Caramelized Onion and Smoked Paprika Hummus Wontons

Let's celebrate National Hummus Day! You know it's one of my favorite holidays and I'm not quite sure why we still have to work. I'm in favor of everything closing down each year and we just sit in our homes and eat hummus.

If you're in for celebrating with me, I've got two things for you today. First is a coupon for your hummus supply. Check out Sabra's homepage for the details and a coupon that's only available TODAY!

Apple and Rosemary Stuffed Pork Chops

I was walking through Costco yesterday trying to decide what I wanted to make for our Sunday dinner this week when I came across these beautiful pork chops. We haven't had pork chops in a long time and I'm not usually a big fan because all I can typically find are the thin little pork chops in the grocery store. These ones were about two inches thick and even though they were boneless, which is usually another strike, they looked perfect.

Borscht

What's the most powerful memory that you have that's tied to a specific smell? I think many of my memories are tied to remembering a specific smell, whether it be the wet streets as it starts to rain in Seattle or the blast of aroma of freshly baked bread as you walk in the door.

One of my favorite parts of cooking is the smells. You start out using a spice like freshly ground nutmeg or crushed garlic. Wonderful smells individually start to come together with other ingredients as you cook or mix them together. Then as something simmers away on the stove top or starts to bake, the aromas fill your home, tempting you with what's to come. I love the anticipation of it, the not being able to fully experience the food yet, but with some smells that are powerful enough, you almost can.

Morel and Asparagus Lasagna

Spring is the redeeming quality of Minnesota. Our typical winters seem to start in September and go on through May. Admittedly this last Winter was surprisingly mild, but Spring was still a welcome change. I love to see the trees budding and tulips flowering and crazy as it may seem, I look forward to the first time I get to mow the lawn again too!

Polish Sausage with Smothered Cabbage and Mashed Potatoes

It's buffalo week with Virtual Potluck! Ever cooked with buffalo meat or sausage? If you haven't you're going to have lots of recipes to try out now. Visit our host blog to see join in the potluck!

This buffalo came to us directly from The Buffalo Guys. The thing I liked most about the buffalo meat is that it's lower in cholesterol and fat than other comparable meats. These buffalo are happy guys out roaming free on the range and no fillers or other nasty stuff to get in the way. The flavor is great and we used all of them in a variety of ways. Hot dogs went into some Mac and Cheese for  the kids, Andouille sausage went into a Jambalaya and the Polish Sausage went in to the dish I'll share with you below.

French Onion Soup

Valentines Day is coming up and it's already time to start planning for the perfect menu. Making a gourmet meal for your special someone doesn't have to be an impossible task. Plan ahead, create a menu with food you love to eat and then do as much as you can in advance so that you can take it easy and just enjoy a great meal together. The Virtual Potluck is here to help you with a whole variety of dishes that you can choose from. We've also paired up with Taste fromThe N8tion to give you some drink pairings with your meal, and mine's non-alcoholic!

Chicken and Smoked Sausage Gumbo

We moved to Mandeville, Louisiana (just outside of New Orleans) just a day before Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005. We were there for just a year but the experiences we had in helping to rebuild, the friendships we made and of course the food, will always be a part of us. So this month when the Daring Cooks announced the challenge was Gumbo, I was pretty excited. I had some great gumbo while we were in New Orleans but I've never tried to make it myself.

Blue Cheese and Caramelized-Onion Squares

As Thanksgiving approaches, it's time to start thinking serious food! I know it's a little early but Electrolux Appliances has asked for submissions of appetizers and desserts for Thanksgiving and so it got me going down this track. This is my favorite food holiday and it's always fun to find new things to make for this great get together with family and friends.

Can't Go Wrong with Fried Food

Anyone that knows me knows that I love just about anything fried. Not the healthiest choice but it just tastes so good. We went to a parade last week in Lakeville and there were food stands all over so obviously I came home craving something fried.