Coconut Dream Cupcakes

Coconut and chocolate is one of the best combinations. These cupcakes are fluffy and full of soft coconut flavor – not too overpowering, but just right. Oh and they are completely dairy free. I found the original recipe from How Sweet It Is, and was inspired to take a few extra steps, like adding a coconut bottom, stuffing them with coconut cream, and removing the two tablespoons of butter that was in the original recipe.

Pumpkin Spice Bars

I love anything pumpkin and this wonderfully satisfied my early fall craving.  This is actually my second batch in two days — I used a different recipe the second time around and it turned out exactly what I was hoping for.  Fluffy, moist, with a hint of spice.  

Apple Galette

It’s the first day of fall!  With fall, comes apples and pumpkins, which are two of my favorite flavors (check this one out).  A galette is a fancy word for an easy pie—it’s a freeform pie crust with lots of gooey apple filling that you’d find in a traditional pie. 

Margarita Cupcakes

Margarita cupcakes were the first boozy cupcake recipe I made and I got hooked.  They opened the door to Guinness cupcakes, white Russian cupcakes, kahlua and cream cupcakes…the list goes on.  However, the margarita ones have continued to be my favorite.  They’re super different from traditional cupcakes and so shockingly delicious. 

Kale Salad

Kale is one of those veggies that usually you love or you hate.  This salad is one of the first ways that I really had kale and it turned me into a kale lover.  It probably had to do with the fact that its loaded with garlic and parmesan  (what, those aren’t your two favorite flavors either?). 

Pesto

pasta with pesto

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t eat a spoonful (or three) of this when it was finished…and in the middle of the process.  Pesto is super easy and so yummy.  It’s a perfect summer recipe since basil is everywhere you turn at this point.

Grilled Peach with a Fig Balsamic

Tonight I glanced at the counter and saw that there were some ripe (almost overripe) peaches sitting there.  Peaches are one of my favorite fruit, and as I was about to grill some salmon, I decided to grill the peach as well for dessert.  

Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie

Rhubarb is a beautiful summer “vegetable” (technically) that is so bright and cheerful. It has a tart flavor but can be sweetened and used in many desserts.

Quinoa Salad

Quinoa has become popular over the past few years and for good reason.  Technically, quinoa is a seed, which opens up when it cooks. It has a slightly nutty flavor and doesn’t get mushy when cooked (though it also is not too crunchy).

Spaghetti Squash with Herbs and Butter

Spaghetti squash is awesome.  Crunchy with a light taste and so different from other vegetables.