Lemon Extract

What do you think of when you think of lemons? Lemonade? Well that's a good thought. I like lemonade. But that's not what I was thinking of.  I think of the trip that my husband and I took to Italy a few years back. We went on a tour to the Amalfi Coast, where lemons were in abundance. To get to the coast, the little bus we were on had to make some turns that I'm pretty sure a bus shouldn't make, especially on a road where one side was a cliff down into the Mediterranean. *Oh man* But, we all made it thanks to our wonderful bus driver who apparently was used to those turns and I live to tell the story.
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Asian Tacos

Well, I had been leaving you in suspense since I posted my flour tortillas as to what we ate in them. The time is finally here to announce and it is certainly delicious...ASIAN INSPIRED TACOS!!! Yay! Can you even believe it?!? What a wonderful idea.
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Flour Tortillas

We've been doing a lot of traveling this summer including many miles on the road and many miles in planes. I hate planes. I really do. I feel like I become claustrophobic after about an hour. Plus, my husband would agree that I pretty much squeeze all of the blood from his hand at take off and landing. But, with planes and cars come great places with great food!
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Pierogi with Cheesy Potato Filling

I'm approximately 72.5793% Slovak. Approximate guess. OKAY, random number I made up. But needless to say this fine specimen (me, of course) is mostly Slovak. I may, however, lose some Eastern European credit when I confess that I have never made homemade pierogi before now. I've eaten them many a time but never have these hands made them. *Sigh* Yes, I am ashamed.
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Mint Extract

Making mint extract is kind of like a long term commitment with a delicious ending. It actually takes a few months to reach minty perfection. I am *seriously* sad I have to wait to use my homemade mint extract because I saw some brownies with mint chocolate chip frosting and I am already salivating. However, it is said that all good things come to those who wait. And I certainly can think of MANY good things in my future with this mint extract.
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Tips & Tricks: Peeling Ginger Root

I never bought ginger root before about a year ago. No reason except that I thought I was perfectly content with the little dried jar stuff. WRONG. Don't do it!! Buy the real stuff! It's cheap and simple to use. I'll even show you how peel it!
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Peach & Blueberry Crumble for Two

This one was inspired by my garden. My teeny tiny garden that doesn't get any sun because of the massive maple trees we have in both our front and backyard. I love the shade from the trees...do not love that I have about one square foot of sun in my yard to try to plant the many fruits, vegetables, and herbs I want to plant.
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Veggie Packed Peanut Butter Pasta

This pasta dish is CRAZY good. Seriously. Don't believe me? My sister and her husband along with my *adorable* niece were here a couple weekends ago from Ohio and we made this pasta dish together. While eating, the conversation went something like this:

Sister: This is soooo good. The best thing I ever ate.

Me: I know, right?

Brother-in-law to my sister: Steph sent you this recipe, right?

Sister: Yeah I should have it in my email.

Brother-in-law: Ok, good. Just wanted to make sure.

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Fresh Whole Wheat Pasta

I'm addicted to pasta. It's a real problem. Don't judge. You'll understand once you make it. At least I'll tell myself that. It will help me sleep at night.
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Farmer's Market Finds

This is a story about life changing cherries. You heard me. Life changing cherries.
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Roasted Corn & Bean Salsa

I love summer. First of all, working in the schools as an occupational therapist I get the summer off (minus a few weeks of summer school). Woo hoo! Second, Michigan feels like it has about 8 months of winter so summer is a nice break from cold. And snow. And cold. And snow. You get the point. If you don't understand, I envy you because you must live somewhere warm where everyone thinks winter is a myth that us Northerners make up. Well, winter is real, folks. It's real and it's horrible. Unless you like snow up to your head. Then it's wonderful. Third, and most of all, summer has the most wonderful options for beautiful fruits, veggies, and herbs!
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