Cajun Pasta Bolognese

This is based on a recipe from NY Times Cooking called "Homemade Hamburger Helper". Never having eaten Hamburger Helper, I can't tell if it's accurate, but it is absolutely delicious. I changed the name though, because who wants to serve their guests called something like that, and I changed the recipe enough that I'm hoping...

Large Batch Espresso Martinis

Keep in the fridge until ready to pour. For 4 martinis: 8 ounces (1 C.) vodka 2 ounce (1/4 C.) coffee liqueur (Kahlúa) 4 ounce (1/2 C.) espresso freshly brewed (or cold brew concentrate) 2 ounce (1/4 C.) simple syrup For 8 martinis, obviously double it. But here it is so you don't have to...

Fried Rice

Logan sent me a TikTok with a teriyaki chicken fried rice video. I never really thought of making fried rice myself but now we make it all the time. It's easy to throw in whatever you have on hand and it always turns out delicious and really satisfying. Below is a general guideline but feel...

Ridiculous Oatmeal Cookies

This recipe is based on a copycat Levain recipe, which is a New York bakery I am very sad to have never been. The main difference is the addition of nuts. Levain doesn't put nuts in their oatmeal raisin cookies, and to me nuts are a must. I usually add walnuts but one time when...

Loaded Peanut Butter Toffee

This is a richer, chunkier even more decadent version of Graham Cracker Toffee-- graham cracker toffee + peanut butter + peanut butter cups + chopped peanuts. I usually make a smaller recipe than the original toffee since it's so over the top. Keep it in the fridge or freezer. Serve room temp or straight out...

Mom’s Sour Cream Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake

My mom made this cake all the time when I was growing up. Lucky me! It's something you (or at least I) can rationalize eating any time of day. The sour cream makes it rich and a little tangy, the cinnamon sugar layers are kind of gritty in a good crunchy way, and of course...

Smoked Chicken Salad

I love any type of chicken salad- plain, curry, pesto, Waldorf, you name it. But smoked is probably my favorite. Usually I wait until we have leftover smoked chicken breasts but the other day I cheated and used a rotisserie chicken plus liquid smoke, and I have to say, it was hard to tell the...