July 01, 2014

Chocolate Raspberry Hazelnut Muffins

July 01, 2014/ Mary McDonald

More backyard treasures discovered. The mystery berries I mentioned before turned out to be raspberries! Not many but I was able to pick about a cupful. Just enough to top these muffins.

June 18, 2014

Summer Salad

June 18, 2014/ Mary McDonald

Corn and Basil. They say summer to me. And if you make one salad this summer it should be this Corn Basil Quinoa Salad.

June 06, 2014

Potato + Arugula Salad

June 06, 2014/ Mary McDonald

Backyard to plate. That is what we’re enjoying these days. We’re finding more and more edible treasures and arugula was one of them. And lots of it as you can see from the photo below. I read that when arugula starts to flower it can take on a strong bitter taste, but the leaves we gathered tasted just fine.

April 30, 2014

Watermelon with Feta + Basil

April 30, 2014/ Mary McDonald

Is it summertime already? Watermelon, sunshine and shorts? Seems to be here in Portland, at least for the next few days. It feels so good! Such a nice treat for April which has been pretty rainy for the most part.

April 01, 2014

Shaved Brussels Sprouts with Pecorino + Walnuts

April 01, 2014/ Mary McDonald

Brussels sprouts again? I promise you will like these! I haven’t had them this way until a recent multi-state trip visiting family and friends. The “Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad” popped up in two different tapas restaurants in 2 very different places - small town, big city.

March 12, 2014

Chickpea Sauté with Greek Yogurt

March 12, 2014/ Mary McDonald

Hi folks, I thought I’d share another salad from Plenty, I think I’m on a roll with this cookbook! It has so many great vegetarian dishes to try and this one did not disappoint.

March 07, 2014

Maple Oat + Nut Muffins

March 07, 2014/ Mary McDonald

We’ve been house hunting lately and it seems each weekend we fly out out the door to open houses and somehow have forgotten to eat breakfast. I’m not a big fan of eating in the car but it sure beats a grumbling stomach. I’m preparing for the weekend so that we have a nice stash of muffins with us.

February 14, 2014

I Heart Salad

February 14, 2014/ Mary McDonald

I know Valentine’s Day can be full of cliches, red, chocolate, all things heart-shaped, but I couldn’t resist making this salad. This year we’re going to have dinner at home, with this salad, and some homemade strawberry chocolate chunk ice cream, champagne and…

February 10, 2014

Stuffed Mushrooms

February 10, 2014/ Mary McDonald

Every once in a while I get a mushroom craving, and this is one of those times. I haven’t really posted anything mushroom specific since my very first blog post about a year ago, a Mushroom Soup.

January 29, 2014

Soba Noodles with Eggplant + Mango

January 29, 2014/ Mary McDonald

This is the type of recipe you know you will like just by reading the ingredients. Mango. Eggplant. Hot pepper. Cilantro. Thai basil. I’m sold, and still working my way through Ottolenghi’s Plenty cookbook,