No-Bake Energy Bites

While perusing recipes on a recent snow day, I stumbled across this simple batch of NO-BAKE ENERGY BITES. Luckily I had all the ingredients on hand and in less than an hour, I had a delicious snack. I also found these perfect to grab and eat with my morning coffee/tea at work. Simple snack and simple breakfast. A win-win for me!

Spaghetti Aglio E Olio

The grocery stores in NYC are the bane of my existence. It's one of the things about living in NYC that I hate. They're tiny, everything is overpriced, there is one cashier open and the line is 20 people deep, and you're stuck behind an old lady complaining about chicken being $4. Inevitably, I come home angry and missing half of the things I set out to purchase. Seeing as how that is the state of affairs, often times my boyfriend and I find ourselves with the bare minimum in our refrigerator. So what do you do when the last thing you'd rather brave is the grocery store checkout line? Stick to one of Ina's old standby recipes or, according to my Mom, my Nonny's recipe "because she's older."

Super Bowl Recipes

Link to recipe below.

Even if your team isn't in the Super Bowl, it's still fun to hang out, watch the game (or maybe just the halftime show), and pig out. I've rounded up a few recipes that are simple to make and don't sacrifice on taste or calories. Because after one indulgent weekend, one more isn't really going to do that much damage to your waistline. So eat up and enjoy the game!

Warm Spinach Salad

When I made this warm spinach salad last week, it was gone in a heartbeat. For containing so few ingredients, I couldn't believe how delicious it was. This is another great recipe to have on hand for weeknights when you get home and are so ravenous you'll eat anything in sight. In less than 20 minutes, you can satisfy the hangry (hungry + angry) mess you've become with this healthy dinner.

White Bean Chipotle Dip

When I found THIS RECIPE I knew it was one I needed to make sooner rather than later and NYE was just the occasion to test it out. In 5 minutes (I kid you not) you have have a healthy appetizer that packs some serious heat. Paired with tortilla chips or crackers, this spread would go great on a pita with some veggies for a nice, light lunch.

Pumpkin Pecan Baked Brie

When I stumbled upon this recipe for PUMPKIN PECAN BAKED BRIE I knew instantly it was one to try. Thanksgiving was the perfect occasion to test this recipe and boy am I glad I did. It was so easy and so delicious - I've never seen anything eaten as quickly as this baked brie. It will definitely be making a reappearance on Christmas. Get the recipe below.

Make: Pecan Pie

While Pumpkin Pie and Apple Pie are certainly staples for Thanksgiving, another popular pie in my family is Pecan Pie. Over the past few years I've tried a few recipes that include molasses, chocolate, bourbon, but the one I keep coming back to is a simple recipe that doesn't sacrifice on taste and certainly sugar. When I make this, it always goes very quickly in my family.

Make: Tortellini Soup

It's getting colder out which sucks, but what's better than coming home on a chilly day and having a hot, delicious soup waiting to warm you up? With simple prep-work required this recipe is great for a weeknight with enough leftovers to get you through the week.

The Kitchn Cookbook Signing

It's hard to pinpoint when my cookbook obsession started, but it's safe to say that when I graduated and started working at a small publishing house things really got underway. I was mesmerized by the amount of work that went into producing a cookbook - the writing of original recipes, recipe trials (yum!), and of course the photos that looked good enough to eat. Months later when the book was finally published, I loved flipping through the pages to admire the work. It was during this time that I became a fan of the blog THE KITCHN, so when I heard the cookbook was going to be released with a launch party in NYC, I jumped on the chance to attend.

Make: Dinner

A few weeks ago, (part of my dinner is seen in THIS PIC), I took a cooking class and made the most delicious and filling dinner. I thoroughly enjoyed the class as I picked up a few skills - how to cut a tomato properly, a chiffonade, and many more - and I had a lot of fun. If you're new to cooking and desperate for help or even a more experienced cook looking to brush up on your techniques, this is a great way to learn in a fun environment. And of course, the end result is quite tasty! I've included all the recipes I made in my class below for you to try yourselves. I know I'll certainly be making these again. Enjoy!

Make: Gazpacho

Image is from HERE, I forgot to take my own.

GAZPACHO is one of my favorite recipes to make in the summer. A very refreshing meal to have for lunch or dinner, it's almost like eating salsa...but better! So, when I pulled some tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers from THIS GARDEN I immediately knew what I was going to make.

Make: Banana Streusel Muffins

I found the recipe for these Banana Streusel Muffins from HOW SWEET IT IS last week and was dying to make them since then. So a long weekend and a day off from work (wahoo!) made Monday the perfect occasion to give them a try.  

Make: Goat Cheese and Zucchini Frittata

Yes, it does sort of look like a pizza, but it's actually a tasty GOAT CHEESE AND ZUCCHINI FRITTATA. I made this for a late lunch this past Sunday and couldn't have been happier. It will definitely be a recipe I go back to for say, a boozy brunch? Give the recipe a try below.

Make: Quick and Light Quinoa Bowls

Tight on time? This is a quick recipe to whip up for a delicious, light meal.

Make: Fried Eggplant Stacks

On my mission this summer to cook more and eat healthy, eggplant has been one of my go-to's. Yes, fried anything isn't the best, but this dish is an essentially carb-free, light meal. I could eat this all the time! My recipe is below. Eat up!

Make: Teriyaki Chicken

This TERIYAKI CHICKEN was one of the easiest recipes and certainly didn't lack in flavor. I swapped the honey with MIKE'S HOT HONEY and oh. my. God that definitely gave it an extra kick. Served over vegetable fried rice, this was a delicious weeknight meal for my BF and I. Enjoy the adapted recipe from CHOW below.

Make: Avocado Club Pasta Salad

On my quest to cook more I whipped up this simple pasta salad the other night and got some rave reviews from my boyfriend and his friend. Cheese, bacon, avocado - need I go on? Give it a try, in less than 30 minutes you'll have a delicious meal.

Make: Sangria

Classic RED SANGRIA

 Aside from Margaritas, Summer screams Sangria. And what could be better than a refreshing drink that combines wine and fruit? Two important food groups, no? Check out these recipes I'll be whipping up this summer.