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whole grain peach-banana muffins

It's about time this special ingredient debuted on my blog. That's right. It's banana time. In order to honor my blog's title, as well as my lifelong compulsory epithet, I'm going to be doing more banana recipes. After all, bananas are the fruit of life....

[dq copycat] ice cream cake

I've never been a fan of the out-of-the-box-mix cake with the store-bought frosting. When I was little and my mom would ask me what kind of cake I wanted for my birthday, I would always want an ice cream cake. And the best was when she would get me my...

grandma's deviled eggs

This is Part I of my Deviled Eggs series… stay tuned for some serious fun (think bacon, curry, hot sauce). However, before I share any non-traditional recipes, I have to share the recipe that is near and dear to my heart. Some people like pickles in...

tzatziki

Greek food and I are really great friends. I remember the first time I tried tzatziki; despite my inability to pronounce it, I found it extremely delightful. And because I've since learned to speak its name with confidence, I decided it was about time...

[st. patrick's day] mint oreo truffles

 I don't feel that these bad boys need much of an introduction. If you've had Oreo truffles before, you know two things: ONE - they are deceptively easy TWO - they are ridiculously addicting The mint version is no exception. In fact, I thought they...

german chocolate pie [happy pi day]

Math. It's never been my favorite (in fact, I'm pretty sure I suffer from math anxiety ). However, there is one mathematically-related holiday that has never disappointed me: pi day. (If you are a normal person who celebrates normal non-math-related-holidays,...

dried young coconut

This delicious snack was introduced to me by one of my fellow Zumba instructors. We were on our way to a training, and I needed to stop at Costco. We ran in to get the few things I needed, but she got really excited when she saw a big crate of young...

wild mushroom bisque

One of my absolute favorite places to eat is Zupa's - especially when I'm in the mood for soup. They have a wonderful selection of soups, but I always tend to order the same thing - their Wild Mushroom Bisque. Sadly, I have moved outside of the radius...

pumpkin better than... trifle

Okay, so my family has this thing about BTS cake.  My parents didn't like us saying the "S" word… so my mom calls it "Better than Robert Redford" cake or "Better than Brad Pitt" cake… I think I would probably call it the "Better than Ryan Gosling"...

greek yogurt ranch dip

Did I ever mention that I'm not a huge fan of vegetables? I've definitely learned to love them more as I've gotten older, but I still don't just get excited about them. Unless they're drenched in something like cheese, butter, or ranch dressing. So,...

3-ingredient pumpkin chocolate chip cookies

Who doesn't LOVE pumpkin chocolate chip cookies? I know I'm not that person. Really, I love pumpkin ANYthing… but there's something about the delicious combo of semisweet chocolate and gooey pumpkin that I simply can't resist. I wanted to make some the...

roasted garlic & lemon broccoli

So, I've never been a big vegetable eater. I know I'm supposed to eat them, so I do, but I have a hard time enjoying them. I've really never been a broccoli fan. Until now. I found this recipe at The Amateur Gourmet , and it is AAA-MAZ-ING. I've also...

quinoa shrimp salad

I enjoyed the last quinoa dish ( Quinoa Burrito Bowls ) so much, that I just had to try another one. This one is somewhat similar to the last, but it definitely has a different kick. Nothin' like healthy food that actually tastes good! Quinoa Shrimp...

easy peasy peach cobbler

Growing up, whenever my mom would ask us what we wanted for dessert, the answer was always,  always,  peach cobbler. We didn't waste time on no apple crisp or brownies. I was pretty sure my mom put crack in it, until I started making it...

royal rice krispie treats

I know what you're thinking. Really? A recipe for rice krispie treats? Can't you just read that off the back of the cereal box? Well, my friend, you can  do that - if you are willing to live a life of mediocrity. However, if you want life-changing,...

quinoa burrito bowls

So… I've been hearing all this hype about "quinoa." After finally learning how to say it (keen-wah), I decided I better get on this bandwagon and learn to cook it. I went to buy some at Wal-Mart, and the cashier was asking me all these questions about...

white chicken alfredo lasagna

Here's the story: I love lasagna. I love white sauce. I love chicken… I love spinach. So, pretty much, this lasagna is the perfect combination. I combined a few different recipes in search of the perfect recipe… and I think it turned out pretty fantastic....

parmesan knots

These little knots were super  easy to make and super delicious. There's not much more I need in a recipe. You may want to double this batch, because, simply put, you're gonna want more. Parmesan Knots 1 tube (12 oz.) refrigerated buttermilk biscuits...

grandma's chicken noodle soup [with HOMEMADE noodles]

There's nothing like good ol' homemade chicken noodle soup on a cold fall day. The homemade noodles in this recipe are my grandma's recipe… and they are what really bring this soup home. They are also surprisingly easy to make! [Scroll to bottom for...

cheddar bacon ranch dip

Okay, so this is the easiest, most addicting dip ever. The recipe is courtesy of the Plain Chicken blog (I've tried a few recipes from this blog, and have never been disappointed). She called it "crack," and it proved to be so at girl's night. Beware…...

creamy tomato basil soup

Okay, this is the BEST tomato soup I have ever had - and that includes Zupa's, Paradise Bakery, etc. It is just REALLY delicious, and it is actually a SUPER easy recipe.   Start with the onions - dice them well!   Sautee the onions until they...

hummus

 I don't know about you, but I love me some delicious hummus. However, I feel it's kind of hit-and-miss with store-bought hummus - so I decided it was about time to make my own. It was actually super easy… especially if you have a nice food...

chicken & veggie omelet

Ingredients: 4 mushrooms, thinly sliced 4 broccoli florets, chopped 1/4 c cooked chicken, shredded 1 T red pepper, chopped 1 T green pepper, chopped 3 green onions, chopped 1/4 c shredded mozzarella cheese 2 eggs 2 T milk 1 1/2 t butter salt & pepper,...

salted caramel chocolate shortbread bars

So… I made these for Christmas because I wanted to kill two birds with one stone. We always make fudge, we always make caramels, we never make shortbread… but shortbread is delicious… so why not? Ingredients: Shortbread Layer (make first): 2 c. flour...

grandma's pumpkin bread

Maybe I haven't tasted all the pumpkin bread in the world… but I'm pretty sure this is the best. Ingredients: 3 cups sugar 1 cup oil 3 eggs 1 med. can pumpkin 3 cups flour 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. baking soda 4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice...

black bean, corn, & avocado salsa

This recipe is almost… embarrassingly easy. I get so many requests for the recipe, though, so I decided it would be a great addition to my blog. You will need: 3 ripe avocados 1 red onion 3-4 tomatoes juice of 4 limes 1 bunch of cilantro 4 ears of fresh...

lasagna [not the frozen kind]

So, two weeks ago I got the chance to go to an Italian cooking class. It was pretty much a dream come true… I mean, I love cooking, and I love Italian food… I was in heaven. We learned how to make REAL Italian lasagna from Jessie (check out her Facebook...

tres leches

Okay, it's time for the greatest blog post of all time. It's tres leches time. I have received rave reviews many a time for this recipe (thanks, Martha Stewart… not that she gave me a rave review… but she gave me the recipe). I had one guy tell me, "The...

in search of the perfect chipotle dressing

I love the taste of chipotle. I don't know what it is, but it is amazing. Every time I go to a restaurant and something has any kind of chipotle sauce on it, there's a good chance I'm ordering it. However, I've never been able to find a delicious chipotle...

chocolate-covered strawberries

Can you think of anything more appropriate for Valentine's Day than chocolate and strawberries together in a tastebud-titillating delectable medley of scrumptiousness? Didn't think so. I've tried chocolate-covered strawberries before… but they haven't...

korean barbecue chicken

My brother, Reed, left his smoker at our house when he moved into his apartment and there was no room. Ever since then I've been waiting for the day he would come use it… and that day finally came. The recipe for the marinade came from a family friend,...

taffy apple pizza

So, today was my VERY LAST FINAL EVER!!! And it wasn't even really a final exam… we just went and ate delicious food at my professor's house. It was pretty much the best final. Anyway, I brought this delicious apple pizza that was a big hit. I can't...

turkey, avocado, tomato, oh my!

Okay, so this post isn't so much a recipe as an idea. Sometimes, when I'm trying to plan meals, I need ideas as much as recipes. So… here ya go. Growing up, I never really liked sandwiches. I know, I know… I was weird. My mom would try to vary my sandwich...

black bean & pumpkin soup

SOooo… since it's November, I kind of feel like seeing how many things I can make with PUMPKIN. First I did the classic Grandma's Pumpkin Bread recipe. It was delish. Then I had this superb pumpkin soup at Zupa's, and tonight I attempted to re-create...

The Cook with Biltong Club: Biltong, strawberry and mascarpone blinis

A heatwave has hit London…hooray. So it's time for some summery food. Today I was inspired to make some biltong blinis using the beautifully juicy English strawberries that are around at the moment. I cheated and bought ready-made canapé blinis (why...

grilled pineapple salsa

This summer, I have become the proud co-owner of a beautiful grill. When my roommate first presented the option to me, I was unsure how often I would use said grill, but decided to take the risk and make the investment. Best. Decision. Ever. Do you know...

Korean-influenced delights at Bo Drake in Soho

Today we're heading back into the buzz of Soho, to the Soho Square end of Greek Street. Greek Street is famous for its amazingly cosmopolitan selection of restaurants. Along this not-very-long street you will find restaurants serving Hungarian,...

Recipe: Parmesan and asparagus frittata

Today I'm cooking a perfect light, summer dish. I love a frittata - so easy to make and often with whatever I have in the house, avoiding any waste. It can all be thrown into one pan to produce a taste sensation. I was inspired by the fantastic Italian...

A feast of Dim Sum at Royal China

Today I'm heading into the land of Sherlock Holmes for some tasty Chinese cuisine. Not sure if Sherlock ever ambled out of 221B Baker Street for a night of Dim Sum - but I expect he would have liked it - I love a Dim Sum extravaganza. Especially the...

Tasty pub lunch at The Clarence

Today it's time for that wonderful British tradition - a pub lunch. And where could be more British to go than Whitehall? Whitehall is the heart of the British government - it runs from Parliament Square to Trafalgar Square. If you meander down this...

Baba Ganoush

this is a super simple recipe but the flavors combine beautifully and continue to develop as you let it sit. 1 large eggplant 2 cups tahini 2 tbsp capers 2 tbsp grainy mustard 1 squeeze lemon (optional) roast eggplant directly over a grill or open burner...

Top takeaways from Bombay Bicycle Chef

One of the joys of urban living (I grew up on a farm so really appreciate these joys) is the takeaway. Food someone else cooks, delivered to your door…how splendid. And we love an Indian takeaway so were delighted to discover the Bombay Bicycle...

Tomato, Nectarine, Feta and Basil Summer Salad

We have tons of super-ripe tomatoes and can't stop buying stone fruit at the farmer's market so we started playing around with this salad idea. We've made it at least five times this summer and it's seriously the perfect combination of summer flavors,...

Fabulous flavours from the grill at Ember Yard

Ember Yard is the fourth restaurant in the Salt Yard group. Everything on the menu is cooked on a custom-built, bespoke Basque-style grill (hence the embers) and dishes have both Spanish and Italian influences, particularly from the Basque Country...

Recipe: Baked prawn tortilla canapés

Today I'm back in the kitchen, at last! Hasn't been enough creative cooking going on in my house recently, time to change that. Having just got back from Spain I've got tortilla on my mind and as we were having friends round for drinks I thought I'd...

HOT Sauce

My aunt has serranos coming out of her ears (not literally) and gave us a big bag full of them. They were all shades of green, orange and red and SUPER hot. To ensure this concoction was edible, we seeded some of them. We prefer things on the spicier...

Chocolatey Date and Banana Breakfast Bowl

This one goes out to the late Beach City Burrito. Which closed a long time ago and has been many things since but still haunts my memory with its date shakes. When I was learning to surf as a youngin with my dad, the mention of a date shake was a sure...

Free Crochet Pattern Friday!

Free Pattern Friday: the Windows in the Sky Shawl crochet pattern is free until end of today. Use code windowsfree in my Ravelry store: http://www.ravelry.com/stores/pamela-h-taylor-designs. Please check out the other designs while you're there!...

PSYCHEDELIC

Wearing:  Zara  blazer,  Sussan  shirt,  Sportsgirl  skirt,  Tony Bianco  booties,  Witchery  bag,  Diva  earrings, Duepunti  ring,  Bauhaus  silver rings.  In case you didn't...

Hong Kong Travel Kong Guide Part I: Places to Eat On and Off the Beaten Path

Hey Everyone! If you haven’t read my post from Monday , be sure to check it out. Maybe you’ll have a chance to visit Ocho Rios, Jamaica sometime soon and do some of the things I listed as my top 5. Today, I’d like to share a Hong Kong...