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Author Archives: Ashley Rudder

Food Blog of the Week: Sweetapolita

Posted on October 29, 2012 by Ashley Rudder

Sweetapolita

Name: Rosie Alyea
Blog: Sweetapolita

Location: Toronto, Canada

If you had to blog about one ingredient every day for a year, what would it be?
Vanilla beans!

I will never eat:
Peanut butter and jelly. I love them separately, but please don’t make me eat them combined.

Is there a food you used to hate, but now love?
I used to cringe at the thought, smell, or taste of pineapple, but now I can’t get enough of it. I believe it was one fabulous pineapple upside-down cake that changed my fruity fate for good.

What’s your go-to quick and easy dinner?
With two small girls who are super particular, I find myself making homemade pizza at least twice a week. It’s makes us all happy, they can help me prepare it, and we can get as simple or as fancy as we like with the toppings and flavors. With less than 10 minutes active time, it’s the ultimate dinner solution for me.

What’s your favorite restaurant and what do you order there?
I love Woodenheads in Kingston, Ontario, which I often dine at with my sister-in-law, who has introduced me to all of their best dishes. I typically order the Nonna Mela Pizza made with apple butter, roasted garlic, cheddar, sweet onions, and blackened chicken. It’s amazing!

What is the first meal you ever cooked?
I can clearly recall the first meal I ever cooked from start to finish, because I was so proud of myself. I was in my young 20s and worked in a restaurant with the most incredible food. I decided to create a meal from the menu (in my tiny apartment) for my two best friends celebrating birthdays. I can still remember the kitchen “boys” giving me a crash course at work the day before, since it was pretty apparent that I wasn’t a seasoned chef! The meal was a great success and included Caesar Salad, Cheddar-Stuffed Chicken Breasts, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, and one seriously decadent orange and dark chocolate cheesecake.

Who would you love to have over for dinner?
I’d love to have a circle of my fellow food bloggers over for a true foodie feast. What a down-to-earth and laughter-filled (and likely wine-filled) evening that would be. I hope to someday make that happen!

Food Blog of the Week: Buns in My Oven

Posted on October 15, 2012 by Ashley Rudder

Name: Karly Campbell
Blog: Buns In My Oven

Location: Pekin, IL

If you had to blog about one ingredient every day for a year, what would it be?
Peanut butter! I could put it on or in just about everything. I even dedicated an entire week to chocolate and peanut butter recipes on my blog, so I think a whole year just for peanut butter sounds pretty fabulous.

I will never eat:
Octopus. I will never ever eat it. And, for the record, I will never drink eggnog, either. No, you can’t convince me, stop trying.

Who would you love to have over for dinner?
My family. There aren’t too many people I’d rather spend time with and there is no pressure from them to dress up or clean the house like a madwoman prior to their arrival!

What’s your go-to quick and easy dinner?
It is usually something Mexican. I’m a big fan of my chicken tamale casserole and enchilada casserole recipes. Both dishes are so quick and simple to make, but are still full of flavor!

What’s your favorite restaurant and what do you order there?
The Burger Barge! It’s a total dive, with sticky table tops, grimy seats, and outrageous decor. However, the burgers are out of this world good. Their special chipotle mayo makes my world go ’round. Not to mention, they make homemade potato chips that I eat by the bucketful.

Posted in From the Food Blogs | Tagged Buns in my Oven, Food Blog Interview, food blogs, Summer recipes |

Food Blog of the Week: Yes I Want Cake

Posted on October 8, 2012 by Ashley Rudder

Yes I Want Cake

Name: Katie Unger
Blog: Yes I Want Cake

Location: Colorado, CO

If you had to blog about one ingredient every day for a year, what food it be?
Zucchini. That’s my answer right now, as I look out my window and see the squash just exploding in the garden, which is such a good situation to have.

What’s your go-to quick and easy dinner?
One-skillet dinners—the kind where you throw vegetables, chicken, and whatever else you want into a pan and be done with it.

I will never eat:
Head cheese. What is that stuff?! I see it at the grocery store and I just shudder.

What is your favorite restaurant and what do you order there?
Root Down Restaurant in Denver, Colorado. The menu changes seasonally, but the last thing I enjoyed there was some fantastic butternut squash gnocchi.

Who would you love to have over for dinner?
Bobby Flay. I have a major crush.

Posted in From the Food Blogs | Tagged food blogs, go-to recipes, Yes I Want Cake | 3 Comments

Food Blog of the Week: A Cozy Kitchen

Posted on October 1, 2012 by Ashley Rudder

A Cozy Kitchen

Name: Adrianna Adarme
Blog: A Cozy Kitchen

Location: Los Angeles, California

If you had to blog about one ingredient every day for a year, what food it be?
Probably lemons. I feel like I add lemon zest and lemon juice to everything.

What’s your go-to quick and easy dinner?
Carbonara. It only takes 15 minutes, and I always seem to have some sort of pork product and eggs in my fridge, and dried pasta in my cupboards. My recipe is definitely not traditional. I like to add a little milk to the egg mixture, swap out black pepper for red pepper flakes, and add vegetables, if I have them. It’s not the healthiest thing to be eating at 10 p.m., but whoa, is it good.

I will never eat:
Frozen peas that have been overcooked. Their murky green color and mushy texture is my epitome of disgusting.

What is your favorite restaurant and what do you order there?
Super tough question! I have so many places that I love in Los Angeles. If anyone is visiting, I always tell them to head to Son of a Gun. The restaurant’s vibe is relaxed, while the food is interesting and delicious. Their Linguini with clams and Uni is insane, as is the chicken sandwich, which is a riff on a Chik-fil-A sandwich. If anyone is up for an adventure, I’d recommend heading to the San Gabriel Valley to Golden Deli. I was recently taken there and had the best-ever fried egg rolls.

Who would you love to have over for dinner?
Jason Katims, creator and writer of Friday Night Lights and Parenthood. I’m obsessed with the stories he tells on television. I bet I’d love the stories he’d tell in person, too. If Jason was busy, Anthony Bourdain would be a close second. He seems like the perfect combination of sweet, thoughtful, and sarcastic. I feel like all my closest friends have those same personality traits.

Posted in From the Food Blogs | Tagged food blogs, restaurants | 1 Comment

Weekly RoundUp: Fruit-Filled Upside-Down Cakes

Posted on September 7, 2012 by Ashley Rudder

Brown Butter Plum Upside Down Cake

Summer is slowly fading into fall, but that doesn’t mean you have to hold out on a fruit-filled sweet for dessert. Peaches, plums, apples, apricots—make the most of fruits in their prime by featuring them in a variety of upside-down cake recipes from around the Web.

Eat, Live, Run’s Brown Butter Plum Upside Down Cake is layered with juicy plums and topped off with a scoop of vanilla ice cream (pictured above).
Individual Ginger-Peach Upside-Down Cakes from The Bear Cupboard adds a kick of earthy flavor to the classic confection.
Ease into the cooler months ahead with Cake Duchess’ Warm Apple Cornmeal Upside-Down Cake.
Kate From Scratch created a decadent version of this classic treat by combining two all-star fruits in her Plum and Cherry Upside-Down Cakes .
Apricot Caramel Upside Down Cakes from Susan Eats London adds a fresh twist to everyone’s favorite fall combo of apples and caramel.

Posted in From the Food Blogs | Tagged cakes, cupcakes, recipes |

Image of the Week: Salted Caramel Cupcakes

Posted on August 29, 2012 by Ashley Rudder

Salted Caramel Cupcakes

TidyMom brings big flavor to a classic bake sale treat with her Salted Caramel Cupcakes. Tender cake is topped with caramel cream cheese frosting and a final drizzle of salted caramel for the ultimate combination of sweet and salty flavors.

Posted in Image of the Week | Tagged Caramel Desserts, salted caramel, Salted Caramel Cupcakes, Salted Caramel Recipes | 3 Comments

Food Blog of the Week: Scoop Adventures

Posted on August 27, 2012 by Ashley Rudder

Name: Lindsay Clendaniel
Blog: Scoop Adventures

Location: New Orleans, Louisiana

If you had to blog about one ingredient every day for a year, what food it be?
Milk! The obvious reason is because I could keep making ice cream. It would also be interesting to blog about how to incorporate different types of milk into sweet treats and savory meals. There are so many types of milk (cow, goat, almond, coconut, etc.), and now you’ve got me thinking…

What’s your go-to quick and easy dinner?
It would be my clean-out-the-fridge pasta or pizza. Any day of the week I usually have small pieces of vegetables and cheese lying around in the fridge. I always keep a can of diced tomatoes on hand in case tomatoes are not in season or not on my shelf. Using pasta or pizza crust as a base is a great way to use up the leftovers and a make a quick and tasty meal.

I will never eat:
Liver. There are a lot of people out there who like liver, but I never have and never will choose to eat it. It just sounds gross.

What is your favorite restaurant and what do you order there?
I live in New Orleans, where there is a plethora of great restaurants. One of my favorite restaurants is actually a restaurant that I frequented when I lived in Columbus, Ohio called Northstar Cafe. There are local, fresh, and thoughtful dishes on the menu each day, and the restaurant atmosphere is causal and inviting. I order the Northstar Burger (a veggie burger). It is one of the best burgers that I have ever tasted, and I am full-fledged meat eater. I’m going to cheat and pick my favorite restaurant in New Orleans as well – Coquette. If you are ever in New Orleans, be sure to check it out. The menu includes elegant meals and cocktails made with local ingredients. If it’s on the menu, order the quail appetizer.

Who would you love to have over for dinner?
Jeni Britton Bauer of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. I first tasted one of her ice creams when I moved to Columbus five years ago, and it was so full of flavor. It inspired me to purchase my own ice cream maker, and the rest is history. I have heard Jeni speak a few times; it’s inspiring to hear how passionate she is about her work and her community. She also seems like a down-to-earth person.

Posted in From the Food Blogs | Tagged food blog, ice cream |

What We’re Cooking: All Things Avocado

Posted on August 26, 2012 by Ashley Rudder

From burritos and tacos to sushi and salads, avocado is one of the creamiest, most versatile ingredients, and I’m gearing up for a weekend’s worth of recipes starring the pale green goddess. First up, I’m turning to quick and easy Avocado and Chile-Spiced Fried Eggs on Shrimp Toast, which stars perfectly fried eggs, cilantro, and fresh lime juice atop crispy toasts.

Next, I’m sampling a simple Lobster, Avocado, and Grapefruit Salad that’s dressed with fresh citrus and a pinch of sea salt. And last but not least, I’m taking this savory ingredient into a world of sweets with Avocado Crème Brûlée that tops avocado mousse with a crunchy caramelized sugar shell.

What is your favorite way to cook or bake with avocados?

Posted in News & Events | Tagged avocado |

Weekly RoundUp: Perfect Panna Cotta

Posted on August 24, 2012 by Ashley Rudder

Ricotta Panna Cotta with Raspberry Brezza Fresca

As sad as we are to admit it, we’ve come to terms with the fact that we’re in the last few weeks of summer. But before we kick our beachwear to the curb in favor of lots of layers, we’re digging in to one more summer fruit-filled dessert: panna cotta.

Ricotta Panna Cotta from Abby Dodge features the creamy confection in tall glasses for easy scooping.
A Spicy Perspective crafts a simple Maple-Blackberry Yogurt Panna Cotta for a breakfast take on a dessert favorite.
The Red Apron creates a memorable summer favorite with White Chocolate Panna Cotta with Summer Berries.
Go for big flavor with Buttermilk Panna Cotta with Cherry Compote from Full Fork Ahead.
Panna Cotta with Summer Peaches and Grand Marnier from The Wicked Noodle adds an element of luxury to perfect panna cotta.
Daring Coco’s Raspberry Panna Cotta Tartlets star creamy panna cotta tucked inside buttery pastry shells.
My Dinner Today’s Panna Cotta with Strawberry Sauce is the ultimate final salute to a summer’s worth of strawberries.

Posted in From the Food Blogs | Tagged Panna Cotta, recipes | 3 Comments

Image of the Week: Lemon and Passion-Fruit Meringue Cake Cones

Posted on August 15, 2012 by Ashley Rudder

Lemon and Passionfruit Meringue Cake Cones

Bake For The Border takes traditional citrus desserts to new heights with Lemon and Passion-fruit Meringue Cake Cones that layer lemon sponge cake, passion-fruit curd, and toasted meringue inside a crunchy ice cream come. Sour has never tasted so sweet.

Posted in Image of the Week | Tagged cake recipes, Lemon, lemon desserts, lemon meringue |

Food Blog of the Week: Peanut Butter and Julie

Posted on August 13, 2012 by Ashley Rudder

Peanut Butter and Julie

Name: Julie Hession
Blog: Peanut Butter and Julie

What is the first meal you ever cooked?
I remember this very clearly. I was about 7 years old, and I made the Oven-Fried Chicken recipe from the Better Homes and Gardens Junior Cookbook. It was essentially drumsticks that were rolled in crushed potato chips and baked. It wasn’t a huge hit with my family. I have since created a better recipe for oven-fried chicken.

I will never eat:
Mayonnaise. People who know me well know that I won’t go near any food that contains mayonnaise. It borders on being a phobia, and I won’t even allow mayonnaise in the house. Bring on the mustard, pesto, and tapenade!

If you had to blog about one ingredient every day for a year, what would it be?
Probably sweet potatoes. I absolutely love them, and I try to work them into my meals as often as possible. Many people don’t realize how versatile sweet potatoes are, especially in baking, including cupcakes, pies, pancakes, puddings, and ice cream. I could definitely come up with 365 ideas.

What’s your favorite restaurant and what do you order there?
My husband and I go to a neighborhood place called Table 34 in Las Vegas a few times every month. Their food is consistently fresh, seasonal, and well-prepared, and we’re on a first-name basis with most of the staff. During the spring and summer, when it’s on the menu, I always order the seared halibut served over a salad of mixed greens, melon, and chili vinaigrette. This is such a refreshing dish when it’s 100+ degrees outside. Continue reading →

Posted in From the Food Blogs | Tagged food blogs, Peanut Butter and Julie |

Weekly RoundUp: S’more Desserts

Posted on August 10, 2012 by Ashley Rudder

Baked S'mores Doughnuts

Today we’re celebrating National S’mores Day with a roundup of creative takes on this campfire classic. Grab the grahams, ‘mallows, and your choice of chocolate, and get roasting and toasting with our favorite s’mores desserts from around the Web.

Handle The Heat’s Baked S’mores Doughnuts stars marshmallow fluff frosting and graham cracker crumb topping atop a chocolate doughnut.
S’mores Oatmeal Cookies by The Roasted Root are made to fulfill your sweet tooth with oatmeal, milk chocolate, and marshmallow bites melted into every nook and cranny.
If you’re a fan of chocolate and pancakes, you won’t want to miss S’mores Pancakes from Live Love Pasta.
Cookie Monster Cooking bakes S’mores Brownies, providing a favorite summer dessert transformed with a graham cracker crust.
Chocolate Covered S’mores from The Wannabe Chef are further proof that everything tastes better dipped in chocolate.
Homemade hand-held pastries take a new spin with Buns in my Oven’s S’mores Pop Tarts
S’mores Whoopie Pies from Treats and Trinkets are a guaranteed go-to recipe for your next summer bash.

Posted in From the Food Blogs | Tagged National S'mores Day, s'mores, S'mores campfire treats, S'mores recipe | 2 Comments

What We’re Cooking: Sweet and Spicy Shrimp

Posted on August 4, 2012 by Ashley Rudder

Shrimp and Avocado Salad With Grapefruit Vinaigrette

August is a great time to roll out the camping gear and plan a relaxing weekend, whether it involves a trip to the woods, the beach, or even just your backyard. And what better way to kick back than with a summery spread starring shrimp? This weekend I’m cooking up Sweet and Sour Shrimp with Pineapple that’s flavored with loads of fresh garlic and ginger. And them I’m kicking up the heat with spicy Vadouvan and Orange Shrimp that are best served over a bed of white rice.

But if hot and spicy isn’t your flavor profile of choice, then I’d suggest a Shrimp and Avocado Salad, which stars a sweet and tangy citrus dressing. It’s the ultimate way to enjoy the fresh flavors of summer, without getting stuck in the kitchen all day.

What are your favorite shrimp-inspired dishes?

Posted in Recipes | Tagged recipe, shrimp, shrimp salad |

Image Of The Week: Lemonade Brownies

Posted on August 1, 2012 by Ashley Rudder

Lemonade Brownies

Cookies and Cups’ Lemonade Brownies add a summertime twist to a classic confection. The citrusy batter is baked and then topped off with a lemon glaze studded with zest. What better way to celebrate the season than an edible form of a refreshing beverage?

Posted in Image of the Week | Tagged Lemon dessert, lemonade recipe | 2 Comments

Weekly RoundUp: All Things Blackberry

Posted on July 27, 2012 by Ashley Rudder

Blackberry Ice Cream

Tart blackberries are often the last fruit picked out of the lineup, but this seasonal berry is striking and flavorful when mixed into crowd-pleasing summer desserts. From a batch of homemade jam to berry pavlova, these fruit-filled sweets collected from across the Web are bursting with juicy, ripe berries.

Annie’s Eats’ Blackberry Ice Cream is the perfect excuse to break out the ice cream maker this summer.
Backyard barbecues are a great venue for featuring your prize-winning desserts. This year, take home First place with a Summer Berry Pavlova from Pastry Affair.
A Plum by Any Other Name’s Blackberry Lemon Verbena Cheesecake may inspire you to liven up the menu at your next family dinner gathering.
Heather Cristo Cooks creates a modern twist on the traditional doughnut,with Lemon Balm Yogurt Doughnuts with Blackberry Glaze.
A cup of tea is the perfect accompaniment for Scarletta Bakes’ Buttermilk Blackberry Crumble Muffins.
Blackberry Apple Oat Pancakes adds fresh fruit flavor to classic ‘cakes, while giving you the option for endless toppings.
Whip up Blackberry Lavender Honey Butter for a a sweet and creamy spread atop toast and muffins.

Posted in From the Food Blogs | Tagged blackberries, blackberry recipes, homemade jam, summer berry desserts |

What We’re Cooking: Tuna-Inspired Summer Dishes

Posted on July 22, 2012 by Ashley Rudder

Tuna Sandwich

Tuna is a protein-packed way to add big flavor to salad, sandwiches, side dishes, and more. And I’ve been on the hunt for inventive ways to make the most of this healthy ingredient, beginning with Miso-Glazed Tuna Kebabs. Tender cubes of fresh tuna are served on skewers, making for finger-friendly snacking at summer barbecues. Next up is an Asian-inspired salad starring Grilled Tuna and Watercress. But no foray into fresh fish would be complete without a taste of the classic Nicoise Tuna Sandwich, which I’m wrapping up and enjoying al fresco at a picnic in the park.

What are your favorite ways to enjoy tuna?

Posted in News & Events | Tagged grilled tuna recipe, simple tuna recipes, Tuna recipes, tuna sandwich recipe |

Image of the Week: Fig, Prosciutto, and Pear Salad

Posted on July 18, 2012 by Ashley Rudder

Fig, Prosciutto and Pear Salad

The Hungry Australian pairs sweet with savory in a Fig, Prosciutto, and Pear Salad that’s drizzled with a tangy balsamic vinaigrette. Enjoy this seasonal salad as the perfect side dish, or skip the entrée and make it your whole meal!

Posted in Image of the Week | Tagged Figs, Summer Salads | 1 Comment

Weekly Roundup: All Things Plum

Posted on July 13, 2012 by Ashley Rudder

Ginger Plum Sangria

Make the most of summer’s standout produce by adding a fresh fruit kick to sides, salads, desserts, and more. Find inspiration below with a few of our favorite plum-inspired dishes from across the Web:

Camille Styles’ Ginger Plum Sangria adds a sweet and tangy twist to summer entertaining (pictured above).
Pham Fatale’s Pickled Plums and Onions preserves the fresh flavor of the fruit while adding a crunchy bite.
Semolina Sourdough Bread with Plums, Walnuts and Fennel from Wild Yeast incorporates the versatile fruit into a sliceable snack perfect for sandwich-making.
Traditional tabbouleh gets a sweet, fruity kick in Kitchen Konfidence’s Ripe Plum Tabbouleh.
Dessert for Breakfast celebrates a dynamic duo with Blackberry and Plum Cobbler.
Dessert takes center stage courtesy of The Center Stage’s Grilled Plums with Mascarpone Cheese, Salt Honey, and Toasted Pine Nuts.

Posted in From the Food Blogs | Tagged desserts, plums, recipe, salad |

What We’re Cooking: All Things Mango

Posted on July 8, 2012 by Ashley Rudder

Chilled Mango and Cucumber Soup

One of my fondest family memories is of enjoying a bowl of mango and vanilla bean ice cream. The strong scent of vanilla paired with the perfectly ripe fruit makes for a seriously decadent dessert. Looking beyond the world of sweets, I’m finding inspiration for beating the heat with Chilled Mango and Cucumber Soup, a simple recipe that highlights the pure flavor of the fruit.

Next up, I’m turing to Mango Shrimp Summer Rolls that wrap layers of flavors—including mint, cilantro, and vermicelli noodles—inside rice paper rounds. The rolls are plunged into a sweet and tangy dipping sauce starring brown sugar and lime juice. But my mango-inspired feast wouldn’t be complete without a sweet finale in the form of Pineapple Chutney Dip with Walnuts, which is perfect served alongside crispy crackers or crunchy crudité.

What are your favorite ways to cook or bake with mango?

Posted in News & Events | Tagged mango, recipes, summer |

Weekly Roundup: All Things Quinoa

Posted on June 29, 2012 by Ashley Rudder

Quinoa Patties

Quinoa is the perfect way to introduce whole grains into your diet, be it in salads, breakfast bowls, breads, and even paellas. This week we’re rounding up a handful of our favorite classic and creative ways to add this pin-sized seed to your next meal.

Mini Quinoa Patties from Confessions of a Chocoholic are a meat-free standout that give everyday sliders some serious competition (pictured above).
Queen of Quinoa’s Maple Apple Quinoa Granola is flavored with dried apples, sunflower seeds, shredded coconut and chopped pecans for the ultimate gluten-free breakfast snack.
The Picky Eater’s Quinoa Vegetable Paella is spiced with smoked paprika and ground cumin for a whole grain twist on this Spanish favorite.
Make the most of your first meal of the day with Running in the Kitchen’s Berry Breakfast Grain Salad.
The Healthy Apple keeps it simple and fresh with Quinoa Spinach Bake.
Poor Girl Eats Wells kicks up a classic quick-bread with Carrot and Zucchini Quinoa Bread.

Posted in From the Food Blogs | Tagged quinoa, recipes | 1 Comment