Three years ago, I read a book, got inspired, and started a dinner club. End of story. Kinda. It wasn’t a book about dinner clubs necessarily, but the author wrote bits and pieces about her dinner club, and the value of those lifelong relationships, and the really good food they bonded over, and I was like: hold on. just wait a second. I NEED ONE OF THOSE AND HOW DO I GET THAT IN MY LIFE....

Blue skies and palm trees Lots of watermelon eating. Okay, you got me. I didn’t eat all of these. But I went to town on this beauty. Why can’t it be watermelon season year round? Also included: Skylar putting her dolls down for a nap. If only I could put her down for a nap. She’s apparently a chip off the old block and seems to need only a fraction of the sleep other kids seem to need....

comment icon 95 more comments It is also lots of other good things, like: chunks of tender beef, onions, whole potatoes, garlic and herbs, red wine, mushrooms, carrots, and a perfectly luscious gravy that is glossy and thick but not awkwardly thick? If serving this in a bowl poured with a mini gravy waterfall, coarse salt and pepper, and a chunk of hot, crusty, buttered bread is wrong, you know I don’t even want to be right....

Did you go see any fireworks last night? At 9pm, I stepped out onto my balcony (we have a 4 story house with a master bedroom 4th floor balcony so the view is pretty nice) and I saw 3 shows going on simulataneously. The show in the middle was sure exploding a lot of money into the air was the best show. Recently TofuXpress Sent me a Tofu Press. I have been wanting one of these, forever....

comment icon 29 more comments I’m kind of checking all those boxes right now. This smoothie can be an afternoon snack, a night-time patio-sitting treat, or honestly… second breakfast? It’s sweet but it’s also light and refreshing, especially if you get extra friendly with the lime zest and maybe even go rogue with some fresh mint or basil additions. I mean… you wouldn’t be wrong. Even though it can stand in for a nightly drink and/or a milkshake, this beauty actually packs a wholesome and nutritious punch with:...

Don’t miss my other awesome sandwiches including this Pimento Cheese BLT, Cuban Sandwich, Banh Mi sandwich, and Monte Cristo Sandwich! Why I love this sandwich: Easy – I can’t think of a better way to use up leftover meatloaf. Transform last night’s meal into a completely new one in just 15 minutes. Versatile – The topping options are endless here, so pile it with whatever you love and serve it hot or cold....

comment icon 64 more comments You guys, I adore squash. How is it even a vegetable? It’s creamy. None of this watery crunchy vegetable stuff. This is smooth velvety yellow veggie seduction. Annnnd as if this hot squash topic couldn’t already get more controversial, this just in: I now eat the squash skin. Yes, it’s true. I’m becoming one of THOSE people. eyes get wide But there is just nothing that I can’t love about those bright yellow and green squash halves, loaded with spiced red quinoa, black beans, cheddar cheese, and roasted corn… (not done yet)… topped with green onions for a kick and crema and queso fresco for a creamy finish....

It was a whirlwind trip and unique experience that converted someone’s home into an actual restaurant for a day. Hosts Travis and Claire had their backyard turned into a beautiful restaurant and Travis learned how to make a remarkable meal using different types of salt when he was paired with a professional chef. It was so fun to see their kitchen transformed into a restaurant kitchen and their backyard was staged as a beautiful al fresco dining area complete with flowers and candles on all the tables....

Reds Oranges And Greens I also restocked my Band-Aid and first aid supplies. I am doing better since my fall in terms of my glute, hip, and knee swelling and pain. Bruised, but not as painful, which is great. However, my hands have horrible gashes on them and I am missing chunks of skin the size of golf balls. And the craters are deep. The holes on my hands are more painful than getting a half sleeve tattoo....

Want more sandwich recipes? You will love this Meatloaf Sandwich, Pimento Cheese BLT, Cuban Sandwich, and French Onion Burgers! How to make a Patty Melt: Prep Toppings: Make burger sauce by mixing all the ingredients in a bowl. (Can be made up to several days ahead). Caramelize Onions: Heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat then add butter and oil. Once melted, add onions and season with salt and pepper....

PB Apple Banana Bread Recipe Peanut butter and apples go together. Peanut butter and bananas go together. Apples and bananas go together. It all works so well together. This apple banana bread recipe combines some of my favorite ingredients into one super soft, moist loaf that’s filled with harmonious flavors and wonderful textures in every bite. I have over 40 different recipes for banana bread and dozens more for banana muffins and banana cakes, but I’ve never tried this combo and I’m so glad I did....

comment icon 42 more comments With sweet ribbons of peanut butter cheesecake brownies. Baked to ooey gooey perfection and eaten by the row. I have some kind of exciting and sad news. While I’ve been eating brownies and licking the chocolate off my face, m’boy’s jumped back on the P90X train. exciting He’s been doing fancy things like plyometrics, lifting weights, and “corn cobbers”. Not the buttery salty type – the horrible pull up type....

Raw Vegan Cheesecake! Super simple, super tasty! I hope you go check the recipe out! p.s. And I announced the Chia Seed Give Away Winner, too! Stay Tuned For a Big Post with A Great New Recipe. Til Then, Happy MLK Day and let’s Remember Everyone in Haiti, too.. title: “Raw Vegan Cheesecake” ShowToc: true date: “2024-11-03” author: “Margie Schmitt” As I mentioned in yesterday’s post with the Maple & Flax “Peanut Butter” Pancake-Cookies, I have been puttin’ Ani’s Book to serious use....

Juicy Brown Sugar Chicken Breasts and Sweet Potatoes I love sheet pan dinners because they’re easy, tasty, and ready in no time. This easy sheet pan recipe takes advantage of one of my favorite fall ingredients: sweet potatoes. However, I eat sweet potatoes year round, and I love them prepared in any way. Here they become lightly caramelized thanks to the brown sugar marinade from the chicken that runs off and clings to the sweet potatoes....

Slow Cooker Beef Chili Recipe Chilly weather means it’s the perfect time for chili. I can’t believe in 8 years of blogging I don’t have a recipe for classic beef chili on my blog. Better late than never. This slow cooker chili is easy, hearty comfort food that’s packed with flavor that develops beautifully as the chili simmers away in your slow cooker. The ground beef chili is rich in flavor and has a tiny amount of kick, but I wouldn’t say it’s spicy....

I’m a big fan of snickerdoodle cookies. And granola bars. And I’ll never say no to granola bars that taste like cookies. I decided to combine two favorites into one as I was leaving Aruba, figuring they’d make nice snacks for the twenty two hour journey back to California. And boy, did these extra chewy, no-bake granola bars ever hit the spot. They really do taste like snickerdoodles in all their cinnamon-and-sugar scented glory and the best part is that they come together in five minutes and are easily kept both vegan and gluten-free....

What should you do with a surplus of yogurt, a big and awkward gallon-sized jar of spiced apple cider taking up valuable refrigerator door space, and a hot 79 degree day in the middle of January? Make apple pie smoothies of course. Creamy and sweet with a little tang from the apple cider and the yogurt. If you have time and you’re not in a rush to blend ‘n chug this immediately, pop one in the freezer and you’ll have apple cider frozen yogurt on your hands, which was perfect to eat while I was watching Top Chef Texas....

comment icon 256 more comments I start strong with my declaration that spring my least favorite season. I walk around obnoxiously saying that I really prefer summer and fall and maybe even the first few days of winter, but spring? not so much. And then spring comes around and the air tastes like flowers and dirt and rain and I don’t have to wear a jacket and we can keep the windows open at night and I remember that, yes indeed!...

Easy Homemade Queso Dip I am a huge cheese fan. I consider it a food group and I can make a meal out of it. I love cheese even more when it’s warm and melted like in this spicy chorizo queso dip. I could eat the whole bowl. Between the fire-roasted chiles, the chorizo, and the (optional) jalapeño garnish, this chorizo cheese dip is wonderfully spicy. It has the kind of heat that keeps you going back for more....

I’m a salsa fanatic and I can make a meal out of it. Chips aren’t even required. And I’m highly picky. I have to make my own if I want to love it. And I love this savory fruit salsa. It’s the best peach mango salsa ever and I’ve been making it at least once a week this summer. It’s fast, easy, naturally vegan, and gluten-free. If you’re a fan of Trader Joe’s Peach Mango Salsa, this stuff will knock your socks off....