the perfect minestrone soup

the perfect minestrone soup

Minestrone soup.  Where to begin?  I have so much to say on minestrone and on soup alone.  I’m going to be doing a series on soup as the weather continues to cool.  For this reason, I’ll hold my thoughts on soup for later posts. Back 

detroit-style pizza with sausage, caramelized onions, & roasted garlic

detroit-style pizza with sausage, caramelized onions, & roasted garlic

If you’ve read my previous pizza post on sourdough Neapolitan-style pizza, you know how deeply I love pizza.  Detroit-style pizza has become trendy lately.  A number of chefs, YouTube channels, and food blogs have tried their hand at this craze.  I had to join in 

Bavette Steak with Compound Butter & Herbed Corn

Bavette Steak with Compound Butter & Herbed Corn

I was never a big cooking competition shows and then my husband introduced me to Top Chef.  The caliber of the competition and the structure of the show are a completely different level than some of the dramatic, gimmicky competitions I was familiar with.  It’s 

crisp, sweet thai steak & noodle salad with fresh herbs

crisp, sweet thai steak & noodle salad with fresh herbs

It’s August, the temperatures are at some of the highest of the year, grilling is preferred to avoid heating up your kitchen, something cold like a salad, yet filling with protein and carbs seems like a great dinner option.  If you feel like Thai but 

SALAD SERIES: steak & balsamic modena salad

SALAD SERIES: steak & balsamic modena salad

One of my first posts was dedicated to vinaigrettes.  It walked through a guide on how you can freestyle vinaigrettes once you understand the relationship between the ingredients and what role each ingredient plays (i.e. acid, emulsifier, fat, etc.).  In that guide, I provided balsamic 

SALAD SERIES: tuscan bread salad with crusty sourdough and fresh mozzerella

SALAD SERIES: tuscan bread salad with crusty sourdough and fresh mozzerella

Week 3 of the summer salad series brings us a Tuscan bread salad.  Although you can make this anytime of year, this salad shines when basil, tomatoes, and romaine are in season in the local produce stands or your home garden.  This recipe was inspired 

steak au poivre and frites

steak au poivre and frites

Steak au poivre wasn’t anything I’d ever had before until I heard of a couple of people talking about it.  It was around the time of my birthday, so I requested it as my birthday dinner.  Mike is a great cook and was gracious enough 

SALAD SERIES: a fresh & flavorful take on taco salad

SALAD SERIES: a fresh & flavorful take on taco salad

Week 2 of this salad series brings us the taco salad.  Taco salads are a staple and it seems like there a million variations.  And I must admit – they’re all good.  I haven’t had a bad taco salad.  Some of the things I like 

Korean chicken bulgogi – delicious protein for a “build your own” rice bowl

Korean chicken bulgogi – delicious protein for a “build your own” rice bowl

In June, we visited our dear friends in Texas.  They live in Fort Worth, but we made the trek to Waco to see the Gaines’ campus that is all things Magnolia.  It was so fun!  Waco is a seemingly cool city too. While shopping and 

SALAD SERIES: italian chicken spiedie salad with a tangy italian dressing

SALAD SERIES: italian chicken spiedie salad with a tangy italian dressing

It is officially summer in the Pacific Northwest – it’s after 4th of July which marks the official start of nice weather here.  Bring out the tank tops, swimsuits, shorts, sundresses and all the clothing that shows all the skin.  It’s the season of calorie