Lifestyle
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Watermelon Granita
This morning I’m dreaming of the Outer Banks, fresh watermelons, and the watermelon granita I’d make because we were always overoptimistic about watermelons. (They are pretty irresistible.) Click here if you are impatient and need to jump straight to the recipe (and possibly miss out on my helpful commentary and humor). Every year as arrive in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, we stop at Morris Farm Market in Barco, grab a cart, and buy more fruit than we can comfortably fit around our feet and suitcases in the car. A giant watermelon, three cantaloupes, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and the family favorite, local peaches, along with a jug of strawberry cider for the…
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Cookbook Review: 20 Recipes Kids Should Know
I must confess, while I’m always happy to see book mail, my equally bookish daughter is tickled when books aimed at her demographic land at my front door. When I received my copy of 20 Recipes Kids Should Know from the authors’ publicists for review*, she quickly snatched it up and was marking recipes she’d like us to try together. *As always, all opinions are my own; this post also includes affiliate links. More on 20 Recipes Kids Should Know The Review 20 Recipes Kids Should Know is a large format cookbook laden with pretty, full-color photos, colorful headings and clear, easy-to-follow steps. 12-year-old author/chef Esme Washburn has broken down…
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Double Toffee Banoffee Pie
My family can be sentimental and we’re not ashamed of it. Whenever we see something that reminds us of a favorite place or event, it doesn’t take much to put us in full longing mode. This also usually involves food. For instance, a movie set in London will prompt memories of our time in the UK…which eventually brought us around to the lane on which we lived, then food, talk of fish and chips, and our favorite British “puddings”. Mine was banoffee pie. A crumbly crust made with biscuits and pecans, smooth caramel, ripe bananas, freshly whipped cream with just a hint of coffee – what is there not to love? Honestly, the pie…
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Mummy Molasses Bars
It’s always time for dessert – and these molasses bars are the perfect sweet-but-not-too-sweet fall treat. Some links in this post are affiliate links that earn me a commission if you purchase from them. Fall has arrived in Texas with temperatures dipping into…the eighties. The neighborhood is decorated with skeletons and tombstones, and the candy bowl – the one ready for trick-or-treaters – already needs to be restocked. But sometimes I need something more substantial – I need molasses bars. And since it’s nearly Halloween, a creative application with the icing will make it look like a cute mummy! If you are ready for a break from pumpkin anything (not…
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Asian Turkey Burgers with Sriracha Mayo & Broccoli Slaw
Looking for something different? These slider-sized burgers are absolutely delicious and healthy to boot. What I love about these is that typically have most of the ingredients on hand so it’s a snap to throw them together. Asian Turkey Burgers with Quick Slaw: 1 pkg prepared broccoli slaw (approx 4 cups)* 1 red bell pepper, julienne cut 2 tbsp rice vinegar 2 tbsp chopped cilantro 1.5 tbsp brown sugar 2 tbsp reduced sodium soy sauce, divided 2 tbsp dark sesame oil, divided 1 pound ground turkey 2 tbsp hoisin sauce 1 scallion chopped 1 tsp fresh ground ginger 3 Tbsp mayonnaise (I like Avocado Oil Mayo) 1 Tbsp Sriracha sauce…
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Balsamic and Onion Slow-Cooker Pot Roast
I’ve tried a lot of recipes for pot roast, and too many of them start with “open a packet of xxx” – which, while it may make a really nice roast for some, is far too salty for this family. I stumbled across this recipe for pot roast that has a gorgeous gravy and only a few ingredients (like balsamic vinegar, beef stock and tomato sauce) and lots of onions. Personally, I won’t be doing pot roast any other way than this way, despite having a few extra pans to wash. Even my picky, picky Mikey-like 12-year-old gave this a smile and a thumbs up at the table (and…
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Instant Pot Taco Soup
I was first introduced to this recipe for taco soup by a lovely friend who brought it over after I’d had my first kiddo. She delivered it, still warm, in a giant Tupperware container. It was accompanied by a pan of fresh cornbread, pico di gallo from our local grocery deli and a few perfectly ripe avocados. It was heaven in a paper bag to this new mom, and every since, this taco soup is my go-to for Sunday football watching, fast meals for us, for bringing to new moms or for those in need of a meal during a tough time – it’s wonderful comfort food. And it makes…
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Always Pee Before Airport Security
There are 99 reasons I hate flying out of a certain airport, and 98 of them involve the inevitable flight delay we will encounter. Yesterday I added the 100th – the random security check that goes awry. When we left my son’s soccer camp in Charlottesville, Virginia for our drive to the airport, our flight was on time. By the time we reached the highway, it had been delayed 15 minutes. Then 30. Then 45. Then 2 hours. We stopped along the way at a shopping center to stretch our legs, kill some time, and get something to eat (because the airport food, or lack thereof, accounted reasons 52-58…
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Gift Ideas for your Traveling Guy
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertisers. Product was provided for client review; however all opinions are mine alone. #WorldsSmartestToothbrush #PhilipsSonicare #OprahsFavoriteThings #CollectiveBias If your husband is like mine, he is notoriously difficult to buy for. I think his favorite gift I’ve ever got for him is when I paid for the annual fee on his Platinum American Express card! Because he travels so often, he doesn’t want a bunch of junk weighing him down. My guy is a bit of a minimalist: he isn’t one for the latest trends, and while he appreciates great technology, he is not a tech geek (like me). He…
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Comfort Food: Good ‘n Cheesy Meatloaf
I confess, while meatloaf IS the quintessential comfort food, it isn’t something I crave like my son does. When I DO make meatloaf, however, I have TWO go-to recipes that I truly love. The first is a borderline high-brow version of diner meatloaf, made with ground beef, pork and veal, and the secret is “ketchup in and ketchup on”. The second is the one that most appeals to my kids, because of the half-pound of cubed cheese inside. It’s not the healthiest of meals, but it is yummy. I will also confess, that while I can give or take HOT meatloaf, since childhood I have absolutely been in love with cold…
