If I had an ultimate comfort food, chicken and dumplings would be high up on the list. It’s warm, hearty, delicious and easy to make for a few people or a whole crowd. If you’re from the south, you probably grew up eating this all too often, yet for me, it doesn’t get old. With […]
I couldn’t go through the month of October without sharing a favorite pumpkin recipe of ours. And we have a lot of those. I live for pumpkin season! My husband on the other hand – he would be okay avoiding pumpkin season altogether. But this recipe will win over both pumpkin lovers and those on […]
As a little girl, one of my favorite books was “Blueberries for Sal” by Robert McCloskey. As an adult, this book is still so dear to me. I read it often to our boys, and it’s quickly become a repeat read here as well. I’m not sure why exactly it’s such an appealing book. The […]
If someone asked me what my favorite food is, I would easily say a charcuterie board. I know it’s not a meal or a dish per say, but as someone who has a hard time picking and loves variety, a charcuterie board fits the bill. You can get vegetables, fruit, protein, nuts, olives, cheese, crackers […]
One of our family’s favorite things about Carlton Landing is the community garden. Our boys love to grab their bikes and head over for exploration, vegetable picking and chicken watching. They like to call it the Farmer’s Market. I love their name for it because that sweet little garden space really does represent the heart […]
If I told you I had a recipe for something so delicious and satisfying that also happened to be gluten-free, dairy free, and vegan, would you believe me? These peanut butter and jelly ice cream sandwiches are exactly that. I discovered this recipe a year ago and tweaked it to the way I liked it, […]
Nothing says summer like eating a hot dog fresh off the grill. As a kid, many a summer day was spent devouring a hot dog on a scorching day, dripping wet from playing in the water, finishing it all off with a fresh slice of watermelon. As a big kid now…okay, adult….my love for hot […]
Today is National Sugar Cookie Day! You’re probably just as excited as I am. Okay, well maybe you’re not as thrilled as me or maybe you didn’t even know today was National Sugar Cookie Day, but during unpredictable times like these, why not find any reason to celebrate. And what better way to celebrate than […]
One of my favorite summer memories is having a lemonade stand. As a little girl, I wasn’t terribly entrepreneurial. In fact, I probably handed out more free lemonade to neighbors than money made, but it was the idea of creating something of my own and making a few new friends along the way that made […]
Well, summer may not officially be here, but ask anyone in the south, summer is most definitely here. From the hot temperatures, swarming mosquitos, ice cream trucks, and endless supplies of fresh watermelon and cherries, the summer season is upon us. Normally I’m a little nervous about the high heat and fact that 3 am […]
Ice cream. Just the thought of it makes my mouth drool and brings back a plethora of memories. For me, it’s slow summer days with my Grandma finished with a game of Uno and a treat at Braums. It’s an afternoon surprise from my mom after a long day at school. It’s frozen custard like […]
If you’re reading this in fairly current times, then you know we are all experiencing a global pandemic. While it’s easy to focus on the fear and panic, there’s also so much joy and beauty in the simplicity all around us. It’s always been there, but maybe we were a little too distracted, a little too […]
Valentine’s Day. Whether you’re a fan of the day or not, I think we can all agree that it’s a great chance to celebrate those you are thankful for in your life. Plus, I personally love any reason to celebrate, not to mention put up decorations and bake something festive. So any opportunity to throw […]
I love many things, but high up there is the smell of my favorite granola baking in the oven. The cinnamon and hint of maple syrup atop oats and a plethora of nuts fills the house. If I could bottle up this smell in a candle, I would. But even better than the smell is […]
How can it be that Christmas seemed so far away yet now it’s over just like that? I personally think time moves faster during the holiday season, or at least it seems that way, not to mention as you get older. But with a new year upon us, there is so much to celebrate and […]
It’s the season for being with those we love, life around the table, and all things food. And with Thanksgiving just around the corner, we are getting our kitchens and our appetites ready to go. Thanksgiving is one of the most anticipated and planned meals of the year, but sometimes the dishes can seem a […]
Apples. They’re pretty much the unofficial mascot of fall that everyone seems to love. (I’m sorry, pumpkin, but not everyone loves you. I sure love you but just being honest.) Apples are delicious, versatile, and healthy. They can be the star of a dish or help boost other flavors with their range of sweetness and […]
October. It’s the beautifully inviting front porch entrance into a season of cooler temperatures, holidays, and time with those we love. To me, October is all about the anticipation of what’s to come, yet in all honesty, I’m not really that great at waiting. But when October is paired with pumpkin spice, fall scented candles, […]
Hi, y’all! My name is Lauren Jones. Most of you may not know me, and I sure wish I could pull up a chair, grab a cup of coffee and get to know you and you get to know me, but to say I am excited to be sharing recipes, life in community, all things […]
To Make the Blueberry Sauce 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries 2-3 tablespoons granulated sugar 2 tablespoons water To Make the Pancakes 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 3 tablespoons granulated sugar 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup ricotta […]
3/4 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter Apple Filling Ingredients: 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 5 Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced Pinch of kosher salt 2 tablespoons brown sugar […]
Ingredients: 1 lb. brussel sprouts, quartered 2 T. olive oil kosher salt/fresh ground pepper glazed pecans 4 slices bacon, fried and crumbled Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled Instructions Preheat oven to 400 degrees. On a rimmed baking sheet toss brussel sprouts, olive oil, and salt/pepper to taste. Roast for 25-30 minutes until lightly charred. Remove from the […]
Ingredients: 6 slices bacon 1 large onion 12 eggs 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream 1 cup grated parmesan salt/pepper feta or goat cheese crumbles for topping fresh parsley or basil for topping Instructions In a 12-inch cast iron skillet, fry several slices of bacon until crisp. Remove from pan and rough chop, leaving most […]
Homemade Ricotta 4 cups whole milk 2 cups heavy cream 1 t. salt 4 T. fresh squeezed lemon juice Line a sieve with cheesecloth and place over a bowl. In a large pot, slowly bring the milk, cream, and salt to a boil. Be careful not to scorch. Remove from the heat, slowly add the […]
1 pound spicy Italian sausage, casings removed 2 tablespoons freshly minced parsley, optional 1/2 cup dry white wine 3 1/2 cups (1 28-oz jar) prepared marinara sauce 1 cup water (rinse the jar before adding to the sauce) 1/4 cup cream Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 14.5 oz dry penne pasta Grated […]
Ingredients: Crust layer 1 cup graham cracker crumbs (18 crackers, or 2/3 of a sleeve) 2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons granulated sugar Pinch salt Lemon Filling 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 1 – 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk 2 teaspoons lemon zest 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Set […]
Ingredients: Asparagus Rainbow Carrots Olive Oil Salt & Pepper Blood Oranges Lemons Parmesan Cheese Herbs de Provence Instructions: On a parchment lined baking sheet arrange trimmed asparagus and halved rainbow carrots. Toss the vegetables with a few tablespoons of olive oil, salt and pepper to taste. Scatter slices of blood orange and lemon over the […]
Ingredients: 2 cups oats 1/3 cup honey 1/3 cup vegetable oil pinch of salt 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional) 1-2 T brown sugar (optional – if you like it sweeter) Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 °F. Line 12 muffin cups with liners. Gently press granola into each liner to form a cup (I use a […]
Ingredients: 3 cups flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 1/4 to 1/3 cup granulated sugar, to taste 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 1/3 to 1 1/2 cups heavy or whipping cream Additional heavy cream, for brushing on scones Coarse sugar, for topping Instructions: Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment […]
Quick-To-Make Cake With A Long Name Here’s the perfect solution for those days when you NEED a chocolate sheet cake, but you only have 30 minutes to make it! My family pairs this cake with mounds of vanilla ice cream and a generous drizzling of salted caramel sauce. Ingredients: 1 cup flour 1/2 teaspoon baking […]