Pomegranate Pear and Kale Salad with a Lemon Maple Balsamic Dressing

We're having some very warm weather these days so a heavy dinner and spending time in the kitchen with the oven on is not how I want to spend my evenings. A simple salad also wouldn't do, I needed something hearty with lots of flavor. I grabbed some kale, pomegranate seeds and a pear, tossed that with some pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds and whipped up a simple yet delicious dressing that rounded out the dish. The lemon in the dressing gives the salad a great burst of freshness while the nuts make it hearty enough that you feel full and satisfied. It's a beautiful salad that's festive and would be the enjoy of the Christmas dinner table. 

Thai Peanut Pasta

During the holiday season I'm always looking to make easy and quick recipes that have fresh flavors that won't make mealtime boring. Something that isn't too heavy but filling enough where I don't feel the need to snack all the time. My Thai Peanut Pasta is a perfect light pasta dish that incorporates unique flavors but lots of vegetables to light up the dish so it's not too heavy. It's great served hot or cold and a variety of proteins can be added to create a fuller dish. 

Baked Shrimp with Tomatoes, Olives and Feta Cheese

One dish meals are such a great timer. Throw it in the oven to cook and you've got yourself some extra time to tidy up and open a bottle of wine before it's time to eat. These baked shrimp are quick and easy and can be thrown together in a matter of minutes with pantry staples. It's a great dish as is or you can pair it with some pasta to stretch the meal. I prefer to pair it with some fresh or roasted vegetables that I have on hand. 

Citrus Pork Tacos

Tonight I found myself with a fridge full of taco toppings left over from fajitas I made for a football tailgate. Not wanting to have the same tastes as I ate yesterday, I decided to take some pork and make a simple citrus marinade to brighten up my night. I only had boneless center cut pork chops so I wasn't able to do a carnita style taco. Instead I cut the pork into small bite size pieces that I sauteed and topped with my leftover toppings. The flavor was vibrant and bright and made me feel I was eating a new dish. It's the perfect dish to try and liven up your taco night! 

Pomegranate Jalapeno Roasted Pumpkin

It's the first day of November and what better way to welcome this thankful month than with a dish that's as beautiful as the season. Pomegranate and jalapeno give great bursts of flavor while the mellow pumpkin and creamy feta cheese round out the dish. I paired this side dish with breaded pork chops but can see this dish as a star for your Thanksgiving spread as well. You can even use sweet potatoes, acorn squash or butternut squash if you can't find a pie pumpkin.

Pumpkin Bourbon Cider Cocktail

Happy Halloween! Today is my favorite holiday and there isn't a better way to celebrate than a seasonal cocktail. My pumpkin bourbon cider cocktail tastes like the season with 1 sip. It's an easy drinking cocktail that will please a crowd and is perfect for anyone who doesn't typically drink bourbon. I like to have all the ingredients out and allow my guests to make their own cocktail. This way they can customize their drink to get exactly what they want! 

Maple Soy Salmon and Brussels Sprouts

I have to admit, I never really thought of pairing salmon and Brussels sprouts together. It just didn't seem like a very natural food pairing to me, but since I had a pound of them in my fridge and some salmon in my freezer I figured , why not try it! To me, maple always goes really nicely with sprouts and soy with salmon so I combined those two flavors and was extremely happy with how it turned out. I added a little whole grain mustard for tang, sriracha for heat and lemon juice for a little acidity. I'd describe the sauce as a sort of maple teriyaki and it's delicious. It mingles very nicely with the hearty Brussels sprouts but is still light enough to let the salmon shine. Not to mention it's ready in under 30 minutes- a huge plus for me when it's already getting dark outside and I'm ready to relax after a day at work. To serve, I just placed the salmon over the Brussels sprouts. It's a very elegant dish, perfect for entertaining! 

Butternut Squash Rigatoni

I’m back! It’s been a long time but I hope to be posting on a more regular basis. Luckily for me, or really you, I’m coming back right in the middle of Autumn- my favorite season. The smells and flavors of the season are really my favorite things to cook and I’ve got some great recipes that I’m excited to share. My first recipe? Butternut Squash Rigatoni. Its silky texture warms you from the inside out and is a great meal for just 1 or a crowd. It’s a great make a head meal that's easy to prep and then finish off when ready to eat. I plan on enjoying this for a few days and then freezing the rest for later. I’m enjoying it for dinner tonight paired with a simple salad with red pears and green apples, topped with a maple balsamic dressing.

Maple Mustard Seared Salmon

Quick no recipe recipes are my favorite for nights when I get home starving and just want to sit down to a nice hot meal. Tonight I decided on salmon and grabbed some whole grain mustard, maple syrup and orange marmalade. In about 15 minutes my dinner was on my plate and ready to be eaten. The sweetness of the maple syrup and tang of the mustard pair deliciously with the seared salmon. I paired the fish with my savory rosemary mashed sweet potatoes and had a delicious and filling meal.

Old Bay Bourbon Shrimp and Corn Chowder

When I'm stuck inside thanks to a cold, snowy and rainy day, a nice bowl a hot soup is a welcome meal. Having a few ears of corn and a bag of potatoes on hand I knew I'd be making a chowder. I pulled some shrimp out of the freezer and set out on my culinary adventure for lunch. I did not have any bacon so I opted for smoked paprika to add a little smokiness to the soup. Instead of sherry I opted for bourbon and being form Baltimore, Old Bay is a must.