Breakfast

Eggs Benedict (AKA Eggs Benny)

Eggs Benedict (better known as eggs benny in our house)  is one of those dishes that is decadent and delicious and makes your guests think you’ve slaved over the stove for hours, but is surprisingly easy to put together.  It instantly takes your breakfast spread up a few fancy notches.

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Appetizer/ Dinner

Beth’s Basil Bruschetta

Being married to a farmer comes with its perks.  Summer = endless supplies of fresh herbs and more tomatoes, garlic, and shallots than I know what to do with!  It isn’t QUITE spring in Wisconsin, but I’ve been craving fresh, healthy food in hopes it will encourage the warmer weather to come soon.

One of my favorite go-to, no cooking required meals is my delicious basil bruschetta.  You’ll need a few veggies, a heap each of garlic and basil, and a fresh baguette.  Optional, but I suggest adding a sprinkle of  freshly crumbled feta and some tart balsamic vinegar and you’ve got a delicious snack in no time.

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Dinner

Creole Cajun Shrimp

Who likes spicy food?  If so, this is the dish for you! Creole Cajun shrimp deliciousness from kitchen to table in no time flat.

I’ve been trying to post a recipe every Tuesday and Thursday, but yesterday got away from me.  A full day of work plus errands and a climbing gym date with one of my bests left me one tired Beth.  I was out for the count by 9:30.  9:30!  For those that know me, I’m a night owl (probably due to the copious amounts of caffeine I drink) but sometimes, you just need to listen to your body and give it a rest, gosh darn it! 🙂

ANYWAY, you’re here for the FOOD, not a diatribe about my routine lack of sleep.  🙂

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Appetizer/ Side Dish

Strawberry Feta Salad with Orange Champagne Vinaigrette

I’m writing this post on an almost 60 degree day in FEBRUARY in WISCONSIN.  Dare I say it – spring is in the air!

What are the two things I love about spring the most you ask?

One – walking our yellow lab Ruby (short for Rubysaurus Rex) is actually an enjoyable after dinner activity.  Imagine my relief when all I have to put on is a pair of tennis shoes (and not 100 layers of clothes) to keep warm.

Two – Although farm season will soon be in full swing and I won’t get to see my business manager/farmer hubby as often, the farm will soon be producing beautiful, delicious veggies for their CSAs as far as the eye can see.  I. Can’t. Wait.

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Dinner

Spring Vegetable Parmesan Risotto

This week’s motto:  Life is too short not to indulge in delicious risotto.  And wine.  And crusty bread.  And quality seestor time.  Sigh.  My heart is full.  🙂

For those that know me, I’m not a planner.  Instead I’m more of a natural improvisor go-with-the-flow-er (that’s a technical term).  I take forever to decide what to order at restaurants, I overpack for vacations because I never know what kind of clothes I’m going to need (because I have no specific plans in mind), and I crave spontaneity but never know what I want to do.

After planning a last minute trip to visit my sister (aka my best friend in the universe) in Chicago, I knew that I wanted to cook her something she might not normally treat herself to in exchange for hosting my crazy self for a shenanigans-filled weekend.  That, of course, required a trip to the grocery store for staples – bread, cheese, and wine.  Thanks for being a trooper, Anna, and being willing to try something new.

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Dinner

Mushroom Beef Stew

steaming bowl of mushroom beef stew

Note to self:  NEVER grocery shop when hungry.  This SHOULD be my personal mantra, but I’m still working on that.

If you can picture this… a marathon day at work, no time for lunch; my stomach is growling and I wish I’d had more than a latte for breakfast.  Wandering through the grocery store aisles with no particular destination or recipe in mind.  Craving comfort food.  Can you relate?

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Dinner

Italian Baked Gnocchi

Ooey-gooey delicious italian baked gnocchi.

For those of you who know (and love) me, I’m a true carbavore at heart.  Give me all the bread and pasta in the universe, and I’m a happy girl.  After the gym the other night (gotta work those carbs off SOMEhow) I did NOT want to go to the grocery store, so I did a quick inventory of my fridge and cupboards and created Italian Baked Gnocchi.

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