Tag: homemade

Northwest Clam Chowder

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

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.

Continue reading

Homemade Pasta Dough

IMG_0070

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.

Continue reading

Spicy Squash and Brie Nachos with Cranberry Molasses

holiday brie nachos

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.

Continue reading

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.

Continue reading

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.

Continue reading

NMC’s Culinary Classes

Growth by the Season

I love learning, and whats better than learning in the kitchen? Northern Michigan College holds a variety of Extended Education courses “in the kitchen” throughout the year. NMC’s culinary classes have been rated the region’s Red Hot BEST Award for several years in a row. I attended NMC’s Festival of Foods last year as an introduction to the types of classes and instruction I might receive by signing up for one of NMC’s Culinary Classes. I was so impressed that I signed up and attended two cooking classes in the last few months since my introduction!

Continue reading

Butternut Squash Risotto

photo 1

I’ll admit it, I have a problem. I’m squash-obsessed. Whether by magic or by nature it seems my family is too. Remember? Even my sweet dog, Chet goes crazy for roasted squash snacks. Last year, my boyfriend’s mother Susan, who is well aware and supportive of my addiction, brought a recipe over for Butternut Squash Risotto. Imagine my delight when she combined the creamy rich risotto with the delectable roasted squash and served it for dinner.

Continue reading

Basil Almond Pesto

photo

Last Sunday was a Northern Michigan PERFECT summer day, a warm and sunny Sunday. I spent the morning in the garden harvesting a bounty of fresh produce and the afternoon by the water reading a great book and jumping in the cool, blue lake. Truly, it couldn’t have been a more perfect day.

Continue reading

Simple “Clean out the Fridge” Tacos

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Summer is a beautiful time that I absolutely cherish, especially living in Northern Michigan. The weather is beautiful, the sun is shining and there is plenty of fresh produce to be found. My summer weekends are often packed with activity on the water and in the sun. Its the simple things that make my weekend special. A 9 Bean Rows croissant and Higher Grounds Coffee while at the Farmers Market on a Saturday morning. An early morning run with my dog when the weather is still cool and the sun is rising. The calm, fresh water on my skin… simple, yet it means everything.

Continue reading

Growth by the Season

© Growth by the Season. All rights reserved.