Category: Food

Pizza Crust Chronicles: Flatbread

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I can hardly believe that June has come and gone. The summer in Northern Michigan is fleeting and I’ve never been more certain to take advantage of each beautiful day. That means barbecues, swimming, wine tasting, camping, gardening & fresh-squeezed lemonade!

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Northwest Clam Chowder

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When I think of Seattle my first thoughts are of Karrin & Heather, two of my very best friends. Then of course comes seafood, wide open waters and dreamy green flora. I just came home from a weeklong visit filled to the brim with incredible food and fresh air.

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Homemade Pasta Dough

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I love pasta. I eat it all the time, in its various shapes and sizes. I eat it in the summer dressed with light olive oil, fresh sun gold tomatoes and basil. I eat it in the winter with thick, rich sauces. I’ve always loved the idea of making the pasta fresh, but never had the tools or the know-how… until now. The KitchenAid pasta attachments I received for christmas make me squeal with delight, even still today when I pull them out of the pantry.

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A “Fresh” Perspective

There are countless documentaries making comments on the current state of our food system. They each differ in varying degrees of tragedy, omission, honesty and optimism.  “Fresh” became part of that ever growing panoply of films in 2009.  The film’s director, Ana Sofia Joanes, sets “Fresh” apart by providing a well-balanced account of the dismal realities in industrial agriculture while layering the narrative with promising, inspiring and practical solutions that are beginning a movement.

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Apple Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

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I never hesitate to lead with and further explain my ineptitude for the skills baking requires. The chemistry metaphor for baking is so perfect, that I’m only slightly embarrassed to tell you I almost failed chemistry in high school, shocker. Truth be told, my failures in both subjects are most often the result of impatience and casual lack of focus. So when I was handed the job of preparing the dessert for a recent get-together with friends, I decided to buckle-down and forget my previous failures. I was determined to make something not only edible, but downright delicious.

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Spicy Squash and Brie Nachos with Cranberry Molasses

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Let me guess..The friends, family, co-worker, neighborhood holiday parties are filling your calendar and you’re trying to decide what food to bring. We all want to bring a great dish to the party, but we don’t want to slave over the stove while our friends are laughing and drinking bottles of bubbly in the other room without us! The solution is a dish that you can prep ahead of time, just pop into the oven and serve.

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Sweet Potato Three Bean Chili

Growth by the Season

I love a bowl of chili when its chilly outside. It warms you up and fills you up, without even trying too hard. I really enjoy trying chili when I’m out at local restaurants because EVERY chili is different. When I do, I waiver between meat or vegetarian chili, and either will do. But when it comes to my own homemade chili, I prefer strictly vegetarian. I’m always adding variety to my homemade chili by changing which vegetables I include or adding and omitting to the variety of beans. It continues to keep each bowl of chili unique.

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Thanksgiving Dreams

Today I’m driving six hours away from Traverse City to the suburbs of Chicago (where I grew up) for a long weekend with my family. A celebration for the upcoming holiday and a chance to spend some extra quality time with people dear to me. Thanksgiving is so enjoyable for me in large part due to all the family I get to reconnect with, but lets be honest its definitely got something to do with the food as well. My family has requested a repeat of the delicious squash & feta savory muffins I made last year, but I’ll be spending my long drive finalizing plans for another side dish, just in time for the big feast.

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Parsnip Potato & Thyme Gratin

Growth by the season

‘Healthy’ has different meanings to different people. In my world, balance is the foundation of healthy. I wouldn’t survive by counting calories and always skipping out on dessert. Food is my simple pleasure and I think casual indulgence paired with laid back, but consistent physical exercise, is the key to a happy me.

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Growth by the Season

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