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Sheet Pan Harissa Chicken
Sheet pan dinners are my favorite! Just like slow cooker recipes, I seek out these types of meal ideas. I love any recipe that reduces the number of dishes that must be cleaned post-meal. I tried this Half Baked Harvest recipe on Monday for the first time. The flavors were amazing – I highly recommend you try it soon! Admittedly, before making this meal I had no clue what harissa seasoning was. In fact, I almost did not make the recipe because it required me to buy another new spice at the grocery store. (If you saw my spice cabinet, you would appreciate why I wanted to avoid another spice jar!). I…
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Time-Saving Kitchen Hacks
As I started blogging about recipes, I realized there are a lot of hacks in the kitchen I use that are huge time savers. Now I can’t even imagine doing it any other way… Steaming rice on the stove top? Not a chance. Mincing garlic or ginger? Not happening. As a mom of a toddler and now mobile 10 month old (help I forgot how hard this stage is!) I barely manage to get dinner cooked without someone getting hurt. So, if you are anything like me and want to save time in the kitchen, keep reading for all my tricks and tips. Garlic, Ginger and Onions I never chop…
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My Favorite Cocktail of 2019: The Spaghett
One day last August, Ryan sent me this article from Bon Appetit introducing me for the first time to the Spaghett cocktail. Initially I was skeptical (who puts Aperol in beer?), but I already had the aperitif and lemons at home, so I stopped at the grocery store after work to buy Miller High Life beer. And, much to my surprise, I loved the cocktail! As did my sister, Ryan and Chris. Just the right amount of sweet and tart. Cold and refreshing. So, when the sun came out this weekend in Seattle, and guess what I made? The Spaghett: Recipe: 1 Miller High Life (take a swig so you…
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Where To Eat During The Pandemic
My younger brother, Michael, is the real chef and foodie in our family and has been sending us suggestions about his favorite local restaurants that are offering great food and deals during this crazy time. I couldn’t keep track of all of his yummy ideas so I asked him to write a post for us. So, if you live in the Seattle area and are tired of cooking – pull up this post! If you are going to venture out of your home these days, you might as well make it for something really good! I will admit that I love cooking more than the average person- but even I…
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Baking Our Way To The Quarantine 15
Our sweet Mom is the baking queen (just wait until you see her Christmas cookies). The combination of her baking and being bored at home means she is baking all of our favorite things and sending them to our house so she doesn’t eat them :). I’m sharing some of our family favorites we are baking (but her especially) and hope it helps you get creative when you’re trying to kill some time around the house. Peanut Butter Cup Cookies Ingredients: 1 bag Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (about 40) unwrapped 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/2 cup margarine 1 egg 1 cup peanut butter 1/2 tsp vanilla…
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Easter Cocktails
What do you bring to an Easter brunch hosted by your mother who every year produces an extraordinarily elaborate array of food and numerous homemade desserts? A few years ago, I decided my answer to this question was an Easter-themed cocktail because when all else fails, booze must be the answer. Am I right? And folks, today was a doozy with my kids. Not sure if the reality of homeschool is finally hitting home for Sam and Emma, but this cocktail post could not have come soon enough for this mom! This year our Easter cocktail is spiked Carrot Limeade. Here is how I made it: Ingredients 2 cups pure…
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Easter Brunch Ideas
Well, Easter is going to look very different for our family this year given COVID-19 and social distancing. Typically, my parents host a large Easter brunch for my siblings and extended family. Complete with a color-coded egg hunt for the children (i.e., each child is assigned one egg color) and a beer and mini prosecco bottle hunt for the adults. Sam and Emma were devastated when they heard Governor Inslee extended his Stay-At-Home order because they knew it meant no Easter celebration at Grandma Lo-Los and Papa Buff’s house. So, instead, I have assured Sam and Emma that Mallory and I will rally and throw our own super-fun Easter brunch…
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Kid’s Easter Lunch Ideas
Anyone looking to score some fun mom points with your kids? Here are two easy and cute lunch ideas to help add some Easter joy to your littles’ lunches, pass the time and get them involved in the kitchen (without a huge mess). Our kids loved them, ate them up, and it killed way more time than the normal lunch! Winning all around! Gummy Bunny Kabobs What you’ll need: Kabob scewers (or toothpicks for mini kabobs) Any fruit you have in your fridge (we used grapes, strawberries, satsumas, blueberries and raspberries) Annies Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks Directions: Simply skewer Annie’s Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks and fresh fruit with skewers and…
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Drinks to Try During Quarantine
We have been experimenting with our beverages way more then ever these days; I blame quarantine. It used to be strictly wine and champs around here, with a few beers on the weekends. I have never been a big liquor fan but these Frozen Gin and Tonics (and Megan’s Skinny Margaritas) are my jam. Made with lime juice, gin, tonic, and a little cucumber, this drink isn’t too sweet, is fresh, delicious and easy to make! I don’t really even like regular Gin and Tonics – but these are amazing! Frozen Gin and Tonics Ingredients (serves 2 aka double it): 1/4 cup cucumber, about 5 slices that are cut 1/2″ thick. 4 ounces gin 2 ounces lime…
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A Trip To The Seafood Market
Late last week, our youngest brother Michael called Mallory and I to ask if we wanted anything from the seafood market. Mallory asked for salmon and I requested black cod. Here is what we made: Bourbon-Basted Salmon (serves 4) My mom has been making this salmon recipe for years. It’s a family favorite! In fact, I believe it converts salmon haters to salmon eaters. INGREDIENTS: 1 ½ pounds salmon filet Marinade: ¼ cup brown sugar 3 tablespoons bourbon 3 tablespoons green onion, chopped 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons vegetable oil PREPARATION Place salmon, skin side down, in a shallow baking dish. Remove all bones. In a small bowl, combine…
