Poached Eggs with White Cheddar and Tomatoes

Continuing on my weekend of home cooking, I decided to test out my new egg poachers.  Poaching eggs is something I have never been able to do on my own.  Last weekend, my girlfriends and I did a weekend trip up to the Kohler Spa in Wisconsin (so fab!).  On the way back to Chicago, we stopped for a quick power shop at the outlets and I picked up a pair of Poachpods hoping they would help me master this tasty style of egg (I love runny yolk!).  It was super easy and they turned out amazing!  This recipe was thrown together with what I had in my fridge and it was super tasty.  Enjoy!

Blueberry Greek Yogurt Cake

62 degrees and sunny…Chicagoans have their fingers and toes crossed that spring is here to stay!  After a long walk this morning (who am I kidding…probably another one this afternoon because it's so nice) I got an itch to make something I have been waiting for warmer weather to make…for some reason blueberries aren’t very ‘wintery’ to me. This is super easy to whip up…a GREAT idea for an Easter brunch or baby/bridal shower! 

Southern Buttermilk Biscuits

Southern girl, southern biscuits…do I need to say more?  I set out to try and master the art of making classic southern biscuits and this was my first try.  I think they turned out pretty darn good, but I definitely need to keep practicing.  I have learned the key is in how cold you keep the butter and dough (along with the fact that I really need a rolling pin as I don’t have one – crazy!) as well as how many layers you make (this creates the flakeyness).  I paired these up with two things…honey butter (put a little elbow grease in and mix some butter and honey – so good!) and blackberry jam.  I think I could eat biscuits everyday…did I say I was from the south?!?

Chipotle Cheddar Biscuits

Biscuits….mmmmmmm yummy!  I was asked by a co-worker to find a great biscuit recipe which inspired me this morning.  I believe he was thinking more of a plain buttermilk type biscuit, but one of my favorite little shops in Old Town popped in my head – The Twisted Baker.  Ann and I used to meet there for breakfast on the weekends before she moved in with Matt and it is such a cute little bakery (made me want to open a place of my own).  They have a breakfast sandwich using chipotle cheddar biscuits as the buns with bacon, egg and cheese on it.  Just thinking of it makes me want to squeeze my fingertips together, make a kissing noise and say “PERFECTO!” Okay, okay, I might be going a little overboard, but they are pretty darn good. 

Banana Nut Bread

With the weather being cool, it is the perfect time for baking with the windows open!   I cranked up my music and danced around the kitchen while I whipped up the batter.  Usually it is a pretty good arm workout if you don’t use your Kitchen Aid blender, so I opted to put a little elbow grease into it, stirring to the beat of the music.  Don’t be afraid to get your hands in there too to help mix…especially when you are blending the sugar and butter together….it is much faster (and more fun) if you use your hands. 

Blueberry Crumb Cake

I believe the saying goes, “April showers bring May flowers” but for me “June showers brings Lindsay’s travels.”  June was a fun filled month starting with my 29^th birthday on the 15^th.  One more year before the next decade starts...that feels really odd.  Ann and I rang in my 29^th birthday at the AMAZING Peninsula Spa here in Chicago.  It was my first experience at a high end spa (something other than Spa Envy), and it was worth every penny.  From the relaxation rooms with these recliner/beds with big down comforters where you can nibble on apricots to the sun deck where we sipped champagne and had some shrimp cocktail in our robes with fabulous views of downtown Chicago and lastly the supremely relaxing treatments…it was a great way to ring in my birthday and spend time with my sister.  That was the end of relaxation in June as the next two weekends I was on the road for a tour de showers. 

Monkey Bread

Hello friends!  Sorry about the delay in posting…it has been a fun, relaxing, exciting, and even a little nerve racking few weeks over the holidays.  I have been thinking a lot about family recently, what it means, who it includes, past memories and future ones to come.  You will understand why when I explain.  First, my big sister, Ann, and her boyfriend (well, now fiancé) got engaged!!  Something that has been in the works for a long time, but has finally happened.  I couldn’t be more excited for them and proud that my sister found a such a great guy (not only to her but to our family as well: ER visits, resume writing, negotiating skills, lawn rototilling, chandelier hanging, etc to just name a few things he has done over the years with our family).   Congrats and cheers to you both!!  I can’t wait for the year of wedding planning to come.