Halloween Cupcakes

Calling all procrastinators!  Did you forget you are supposed to bring Halloween cupcakes in for your kid’s class today?  Are you headed to a Halloween gathering this evening and want to bring a little something special?  Well, forget those store bought Halloween cupcakes.  By now they are probably picked over and only the smushed frosting ones remain.  Here are a few spooktacular cupcake ideas!

Chicken with Dates, Olives, and Cinnamon

Okay friends this recipe is going to be a bit polarizing…even I wasn't 100% sure about it.   I am not a huge fan of cinnamon in savory dishes (love it in sweet dishes), but thought to myself: chicken, good, dates, good, olives, gooooood!  The next time I make it I will cut out the cinnamon stick, but those are just my taste buds so feel free to keep it in.   I made this recipe a few weeks ago on a Sunday for the season premiere of The Good Wife.  If you have not checked out this show, it is a MUST see and it is set in Chicago – what what!!  I was also missing my good friend Katherine who used to live in my building and was my Good Wife watching and cooking buddy.  Sadly for me and happily for her, she moved back to Cincinnati to get married. 

Bacon Corn Chowder

Are you looking for a quickie???  Ok, get your head out of the gutter, it is not that kind of blog. This recipe was SUPER fast (20 minutes WHAT?!?!) and tasted great – a perfect weeknight meal.  When I found it on Cooking Light, there were mixed reviews…most of the negative comments were about the cooking directions, and I have adjusted them based on what I did.  The recipe also originally called for shrimp to be added, but I decided to substitute with some leftover chicken (already cooked) – put that in after the blending step.  To finish it off, I paired the soup with a nice piece of toasted sourdough bread to dip in the soup. 

Mini Spiced Pumpkins

Halloween is just around the corner and it starts bringing back fun childhood memories racing around the neighborhood with our pillowcases full of candy saying “trick or treat”.  The first stop we always made was right next door at the Northey’s house because they always had regular or king size candy, so you had to get there early! 

Winter White Turkey Burger

A few years back when I was living in Cincinnati, I was in a turkey burger rut, making the same ones over and over again.  Don’t get me wrong, I love my turkey burger recipes, but wanted to shake things up. I checked out Rachel Ray’s website and stumbled upon this little gem.  It is a quirky spin on a burger including pears, hot pepper jelly, and English muffins.  Did I lose you yet?  Did your face scrunch up and say to yourself “really Lindsay?!?”  I know, it sounds like an odd combination, but if you are a little bit of a risk taker, it is good!

Tomato, Mozzarella, and Basil Panini with Balsamic Syrup

Did you get home late from work tonight and don’t feel like you have the energy to spend an hour cooking something?  If so, one of my favorite things to make is a hot sandwich because they are super easy, quick, warm, and hearty.  In my eyes there is a spectrum of hot sandwiches that range from the “everyday”end, like the grilled cheese I ate as a child, to the more “elegant” end of the spectrum with a Panini. 

Broccoli & Rice Casserole

A weekend weather forecast of cold and rainy weather means cleaning my apartment, doing laundry, and other indoor activities, only venturing out to run necessary errands.  This weekend I decided that I should attempt to take on my overflowing closet and pack up some clothes I haven't worn since I moved to Chicago (2.5 years ago) to donate to Goodwill.  In addition to this pre-winter "nesting" activity I had an urge to go through the millions of recipes I have clipped out of my cooking magazines and find some yummy comfort food...and what doesn't say comfort food like a casserole!?!