the best creamy tomato soup

The Best Creamy Tomato Soup with Crunchy Nut Topping

I debated what to call this soup. For many reasons. But finally settled on the best creamy tomato soup. Is it the best creamy tomato soup? Maybe, maybe not. But it was delicious and reminds me of a fun time in the past. A few years back, my husband, a friend, and I went to [...]

another chocolate cookie recipe

Double Chocolate Coffee Chocolate Chip Cookies

I know that you don’t need another chocolate chip cookie recipe. There are a million out there. But what about one made with both milk and dark chocolate, browned butter, and coffee? With a topping of crunchy sea salt on top. One that you don’t need a mixer for. This recipe is extra special. It’s [...]

pineapple shrimp tacos

Pineapple Shrimp Tacos

Pineapple shrimp tacos? Yes, please! Tacos are an easy dinner option, and one of my faves. One of the best things about them is that you can change literally every component of a taco and have a completely different meal. Soft shell, tofu, lettuce, tomato? Taco. Crunchy shell, fish, avocado, cabbage? Taco. Soft and hard [...]

easy homemade salad dressing

A Surprising Vinaigrette – Easy Homemade Salad Dressing

If you’ve never made easy homemade salad dressing, you’ll be surprised at how quick it is. One thing I’ve noticed in years and years of cooking all day is that sometimes the best things are the simplest. You don’t need a dozen ingredients to make the best-tasting dishes. You don’t need fancy, hard-to-find ingredients to [...]

pineapple jalapeno salsa

Jalapeno Pineapple Salsa

Pineapple in salsa? Yay or nay? If you try this jalapeno pineapple salsa, you will definitely be a yay. I never liked pineapple when I was a kid. I’ve always loved fruit, but I hated both pineapple and watermelon with a passion. Still hate watermelon, but love pineapple. Maybe there’s still hope for melon (I’m [...]

tomato tartare

Tomato Tartare

I first had tomato tartare at a restaurant a while ago, and I wasn’t sure what to think. It was at a vegetarian restaurant, so it wasn’t meat. But when I think of “tartare” I think of steak. So what? Turns out, it’s definitely not meat. It’s tomatoes that are cooked low and slow until [...]

corn and poblano soup

Summer Corn and Poblano Soup

A simple corn and poblano soup to begin the countdown to the end of summer. I’m not going to miss the heat and humidity (and hopefully all the rain we’ve been having this summer!) I will miss summer produce. Sweet corn, in particular, is a favorite of mine, and I’ve been making all the things with [...]

Roasted Cherry Tomato Guacamole

I have a love-hate relationship with avocados. They feel like baseballs when you buy them in the grocery store. But put them on the counter for a few days, and they soften up. Sounds good right? I mean yeah, until they’re so soft that you open them up and they’re black inside. They have a [...]

chili lime tortilla chips

Salted Chili Lime Tortilla Chips

Chili lime tortilla chips with crunchy salt are the best snack. Even without salsa or cheese. When you’re feeling like a snack, there’s not much better than a big bag of salty, crunch corn chips dipped in some spicy salsa or guacamole. Or is there? Yes, folks.  There is something better. And while it’s a [...]

simple green salad

A Simple Green Salad

A simple green salad is surprisingly delicious. I’ve learned a lot about food and cooking in the decade that I have been doing it professionally. First, food doesn’t have to be complicated to be delicious. In fact, sometimes simple is best. Few ingredients, but more importantly good ingredients are key. As is the case with [...]