Everyone has their go-to bar for a stiff drink and great food and Shanghai Tunnel bar is IT for me! I love the seedy underground vibe, good music blasted at a deafening level, and the fact that once we close the bar down we’re just an alleyway walk away from Voodoo Doughnut. It’s everything you want out of a dive bar, but the best part is their food! Every time… Keep Reading
When I’m not cooking for the blog (who am I kidding? I’m always cooking for the blog!) I like to whip up something easy for dinner. I had an abundance of basil leftover from a previous recipe so I decided to whip up my Simple Basil Pesto and pair it with some pasta and chicken breasts! It was quick, delicious, and filling!
It’s squash season! The stores have been filled with every type imaginable and the best part is that they’re dirt cheap (no pun intended)! Cooking with seasonal fruits and vegetables is not only better for you, the environment, and your budget, but they also taste better! Swap out the carbs from traditional spaghetti and try out delicious roasted spaghetti squash instead!
It seems like we live in the age of ‘dietary restrictions.’ Gluten-free, vegetarian vegan, pescatarian, raw organic……… the list goes on. I believe in enjoying a bit of everything in moderation, but since I have friends that eat with some of these restrictions, I try to come up with a few meals that they can enjoy too. These delicious and hearty Portobello mushroom pizzas are easy to make and friendly… Keep Reading
My latest obsession has been Gordon Ramsay’s show, The F Word. Every season is on Hulu and it’s been entertaining, inspiring, and informational! One of the recipes he shows how to cook is herb crusted rack of lamb. I was inspired to use some of the same techniques and ingredients, but with pork chops instead! The recipe was simple and absolutely mouthwatering!
It’s that time of year again.. crockpot season! I have to admit, I used to be anti-crockpot because I’m more of a hands-on cook, but it’s definitely nice to throw something in there and several hours later your house smells great and you have an amazing meal cooked! The chicken tortilla soup was not only simple, but hearty and delicious. And did I mention.. a wonderful hangover cure? 😉
In preparation for the massive amounts of food I will cook and consume over the holiday months, I decided to start hitting the gym again. Yayyyy….. : / When I get home I’m exhausted and I just want something quick to eat. All too often ‘fast food’ is usually not healthy food, so I put together a meal that’s light, filling, and cooks in 20-25 minutes! I still washed it… Keep Reading
One of my closest friends back home is due in November and her biggest pregnancy craving has been hot wings! I posted these last November in the beginning of my blogging days and the photos were pretty awful… Food photography 101: DON’T USE THE FLASH! I decided to redo the recipe and of course the photos to do these delicious spicy hot wings the justice they deserve. Channing.. this one… Keep Reading
We’re heading into the season of comfort food and I couldn’t think of anything better to indulge in than a decadent deep dish pizza filled with creamy homemade mac and cheese! Chewy, crunchy, cheesy, and rich! This will quickly become a family favorite on chilly fall days!
Every time we hit Trader Vic’s for happy hour I order their lamb sliders. I had never really tried lamb before and was actually surprised at how much I liked it! I was inspired to try out my own version of them and they turned out far better than what I expected! The sweet and spicy tomato chutney and cool cucumber mint raita make the perfect compliments to the burgers!… Keep Reading
Salmon tends to be the easiest fish to cook, but it can be a bit boring. To liven it up I encrusted it with flaked coconut, lime zest, and spices and topped it off with a sweet mango rum sauce! It’s a restaurant-style meal, but on a home-cook’s budget and schedule!
A few weeks ago my fiancé and I ate at Delta Café, where (in my opinion) you can get some of the best Southern food in the Pacific Northwest. Not more than a day after having dinner there, I found myself craving collard greens and po-boys again! I decided I had to come up with my own versions of both and I’m so happy that I did! If you’re ever… Keep Reading
I feel like salads get a bad reputation of being weak, light, and unfulfilling, but this salad is anything but! I’ve been craving a hearty summer salad for a few weeks and this definitely hit the spot! Juicy grilled chicken breasts on a bed of green leaf lettuce, cherry tomatoes, dried cranberries, freshly cooked crumbled bacon, and avocado. I topped the whole thing off with homemade honey mustard dressing that… Keep Reading
I’m completely addicted to Master Chef.. to the point where I had a horrible dream with Gordon Ramsay in it. The next day I cooked this dish, imagining that Gordon Ramsay was screaming at me the whole time. The result was one of the best meals I’ve cooked! Haha so I guess there is a method to his madness! I was a little nervous about cooking scallops for the first… Keep Reading
Last fall I made stuffed peppers using ground beef and rice that were delicious, but also pretty heavy. After just one I felt pretty stuffed myself! I recreated them using quinoa instead of rice and black beans instead of ground beef to make a healthy and light combination that’s also vegetarian friendly! You can swap the cheese on top for avocado slices to make it vegan as well! In today’s… Keep Reading
I tried a sandwich like this at a local restaurant and knew that I had to try to make it at home! Not only was the homemade version cheaper, but much tastier! The sweet and zesty salmon, fresh and juicy grilled pineapple, topped with creamy and spicy coleslaw make a summer sandwich trifecta that you’re sure to love!
I’m a self-proclaimed pizza-addict so you will never see me going carb free or anything, but I must say that this was one delicious and HEALTHY way to enjoy pizza without the added carbs! I’ve seen a few different versions of these floating around on Pinterest, but I put together my own and couldn’t be happier with the results! Not only did I get my pizza-fix in, but I didn’t… Keep Reading
It’s grilling season and I’m taking full advantage of it! I don’t know if it’s the sizzle of food hitting the grill or the fact that everything just seems to taste better when cooked on a grill, but if you need an excuse, these shrimp skewers are definitely it! After marinating the shrimp in fresh lime juice I smothered them with honey barbecue sauce on the grill, creating a sweet… Keep Reading
My favorite salads are always a combination of sweet and tangy with a bit of a crunch. This particular medley was a perfect blend of all three! So dress up a boring salad with a homemade apple cider vinaigrette and candied walnuts that take only 5 minutes to make!
I love checking out new bistros for lunch around Portland, but I always wish that I could duplicate some of the gourmet sandwiches that I try! Well.. I finally have and so can you! The lemon juice marinated into the chicken pairs perfectly with the roasted red pepper, feta, and zesty cilantro pesto! The best part is that they’re good warm or cold so you can make them the night… Keep Reading
Grilling season is in full swing, but remember that bikini season is coming up too! Keep it light, but don’t lose the flavor with these zesty, juicy, and lean turkey burgers! The spicy avocado mayo adds the perfect touch to the bursts of onion, garlic, and jalapeño!
Pizza is my heart and soul. My death-row meal. The one item I would never give up for a diet. Now let’s turn that classic dish into miniature deep dish cups of holy deliciousness! A nice crunch on the outside and soft on the inside with bursts of flavor from fresh cherry tomatoes and basil. I’m dying to find an excuse to throw a party because these make wonderful… Keep Reading
When I decided to try vegetarianism for a month, I really opened myself up to trying a lot of new things that I once deemed as gross, like mushrooms for instance! As a kid I hated them so much that if they were on a pizza I refused to eat the pizza at all, even if they were picked off! Now I absolutely love them! It’s just all on how… Keep Reading
Anyone within 5 miles of my kitchen last night had to be in total envy of the pork loin I slow cooked for 6 hours. The sweet and spicy smell has probably permeated our furniture and walls, but I’m not sad about it! Marinated in spices, placed on a bed of onions, and then smothered in a mixture of barbecue sauce and my personal favorite… Sailor Jerry Rum!