This is one of the easiest snacks you can throw together for a party during the summer. It's even better on the second day, so it's best to make it a day ahead. This give the flavors a chance to meld with the super simple "marinade." Typically, cowboy caviar doesn't have avocado, but I love the extra layer of texture and color it adds (plus, who doesn't love avocado?!) This is a very kid-friendly recipe, so I eliminated some of the spicier ingredients. Instead, this is bright

I like Taco Tuesday just as much as the next person, but I don't always want the tortillas. And while I could absolutely make a taco salad, I prefer warm, cozy dishes in the fall and winter. This recipe can be made with any kind of squash - spaghetti squash or butternut squash especially - but the zucchini has just enough subtle flavoring to not overpower the taco spices. As much as I love using ground beef, I had ground turkey in the freezer and I knew that it would be a gr

As soon as the first fall chill comes through, everyone breaks out their crock pot and runs to the store for ingredients for soup. I mean, what is better than a bowl of soup on a chilly night?! Nothing. Now, I admit, I'm not a soup person. That is, unless it is a heavy "hug in a bowl" type of soup (bisque or cream based soup). I don't really love broth-based soups or *gasp* Ramen. In the past, this has prevented me from making soup at all - which is silly. So I broke out my f

The Christmas season can be hectic and chaotic - to say the least. So when there's time to spend as a family, you don't want to be finishing up your shopping, gift wrapping, or running errands. Christmas is such a fun and magical time for children, and it's important to keep them involved in everything surrounding the Christmas season. Building gingerbread houses is a great family tradition and one of the most fun ways to keep kids entertained and engaged during this busy tim

O b s e s s e d doesn't even begin to cover it. These peanut butter bites are totally decadent, cool and creamy... and HEALTHY. Yes, that's right. They're good for you. This after-dinner dessert is a quick throw-together treat that can be made in under 15-minutes. The worst part is waiting for them to freeze. But I like having something sweet after dinner - not a lot, just something to finish off a good meal. Because these don't have any sugar in them, and only have natura

My mom's side of the family is from New England, specifically Rhode Island and New York. So I feel like there were a lot of "northern" influences in my family growing up, all of which I still cling to the best I can. My great-grandparents were world travelers, loved good food, and loved sharing their experiences with the rest of us. It was great. I can remember looking at slides (yes... slides) on a projector in their basement of trips to Spain, Mexico, and wherever else thei

Baking is something I just recently started getting into. I think I've always had the creativity it takes to bake, but zero of the skill needed to actually bake something. My lack of baking skills is a long-running family joke - partially due to the brownies I made one time that could have doubled as shoe soles, and partially due to the chocolate chip cookies that could have been cement pavers. Regardless of my baking mishaps, I have gotten better. A lot better. People actu

There is nothing better than waking up to a house that smells like warm cinnamon and nutmeg. It just screams "fall!" Lately, there hasn't been any crisp fall air, so I am making up for it by decorating and cooking as many fall recipes as I can manage. Of course this means lots of baked goods, pumpkin everything, and fall spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Near my hometown, there was the most amazing family-owned orchard, Baugher's. There were acres of apple trees, pump

My mom always had a huge garden when I was little. It was full of huge squash, cucumbers, peas, beans, corn (sometimes), and always more tomatoes than anyone could ever eat. She was notorious for having a thousand different kinds of tomatoes - heirlooms, cherry, grape - any variety you can think of. That hasn't changed over the years. She starts her tomatoes in the winter in her basement, and grows them from seeds. By the time summer rolls around, the plants are already massi

My mom used to make this every summer for my sister and me, and it was usually a special treat. We ate a lot of traditional foods (spaghetti and casseroles) because they were quick to fit around out busy schedules, and even better for leftovers. So when Mom made this bruschetta, we knew it was a perfect summer evening. Roasted peppers, creamy asiago cheese, and crunchy baguette... yum! So when we had dinner guests over earlier this week, it immediately popped into mind as th