I love any appetizer that is bite-sized because it’s great for serving guests without being messy. These beef empanadas pack so much flavor thanks to all the spices in the beef mixture. And the avocado dipping sauce is one of my favorites – it’s also really good on tacos, grilled fish and crab cakes. Serve … Beef Empanadas with Avocado Lime Crema
Juicy, ripe peaches are such a treat when the weather gets warmer. They add such delicious flavor to salads and salsas. I can never get enough creamy burrata cheese, and pairing it with peppery arugula, sweet peaches and nutty farro makes this dish the perfect summer meal or side dish. The sweet basil and toasty … Farro, Peach and Arugula Salad with Burrata
Pavlova is a dessert that consists of a crisp meringue layer (which has a soft, marshmallow-like center), whipped cream and fresh fruit. That sounds like a great way to end a summer meal if you ask me! Because rhubarb has started to pop up at the farmer’s markets now, it’s a great time to pick … Strawberry Rhubarb Pavlova
A few years back, Josh and I took a trip to the upper peninsula where we enjoyed the most delicious smoked whitefish. This past weekend, I saw some available from the fish guy at our farmer’s market and I just had to scoop some up. With the weather being a little chillier this week, I … Smoked Whitefish Chowder
Stuffed mushrooms are one of my favorite appetizers to make because they’re super flavorful and it’s pretty simple to whip up a big batch of them. This version combines hot Italian sausage with a touch of cream cheese for creaminess and dried cherries for a pop of sweetness in every bite. Pair these with a … Sausage and Cherry Stuffed Mushrooms
Dessert hummus is a recent trend that I was a bit skeptical to try. However, now I totally understand the hype. This hummus is so incredibly delicious and really does have the same taste and texture as brownie batter (without any added flour or sugar). I recommend serving this as a pool or lake-side snack, … Brownie Batter Dessert Hummus
Skirt steak is a great weeknight meal item because it soaks up marinades and cooks quickly on the grill. I was feeling tropical and will really come up with any excuse to eat coconut rice (yummmm). The combination of sweet, creamy rice and spicy steak is delish. Now all you need to add is a … Hawaiian Skirt Steak with Pineapple Coconut Rice
Ahh patio weather. Here in Michigan we wait so patiently to enjoy fresh meals outside, so once it’s actually nice out Josh and I love eating fresh meals like this one on the deck. This salad is not only beautiful, but the contrast of flavors makes it irresistible (the peppery arugula, tart grapes, sweet vinaigrette … Endive Arugula Salad with Gorgonzola and Blood Orange Vinaigrette
There are few people I have met that don’t love guacamole. It’s a common menu item at dinner parties I cook for and I love playing around with the different add-ins (for example, mango and pineapple). Adding apple provides a great crunch and tart sweetness, which balances nicely with the spicy jalapeno. Serve this as … Green Apple Guacamole
I love being outside and grilling when the weather gets warmer. I find grilling to be the quickest (and one of the healthiest) ways to get dinner on the table fast. For this recipe, I recommend marinating the chicken the night before to really get the citrus flavor to soak in. Serve this with a … Lemon-Thyme Grilled Chicken with Apple, Bacon and Celery Slaw
