Heirloom Tomato Salad with Lemon Thyme Vinaigrette

Theme week, theme week, you know I love a good theme week.

Sadly, I was unable to give you the rhubarb week I had planned, but this week’s featured ingredient, is no Summer slouch!  The beautiful, the colorful, the delicious, the Summer Superstar – Heirloom Tomatoes!

Clearly, our eyes begin the sensory path to consumption, and to me, there is nothing more appealing than presenting your fellow eaters with an array of color and freshness.  Look at that plate, how could you not want to dive in?  Doesn’t hurt that it’s also delicious.

Cornbread Salad

Hoping this post finds you enjoying your holiday weekend –  you know, flags flying, beer flowing, endless tables of delicious eats!

If your celebrating continues into the weekend, have I got a dish for you.  This is one of those dishes that has been around for ages, the origin is unknown, everyone has a different take on it, but, it, without a doubt, belongs on every picnic table.

Leek & Cheddar Beer Spread

Sweet, subtle, and earthy, leeks possess a unique ability to offer main ingredients support, without stealing the show.  Quite simply, I hardcore them, and this time of year they are more beautiful, lovely, and yummy than ever.

Salty cheddar, hot sauce, beer, and leeks combine to form this delicious spread, perfect for Spring entertaining, or solo comfort munching.

Irish Soda Bread with Whiskey Glaze

As we prepare for a day of feasting and green beer, may I suggest you sop up some of that liquid bread with the real thing?

Easy and delicious, my two favorite words when it comes to cooking, are perfect descriptors for this bread.  One bowl, no kneading, minimal cooking time, no lie.

Creamy Brussels Sprouts Gratin

If it were possible to send excitement through posts, you’d be receiving tiny little shock waves as you’re reading this.  Why the excitement?  IT’S THE HOLIDAY SEASON!

Growing up, the holidays were so special and magical in our home.  I feel so blessed to have wonderful memories of this time of year and basically freak out the day after Halloween in anticipation.

What goes with tinsel, lights, ornaments, caroling, Santa, presents, and tiny baby Jesus??? FOOD!  Gut busting, stretchy pant inducing, luscious food.

HAPPY SUPER BOWL SUNDAY! Have a Pudding Shot!

Throughout the course of the past five years, chances are, on any given day,  you could open my freezer and find the following : bags of creamed spinach and… PUDDING SHOTS!

Pudding shots came into my life through a website that I stumbled upon in 2007.  Ladies… is a sports site, by women, for woman – so instantly, I was hooked.  Over the course of the next few years I followed it religiously, and made almost everything that came up on Football Foodie Fridays.

In 2009 they put out an open call for writers and I, being a huge sports fan, threw my hat in the ring.  I soon joined this band of amazing ladies, and trial and errored my way through WordPress.  After about a month I realized it was a breeze and subsequently threw up this here cooking site.  The rest is how you say, history.  I wanted to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful women who I’ve had the pleasure of emailing with and writing along side for the past few years.  I’m so honored to be a part of this site, and though I’ve fallen off in my posting and presence on the site, I’m still there in spirit.

Kumquat-Champagne Cocktails

Here we are friends, at the end of another year, and the beginning of another.  So much to look back on, so much to look forward to.

There were ups and downs, tears and laughter, loss, love, travel, work, music, sports, firsts, lasts, and oh, was there food and beer!

Pumpkin Beer Ice Cream & Fall Giveaway!

Pumpkins on porches and helmets on players… I could launch into a lengthy rendition of “My Favorite Things” with a Fall related theme, but I’ll save you the torture. 🙂

A list of all the reasons why Fall is my favorite time of year would never end.  I know tons of you feel the same way, so I’m taking this opportunity to let you tell me your reasons and … enter another giveaway!  This time you’ll be receiving some seriously awesome Fall related gifts, not the least of which is some killer authentic maple syrup from Vermont.

Winter Ale Showdown

No, your eyes do not deceive you.  This is a WINTER ale showdown.  Technically it’s still winter, and tasting 30 beers in a short amount of time is tough for a girl that works nights.

Please don’t be thrown, my dear readers, I’m not turning this into a beer a blog, but I am passing along my love of the brew when it seems fitting.  I’m hoping to do seasonal round-ups and tastings to pass my findings along to you, and to encourage your own tastings.  There are a fantastic time to do my other favorite things, i.e. cooking and eating.

As evidenced by my constant cooking with beer – I love the stuff.  It has soul.  It has heart.  A good beer is the result of thoughtful and artistic choices on every level of production.  I’m not going to go into a sermon on the stuff – but you now know where I stand.

I’m Going On A Medical Mission… And You Can Help!

On March 6th, I will be traveling with a group from Medical Ministry International to the Dominican Republic for two weeks.  We will be moving along the Haitian border with a surgical team, aiding those in need of medical attention and care.