I think I had my first fresh apricot in Italy, about 6 years ago. I bought a few at the Mercato Centrale in Florence, and I remember them being sweet, juicy, and delicious. Then again, I'm pretty certain that everything in Italy is delicious. The season for fresh apricots is short; they're an early-summer treat that only come around once per year, and they're totally worth celebrating. Rig[...]
This grain salad was exactly what was needed after a steamy couple of weeks in the Midwest. It's hearty enough to be filling but tastes light and cool on a hot day. Grain salads tend to make great dishes for advance preparation; they can typically be served cold, warm, or room temperature, they last several days in the fridge, and they only get tastier as they sit and[...]
A good pot of soup is such a good thing. I love to make a big batch at the start of the week and have enough leftovers for days of packable lunches. Pair with a loaded-up salad and a big slice of crusty bread and done! This soup does well with this make-ahead method: the vegetables hold up to reheating, and a fresh drizzle of pesto and grating of Parmesan easily brings it back to[...]
Most things are so much tastier when made at home, including salad dressing. Store-bought dressings are convenient, and sometimes convenience is a necessity, but when you have a spare 5 minutes to whip up a dressing yourself, it's worth it. This week's recipe is a simple one, but it's a good one to have in your arsenal and a good template to use for making your own salad dressings.[...]
Monday morning should always come with baked oatmeal. It's warm and soft with just the right amount of sweetness and crunch - exactly what a Monday needs. In my opinion, the best way to go about it is to layer frozen fruit, dry ingredients, and wet ingredients in a baking dish (and never stir!). The result is a deliciously gooey fruit-on-the-bottom, creamy oatmeal-on-top effect that c[...]