My daughter loves Harry Potter. She loves everything about it. Every time we go to the grocery store, we pick up a bottle of a ‘butter beer’ look alike and she pours it into the cup we bought at Harry Potter land in California.

It seemed only necessary that I turn her favorite soda into a cookie. It’s the perfect Halloween/fall cookie flavor since butterscotch naturally lends itself to fall. Adding the pudding adds a dash of flavor but more importantly, it keeps the cookies really soft.

Butter Beer Cookies

1 cup butter, room temeprature

3/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 1/2 cups flour

3.4 oz butterscotch pudding mix

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

12 oz butterscotch chips

STEP 1

In a bowl of a stand mixer, combine the butter and sugar and beat until combined.

STEP 2

Add the eggs and vanilla. Beat well until the mixture gets lighter in color and is fluffy.

STEP 3

In a small bowl, combine flour, pudding mix, baking soda, and baking powder. Add it to the stand mixer and blend until mostly combined.

STEP 4

Pour in the chips and turn the mixer back on. Let it run until the dough looks like a cookie dough.

STEP 5

Scoop onto a baking sheet and bake 10 minutes. Let cool on the sheet for a few minutes then transfer to a wire rack to continue to cool.

My dad loves pork chops. I can’t even tell you how often we ate pork chops as a kid - to the point where I never wanted to eat pork chops again. But then I became an adult and gained a new appreciation for pork chops - especially in the fall. For some reason pork just seems like a fall. And when you cook it with apples and herbs it’s the ultimate fall dinner.

Here’s the secret to the best version of this recipe ever - really good apple cider. Don’t skimp and buy the cheesy kind that’s around all year long. The kind that’s only available in the fall from fresh apples, that’s the cider you want.

Apple Cider Pork Chops

Serves 4

4 bone in- pork chops

1 yellow onion, sliced

2 apples, sliced

4 sprigs fresh thyme, divided

2 cloves garlic, smashed

1 cup pure apple cider

1 tbs Dijon mustard

6 tbs butter

2 sprigs fresh sage

8 oz egg noodles

salt & Pepper

STEP 1

Place pork chops in a pan and sear 3 minutes on each side until crispy and browned.  Remove from pan and cover with foil.

STEP 2

Add 2 tbs butter to the pan and toss in onions, apples, garlic and 2 sprigs of thyme.  Cook until onions are soft. 

STEP 3

Pour cider into pan, whisk in mustard and return pork chops to the pan.  Cover and cook until pork is cooked through and cider is reduced. 

STEP 4

Bring a pot of water to a boil.  Add egg noodles and cook to package instructions.  Drain.  In a saucepan, melt remaining butter with sage and thyme.  Add noodles to the pan and toss to coat. 

STEP 5

Serve pork and apples over buttered noodles.

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These are a clasic cookie that I have been making for years. I do think my recipe is the best one out there and all the rest are close, but not quite right. These are soft, cakey, and filled with raisins. I used to make these for my grandpa all the time - these were his favorite cookies.

To me, these taste like fall. It’s probably because they’re filled with flavors of fall like cinnamon and clove. Or it could be because I usually make these for a Husky tailgate at least once a year. OR it’s because they feel super back-to-school-y with the oatmeal. Anyway, I cannot recommend them enough this time of year!

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

makes about 30 cookies

1 cup butter at room temperature

1/2 cup sugar

1 1/2 cups brown sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 1/2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats

1 1/2 cups quick cook oats

1 cup raisins

STEP 1

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Cream botter, sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. The color of the mixture should be a few shades lighter than when it started. Combine the eggs and vanilla until completely incorporated.

STEP 2

In a seperate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and spices. With the mixture running, add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture. Mix until thoroughly combined.

STEP 3

Add oatmeal and raisins and mix until just incorporated.

STEP 4

Scoop cookie dough onto a cookie sheet and bake 10-12 minutes until lightly brown. Let cool on the baking sheet 5-10 minutes before transfering to a cooling rack.

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I am obsessed with tots. I adore good tater tots. Add them to any meal and you have a real party. Start topping them with things and then we’re really talking. Adding BBQ pork, coleslaw and some green onions made these tots a ridiculously filling Monday Night Football dinner.

I made the pork myself in the oven with a super simple recipe. It’s so easy to make tender pork but it’s also easy to buy some already done at a good grocery store or Costco. Just toss the shredded pork with barbecue sauce and you’re set. You’re welcome to shred the cabbage yourself too - or just purchase it from the grocery store. The only thing you really “make” from home is the white sauce. It’s so simple to get dinner on the table and this one is a particularly fun one. Enjoy!

Shredded Pork BBQ Tots

4 cups shredded pork

1/2 cup BBQ sauce

2 pounds frozen tater tots

2 cups shredded cabbage

1 cup mayonnaise

1/8 cup apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoon worchestershire

1 teaspoon pepper

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon horseradish

1/2 teaspoon honey

2 green onions, chopped

STEP 1

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Lay the tots in one layer on a baking sheet. Pop them into the oven and let them bake for 20 minutes, flip over, then bake another 20 minutes or until golden brown.

STEP 2

Blend together mayonnaise, vinegar, worchestershire, pepper, salt, horseradish, and honey. Pour half of the mixture over the shredded cabbage. Toss and let it sit.

STEP 3

Make sure the shredded pork is warm. Toss the pork with the BBQ Sauce.

STEP 4

Spread the tots out on a platter and top with pork. Add slaw to the top and garnish with sliced green onion. Serve with remaining white sauce and any extra BBQ sauce.

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This is the ultimate way to use all of those tomatoes rolling out of the garden right now. I’m crossing my fingers and hoping I can get the rest of them to ripen so we can do this one more time this year! You can use really any tomato that’s ripe. I used San Marzano in this recipe, but cherry tomatoes would be amazing too! You do you.

The simplicity of this dish relies on really good tomatoes, really good basil, and really delicious bread crumbs.  I can’t recommend enough making your own bread crumbs for this – it’s totally worth it!

Roasted Tomato Basil Pasta

Serves 4

2 pounds heirloom tomatoes, sliced into quarters

5 garlic cloves

1 bunch basil leaves

½ cup breadcrumbs

2 tbs butter

1 lb spaghetti noodles

olive oil

salt and pepper

STEP 1

Put a pot of water on to boil and preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil and spread tomatoes on the tray.  Sprinkle a handful of basil and 4 cloves crushed garlic over the tomatoes.  Drizzle olive oil over top, sprinkle with salt, and pop into the oven. 

STEP 2

In a skillet sauté breadcrumbs in butter with garlic and salt until toasty and brown. Cook the pasta while you’re at the stove.

STEP 3

Drain the pasta and return it to pan.  Toss with roasted tomatoes and fresh basil. 

STEP 4

Serve with breadcrumbs on top.2 pounds heirloom tomatoes, sliced into quarters

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A Classic Italian cocktail good enough for Bond? You know that’s something of which I’ll be fond. Originating in Milan at the Campari Bar, it’s a cocktila who’s name is bizzare. Bitter Campari is something American’s don’t love - but it’s something I’m very fond of! Equal parts Campari and vermouth & topped with a soda splash. It’s a perfect summer cocktail, mixed in a dash!

Americano

1 1/2 ounces Campari

1 1/2 ounces red Vermouth

soda water

twist of lemon

In a highball glass, combine Campari and Vermouth. Stir gently. Add ice then top with soda water. Garnish with a twist of lemon. Cin cin.

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This is a classic Italian dish that I have completely man-handled to make it a one dish dinner. I’d like to think I haven’t totally separated it from it’s Italian original but I probably have. Either way, it’s a delicious one pot dinner that’s done in a very short amount of time. I like to serve this with a big green salad and I usually have a giant loaf of garlic bread because I have three teenagers in my house. It’s perfectly fine on it’s own too!

This is the perfect back to school dinner. It’s hearty and delicious but also cooks in about a half an hour! What could be better on a weeknight?? Enjoy.

Penne alla vodka-ish

Serves 4

2 cups cherry tomatoes

2 cloves garlic

2 tbs olive oil

1 lb penne

1 cup vodka

2 cups chicken stock

½ cup parmesan cheese

STEP 1

In a dutch oven, sauté the tomatoes and garlic in olive oil until the tomatoes start to pop. 

STEP 2

Add the noodles and coat in oil and tomato.

STEP 3

Pour in vodka and boil down to half and stir.

STEP 4

Pour in stock and ¼ cup parmesan cheese.  Stir then cover and cook 5-10 minutes until noodles are tender.  Serve with remaining parmesan. 

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It’s my birthday week! And I can’t think of anything I would want more for my birthday (non-alcoholic) than a good cookie. And this is a good cookie. I read about a cookie that was made with pudding mix and it seemed mandatory that I give it a shot.

This cookie is basically a cheap sheet cake in cookie form. If you aren’t tempted by that then we are probably not friends. Or you need to try cheap birthday cake again. It’s delicious.

Let me know if you try these. And if you try them for a birthday, light a candle and sing!!

Birthday Cake Cookies

1 cup butter, room temperature

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 teaspoon almond extract

3.4 oz package of vanilla pudding mix

2 1/2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 cup assorted sprinkles

12 oz white chocolate chips

STEP 1

In a bowl of a stand mixer, combine the butter and sugar and beat until combined.

STEP 2

Add the eggs, vanilla, and almond extract. Beat well until the mixture gets lighter in color and is fluffy.

STEP 3

In a small bowl, combine flour, pudding mix, baking soda, and baking powder. Add it to the stand mixer and blend until mostly combined.

STEP 4

Pour in the chips and turn the mixer back on. Let it run until the dough looks like a cookie dough. Stir in the sprinkler gently so they don’t run too much!

STEP 5

Scoop onto a baking sheet and bake 10 minutes. Let cool on the sheet for a few minutes then transfer to a wire rack to continue to cool.

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Just when you think a perfect Bloody Mary doesn’t exist - I figured it out. I actually think it’s harder to make a bad Bloody Mary instead of a good one, but once I undertook making my own Bloody Mary mix - I think I cracked into the best Bloody Mary ever.

The history of the Bloody Mary is really kind of hilarious. There are a million stories. The most likely originates at Harry’s Bar in Paris where a bartender named Fernand Petiot conceived of the cocktail and named it for the ruthless rule of Queen Mary I of England in the mid 1550’s. The tomato juice represents the blood shed, the vodka and spices mimic the brutal means the queen used. He devised it as a breakfast cocktail - but it was simple back then, just tomato juice and vodka with a dash of Worcestershire.

The funniest story of it’s origin is that Hemingway was in Harry’s Bar just before he got married. Hemingway ordered a drink mixed with juice so no one would smell the vodka on his breath - so tomato juice was added. While he was drinking, he was muttering “Bloody Mary,” the name of the girlfriend he was giving up in favor of marriage. Hilarious. For loads of reasons but the number one being, would Hemingway really give up a girl because of marriage?

See what you think about my best Bloody Mary and tell me if you think it’s named for a cruel queen or a future potential mistress.

The Best Bloody Mary

makes 4 drinks

2 1/2 tablespoons worchestershire

juice of 1/2 a lime

1 tablespoon olive brine

1 teaspoon crushed celery seed

1 teaspoon horseradish

16 ounces tomato juice

10 dashes tabasco (more or less to taste)

8 ounces vodka

olives, celery, pickled beans, cucumber, lime wedges, bacon, pickled onions, and anything else you love!

STEP 1

In a pitcher, mix together Worcestershire sauce, lime juice, olive brine, celery seed, and horseradish. Pour in tomato juice and stir to combine. Add tabasco to taste.

STEP 2

Fill four highball glasses with ice. Split the vodka amongst the glasses (2 ounces) and top with tomato mixture (4 ounces). Garnish to your hearts content! Add more tabasco or lime wedges as needed.

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Fresh salmon is possibly the best thing you can only find here in the Pacific Northwest. Outside of the PNW, I think the salmon is terrible. If it isn’t line caught, wild salmon, then it’s not worth eating. Find the best. It’s totally worth it. Even the frozen is fine, if it’s been flash frozen on the fishing vessel.

The combination of salmon and dill is indisputable. The flavors of both pop when they are combined. Cucumber is another go-to with salmon. This cucumber salad is one my grandfather was famous for making - it’s so delicious - and it’s really good with the salmon. It’s even better tomorrow!

Dill Salmon with Cucumber Salad

Serves 4

2 pounds wild caught salmon filet

¼ cup butter, room temperature

¼ cup dill, chopped

2 lemons

2 cucumbers, sliced thin

1 white onion, sliced thin

1 cup white wine vinegar

2 tablespoons sugar

salt and pepper

spray oil

STEP 1

Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with foil. Lightly oil the foil – the spray kind works best.  With a sharp knife, cut the salmon into four equal pieces and lay them on the foil.

STEP 2

In a small bowl combine together the butter, dill, the zest of one lemon and a healthy amount of salt and pepper with a fork. Spread the butter mixture over top of the salmon pieces so each piece has a nice even coat. Place a lemon slice on top of each piece of fish and pop it in the oven. Bake at 400 degrees for 10-15 minutes until the flesh of the fish is pale pink all the way through.

STEP 3

In a bowl, combine vinegar, salt, and sugar.  Add cucumbers and onions to it and toss to coat.  If all cucumbers aren’t submerged in the liquid, press them down with a bowl or plate.   

STEP 4

Check for doneness by pulling back a small section from the thickest part of the fish. If there is any doubt, pull the fish out of the oven and cover with a piece of foil. It will continue to cook slightly under the foil.

Serve fish with cucumbers and enjoy!

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