Hapanese Cuisine

As someone who is decidedly not a morning person, I’m always looking for a great make-ahead breakfast. I want something satisfying, nutritious, and I want it to require zero effort in the morning. When I first heard about breakfast cookies, I thought that just might check off all the boxes. As a bonus, you don’t… Continue reading Mango Almond Breakfast Cookies

Cookie butter—even the name sounds decadent, doesn’t it? This creamy spread is made with powdered Speculoos cookies (also known as Biscoff cookies, depending on your region) that give this treat a rich caramel flavor and a tantalizing hit of warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and nutmeg. If you’re a fan of gingerbread, you’ll absolutely… Continue reading Cookie Butter No-Bake Cookies

I’ll be honest, I’m already looking forward to warmer weather. Idaho winters, from what I’ve experienced, involve a lot of gray, dreary days and temperatures that make it way too easy to stay inside. I can’t wait for sunnier skies, more time outside, and the vibrant, light flavors that always seem to go with this… Continue reading Chili Lime Shrimp Tacos

If you’re in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s still definitely soup season. It’s cold and dreary where I am, and my mom was telling me yesterday about some of the misadventures that came to Denver with a 10-inch snowstorm two nights ago. If you ask me, that’s a perfect time to stay in with a bowl… Continue reading One-Pot Taco Soup

When I posted my Oven-Fried Orange Chicken recipe a while ago, I got a comment that brought up the idea of orange shrimp. That sounded absolutely incredible, and as a certified shrimp fanatic, I still can’t believe I had never tried it! When I did finally try out this recipe, it was absolutely perfect! I… Continue reading Better Than Takeout Orange Shrimp

Don’t get me wrong, I love rich foods as much as the next person (especially when it comes to Chinese takeout!). Every so often, though, I’m in the mood for something a little bit lighter. With the veggies and the lack of breading, black pepper chicken is always a tasty option for a light meal,… Continue reading Honey Black Pepper Chicken

I’m a huge fan of Pad Thai. However, as the wife of someone with a peanut allergy, I’m also a huge fan of food that wouldn’t be an attempt on my husband’s life. 😅 When I was trying to figure out a version of this traditionally peanut-loaded dish that he could eat, I learned pretty… Continue reading Peanut-Free Pad Thai

Chile rellenos have been one of my favorite Mexican dishes for years now. (If I’m going to a Mexican restaurant for the first time, that’s the first thing I’ll look for on the menu.) There’s something addictive about the combination of the melty cheese, the kick and the slight sweetness from the roasted poblano pepper,… Continue reading Chile Rellenos

If there’s one thing that could turn me into a stereotypical recipe blogger who writes a novel for a blog post, it’s Guatemala. This beautiful country is the home of some lifelong friends, it’s where I first got to know my now-husband, and it’s also the home of some incredible hot chocolate. Hot chocolate in… Continue reading Frozen Guatemalan Hot Chocolate

I try to avoid controversy, I really do. That said, I do have one opinion that could easily get me in trouble. I think beef stews can be kind of bland. I don’t know what it is—maybe certain ingredients dull the flavors of the seasonings, or maybe the ingredients themselves aren’t handled in the best… Continue reading Dutch Oven Beef Stew