Earlier this week, while persuing the Kitchn, I stumbled upon this recipe for Kale and Ricotta Salata Salad. I must have been craving greens that day, because immediately upon seeing the picture, the first thought to cross my mind was “MUST MAKE!!!” (you can also insert a drooly face here). So I popped over to Kim Severson’s site to get the recipe, and off to the store I went to procure the ingredients. (more…)

Filed under:
Dinner, Gluten free, Salad, Vegetarian by Courtney

It’s that time of year when everyone vows to better themselves. Some want to tighten their budgets and keep an eye on the finances (and for the frugal, check out what to do with your vegetable scraps to make them go the extra mile). Some want to spend more time with friends and family (and what better way than over a hotpot full of sukiyaki?). But most make some sort of resolution about slimming down, eating healthier, and exercising.

So for that last group, I post this recipe from Martha Stewart. It’s one of my favorite weeknight meals, and it’s the meal that changed my mind about tofu, convincing me to try it in the first place, and surprisingly liking it. This meal is vegetarian – vegan even! Soba noodles are one of my favorites, so I’ll take any excuse to gobble them up. This recipe is light, but filling, and nice and warm on a chilly night. (more…)

Filed under:
Dairy free, Dinner, Gluten free, Vegan, Vegetarian by Courtney

This morning I have a little hair of the dog for your morning brunch. It’s no secret champagne is one of my favorite drinks, but when it comes to brunch, once I had a Mr. Funk mimosas were over for me. The Mr. Funk of New Orleans is a champagne cocktail from Brennan’s (also of New Orleans). My first visit there, I had this with my brunch, and I was hooked not only on Brennan’s, but the cocktail with the funk-y name.

The Mr. Funk is simple to make – it’s a blend of champagne, peach schnapps, and cranberry juice. Mix one up for yourself and ring in the new year right! (more…)

Filed under:
Brunch, Dairy free, Drink Time, Gluten free, Vegan, Vegetarian by Courtney

It’s funny where you might stumble upon a recipe. Sure, there are sites that are dedicated to recipes, such as Epicurious and blogs like this one. There’s the back of a package – like the Nestle Toll House chocolate chips and their famous cookie. One place I hadn’t anticipated, though, was when I went to Cypress Grove’s website to read up on their newest addition to their cheese line up, Truffle Tremor.

When I was putting together a cheese course of local cheeses, and I picked up Truffle Tremor in part because I love Cypress Grove’s Humboldt Fog, so I thought I’d try the newest cheese on the block. The Tremor was so good, so creamy, that I decided to pop over to the website to find out more about it. That’s where I stumbled upon recipes. (more…)

Filed under:
Comfort food, Gourmet, Lunch, Quick and Easy, Vegetarian by Courtney

Today I awoke to gray skies. While the temperature wasn’t too cold, there’s something about a gray day that makes you want to snuggle back under the covers and hibernate, watching old movies and keeping warm. So that’s basically what I did, only the covers were on the couch, so I could enjoy all of the Christmas decorations around the house.

I decided it would be the perfect day to feed the craving I’d been having for a vegetable soup in Lidia Bastianich’s book, Lidia Cooks from the Heart of Italy. I had made the recipe last year, and it was so full of flavor and so easy that it has stuck out in my mind as a “must make as soon as the weather turns cold” meal. (more…)

Filed under:
Comfort food, Dairy free, Dinner, Gluten free, Italian, Lunch, Soups, Vegan, Vegetarian by Courtney