "tan" line of the year. But Mother Nature is tricky. Every year this happens, and then every year there is a random snow… Continue reading Italian Braised Beef over Polenta
I have a cookbook of recipes my mom collected over the years, which includes a recipe for "chewy breadsticks". I was hosting a spaghetti dinner party once, and my mom suggested I make those. I don't know if I did something wrong, but the end result was definitely chewy, borderline like eating cardboard. They didn't… Continue reading Quick, Chewy Breadsticks
If you asked me if I liked minestrone five years ago, I would have answered in the negative. Outside of chili, tomato based soups just weren't my thing. Then one balmy June evening in Chicago, I went over to my best friend's house to relax. I was in the middle of moving and hadn't been able… Continue reading Minestrone
I once read on a food blog that casseroles are ugly. Most of the time, I'd agree. This casserole breaks that mold. It is almost as nice to look at as it tastes. The colors are perfect for this time of year, too. If you have carnivores in your crowd, don't be scared of this meat… Continue reading Eggplant Involtini
Somehow I forgot to post my marinara sauce recipe with my pizza series. I use the same marinara sauce for pizza, spaghetti,lasagna...pretty much anything needing a red sauce. I know it seems weird, but I like having the chunky sauce on pizza. If you don't, you could also give it a quick blend before putting… Continue reading My favorite marinara
