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.

CSA Box Dinner

I’m finally back to cooking! The kitchen is almost 100% complete but since I’m still waiting for a few things to get finished up I will be keeping the look a secret until everything is finished. Regardless I’ve been cooking up a storm and LOVE cooking in my kitchen. There is just something about being in a space that I’ve designed that makes cooking there a little sweeter. I’ve also started cooking a little differently. I get a CSA box every week and create the recipes that pair with each box offering for my company. This means I get to create 3-4 recipes a week and it really gets my culinary creative juices flowing! It also means, I get to try my recipes out- so I’ll be able to post more often. Last night I created a delicious meal from my box and a few extra items I got from the grocery store. I was extremely impressed with how everything turned out. Plus it was easy and quick to make. These dishes are great for lunch or dinner and would be a great item to take to your next cookout for picnic!

My blog isn't under construction but my kitchen is!

Can't wait to start cooking in my new kitchen! Hopefully I'll be whipping up delicious recipes in the next few weeks. Until then, here are some pictures of the original kitchen, demo and future kitchen designs.

Italian Baked Potatoes with Kale and Tomatoes

Happy New Year! I can't believe it's already 2014! The new year brings with it a fresh start and I've got a fresh batch of recipes to help keep myself on track. The holiday indulgences are over so it's time to start indulging in healthy ways! First up is my Italian Baked Potatoes with Kale and Tomatoes. It is a quick and easy side dish or meal that will help you eat more greens and tickle your taste buds.

Jalapeno Cheese Dip with Cheddar Cheese and Potato Chip Topping

It's a cold rainy Sunday and I just want to stay curled up inside. Sunday means watching football for me so I wanted a game time snack that would warm me from the inside out. We still have a fridge full of leftover items from the holidays so it was very easy for me to put together this spicy creamy and comforting dip. I divided the recipe into two ramekins for easy sharing and paired it with crackers, carrots and celery. You can adjust the heat level depending on how hot you or your guests like food. It's also an easy recipe to increase for a large batch appetizer.