Asian Cabbage Salad

Asian Cabbage Salad Recipe

If you don’t already have a salad like this in your repertoire, you need one. The “Asian” cabbage salad has become a mainstay of the American (and apparently Australian!) barbecue, potluck, and picnic and with good reason. It’s quick, easy, delicious, and travels well since the cabbage stays nice and crunchy even hours later. The Asian Cabbage Salad recipe is my pick for this month’s Secret Recipe Club. I was assigned the amazing blog Claire K Creations and, as usual, was torn between more than a few tempting options. The haloumi stuffed coconut chicken nuggets were also in the final running until my oven conked out, making this salad – which I’d had my eye on – a pretty easy choice.

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Orange Chia Pudding Parfait

Orange Chia Pudding Parfait

I’ve been fascinated by chia seeds (salvia hispanica) for a while now. They’re rich in omega-3 fatty acids and, while they’re a tad pricey a little bit goes a long way. Until now, though, I’ve mostly been simply sprinkling them on top of my morning yogurt, or incorporating them into the occasional smoothie. This month’s Secret Recipe Club gave me the opportunity to try them in this Orange Chia Pudding Parfait and, thanks to the blog Opera Singer in the Kitchen, I have a new go-to breakfast! It’s fast, healthy, and super filling – those little seeds expand both in the orange juice and your belly and keep you full for hours.

 

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Garlic Bread Buttermilk Biscuits

This month I left my Secret Recipe Club recipe until the very last minute – I made it yesterday. I don’t usually leave it to the end like that, but besides having a busy month, I also just couldn’t decide what to make. So many recipes on my assigned blog, Cookin’ Mimi, called out to me. Finally, though, I declared these garlic bread buttermilk biscuits the winner and set to work. These buttery, garlicky biscuits are made almost entirely with pantry staples (I only needed to pick up buttermilk) and are ready from start to finish in about 30 minutes. I totally agree with Mimi when she says that “Piping hot breads and rolls are one of my favorite parts of dinner time.” Besides, garlic bread is one of my husband’s all time favorite foods, so I knew he’d love this recipe.

Garlic Bread Buttermilk Biscuits

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Chicken on Rice and a Tribute to Daniel of The Haggis and the Herring

I’ve mentioned that one of my favorite parts about blogging has been the incredible community that comes with it. Through interesting groups, eye-opening forums, and commenting on posts I’ve met some amazing people who are equally as passionate about food. Together we share knowledge, tips, and, of course, recipes. I feel connected to these individuals, even if we’ve never met and live an ocean apart. Which is why I was so saddened to hear about the passing of Daniel Saraga, the man behind The Haggis and the Herring. I first “met” him through a food blogger yahoo group that we both belong(ed) to, and he was always a vocal member, piping up with opinions and helpful advice at every exchange. We are also both part of the Secret Recipe Club, and today we as a group have come together for a special edition of SRC in tribute to Daniel.

Chicken on Rice from The Haggis and the Herring

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Baked Parmesan Zucchini Fries

It’s been a few months since I have participated in The Secret Recipe Club, and it’s good to be back! This month I was thrilled to be assigned Lesa’s blog, Edesia’s Notebook. Lesa, who started her blog in 2007, is a stay at home mom of two seriously adorable girls, and promises simple meals fit for weeknights. So many of her enticing recipes caught my eye, from the summer vegetable frittata (you know how I feel about those) to the homemade chipotle ketchup (which would be perfect with these). And then there was this mango barbecue sauce, which would be the perfect fix for my current mango addiction. But it was the zucchini that eventually won out. I was between her baked zucchini fries, chicken zucchini burgers, and  the one pot summer squash, beef, and rice skillet. I guess you know which one I eventually chose.

Baked Parmesan Zucchini Fries

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Asian Lettuce Wraps

Asian Lettuce Wraps

This is a first for me: Two posts in one day! Ay-yay-yay. But hopefully you’ll have as much with both of them as I have! Although I usually have a tough time picking a recipe for the Secret Recipe Club, this month it was no contest. These Asian Lettuce Wraps called to me. Not that Veronica’s Cornucopia doesn’t have a million recipes that I want to try – I’ve bookmarked this Watermelon and Black Bean Salsa, Avocado Chocolate Pudding, and General Tso’s Chicken, to name a few. But I’ve had Asian Lettuce Wraps on the brain for a while and these looked just perfect. I was thrilled to be assigned Veronica’s Cornucopia this month – please stop by and check out her gorgeous blog if you haven’t already! Continue reading “Asian Lettuce Wraps”

Quinoa Salad with Chickpeas and Paprika Vinaigrette

For this month’s Secret Recipe Club I was thrilled to be assigned A Fit and Spicy Life. Mellissa is a 30-something marketing manager who lives in Minneapolis who loves fitness, food, and wine – sounds like a great combo to me! Mellissa posts healthy, mouth-watering recipes (yes, I said those two words in the same sentence) as well wine and fitness posts. While usually I spend a lot of time hemming and hawing over which recipe to make, this month it was no contest. As soon as I saw Mellissa’s Quinoa, Garbanzo and Spinach Salad with Smoked Paprika Vinaigrette I knew it was the one. Love at first sight, if you will.

Quinoa Salad with Smoked Paprika Vinaigrette

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Pistachio, Cherry, and Dark Chocolate Bark

Chocolate Cherry Pistachio Bark

I love Secret Recipe Club time! Each month I am assigned a blog and I get to pick any recipe I like and post about it on the 5th of the month. It’s been a wonderful way to meet other bloggers and to discover inspiring recipes. This month I was lucky enough to have Sustainable Cooking for One. Stephanie, the author of the blog, works in nutritional research and is passionate about food and sustainability. Besides wonderful recipes, Stephanie also writes thought-provoking posts like Ethical Eating: Raw Milk and Goats, Urban Ag, and Evidence-Based Supplements. And she should know – she has adorable goats! As the title of her blog suggests she focuses on cooking for one and even has a cookbook called One Bowl with even more recipes plus nutritional information and more. Continue reading “Pistachio, Cherry, and Dark Chocolate Bark”

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

chocolate peanut butter cookies recipe

After a month-long hiatus, I’m happy to report that the Secret Recipe Club is back up and running! I have to say, I missed it! If you have no idea what I’m talking about here’s the short version: the Secret Recipe Club is a wonderful group of bloggers organized by Amanda of Amanda’s Cookin’. Each month we are assigned another blog and get to choose any recipe, prepare it (with any adaptations we like), and blog about it on the big reveal day. In case you haven’t guessed, today is the reveal day. This month I was excited to be assigned to Everyday Mom. Kim, the lovely lady behind the blog, is a mother of three who is always whipping up amazing concoctions in her kitchen. I love that she gets the kids involved, like in this recent post. (On a semi-related note did you see the article in the NY Times last week about the mom who has her teenage sons cook dinner for the family twice a week? Love it.) Continue reading “Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies”

Secret Recipe Club: Butternut Squash and Chestnut Soup

It’s the first Monday of the month, and you know what that means: Secret Recipe Club! You know the drill. Each month member’s are assigned another member’s blog and get to pick any recipe they’d like to make. Sound like fun? Head to the SRC website for details on how to join! This month I was lucky enough to have Katrina’s wonderful blog, Baking and Boys. As you may have guessed from the title, Katrina lives with her husband and three sons and loves to bake. I have so many of her recipes bookmarked I don’t even know where to begin: Cinnamon Sugar Donut Mini Muffins?! Pumpkin Cake with Browned Butter and Walnut Streusel?! Quintuple Chocolate Brownies?! Sour Cream Pumpkin Pie?! It just goes on and on. If you need baking inspiration, head straight to Baking and Boys. Continue reading “Secret Recipe Club: Butternut Squash and Chestnut Soup”