Thursday, May 23, 2013

Toasted Hazelnut & Summer Berry Salad with Frangelico Dressing

Toasted Hazelnut & Summer Berry Salad with Frangelico Dressing

I often think after visiting the West Coast that I would love to live on the west coast.  Sunny skies, sandy beaches, mild temperatures, etc.  But then I come back to my Midwest home and remember why I love living here – the change in seasons.

We have a very distinct, especially this year it seems, separation of spring, summer, winter and fall.  And most of all, I love that, toward the end of one season, everyone has a huge anticipation for the following season.  And while fall will probably continue to be my favorite, weather-wise, Spring wins the award for best produce.

My friends, the farmer’s markets are open, my herb garden is planted, the trees and plants and shrubs in our yard are in bloom and I’m determined to grow a green thumb!  But regardless of my current gardening abilities, I can make a mean salad.  I love, love, love throwing fresh berries onto a salad of spinach, which is the base for this one.

Toasted Hazelnut & Summer Berry Salad with Frangelico Dressing

And I decided to take a little risk with this dressing.  Working with Frangelico has opened my eyes to new salad dressing possibilities.  The idea popped into my mind when I thought about adding toasted hazelnuts to a salad – so why not make a dressing out of hazelnut liqueur?

Fortunately, Frangelico is not a cream-based liqueur so the dressing is low in calories, light-tasting, sweet and spring-y. I was afraid it would be way too sweet but the oil and herbs balanced it perfectly and this will definitely be a favorite go-to salad this summer!

Check out Frangelico online at http://bit.ly/15uibj3 and follow them on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/10vHfFv for more exciting recipes.

Toasted Hazelnut & Summer Berry Salad with Frangelico Dressing

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Tomato-less Sweet Corn Salsa (Trader Joe’s Copycat!)

sweet-corn-pepper-salsa-36

Are you stick of hearing stories about me adjusting to life after Kansas City?  Well I have one more today and it revolves around Trader Joe’s and a salsa that I found there about two weeks before we moved our lives to Central Missouri.  Tomato-less Sweet Corn & Pepper...

Monday, May 20, 2013

Classic Cinnamon Rolls

classic-cinnamon-rolls-42

Well, here we are, Monday!  I have to say that I feel pretty ready to take on this week.  I’m anxious to see what this week of work brings but also excited because we had a down-right awesome weekend. On Friday Paul and I hosted a cookout at our...

Friday, May 17, 2013

Prosciutto, Date & Caramelized Onion Flatbread Pizza with Gorgonzola Cheese

flatbread-pizza-37

This is a sponsored post written on behalf of me for FlatOut Flatbread.  I have almost survived my first week back to work and for the most part it feels gooood!  I love being out of the house and around other people.  I’m learning new things and I’m enjoying...

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Asian Fish Cakes with Homemade Teriyaki Sauce

asian-fish-cakes-55

I started my new job yesterday!  First of all, thank you so much for all of the amazingly kind emails, tweets, texts and messages.  You all and your support mean the world to me and I’m ever-so-grateful for all of the encouragement! The first day was great!  It was...

Friday, May 10, 2013

Thyme & Polenta Pound Cake

polenta-pound-cake-69

I’m sad and somewhat embarrassed to admit that I’ve never been much of a gardener.  I want to be so badly.  My mom has a very green thumb and I envy it.  I’ve tried – and failed – many times.  Herbs, tomatoes, potted plants, and just no luck. But...