Spinach-Artichoke Dip

The Pioneer Woman is a genius. Absolute genius.  She has discovered the secret to a happy appetite: quit counting calories and just eat what's delicious. It's true. This Spinach-Artichoke Dip is to die for (Pioneer Woman lovingly titles it "The Best Spinach Artichoke Dip Ever" and it deserves every word of that title)! I served this at a baby shower this weekend and it was definitely the star of the buffet table.  It's delicious on chips,...

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Whole-Wheat Dinner Rolls

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope everyone had a wonderful time spending time with family; I know I did! I made two types of rolls this year, and I thought for sure that The Pioneer Woman no-knead rolls would surely win out.  I was wrong. These rolls from my Healthy America's Test Kitchen Cookbook were the winner by a landslide, even the baby cousins loved them! They're fairly simple to make and turn out so light and fluffy.  Next year I better...

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Pumpkin Pull-Apart Bread/Cinnamon Rolls

I love pumpkin... one might say I'm obsessed. Pumpkin bread, pumpkin bars, pumpkin kisses, pumpkin lattes, pumpkin deliciousness... Lucky for me, there's such a thing as Pinterest that has endless amounts of pumpkin recipes all for me! This bread (originally from  Sunny Side Up) epitomizes the essence of autumn... perfectly pumpkin with just the right amount of sweetness in the Rum Glaze.  It goes perfect with a cup of coffee for breakfast...

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Roasted Salmon, Grape Tomatoes and Leeks with Sparkling Wine Sauce

 My only, only critique for this dish is longest title ever. It pretty much lists every ingredient in the recipe... I do understand, however, that each of the title ingredients plays a key role in the unique flavor. Why don't we just call it Gourmet Roasted Salmon? I think that fits. Ingredients: 1 pint grape tomatoes 2 leeks, white parts only, cut into 1/4" rounds 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, divided 1 tsp. dried thyme Salt and ground...

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Thai-Style Stir Fry

This is definitely a keeper!  Straight from the October 2012 Cook's Illustrated, it's another America's Test Kitchen winner.  Chicken, eggs, broccoli, and rice noodles tossed with the most flavorful sauce, you really can't go wrong. The key in this recipe is LEAVE IT ALONE.  When I say without stirring or stirring once, I mean it.  I was very skeptical of this method, as I am an extremely impatient cook, and want...

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Quinoa with Corn and Pecans

One of my absolute favorite features of the Best Foods Cookbook is the unique pairings of ingredients. I never would have thought to put pecans, corn, and BACON in quinoa.  I'm so thankful for creative, innovative minds such as Dana Jacobi (author of the cookbook)!  This was so quick and simple to make. Enjoy! Ingredients: 3 tsp. canola oil, divided 1 strip bacon, finely chopped 1 small red onion, finely chopped 2 cups cooked quinoa...

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Meatier Meatloaf

I don't like meatloaf, but I like this. It came from my monthly Cook's Illustrated magazine put out by America's Test Kitchen. Need I say more? Ingredients: 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 onion, chopped fine 6 ounces white mushrooms, trimmed and sliced thin 1 tablespoon tomato paste 3 tablespoons plus 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth 2 garlic cloves, minced 2 large eggs 2 tablespoons soy sauce 1 tablespoon unflavored gelatin 1/2 slice hearty...

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Hello?

Well, hello. Let me re-introduce myself. My name is Mikaela, and I'm that girl that used to share delicious, aboriginal recipes with you. That girl who used to be dedicated to the art of cooking and writing and used to narrate my kitchen adventures to you once upon a time.  Remember me? That same girl, me, apologizes profusely if you are a regular bloggower (Blog follower - just made that up!).  Granted, I think I'm flattering myself a...

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Chicken with Pear and Avocado

Another gem from the newest cookbook in my growing library.  I have to admit that M and I were both extremely leery of this recipe, with the combination of sweet, savory, and new (never had leeks before!).  It turned out incredible! It was so simple to whip up, and the simple sauce adds so much flavor.  This would be delicious diced up on a green salad or with whole wheat pasta.  I can't wait to make it again when pears are...

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Strawberry Dream Cake

We're taking a brief sabbatical from the new cookbook to try out a Cook's Country (America's Test Kitchen magazine) beauty.  This is the perfect dessert for the perfect fruit at this time of year! So much intense strawberry flavor, this is just absolutely delicious! If you have any left over frosting, it goes really well in homemade crepes with fresh strawberries... just an idea. =) Below is the recipe as posted on the Cook's Country website....

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Chocolate Covered Pears with Sauce

A beautiful symbol of decadence, these pears are a perfectly chocolaty after-dinner treat.  Goes great with either the espresso sauce or raspberry sauce.  Surprisingly, they are pretty quick and easy to make despite how fancy they look! Ingredients: 1 lemon 6 c. cold water 2 c. sugar, divided 1 (4") stick cinnamon 2 whole cloves 4 ripe Bartlett pears, with stems 4 ounces dark chocolate (70% cacao), chopped 2 tsp. unsalted...

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Roasted Red Pepper Gazpacho

I've never had chilled soup.  I have to admit I was super skeptical.  So refreshing! Ingredients: 2 oven-roasted red bell peppers 2 large ripe beefsteak-type tomatoes, seeded and cut into 1" pieces 1 small onion, chopped 2 or 3 cloves garlic, chopped 2 cups tomato juice 1 slice day-old whole wheat bread, crust trimmed 1 tbsp. white-wine vinegar 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil salt and pepper 1/2 c. finely diced green bell pepper 1/2...

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Mexican Mole Chicken Salad

Ingredients: 1 tbsp. natural unsweetened cocoa powder 2 tsp. curry powder 1 tsp. sweet/hot Hungarian paprika 1/2 tsp. ground coriander 1 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper 4 (4 ounce) pieces boneless, skinless chicken breast 8 cups loosely packed spinach 1 Granny Smith apple, halved and tinly sliced lengthwise 1 green bell pepper, cut into 1/4" strips 1 small red onion, cut into thin rings 4 tbsp. raisins 4 tbsp. slivered almonds,...

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Peanut Butter and Jelly Muffins

These muffins are the epitome of the classic sandwich. Perfect breakfast/snack! Ingredients: 1 c. unbleached flour 1 c. whole wheat pastry flour 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1/2 c. smooth natural peanut butter 1/2 c. packed brown sugar 2 large eggs 1 c. buttermilk 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1/2 c. jam (strawberry or raspberry) 6 Tbsp. salted dry roast peanuts, coarsely chopped Directions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees....

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Green and Yellow Squash Ribbons

Lovely dinner. Ingredients: 2 large (9 ounce) zucchini 2 large (6 ounce) yellow squash 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 2 tsp. minced shallot Salt and Pepper 2 tsp. basil, cut in fine ribbons 2 tsp finely chopped oregano leaves Directions: To make long thin ribbons, halve each squash lengthwise.  Using a teaspoon, scoop out the seeds.  Cut off the neck and rounded blossom end, then slice the squash lengthwise into 1/5" strips.  Discard...

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Herb-Stuffed Flank Steak

OH MY DELICIOUSNESS This was to die for.  I highly recommend using a top-quality steak; it really makes a difference in the tenderness and flavor of the meat.  This is meant to be savored. Slowly. Deliciously. Ingredients: Marinade: 1/4 cup dry red wine (we used a Cabernet Sauvignon and the left over paired perfectly with dinner) 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice 1 Tbsp. reduced-sodium soy sauce 1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper 2...

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Best Foods

As you may have already gathered, I am terrible at consistency.  I attempt to keep this blog updated with lots of delicious recipes, but the truth of the matter, is that I fail. There are multiple reasons for this failure, but the most significant is simply that we are too busy to eat. Yes, not just too busy to blog, but too busy to actually have a meal together.  Thus, the blog fails to be updated. But, here I am now, writing to a non-existent audience about the woes of our busy life and our lack of exciting meals.  I've been...

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English Muffin Bread

Perfect texture. Perfect taste. Perfect toast. I made two loaves of this, sliced them, then kept them in the freezer.  Made for great quick breakfasts! Ingredients: 2 3/4 cups warm water 3 3/4 tsp. yeast 1 Tbsp. salt 1 1/2 Tbsp. sugar 6 1/2 cups bread flour (or all-purpose) Directions: Mix all the ingredients together, then let rise until almost doubled, about an hour and a half.  Spoon batter into 2 well greased loaf...

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Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Sheet Cake

It's been quite some time since I've posted any new recipes. Between the normal craziness of life and having shoulder surgery, the M&M Kitchen has been closed to adventuresome cooking.  I apologize if any of you are regular followers and have been having withdrawals from new recipes... I'm sure there's no one out there too disappointed! I was introduced to this recipe by my best friend, who shares my love for all things cake, pudding,...

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Baked Cheesy Eggplant

Have you ever eaten eggplant? I hadn't, until tonight.  We are seasonal produce shoppers in this house, meaning we buy whatever is cheapest.  Thus, we had eggplant. I wasn't really sure what to do with eggplant, but this was the perfect dinner for me tonight.  I guess I'm still not really sure what eggplant tastes like, since I had it smothered in sauce and cheese... but still good! Ingredients: 1 eggplant, sliced into 1/2" rounds garlic...

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Candied Bacon and Chocolate Chip Cookie Pies

Brynna is a genius.  Really. Bacon, cooked with brown sugar and cayenne pepper. Chocolate chip cookies, in individual pie form.   Together. Genius. Thank you, Brynna! We love you (for more reasons than just this creation)! Candied Bacon Ingredients: 8 slices thin-sliced bacon 1 c. brown sugar 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and put a...

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Company Egg Bake

This is so ridiculously easy, you'll want to make it every day. Okay, maybe not everyday. Thanks to my mother-in-law for this stress-free company breakfast! Ingredients: 1 lb. bacon 1 lb. sausage (I used 1 green bell pepper and 8 oz sliced mushrooms instead) 1 onion, diced Plenty of grated cheddar cheese 12 eggs 2 cups cream or whole milk Directions: Cook up your bacon, sausage and onion until cooked through.  Spread half of the mixture...

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Baked Potato Grilled Cheese

Homemade Whole-Wheat Bread. Cheddar Cheese. Green Onions. Thin-Sliced Baker Potatoes, Pan-fried for 4 minutes on each side. Bacon. Cheddar Cheese. Homemade Whole-Wheat Bread. Baked. Potato. Grilled. Cheese....

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Weeknight Chili

Photo from America's Test Kitchen This was the perfect dinner to feed to our weekend guests ~ It was so easy, hearty, and delicious! I was able to prep it all before they even arrived so that I didn't have to miss out on any of the fun! =) Don't be alarmed at the mass amount of chili powder in this recipe; because this is a slow cooker recipe, the heat dies down and you're left with great flavor. Ingredients: 2 T. oil 2 onions, chopped...

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