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.

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.