Spinach & Artichoke Quesadillas

I adore spinach artichoke dip. Seriously, I'm a big fan. My best friend, Alex, can claim credit for my love since she sort of forced it upon me. We used to go to TGI Friday's and she would insist that we share the spinach artichoke dip, even if I told her I wasn't a fan. She said, "No. You like it and will share with me." And I did like it, and I did share it with her. BUT I do not like to eat it with tortilla chips-I need some sort of bread or flatbread or some such to dip in it, or I'm just not about that life.

Which is the beautiful thing about these quesadillas--you can skip the whole step of dipping. The spinach artichoke yumminess is sandwiched between 2 tortillas and it's all warm and cheesy and tortilla-y and I am a BIG FAN.

The spinach and artichoke dip is super creamy and rich, and comes together on the stove crazy quickly. Then it's just about spreading some on a tortilla, topping with another tortilla, and heating in a skillet until everything is warm and crisp and happy-wonderful. Michael and I both give our seal of approval!

Whipped Goat Cheese Dip with Caramelized Onions

Michael and I threw a housewarming party in December, and in addition to some sweets I decided to make a dip for veggies and chips. And I wanted it to be easy to make (I had a lot going on) and super tasty. This recipe ABSOLUTELY fit the bill!

Everyone at the party looooved it and were like "What's in it?? How'd you make it?!" Answer: goat cheese, caramelized onions, and heavy cream. Whipped together with a hand mixer. THE END. Like....it doesn't get much easier. The caramelized onions are the source of all the deeeelicious flavor because caramelized onions are friggin miraculous. The cream is just to thin out the goat cheese so it's not TOO thick, although I'm sort of curious what would happen if you just used milk?

Anyway, the other beautiful thing about making this dip when entertaining is that it tastes even better the day after you make it. So I recommend making it the day before your event. Then the flavors all get to chill out and mingle together longer. Maximum deliciousness. I really really liked this one, def. one of my favorite dips I've ever made. I think you'll all agree!

Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup

I made chicken noodle soup! And it wasn't so bland that it was borderline inedible! IT'S A MIRACLE!

...er...I know...you're probably all, "Kayle whaaaat are you talking about??" Well...I had a few unfortunate attempts at chicken noodle soup, a few years back, and they sort of scarred me for life and terrified me from making soup. Then I made some ridiculously yummy soups. So then it was just the basic CNS (chicken noodle soup, get on my level) that I was afraid of. Buuut...then I saw a recipe for homemade CNS in the slow cooker and I was like, "OK. It's time. Let's break this curse."

I'm going to warn you all RIGHT NOW-this recipe makes like...a lot of soup. Much more than just Michael and I can really handle, BUUUUT you can freeze it. Like...so I poured it in a freezer bag (made sure it was upright and not going to leak) and let it cool COMPLETELY. Then I sealed it and flattened it and put it in the freezer. I now have a nice, flat, bag of CNS just waiting for when I need it. Which I sort of love. You never know when a random cold is going to hit! Or just a craving for some soup. And sometimes you're too busy (or, God forbid, sick) to make something and having that extra stash of soup in the freezer makes me feel safe.

This week we got our first substantial bit of snow. And it happened literally the day after we finally bought a snow shovel. You see....we've been meaning to buy one for a while. But Michael was being super picky about it and didn't like any of the ones we'd seen. However...time passed....winter came...and I started to get nervous that we'd be stuck with a bunch of snow and no way to shovel it out of our new driveway. So we finally agreed to just go and buy one. And so we did. And then we woke up the next morning aaaand snow. So our new little shovel got christened quickly.

And you know what's fun to do? Sit in your new kitchen, looking out at the snow, but knowing you're snug and warm inside, and eating from an even warmer bowl of comforting and classic chicken noodle soup.*

*With lots of crackers. Because that's who I am, as a person. I eat soup with lots of crackers. (Not as many as my brother, who usually just consumes moist crackers since there are so many that they've fully sucked up the soup...that's a bit too far for me.)

French Onion Macaroni and Cheese

erm...so....hiiii.

I'm sorry guys. I know it's been like 2 months since I posted any new recipes for you and I'm seriously sorry-between this whole buying a house thing, various summer activities, and my brother visiting....I've just been sort of insanely busy. And I can't even say it won't happen again. We're still dealing with the house/moving situation (although we're officially going to be in possession of it on Sept. 16th!!) and life is just kinda crazy, ya know? So I'm just going to try not to worry about it and take it one day and one recipe at a time. I hope that's cool?

Cuz I love you guys.

Now-on to food.

I just feeeeel like....onions make everything better? That's my opinion, anyway. They're so darned flavorful and delicious and make everything they're in taste amazing too.

I also want to like french onion soup, for this reason, but for some reason it never really quite works for me. But french onion MAC AND CHEESE? Yeah. That I can get on board with.

And, shockingly, Michael really liked this recipe!! I'm shocked because 99% of the time he's not a huge fan of my macaroni and cheese recipes (he just wants velveeta....*sigh*). But--it's a miracle, he liked this! I loved it! And everyone in the kingdom was happy :D

It's just insanely flavorful macaroni and cheese (don't be scared of the gruyere-it's subtle. But also feel free to sub in a different cheese if you really want) that's creamy and has yummy yummy onions and is topped with buttery toasted breadcrumbs. Yessss.

No-Knead Crusty Bread Rolls

I've been craving a particular kind of roll. The kind that is crusty on the outside and chewy on the inside. This is the absolute perfect recipe for that sort of roll. AND it's sort of super easy to make (and no knead)! WE'RE IN A WIN-WIN SITUATION HERE, PEOPLE!

You combine some ingredients in a bowl. Let it rise (either in a warm place for a few hours or in the refrigerator overnight and then a warm place for a little bit if it's not risen enough). Form rolls. Let them rise for just like 30 minutes. Bake. THAT'S IT. And then you have the most gorgeously rustic rolls that are all crusty and chewy and JUST LOOK AT THE AIR POCKETS. They're perfect for holding little bits of butter.

They also lent themselves to Michael's caveman sensibilities--you can just grab them and tear into them like the savage he is. Or, you can be a lady* like me and cut them in half and butter them before delicately** eating them.

*In spite of etiquette classes and countless reprimands from my parents...I don't eat like a lady.

**shoving into your mouth whole.

Homemade Mexican Guacamole

Lately...I've been craving guacamole. And I haven't been able to get it (I keep meaning to go to this one Mexican restaurant we love but it hasn't happened yet) so...I finally just decided to make my own. Because that's what we food bloggers do. Or...at least...that's usually what I do. And really...there's no reason that all of us shouldn't make our own guacamole! IT IS SO EASY! And insaaanely quick to make!

Funny fact--apparently my dad and grandma (heck..probably all of my grandparents) have never tried guacamole. And one time (a time my brother and I still enjoy a good giggle over) my mom pronounced guac "GWYE-ACK" (admittedly on accident--she does know how to correctly pronounce it). So...I don't come from a particularly adventurous food background. But somehow...I love guacamole. And I am so happy that I do.

First a little tip on avocado ripeness--you're going to want the avocado skin to be very dark and have give when you squeeze it. If it's suuuper soft when you squeeze it-it may be over-ripe, but you can still cut it open and use any parts that are still green and not brown! Another tip for good guac is DO NOT BE AFRAID OF SALT! Seriously...you're gonna want to be generous. And also, this recipe is definitely one of those taste and adjust sort of situations--some of the ingredients aren't going to have amounts because you should sort of just add however much tastes good to you, you know? I know the first time you make something that is super frustrating but I promise after you make it once and figure it out...it just makes sense!

Oh and after you've made the guacamole, if you don't finish it and want some leftovers and are concerned about it turning brown here's another little tip: spray the top of the guacamole with cooking spray and cover the top with plastic wrap (so that the wrap is pressing on all of the guacamole)--it helps!

Avocadoes are potentially the only thing that I like and Michael doesn't, so I had to eat all the guacamole myself. Which...even though it didn't look like much...it actually was. So this might be best to serve if you're entertaining or have at least a couple people to eat it--because I had a difficult time finishing it by myself. 

Also--don't limit yourself to eating this deliciousness with just chips! Quesadillas, flautas, and even french fries are so good dipped in the guac and it's also tasty on sandwiches!

Guacamole is too good to only enjoy one way. 

Homemade Cheddar Pierogi {with Caramelized Onions}

This is a big one, guys. This is one of those recipes that like...changes your life. Ok...maybe that's dramatic.

...OR IS IT?

No but forrealsies, these are definitely a new favorite. Turns out-making homemade, from scratch, pierogi isn't that hard (I will admit that it dirties a lot of dishes, but it is TOTALLY worth it!)

Now, first of all, if you aren't familiar with pierogi: they're pretty much a pasta that is filled with mashed potatoes (and, in this case, cheddar cheese) and usually served with sauteed or caramelized onions. There's a bunch of variations but, in my opinion, this version is the best.

The pasta shell is tender. The cheddar mashed potato filling is perfectly flavorful and comforting. Sauteeing the pierogi in butter after boiling makes the texture and flavor even better. And serving them with caramelized onions is just perfection. I'm legit. obsessed. Michael is too. He took one bite and gave me a wide-eyed look, "These are amazing!" He was impressed. I was sort of impressed. You'll be impressed. If you need a perfect pierogi recipe-look no further! Or, if you just want a new idea for dinner tomorrow-also look no further! You need homemade cheddar pierogi in your life!

Cheesy Turkey Pesto Rolls

I can't believe I did it. This is something I practically never do. I...I used crescent rolls in a recipe. And I didn't make the crescent roll dough from scratch. This is not a thing I usually do but I know we don't always have time and...I wanted to make these. So I bit the bullet and used crescent roll dough. I hope we're all ok with this? Everything in moderation, am I right?

I feel like I've been pretty firmly in the old-for-my-age camp in a lot of ways for awhile. You know, I'd rather sit and watch Netflix or a movie than go out, I like to cook/bake (obviously), Michael and I bicker like an old married couple...etc. One of the few things that kept me from being too far over the edge is that I've never cared much for HGTV...and I don't knit. Well...now that I'm starting to get into the idea of house hunting...I am sorta loving HGTV all of a sudden.

...but so far I still don't knit.

But whether you're young-at-heart or old-for-your-age...or anywhere in between, you're gonna be all about these rolls! They're crazy easy to throw together and they make an awesome lunch or snack or appetizer or just grab-and-go sustenance! They're cheesy and pesto-y (so make sure to use a pesto you love!) and there's turkey so yay protein! They're also super customizable so feel free to play around with the fillings, and you can totally make them vegetarian (just...don't add any meat--ta da!) 

Parmesan Herb Popovers

I love popovers. They're kinda tough to describe but they're all light and fluffy inside and crisp and almost fried on the outside....they're sort of like a roll/donut hybrid? Sort of? Thus far I have 2 favorite popover recipes that I've made-classic popovers and cinnamon sugar popovers. Today I mixed things up by making SAVORY popovers!

....truthfully...I'm reluctant to call these popovers. Their texture is a bit different and they are a WHOLE LOT eggier. They do rise up and look pretty like popovers, though. Now...as you may know...I'm not a fan of eggs (I mean I obviously bake with them but I don't like just eggs, not a fan of the taste) so I didn't end up being totally in love with these parmesan popovers. I realize this is a weird thing to say as I'm sharing the recipe but...we're honest here, people. It's how we do.

And anyway...I'm a picky weirdo. Just because I didn't love something doesn't mean you won't!

They're beautifully chewy-look at those pretty air pockets! They're also very subtly flavored with Parmesan cheese and herbs, nothing overwhelming, just the right amount. They would be a fantastic alternative to rolls to serve with your dinner (Especially with pot roast or roast chicken).

Ricotta Meatballs

I'm an Italian gal who loooves ricotta cheese. I LOVE IT! On pizza, in lasagna, even in gnocchi! My heart breaks for my poor brother-in-law and his wife: they moved to North Carolina this year (my sister-in-law, Emily, is attending grad school down there) and apparently they do not have much in the way of Italian food. Like...they don't carry ricotta in normal grocery stores. WHAT THE WHAT??! That's insane. And sad. I'm sure they both load up on the Italian food when they visit, though, but still...that'd be a tough one for me.

Soooo...when I saw the idea of putting ricotta in meatballs. Clearly, I was gonna have to try it. And I'm so glad I did! It's not like a totally revolutionary thing-it didn't make meatballs all of a sudden taste totally different! Buuuut...I definitely think it added a little extra somethin' to them, and they were super moist. Which I think is probably due to the ricotta? Regardless, I like 'em. You'll probably like 'em and....if you live in the South and have a hard time finding ricotta....oh man. I'm so sorry. Someone needs to like...write a letter about this. Because it's a real problem.

Or you could just make this meatball recipe.

But I still recommend you try this one.

Phyllo Potato Pastries

Truth be told everyone...I've been having a hard time getting back into the swing of things in the kitchen and with the blog post-holidays. Does anybody else feel somewhat adrift? ...No? Just me?

Ok that's cool. I'll do better y'all, pinky promise!

Now...this is a pretty classic Kayle recipe--there's potatoes...and there's carbs. But it's fun and different and kinda classy (I think) because flaky and delicious phyllo dough is wrapped around shredded and seasoned potatoes and onions and it's all baked to tasty perfection.

I think these are great especially as an entertaining food--because the recipe makes a lot, and there's something about phyllo dough that just screams "I'M FOR GUESTS!" to me *shrug*. Unfortunately we were not having any company when I made these so it was up to Michael and I to eat them all. And if any eaters were ever up to the task...it was us. 

They're quite delicious and I'm definitely keeping them in mind next time I need something to bring to a party!

Roasted Garlic Potato Soup

Admittedly...this winter has been pretty mild so far. Like...no complaints here. BUT...I still want soup sometimes! And when I'm presented with a potato soup with roasted garlic and onions...well...I'm certainly not going to say no.

What's your favorite Christmas movie?? It's a tie for me: Muppet Family Christmas and Muppet Christmas Carol (yes...they're both muppet movies...do not judge me. Also...the runner up is How Elmo Saved Christmas. True story). Whatever your fave holiday flick...wouldn't it be wonderous to curl up by a fire, with the Christmas lights on, and watch your favorite holiday movie while eating spoonful after spoonful of this rich, creamy, soup?

I think so too. You need to carbo-load to help with all that present wrapping you have to do.

This soup is seriously thick and smooth and has that mellow, sweet roasted garlic flavor and the comforting taste of potatoes. And...I HIGHLY recommend topping stirring in some cheese. Seriously...it makes all the difference. It turns a good soup into a GREAT soup. 

Roasted Onion Brie Muffins

I know! Tomorrow is Thanksgiving!!! But if you haven't fully figured out what you're making...might I suggest these muffins as a unique alternative to rolls? Because you guys...they're awesome. You and your friends/family will loooove them!

Savory muffins should be a more commonplace thing! They're so much easier to make than rolls and they're just as full of carb-y goodness and you can do so many different flavor combinations! Like.....seriously.....sweet roasted onions and buttery brie paired with just a hint of rosemary all in a slightly tangy buttermilk muffin....I WOULD HAVE NEVER THOUGHT OF IT but I am so glad that I tried it because...whoa. Delish. Addictive. Unique. And baking them makes your house smell amazing.

I definitely suggest you make these if you're having a get-together (or if your family can eat 12 muffins) because these are really best the day that they're baked! And seriously...look at that muffin--look at the delicious roasted onions all up in there. And the melted brie on top. Om nom nom nom noooommm! Commence the eating!

Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

Soup season is here, everyone! And I had yet to make a chicken noodle soup recipe that I liked (a couple ill-fated attempts in the past resulted in ridiculously bland, giant batches of soup). Sure I had a chicken and potato chowder that I was (and still am) obsessed with, but we all need a simple chicken noodle soup recipe in our repertoire, no?

Yes! And this turned out to be the perfect one. Michael and I both prefer heartier soups, so the fact that this is a creamy chicken noodle soup helps add to it. And if you're concerned about your waistline-don't be! The creaminess comes from fat-free evaporated milk, so you can have your soup and eat it too! It's comforting and classic and I know we're all going to be happy to have this when someone inevitably comes down with a cold* (or at least if we come home after a chilly day and need something to warm us up the way only soup can!) And it's actually pretty quick to make! Soup for everyone!

*Fingers crossed nobody gets a cold...ever.

Black Bean Pico de Gallo

I miss Mexico.

You know-we went there for our honeymoon and it was the best time ever. Well, it also had the tastiest food ever. I've never been huge on Mexican food but that somewhat changed thanks to our trip-especially when it comes to salsas and dips and such, we had those with/prior to pretty much every meal and they were SO GOOD! My particular favorite was a black bean pico de gallo we had at the Cactus Club. So one day I decided...I'm going to make my own! And it was a fantastic idea.

Anyway, my missing of Mexico has only be exacerbated by the fact that we've been to a couple Mexican restaurants (people are very excited that I'll now go to them) and my cousins had been making pico de gallo/salsas a lot lately during our Sundays in the summer. Then, one day, Michael asked me to buy him salsa con queso and tortilla chips and I said to myself, "Kayle-this is the time. Let's recreate your favorite pico de gallo!"

First a couple tips: This is totally adaptable based upon your palate. Know that. Also--use smaller (cherry or roma) tomatoes so that your pico de gallo doesn't turn out as watery as mine. Trust me on this. Also, um....make sure your jalapeños are chopped very small, your onions are pretty darn small, and that the tomatoes are diced on the smaller side too. And, finally--DO NOT SKIMP ON THE SALT. I'm normally very wary about the salt shaker for health reasons (and it's also kind of like I'm a recovering salt addict...I used to just straight up eat salt y'all and the sad part is...I'm not grossed out by it because I know that's delicious stuff. But soooo bad for you!)-but salt is really your friend with this, it's going to make the biggest difference with the flavor and just...you need it. You will thank me for this. Promise.

And c'mon people...this is a bowl full of vegetables and beans-it's still healthy!

Now you're probably wondering, "Was it everything you wanted it to be? Was it delicious? Did you love it?" 

....

YES YES YES!!! This came out as good as I could have ever expected! Mind you, it would have been nicer if I was staring at the beach and if Michael and I were in relax-y vacation mode but...still...for non-honeymoon fare, it was pretty darn good. Fresh and sweet and and cilantro-y (although that is another thing you can totally mess with to get it to your liking) and delicious (mine wasn't spicy at all because I don't like spicy so I used the lower amount of jalapeño--if you like spiciness feel free to up the amount and/or use the seeds!) And it was demolished pretty much in one sitting with Michael, me, and my brother all circled around it in my living room like crazy savages.

Yepp. That good. You're gonna love it!

Caramelized Onion Dip

Pretty much the only time I'll allow myself to try out a new dip recipe is when I'm going to a party. Because I know that, otherwise, I'll end up eating the whole dang thing myself. And then I'll be like "whyyyy do I do this to myself??!" so really it's just best for everyone if I share the appetizer love. And that is exactly what happened with this recipe for caramelized onion dip!

There are 2 main things that drew me into this recipe: caramelized onions (one of man's greatest creations :P) and the fact that it is slightly healthified thanks to Greek yogurt and reduced fat cream cheese. So, when I was told to bring an app/snack to the 4th of July with my family, I knew that this dip was getting made!

Now, unfortunately my uncle also brought chip dips so I had a bit of competition, but that's ok because everyone could tell that this was the superior dip. My brother said he had a difficult time eating it because, even though he knew it wasn't super bad for him, he said it tasted deliciously unhealthy so he was having an argument between his brain and his taste buds. My teen cousins also enjoyed digging in (even though my cousin Ethan was aghast at the fact that I hadn't made a dessert).

This dip is tangy, creamy, super flavorful, and full of onions that are soft and slightly sweet.

It's one of those things where once you have one bite...you're hooked!

Whole Wheat Italian Gougères

I had such lofty intentions to make these "Italian" gougeres. I thought roasted garlic and Parmesan cheese....perfection! I considered adding additional seasonings but didn't think they'd be needed.

Welll....learn from my mistake my friends. These gougeres ARE tasty. But-the way I made them they turned out a bit bland. As a result, I've adjusted the below recipe to use more cheese and garlic and I urge you to add some seasonings. They'll be better that way.

Don't let me scare you away though! LOOK AT THE PHOTOS-these are tasty tasty, pretty pretty gougeres! Plus--they're whole wheat and have flax meal in them! So a bit healthier! In fact, you can even tweak this recipe and change out the flavor combos to your taste. You could use cheddar and scallions or onions or...I dunno...whatever you like! But first...let's give this Italian version a try, shall we?

Alright-I'm trying to be normal and just talk about food like I would any other week....how am I doing? Convincing? You totally can't tell that I'm getting married this Saturday and am kind of freaking out because I'm so excited/nervous/anxious/worried/excited again....right?

Oh good. Because you know I've totally tried to barely even talk about my wedding on here.*

*sarcasm...yes...I know I've been incessant and can talk of almost nothing else. Sorry!

Michael insisted I start calling these "puffs". He felt like I was being snobby with my constant "I made gougeres!" "Do you want a gougere?" "Don't forget there are gougeres..." His initial request was that I refer to them as "biscuits" which they are NOT biscuits. They're way to light and airy and soft! So then he amended I could call them puffs. Which...since gougeres are made from choux pastry just like cream puffs...I sort of can accept that.

So...puffs or gougeres...Italian or French or just perfectly YOU...give 'em a try!