Category Archives: dessert

Banoffee Pie

Ok, so I’ll be honest, I’ve never had banoffee pie before, but I’ve been craving it! Is it even possible to crave something you’ve never had? I would say it is! I had heard of this ‘banoffee pie’ before, but it wasn’t until I watched Chef April Bloomfield whip one up on The Mind of a Chef (which is a must see show on PBS for all you food lovers out there!) that I started dreaming up making one of my own. While watching the show, I began brainstorming a way to make this traditional English pastry a bit healthier and I think I succeeded. Tell me what you think! Continue reading →

Autumn Dinner Gathering + Music for your Listening Pleasure

4 Replies

Food is not just fuel. Food is about family, food is about community, food is about identity. We nourish all those things when we eat well. – Michael Pollan

I have wanted to host a proper dinner gathering with close friends for years. A few weeks ago, I was able to witness that dream coming to fruition. About fifteen of my close friends gathered for a night of delicious food, hand crafted drinks, a carefully curated playlist, and most importantly conversation and community. There were a handful of us that crafted plans, thrifted linens, created beautiful papeterie, perused the farmer’s market, hand-picked leaves from the fiery fall trees and made it happen! I loved watching it all come together—to see everyone coming alive in their own way, following their talents and passions. That is community—people coming together, giving of themselves, enjoying each other, breaking bread together, being intentional, telling stories, and listening intently. Food is definitely something special. It’s a necessity for survival, but it’s also most enjoyable. It brings people together in a way that’s different than almost anything else. Gathering together around a common table to take part in a meal feeds not only our body, but our souls.

My husband carefully curated a playlist for the evening. Listen in the player below.

^Apple Thyme Gin Fiz Continue reading →

Flourless Salted Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

6 Replies

Oh how I love a good cookie! Since my elimination diet, I haven’t really had sugar and I’ve felt better because of it- less drowsy, my cravings have gone way down, and haven’t had any headaches or that ‘foggy’ feeling I would experience after having sugar. However, everything in moderation, right? Last night I was craving a good cookie and wanted something simple and warm and peanut buttery. I remembered a flourless cookie that I had made years ago, and decided to update the recipe to include coconut sugar rather than refined white sugar. Coconut sugar is an unrefined sweetener, in which the micronutrients are left in tact, and it’s made from the sap of the coconut tree. It has deep caramel like flavor and acts as a 1:1 substitute for white sugar in baking recipes. Just remember that moderation is key when choosing any sweetener, even natural sweeteners. Continue reading →

Pumpkin Bars with Spiced Whipped Cream

2 Replies

I love all things pumpkin, and when Fall rolls around I can’t get enough of it! These pumpkin bars are similar in taste to pumpkin bread, but are a lighter in texture and are super simple to make. Lightly sweetened with honey and maple syrup, warming you with clove, cinnamon, and ginger, these grain-free and dairy-free pumpkin bars are a great fall treat!

Eat your vitamins:
Pumpkin is such a versatile fruit, that can be used for sweet or savory dishes. Like most other orange winter squash, pumpkin is full of lutein and both alpha and beta carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A (over 200% of your daily value in just one serving!). Pumpkin is also full of fiber and vitamins C, K, and B6 which makes it high in antioxidant support. It even contains omega-3 fats, which are helpful in warding off inflammation in the body. Now let’s go eat some pumpkin! Continue reading →

Maple Bourbon Pear Cake with Caramel Sauce

5 Replies

Mike and I took a trip to visit my great Aunt and Uncle and several second and third cousins of mine recently. I was very much looking forward to the trip, as I visited their lake house often as a child. I remembered the house, tucked away in the trees, feeling so warm and inviting, with a stone pathway that led to the still water. I’ve realized in the past few years how important family really is–especially family you really connect with. The ones who tell you stories of their past–your family history, and give you wisdom for the future. My great Uncle is the brother of my Grandfather, whom I never had the privilege of meeting. I’ve heard they have very similar personalities, warm and inviting, much like the way I remember the lake house, with a keen sense of adventure and a quick wit. I was anxious to see if my memories aligned with reality, and they did.

The only stipulation of coming for a visit was that I bring something delicious to share. A friend of mine picked an abundant amount of pears, and graciously shared them with me, so I decided on a warm, pear cake with a hint of spice to welcome the fall season.

Continue reading →