crunchy cashew tuna melt

Here’s one of my go-to recipes for a fast, high protein dinner. I serve these piled high with tuna salad and lots of cheese. They’re awesome with a mug of hot soup! for two big, open faced sandwiches: ~ preheat oven to 400 degrees F. ~ 2 slices whole grain bread, lightly toasted (we love…

minnesota mac & cheese

If you’re from the Midwest, and Minnesota in particular, you’re probably familiar with the way we eat our mac & cheese. It’s kind of ridiculous, but I must admit, I love it so. ~ serves 8 ~ for the macaroni: 1 lb elbow macaroni noodles Cook pasta in salted boiling water until just shy of…

fairy godmother’s pumpkin ice cream pie

Do you love pumpkin EVERYTHING like I do? Are you looking for something other that the classic pumpkin pie, cake, bar, bla bla bla? Yeah. This time of year I’m always looking for new ways to incorporate the ever-popular pumpkin into my recipes. It’s been an unseasonably warm autumn this year. It’s 75 degrees out…

minnesota renaissance festival ~ 2015

Gypsy carts, giant turkey drumsticks, jugglers, acrobats, fire eaters, fairy wings, mermaids swimming in secret coves, outrageous costumes, colorful Renaissance buildings, the pickle man, beer, strolling musicians and bands, people as far as the eye can see, waiting in line for a half hour to get a gyro (worth the wait), salted nut rolls (get…

grilled italian meatballs

These meatballs offer the wonderful flavors of traditional Italian meatballs and the smoky flavor of char-grilled meat, all in one. They’re really easy to make, especially if you grill them on aluminum foil so they don’t stick to the grill grate. We use a charcoal grill for this because charcoal imparts awesome flavor to grilled…