Starters & Sides

Shaved Asparagus Salad

If you look back at my recipes, you’d probably think I only eat baked-goods. Seriously. I have a problem. But seriously, I eat a lot of vegetables too. They just usually aren’t as interesting to blog about. I changed my mind when I made this shaved asparagus salad the other day.

8 Unique BBQ Side Dishes That Will Make You Drool

The fourth of July is only days away, and I have bbq on my mind. Since many of us will be grilling out this coming weekend to celebrate, I thought it would be fun to find some unique bbq side dishes.

Caprese Tart with Heirloom Tomatoes

We visit the farmer’s market nearly every Saturday. This past weekend, what stood out the most were brightly colored heirloom tomatoes. Jade always gives me a hard time because I’m Italian, but not really a tomato person. More accurately, I don’t like raw tomatoes that much—except for cherry tomatoes.

Three Melon Salad with Basil

My favorite summer fruit is watermelon, no contest. I remember being a kid and getting so excited when my mom would cut up slices of watermelon for a snack on those hot and humid Wisconsin summer days.

Cauliflower Cheddar Cakes

I don’t like giving up my bread and baked goods, but I’ve found a low-carb diet is the most effective way for me to lose my baby weight. When you think low-carb, what comes to mind? Eating triple cheeseburgers with piles of bacon in a lettuce cup. No, I’m not eating that. I’m usually eating lean proteins, tons of veggies and protein shakes. But it gets boring. Fast.

Sourdough Stuffing with Leeks and Mushrooms

As a kid, my Thanksgiving plate was basically white — turkey breast, mashed potatoes, and a dinner roll. It’s not that my family didn’t have more choices on the table, it’s that my midwestern palate just never got very developed. I never ate the cranberries, the gravy or the stuffing. Being the baby of the family, my parents never forced me to try things I didn’t want to try, so my experience with food was limited, at best.