Hi Reader, If you've been around here for a while, you know that having too many tomatoes is a problem that I want to have. I love a challenge about using up veggies! So whether you're a gardener with tomato plants, or have acquired a bunch of tomatoes in some other way... these recipe ideas are the ones I still come back to every year. 1. Roasted Cherry Tomato Soup Really, you can use any tomatoes here! The roasted tomato flavor is so incredible, and the soup tastes incredibly fresh. In...
15 days ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, My garden has officially exploded and we're at the point where I'm going to need to be out there harvesting daily or I'm definitely going to lose some tomatoes. Which actually might not be the worst thing, because who doesn't love a few volunteer sungold tomato plants the following year?? All that is to say, August produce is a delight, so here's a bunch of produce that's in season and what you can make with it! Whether it's from your farmers market, CSA, garden, or grocery store....
19 days ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader, If you're enjoying all the summer cherries right now, I'm so excited to share this recipe with you! I literally thought about this recipe concept for three years before finally making it, and it's been one of the best lunch salads I've made in a minute. Here's the flavor combo: wheat berries, sweet cherries, feta, basil, walnuts, red onions, and greens in a simple, fresh cherry vinaigrette. Tons of texture and chew from the wheat berries, and bursts of juicy cherries in every...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, My Fourth of July traditions usually consist of family, lake days, and lots of grilling and snacking. But for me, this also includes a lot of driving - usually 4+ hours away. So for any recipes I'm making, it's gotta be simple and easy to pack! If you're in the same boat, or you just like simplicity no matter what (me, too!), these recipe ideas are ones we keep coming back to at our house. 1. Fresh Peach Salsa with Sweet Corn + Avocado Best eaten within 24 hours... and that won't...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, To me, strawberry season means we are finally on our way to a steady summer: consistently warm days and allll the fresh berries and stone fruits are on their way. In Wisconsin, the local strawberry season is short—too short to only enjoy local strawberries. I'll eat them while they're available, but that's one thing about having a realistic approach to eating seasonally—you don't have to eat strictly seasonally, only locally, all the time. If you do, amazing. But I think I live...
3 months ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, How are you at planning ahead and/or prepping for meals? Do you like doing it? I wouldn't say I'm a consistent meal planner or meal prep person, but when possible, I do like to have 1-2 of the following prepped for the week: proteins, grains, and/or beans (cooked from dried). They simplify weekly meals so much, plus they can be adapted with any seasonal veggies available. And this Instant Pot peperoncini chicken has been on repeat at my house for that exact purpose. It's truly a...
3 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, While it's been a weirdly cold spring in the Midwest, I'm so ready for lake days, summer, long holiday weekends, and all the pasta salads and fresh food that comes with it! Whether you're home or away for Memorial Day weekend, here are a few fresh and seasonal side dish recipes to go alongside whatever you're cooking. 1. Pesto Pasta Salad with Chicken This recipe is incredibly simple and uses a lot of pantry staples for flavor. For added crunch and freshness, I love adding spinach...
3 months ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader! How popular are salads at your house? Or how do you feel about them? Personally, I love them. They're such an easy no-cook side, plus I really enjoy fresh, crunchy veggies with different textures, cheeses, seeds, herbs, and allll the olive oil. And while Andy and his son will eat a salad... their chicken nugget excitement is 10x that 😄 So when I make a salad and I'm not the only one excited about it at home?? I consider that HUGE win, which exactly why we've made this snap pea and...
3 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Happy Earth Day! 🌎 If you've been around here for even a few days, you probably know that my cooking philosophy is closely tied to supporting and connecting with the earth. I believe wholeheartedly that our impact on the planet as individuals lies in the small efforts we make every day, collectively and without perfection... not just 1% of people being perfectly zero-waste. So thank you for being part of a community of people who try to incorporate seasonal, plant-forward eating...
4 months ago • 4 min read