Monthly Archives: March 2012

Tangy Caesar Salad with Crispy Prosciutto

March 28, 2012

Maybe it’s the sunshine, warmth, and blossoming cherry trees, signaling the start of springtime in Seattle. Perhaps it’s the hope of positive change I feel forthcoming in the life of our family. Or it could be the rejuvenation that comes when my 8 week old charmer of a son has started sleeping 6-7 hour stretches at night. I’m not certain of the source, but in the last week or two, I’ve noticed considerably more spring in my step. For the first time in quite a while, excitement is stirring in me as I anticipate the good that is to come …

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Asian-Style Grapefruit Ginger Chicken

March 26, 2012

If you’ve read my About page, you’ve gotten a glimpse of my battle with pride over the years. My actions have often been motivated by the desire to impress others or make them think highly of me, and while it’s easy to think that is a past struggle in which I am no longer entangled, I find that there are still areas of my life where it is an issue. Thankfully, God is kind and reveals these spaces one by one, allowing me time to process, repent, and experience greater joy. At present, my preconceived ideas about what it means …

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Caramelized Onion and Mushroom Soup

March 20, 2012

Oh boy, am I excited to share this soup with you! I’m always on the lookout for yummy foods to share on the blog, and while it sometimes takes a few rounds of trial and error before a dish is considered “blogworthy,” I knew this one was a winner right away. It’s my take on a traditional French onion soup, though it includes a few special ingredients that take the flavors over the top. It starts out as expected with onions that are caramelized in a rich combination of butter and olive oil. To that, fresh thyme and white wine …

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Slow Cooker Feijoada (Brazilian-Style Black Bean Stew)

March 15, 2012

Black beans seem simple enough to prepare, right? That’s the thought of frustration that has run through my mind over the years as I have struggled to come up with a satisfactory recipe for this straightforward ingredient. I’d had various renditions of black bean soup at a number of restaurants, so I knew it was possible to make them taste delicious, yet every time I tried, I was disappointed with the results. The beans were too bland, too tough, or just plain boring. Thankfully, the tide has turned in my quest for black bean goodness, and it has taken the …

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Simple Chocolate Cupcakes

March 12, 2012

One might be  surprised to know (especially if said individual was acquainted with my viewing obsession with Cupcake Wars) that I’ve never been a big fan of cupcakes, or cake at all for that matter. Sure, I suppose I ate it at many childhood birthday parties without complaint, but as I got older, I realized it just wasn’t my thing. The combination of often dry and crumbly cake topped with overly sweet frosting has never been as alluring as the pies and “cookie cakes” that I tend to prefer for my birthdays as an adult. To be clear, I’m not just pointing …

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BBQ Chicken Pizza Pinwheels

March 7, 2012

Despite growing up in a home in which the fare tended towards being quite plain, Dan has always been a good sport about trying the new and unusual dishes that I’ve prepared. Over the years, he and I have had some memorable moments exploring new cuisines together, but at the end of the day, one food reigns supreme for my husband. Whether it’s morning, noon, or night, he would never turn down a good slice of pizza. Scratch that – it doesn’t even really need to be that good…for him, pizza is pizza. In fact, Dan’s adoration of this savory …

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Two by Four Trail Mix

March 1, 2012

Things have intensified on the home front this week with Dan starting a new job (including longer working hours and extended commute time) and Eowyn battling bronchiolitis which, as I learned yesterday, is a type of viral cold. It’s God’s grace to me that I am not left to navigate this period alone being that my mom has been here since Sunday. She’s staying with us through the end of the week, and while the practical help with the children and housework is wonderful, what I am most thankful for is her company and the stolen moments talking together in …

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