Monthly Archives: January 2013

Classic Meat Loaf

January 31, 2013

“All we are saying is give meat loaf a chance.” In the middle of a Midwestern Boston Market almost 10 years ago now, these words, printed on an oversized button that was pinned to an employee’s shirt, caught my eye, and it was the first time it ever occurred to me that there are people in this world that don’t like meat loaf. It was inconceivable. Who on earth doesn’t like meat loaf? Clearly, these people had never eaten my mom’s cooking. Meat loaf was a staple of my childhood, one of the many loved recipes that came from our …

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Spiced Pear Smoothie

January 28, 2013

Today, my friends, is an exciting day. So many good things to share with you! First I want to tell you about the stash of Blends yogurt I recently received from the folks at Stonyfield. This is a brand new line that they are introducing, the idea being that it would satisfy the cravings of consumers who want a thicker, creamier yogurt but who don’t particularly care for the tang of Greek styles. The flavors are quite mild, and as the name suggests, the fruit is blended in entirely. You won’t find any chunks of peach or blueberry here, just …

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French Toast with Cinnamon Syrup

January 24, 2013

It’s been a good week, friends. Life as a mom of two is a constant struggle for me, so it’s not often that I get to make a statement like that. Over the last seven days, God’s grace has been palpable in ways that I have not experienced in months, if not years. I told you recently about how I was getting glimpses of his goodness, these glimmers of hope in the darkness of my soul, and now the brightness is growing. Light is flooding into the most forlorn corners of my heart, and I am refreshed. The impetus for …

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Whole Wheat Challah

January 22, 2013

The house is quiet, and though my eyelids are drooping a bit, I wanted to come here to this space whilst the kids are still asleep to share with you something special I made over the weekend. Whole wheat challah. Now, the purists among you might look at the ingredients and scoff at the fact that whole wheat makes up only a third of the flour in this recipe. Bear with me. Baking yeast breads with whole grains, as it turns out, can be fairly challenging. Over the years, I’ve made more than my fair share of dense-as-brick loaves, but …

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Thai-Inspired Loaded Baked Potatoes with Homemade Peanut Sauce

January 14, 2013

I know it’s a stretch to even include “Thai” in the title of this dish. Mark my words, I’m making no claims of authenticity, but what I am doing is sharing how I used a few ingredients commonly found in Asian cuisine as a means to jazz up the classic baked potato. And it totally works. Here’s the deal: I picked up some of those giant baking russets at the grocery store (no, not the ones that come in the 10 pound bags, but the really big ones that you can buy individually), and I baked them sans foil. I …

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Black Bean and Sweet Potato Quesadillas

January 10, 2013

I was surprised when I realized I hadn’t yet shared this recipe with you. Inspired by an ad for Goya brand black beans in a magazine that I was reading probably 4 or 5 years ago now, it’s one of those dishes I find myself making time and again. The concept is simple: a nutritious, whole grain tortilla stuffed with sweet potatoes, black beans, onions, and cumin. There are a few more ingredients, but these flavors compose the foundation. This time, when making it specifically to share with you here, its nuances and subtleties caught my attention more than usual. …

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Simple Roast Chicken + How to Make Your Own Stock

January 7, 2013

A few weeks away, unplugged and without expectation. A time of renewal, focus, and rest. I decided to take a little blogging break over the holidays, and today, after spending time last night with friends who are so dear to me that I want to squeeze them tight and never let them go, my heart is full and eager to share. Darkness, when present, is like a heavy blanket that is both blinding and weighty. Fog fills the mind and discernment is lacking; strength is exerted but progress is not made. It’s exhausting and lonely and sometimes infuriating. While there …

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