Food

There are few things better than sharing good food with good people.  Many of my happiest memories include a shared meal, and I’d reckon that many of yours do as well.  I was raised in a family that appreciated food and took pleasure in all aspects of it.  Growing, cooking, seasoning and experimenting with it.  This was before the days of the farm-to-table movement.  Those were the backyard garden – to – dinner plate days.

My mother and grandmother grew all sorts of vegetables and knew countless ways to use up the harvest.  Part of the fun was playing around in the kitchen with a “let’s just see what happens” attitude.  While most of the time we made delightful discoveries like battered and fried squash blossoms or potato peels dusted with rice flour and roasted til crispy, there was the occasional let down.  My Grandma once tried to make jelly out of some bruised crabapples – not the best idea!

My family also really placed an emphasis on quality and often shopped at various ethnic stores.  It was always an adventure!  I remember going to the Chinese grocery while my mom picked out live crabs and fresh fish.  The Italian butcher shop for lamb.  The Halal shop for goat meat.  The Indian store for spices and tea.  The European bakery for butter cookies.  We grew most of our vegetables, and what we didn’t grow, we bought fresh.  My mom never followed recipes, and our meals were based entirely on whether the food was both fresh AND cheap.  Fresh food tastes better.  Food is cheaper when it is in season.  In this way, I learned to love seasonal, local foods.

I’ve kept this sense of “let’s just see what happens” in my kitchen.  I’ve discovered that if you start with good ingredients – garden fresh veggies, herbs, and fresh meat, that even a simple meal can feel indulgent.  I love the adventure that accompanies buying unfamiliar vegetables and trying to figure out what to do with them.  I also love scratch cooking – both for the taste and for the sense of accomplishment!

Recent Food Posts

Tecumseh and More: Ten Reasons to Put Chillicothe, Ohio on Your List!

My family and I recently spent the weekend exploring Chillicothe, Ohio. Located just about an hour from Columbus, Chillicothe is the perfect spot for a weekend getaway! Whether you're looking ...
Read More

A Food Lover’s Weekend in Lake County, Ohio

Inside: Follow along as I take you on a delicious tour of Lake County, Ohio. Did you know that Lake County offered so many craft breweries, wineries, fantastic restaurants and ...
Read More

Strawberry Cheesecake Crepes – The Perfect Summer Recipe

Inside: An easy recipe for fresh strawberry cheesecake crepes. Is it a breakfast or a dessert? I don't know, but I do know these crepes stuffed with a fluffy cheesecake ...
Read More

Easy Shrimp Boil At Home Recipe – The Perfect Summer Recipe!

Inside: Follow along as I walk you through one of our favorite summer meals - an easy shrimp boil! My husband and I spent a year living near the Chesapeake ...
Read More

Celebrating at Spaghetti Warehouse with the BEST Lasagna in Columbus!

Inside: Join along as I let you in on a little secret - where to find the BEST lasagna in Columbus. I was born and raised in good ol' Columbus, ...
Read More

Healthy Food Without The Hassle – It’s Diced & Easy!

This post is sponsored by Perfectly Imperfect Produce. As always, thoughts and opinions are my own. I don’t know about you, but I secretly feel like eating healthy food can ...
Read More

Holiday Old Fashioned with Spiced Cinnamon Simple Syrup

Inside: An easy recipe for a winter take on a classic cocktail. This Holiday Old Fashioned with Spiced Cinnamon Simple Syrup is perfect for warming up those cold winter days. The ...
Read More

“Smells Like Fall” Spice Cake with Maple Brown Butter Glaze

Inside: A quick and easy yogurt spice cake recipe with a heavenly maple brown butter glaze. As the air turns crisp and the leaves begin to change, there's nothing better than ...
Read More

Sichuan-Style Air Fryer Green Bean Recipe – Quick and Easy!

Inside: An easy recipe for Sichuan-style beans. This spicy, garlicky mala air fryer green bean recipe is a tasty side dish to complement your favorite Chinese main dishes. This dish ...
Read More

“All-Around-The-World” Custard Pancakes

Inside: A simple recipe for our family's favorite custard pancakes! These miniature cakes are rich and sweet and were inspired by our travels after sampling pancakes all around the world ...
Read More

Vegan Mexican Pasta Salad – A Zesty Macaroni Salad You’ll Love!

Inside: A super simple recipe for a Vegan Mexican Pasta Salad. This zesty macaroni salad is so flavorful, it'll please everyone - vegetarians and meat-eaters alike! Here in Ohio, we're ...
Read More

Easy Indian-Style Butter Chicken Curry Recipe

Inside: Today I'm sharing one of my family's favorite dinners, an easy Indian-style Butter Chicken Curry! This dish can be made as spicy or as mild as you like, and ...
Read More

Easy Vegetable Stir Fry Noodles – My Favorite Veggie Lo Mein Recipe

Inside: Check out this simple recipe to use up whatever is in your veggie drawer. These easy vegetable stir fry noodles are delicious, simple, and super flexible! Feel free to ...
Read More

Chocolate Pantry Cake – This Vegan Cake Has No Eggs, Butter or Milk!

Inside: A super simple recipe for a deliciously moist chocolate using only items found in your pantry! Can you believe it? This decadent chocolate pantry cake has no eggs, butter, ...
Read More

Easy Instant Pot Ham Dinner – A Great Way To Use Up Your Leftover Ham!

Inside: Today I'm sharing my favorite way to use up leftover ham. Just place ham, green beans and potatoes in the Instant Pot, along with some simple spices and you'll ...
Read More

What Food Is Columbus, Ohio Known For? The Dishes That Defined Us.

Inside: What Food Is Columbus, Ohio Known For? I'm so glad you asked! Check out these 6 iconic dishes from my hometown! I'm a proud Buckeye, through and through. There's ...
Read More

Easy Kaiserschmarrn Recipe – Austrian Shredded Pancakes

Inside: My family's favorite Kaiserschmarrn recipe. This easy recipe for Austrian-style shredded pancakes uses simple ingredients you already have on hand. Crunchy and caramelized on the outside, with a fluffy ...
Read More

Homemade Mapo Tofu – A Recipe For Spicy Sichuan Bean Curd

Inside: Follow along as I walk you through one of my family's FAVORITE weeknight dinners - a spicy Sichuan bean curd dish known as mapo tofu. If you're a fan ...
Read More

Magic Pizza Dough – AKA Lazy Mom Pizza Night

Inside: My super simple recipe for magic pizza dough - a thin crust pizza dough with no yeast! Follow along as I share one of the favorite kitchen hacks for ...
Read More

The Perfect Ohio Weekend Getaway for Foodies!

Inside: Follow along as I introduce you to the perfect Ohio weekend getaway for foodies! If you love donuts, craft beer, ethnic food from around the world, BBQ, retro diner ...
Read More

Are You Ready Columbus? Afghani Dumplings Have Arrived!

Inside: Join me as I introduce you to one of my favorite meals, and to Central Ohio's FIRST Afghani restaurant! Afghani dumplings, tender kabobs, fluffy rice and the most flavorful ...
Read More

The New Fireproof Short North is a GREAT Columbus, Ohio Date Night!

Inside: Follow along as we check out the new Fireproof restaurant in the Short North on a fun Columbus, Ohio date night!  School just started, and parents everywhere are collectively ...
Read More

Meatloaf Meatballs – Cooks Up In Half The Time With Twice The Flavor!

Inside: An easy and quick weeknight recipe for Meatloaf Meatballs. I have a little one. And she can be a bit finicky with the shapes of her food. Especially meat ...
Read More

Flavored Nation: A Culinary Road Trip in Our Own Backyard!

Have you ever dreamed of eating your way through every single state? It can't just be me, right? Food + travel = life. I mean think about it - California ...
Read More

What to Eat in Athens – The Eater’s Guide to Traditional Greek Food

The very first thing I do after booking a flight is start researching all the different foods I want to taste wherever I am headed. Our trip to Greece was ...
Read More

Six Reasons You HAVE to Try Rollz Rice Indian Kitchen in Lewis Center, Ohio!

There's a new kid on the "Polaris Parkway block" and I'm so excited to share this hidden gem with you. This afternoon, I stopped by Rollz Rice Indian Kitchen with ...
Read More

6 Reasons You Need To Check Out Del Mar SoCal Kitchen

Inside: 6 reasons to put Del Mar SoCal Kitchen on your must-try list! Del Mar is officially opening in the Short North and I'm so excited! I have been following ...
Read More

The Best Mexican Restaurant You’ve Never Heard Of

Thank you to Visit Fairfield County for inviting me to explore this area, and to El Pedregal for providing samples for me to review. As always, thoughts and opinions are ...
Read More

Ice Cream Dealers, Egg Clubs, and Secret Menus – The Weird and Wonderful Antics of a Columbus Foodie

Inside: Follow along as I describe my weird and wonderful antics of being a Columbus foodie. I thought it would be fun to share some of my recent antics as ...
Read More

6 Reasons to Check Out Iguana’s Fresh Mexican Grill in Lewis Center

The other day, while running errands around Lewis Center, we noticed a restaurant we'd never tried before. It was a super frigid day in Columbus, and as we drove by, ...
Read More

Hidden Gem Discovered On 71 North of Columbus – Totally Worth the Drive!

Inside: Join me as I walk you through a hidden gem we discovered right off of 71 N and SR 95. This amazing bakery and cafe is totally worth the ...
Read More

Check Out This Hidden Gem for the Best Bubble Tea in Columbus!

Inside: Join along as I explore this hidden gem for the best bubble tea in Columbus. So delicious! I recently had a friend ask me if I had been to ...
Read More

A Delightful Autumn Harvest Dinner at Seminary Hill Farm – Delaware, OH

I was recently invited to dinner. On a farm. Located on the campus of the Methodist Theological School in Delaware, OH. The invitation read "Autumn Solstice Harvest Farm-to-Table Dinner," and ...
Read More

I Drove an Hour to Eat at a Gas Station. It Was Just as I Expected

Inside: Join me as I drive an hour outside of Columbus to dine at Spearman's Restaurant - located in a gas station. Was it worth the drive? My husband is ...
Read More

Tula Taqueria – AMAZING Mexican Street Food Near Polaris Mall

Inside: Join me as I explore the new kid on the block -  Tula Taqueria (near Polaris Mall)  for their authentic Mexican street food. Yesterday, I noticed a new sign as ...
Read More

Exploring Columbus: Dim Sum at Sunflower Chinese Restaurant

Inside: Join in as my little family explores the art of dim sum at Sunflower Chinese Restaurant in Columbus, OH. Are you familiar with the fabulous Cantonese tradition of "yum ...
Read More

Stupid Easy Crockpot Carnitas Freezer Meals For Busy Moms

Inside: A stupid easy recipe for my family's favorite crockpot carnitas. This recipe makes a LARGE batch so it's great to stock up for quick freezer meals throughout the month ...
Read More

Exploring Columbus – The Rusty Bucket Tavern – This Neighborhood Spot Has Something For Everyone!

The Rusty Bucket provided samples for review. Thoughts and opinions are my own. Today I'm excited to share about a local Columbus restaurant with a great story, delicious food, and ...
Read More

The Art of Aperitivo – How To Host an Italian Happy Hour

Inside: Learn the art of aperitivo and host your very own Italian happy hour! In northern Italy, there is a delightful ritual called aperitivo. Similar to our “happy hour," it is ...
Read More

Keto Lasagna Stuffed Peppers – Easy Low Carb Lasagna Recipe

Inside: My recipe for Keto Lasagna Stuffed Peppers. A low carb lasagna recipe that gives you all of the flavor and none of the grains. My husband and I have ...
Read More

Instant Pot Chicken Paprikash – Hungarian Stew

Are you familiar with Chicken Paprikash? It's a simple, delicious, creamy Hungarian-style dish. This time of year, I always find myself craving a warm stew. Something about pouring a ladle ...
Read More

Instant Pot Pork Loin with Sour Cream Gravy

Inside: A delicious recipe for Instant Pot Pork Loin with Sour Cream Gravy. This unique recipe for Instant Pot pork loin is a family favorite. The gravy is to die ...
Read More

Instant Pot Rotisserie Style Chicken

I'm still loving my new Instant Pot. It saves me so much time in the kitchen and allows me to make recipes that I used to only have time for ...
Read More

Homemade Masala Chai

It's been a weird autumn in Ohio, weather-wise. But finally, we're getting a little of that awesome crisp, cool weather. I finally felt the need to wear a sweatshirt, yay! ...
Read More

Authentic Bolognese Sauce

I'm sharing one of our house favorites today. An authentic Bolognese sauce. First things first - I want to be clear. If you're looking for a "tomato sauce with ground ...
Read More

Fall Harvest Stuffed Acorn Squash Recipe

Stuffed Acorn Squash Recipe One of our favorites things to do on the weekend is head to the farmer's markets. Our usual market is the Worthington Farmer's Market, but last ...
Read More

Fluffy Pancakes – Easy Recipe

I have a confession. I spent more time coming up with the title of this blog post than I did on the actual cooking (and eating!) of said "fluffy pancakes." ...
Read More

Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala – Paleo Friendly

I'm so in love with my brand new Instant Pot. You can't believe how quickly everything cooks up and the taste is just incredible. PLUS, I only have one pot ...
Read More

Appetizers Are Coming: Fiery Deviled Dragon Eggs

Inside: A fun and easy "Game of Thrones" themed recipe for your watch party! Tonight is the night. Season 7 finale of Game of Thrones. Part of me can't wait ...
Read More

Easy Instant Pot Pork Loin – Paleo/AIP Friendly

I've been following a few of my favorite food bloggers (Hi, My Heart Beets!) and there seems to be a new gadget in town. I'm not one for multiple kitchen-y ...
Read More

Easy Homemade Vanilla Syrup Recipe

I don't usually start my morning with coffee. Totally weird, I know. The thing is, I love to savor a cup of coffee. Sip it. Enjoy it. Take my time ...
Read More

Easy Irish Seafood Chowder Recipe

My 4 year old loves seafood. Fish, shrimp, crab, mussels, clams, eel, sushi, octopus, all of it. Her favorite meal changes frequently, but rest assured that it always includes something ...
Read More

How to Make Healthy Muffins From Scratch

Before we get started, let me tell you how much I LOVE muffins. Easy to whip up. Easy to make in large batches. Easy to freeze for busy mornings. I ...
Read More

How To Get FREE Organic Rotisserie Chicken – The Magic of Chicken Stock

For the past few years, we've been trying to eat better. For my family, that translates into less meat, more vegetables, less packaged food, and more homemade meals. We ...
Read More

Cold Brew Coffee: How To Make It and Why You Should

Have you heard all the hype about cold brew coffee? It's starting to pop up in trendy coffee shops and farmer's markets everywhere. Even Starbucks is now marketing their cold ...
Read More

Sansa’s Lemon Cakes

Are you a Game of Thrones junkie?  I am. I just started watching it a few months ago and I'm almost caught up. I can't believe how addicting it is ...
Read More

Sunday Morning Cinnamon Rolls: Quick & Easy!

I love lazy Sunday mornings. I'm usually up hours before the rest of the family and it's such relaxing time to sip coffee, read and relax. We try to keep ...
Read More

Irish Soda Bread Recipe (Brown Bread)

We recently took a family trip to Ireland.  For 8 glorious days, we drove around beautiful countryside, took in the sites, and tucked into Irish Soda Bread.  They serve this ...
Read More

Colorful Mango Sticky Rice – Khao Niao Mamuang

Have you ever tasted Mango Sticky rice? This is one of my favorite Thai desserts.  It's typically served warm and the flavors from juicy, ripe mangos and creamy coconut sauce ...
Read More

My Favorite Crispy Belgian Waffle Recipe

Inside: Today I'm sharing a simple technique I use when I make my favorite crispy Belgian waffle recipe. These authentic Belgian waffles are worth the extra step! Have you ever ...
Read More