Apple Upside-Down Cake

This is a simple, easy-to-make cake that is perfect with a cup of tea or for a quick weeknight dessert. It looks pretty (most of the time). The sweet-tart apples are delicious and the cake is moist without being mushy. The cake has sour cream in it which lends a slight tartness and makes the crumb tender. 

This is essentially an apple upside-down cake. The apple slices are golden and shimmery on the top of the cake. It really is beautiful.

When you turn the cake over, make sure you have a tight hold on it and that your 4-year old is not hanging on your leg whining and crying. Otherwise, you may end up with half the cake on the platter and the other half on the counter (see photo below). Luckily, on or off the platter this apple cake still tastes great.

Quinoa and Black Bean Salad

I have been using and making quinoa for years. It was one of the first grains that Bean ever ate. I love that it is still one of my favorite foods; super healthy and easier-than-ever to find. One of my favorite things to do with quinoa is make simple salads with it.

This salad also has other yummy ingredients...corn, black beans, red peppers, limes and cilantro. This dish provides a complete protein and can stand alone as a luncheon or light dinner entree. This salad is quick to throw together and tastes amazing, I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

Mexican Sweet Potato Salad

This sweet potato salad is really good. Cale doesn't care for most potato salads, but he asks me to make this one at least twice every summer (which in our household...might as well be every.single.day). The combo of roasted sweet potatoes, corn and black beans with a unique chipotle-sweet chile dressing is addictive.  The dressing is sweet, tangy and spicy at the same time. In fact, talking about this salad makes me wish I had some for lunch right now. 


This sweet potato salad is loaded with vitamins, protein and fiber. Making it a go-to recipe around our house. It keeps well for up to a week in the fridge and is a perfect dish to bring to a potluck or picnic, because it is easy to eat and doesn't wilt or need to be served cold.


I hope you make an opportunity to try this salad, because if you like 'Mexican' flavors I imagine you would love this healthy and nutritious salad.

Best Basic Muffin

 Get ready...I think you will love these muffins. They are simple and delectable. The crunchy sugar coating takes them to the next level and I believe you will enjoy these as much as my family did.

These aren't the healthiest muffins, but they are great for taking to a brunch or breakfast gathering. Because they don't have any mix-ins most kids really like them. I love that they have a high crown and look like the 'picture-perfect' muffin. They really are beautiful to look at.

These muffins have a tender crumb and a mild, but truly delicious flavor. I hope you make them for your next gathering. Be forewarned though...the recipe only makes 10 muffins. If you give a few away, the remainders seem to go too fast.

Green Chicken Enchiladas - Enchiladas Especiales Tacuba Style

First things first...Happy Birthday Mom!!

Rick Bayless is a recipe God. I have been wishing on stars for good Mexican food since I moved to New England. Because of the lack of good Mexican restaurants, I decided to finally take matters into my own hands. [Enter Rick Bayless' cookbooks]


There are tons of green enchilada recipes in Bayless' multiple cookbooks, but this enchilada recipe stood out to me because it was so different. It doesn't use a tomatillo green sauce, but more of a spiced up Béchamel sauce with spinach for color and roasted poblano chiles for flavor. These enchiladas were SIMPLE to make and they tasted great. Don't be afraid of 'blackening the poblano' it is simple to do under the broiler. It seems like there are a lot of steps, but it came together in under 30 minutes of prep time.

Cale at first was expecting traditional tomatillo green sauce with its tangy flavor. However, he found he was pleasantly surprised with the almost "creamy" green sauce and new flavor.


If you find yourself craving Mexican food and you don't have much time, seriously, try this recipe. You might find that you like the new sauce and flavor.

Grilled Pizza - My favorite Pizza Dough

This has been my go-to dinner all summer. 


Grilling pizza takes it to a whole new level. It is easy, cooks outside and my family loves it. Bean has had a lot of fun with the dough as well, making shapes and layering toppings. This pizza dough has a wonderful flavor and chew with a slight crunch. It is delicious. 


A few tips: 

• Make sure to oil the grill grates.
• Once you put the dough on the grill the next few steps happen rapidly, so be prepared.
• Use flavorful, fast cooking or pre-cooked ingredients. I love fresh mozzarella and tomatoes.
• Don't go overboard with the toppings. Less is more!

Blondies

Year after year, I'm amazed how quickly time flies during the warm months of summer. I'm also amazed with how busy my summer has been. Bean and I were going to the pool and park almost every day. Between all the playing and the incredibly warm weather...I haven't been cooking. It has been nice actually. I love how life is unhurried during the warm days of summer. 
I am making a commitment right now, to stop neglecting this food blog. Most likely, I won't post as often as I did in the winter and spring, but I'll try not to let an entire month go by without a post.

To welcome September in I decided to post about blondies. This is my favorite recipe for blondies, because they taste wonderful and its a cinch to prepare. I hope you like them as much as our household does.