Recipes

My current craving as summer approaches: fruit on savory pizza. Fruit pizza for dessert (you know the one, with the cream cheese layer and sugar cookie crust) is divine, but I’m fancying fruit this season as a topping for a dinner pizza. Figs, dates, and apples are all great additions to flatbreads to add sweetness and texture, but grapes are great because they retain their juice even after roasting. This pizza is a snap to assemble and will disappear in a snap too. Grilling the crust would also be tasty for a quick meal, or cut the pie into bite size pieces for a party appetizer.

Yield: 4 mini pizzas

Ingredients:

For the grapes:
1 1/2 c. seedless red grapes
3 T. balsamic vinegar
3 T. olive oil

For the pizza:
4 – 8 inch prepared pizza crusts (I used pre-packaged mini crusts from Kroger, but feel free to make your own or buy the kind in the tube and roll them out)
1 c. ricotta cheese, divided into 4 portions
2 T. olive oil
2 T. chopped fresh basil
3 T. chopped fresh chives
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 c. mozzarella
1/4 c. grated Parmesan

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. On a rimmed baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray, spread out grapes. Drizzle on oil and vinegar, toss grapes in mixture to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Roast the grapes for 10-15 minutes until the skins are just beginning to burst, stirring once halfway through. Allow the grapes to cool.

On each pre-baked crust, spread an even layer of the divided ricotta. Drizzle the oil atop the ricotta layer and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Next add the mozzarella and Parmesan, then top the cheeses with the garlic and the herbs. Finally distribute the grapes in an even layer, dividing them between the 4 pizzas. Bake the mini pizzas for 15 minutes in the 425 degree oven, until cheese is melted. Cut and serve!

I know grapes might sound crazy, but they add a stellar pop of sweetness. Shovel in every bite and let me know when you try the recipe; find my social channels here: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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Caroline

I’ve been loving the recent trend of smoothie bowls lately. Columbus has a noteworthy smoothie bowl scene, with the always tasty Alchemy, as well as Zest and Native Cold Pressed. But these bowl beauties are a snap to assemble at home. Blended fruit in a spoonable form allows for more toppings, and let’s face it, that’s the part that everyone really wants! These banana berry bowls are a dish that’s BLD-worthy (breakfast, lunch, or dinner approved), and the colors are perfectly Instagram-ready. It’s an ideal way to keep a meal on the lighter side, but not give up the fun factor.

Banana Berry Smoothie Bowls

Yield: 2 bowls

Ingredients:

For the bowl:
8 oz bag of frozen mixed berries (I used a bag of Kroger Very Berry Smoothie Blend)
2 frozen bananas, cut into chunks
1/4 c. peanut butter
1/4 c. milk

For the toppings:
1/4 c. peanut butter, melted in microwave
2 T. chia seeds
4 T. large flake coconut
Dried cranberries, chopped strawberries or bananas, slivered almonds, granola, mini chocolate chips, or any other toppings you desire

In a high-speed blender or food processor, start by combining the frozen bananas and frozen mixed berries. Pulse until the mixture is in pea-sized clumps. Then, add the peanut butter and the milk, blending until the mixture is completely smooth and very thick.

Scoop the smoothie mixture into two separate bowls for serving. Load each bowl up with your chosen toppings, dividing each item between the two bowls and arranging each topping in its own section of the bowl. I won’t tell if you add extra melted peanut butter! Swirl the whole thing together before eating and enjoy immediately.

PS: I got the frozen banana hack from http://minimalistbaker.com/ – it gives the smoothie a creamy soft-serve consistency.

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Caroline

I have to kick off another year of blogging with 2 wonderful things: local libations and easy recipes. The solution: sharing a collection of the booze-infused concoctions I’ve created for Drink Up Columbus. If you haven’t checked out Cheryl Harrison’s website, which showcases news about the Cbus craft beer and spirits scene, click here ASAP. It’s been fun finding a way to sneak adult beverages into some of my favorite foods, or create new cocktails with a Columbus twist. Below, you’ll find some simple ways to wow your Super Bowl party guests or stir up an elegant champagne sipper.

Keep Connected,

Caroline

Bring Us a Figgy Pudding (or a Fig Rosemary Sparkler)

And bring it right here! Ring in the new year in style with this simple and stylish libation. The cocktail starts with bourbon and foolproof Fig Rosemary simple syrup, all topped off with the celebratory staple of champagne. This is a sipper to savor on December 31st! READ MORE…

Forget Taco Tuesday: Drunken Tostadas

Listen, I love tacos as much as the next gal. But sometimes you want something different! The solution is to switch up your vessel. Tostada shells are better than tacos because you can layer them as high as you want without judgment. Plus since they are open-faced, you can put an egg on top. And the number one rule of cooking is: a runny egg on top makes anything taste good. I think Julia Child said that. Or maybe just me. When you use beer and enchilada sauce to slow-cook the shredded beef, you’ve got the perfect quick dinner in no time. READ MORE…

Super Bowl Slice: Razz Wheat JELL-O Shots

It’s time for the Super Bowl! Take a break from watching all that football and those zany commercials, and indulge in something that will please any partygoer: Jackie O’s JELL-O shots. These wicked little wedges are disguised as orange slices, but they use local Razz Wheat beer instead of water, for obvious reasons. But because the beer doesn’t provide quite enough punch, let’s booze it up! I’ve added some moonshine from Mill Street Distillery to kick it up another notch. No matter which team you’re rooting for, these fruity treats will score a touchdown with your guests. READ MORE…

American Pie: Boozy Double Apple Pie Parfait recipe

Let’s put it out there: you love pie, but you’re lazy. It’s ok, no judgment. Sometimes you just don’t feel like coring 14 apples and making a basket-weave out of dough, right? But there’s nothing more American than apple pie and alcohol, so combine your affinity for apple pie with your adoration of Brothers Drake Apple Pie mead, and you’ve got an easy parfait that’s perfect for the winter months. Brothers Drake’s mead is sublime on its own (especially in the bourbon-barrel aged variety) so adding the Apple Pie mead here amps up the fruity goodness of the pie filling! READ MORE…

Apple of My Eye: Salty Caramel + Apple Infused Whiskey

Summer is waning, and it’s going to start getting cold soon. No one wants this change, but you can console yourself is with apple picking and boozy beverages. And all good Columbus residents know that Salty Caramel is the best Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream flavor, right? So when you combine apples, Salty Caramel and OYO Whiskey, magic happens. READ MORE…

Winter is Coming: Pumpkin Beer Chili

If you are anything like me, you have a ton of of straggler pumpkin beers in your fridge. You know, the six packs where you get super pumped about fall, and buy a bunch of “basic” pumpkin brews. I have the solution for the impending winter temps – using leftover pumpkin beer for this ultra-satisfying chili. It’s perfect for tailgating and cozying up on cold winter nights. READ MORE…

Get Rich or Pie Trying: Boozy Berry Hand Pies

Columbus is having a bit of a Pie Renaissance. From savory spinach delights at Lineage Brewing, to the Honeykiss Bakery Salted Chocolate Pie (swoon!) at the Ohio Taproom, it’s obvious that alcohol and pie are a perfect pairing. The only thing better? Putting a favorite local spirit, OYO Stone Fruit Vodka, in your pie! These flaky blueberry-laden delights are your drink and dessert in one, and are dangerously easy to create. Think of them like a boozy adult pop-tart! READ MORE…

Float On: five recipes for booze-filled floats

If you’ve ever been to The Whitney House, you know about boozy floats. These adults-only concoctions are the ideal way to combine your desire to imbibe and satisfy your sweet tooth at the same time. Because let’s be honest – the only way to improve the classic root beer float is to add alcohol to it! Fortunately, Columbus has some great breweries and distilleries as well as ice cream artisans which are perfect for pairing. Here are five floats for you to fancy: READ MORE…

Wine Down: Wine Slushies

Slushies are for adults too! Nothing cools you down like a frozen treat, and adding wine to anything is a good idea, so whipping up a batch of wine slushies is the perfect way to beat the summer heat. I used the Lake View White blend from Buckeye Lake Winery in my concoction, and they were slurped up in no time! READ MORE…

Bust out your scarves, firepits, and plaid shirts folks! The season of all-pumpkin everything is upon us. I’ve already sampled pumpkin cream cheese, pumpkin spice cookies, and of course pumpkin-infused chai and lattes. But have you stepped up your breakfast game with the addition of America’s favorite fall treat? These Pumpkin Spice Latte Waffles are so easy, will satisfy your seasonal cravings, and make you the hero of the kitchen – no trip to a fancy coffee shop required. These are super-tender waffles, not crunchy Belgian-style ones. Learn more below!

Pumpkin Spice Latte Waffles

Yield – 4-6 waffles, depending on the size of your waffle iron

Ingredients

1 1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
2 Tbsp. espresso powder
1 pinch of salt
1 15 oz can pureed pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
1/4 c. melted butter
1/2 c. milk
2 eggs, beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
1 Tbsp. molasses

Dig out your waffle iron and preheat it to a medium setting. Start by mixing together the dry ingredients in a large bowl, combining all items from the flour through the salt.

In another large bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients, from the pumpkin to the molasses. Slowly fold the flour mixture into the pumpkin mixture, stirring together until just combined. Do not over-mix the batter.

Spray the waffle iron with non-stick cooking spray, and ladle the batter onto the iron, according to manufacturer’s recommended amounts. Cook each waffle until completely set and just starting to brown. Serve immediately.

I wouldn’t hesitate to top these pumpkin delights with whipped cream and caramel, or they’d be equally scrumptious with some apple cider syrup. Cue the falling leaves!

Do you have another favorite pumpkin recipe to share? Let me know by dropping me a note here.

Keep Connected,

Caroline

Confession: I hate eating corn on the cob. The kernels get in my teeth and the butter always drips off – a cardinal sin in my book. My mom always cut her corn off the cob, so I blame her. At any rate, we always end up with a bunch of leftover sweet corn at our house and these corn cakes are a great way to use up the last of those lingering ears. If you haven’t had pancakes in a savory variation before, please try this recipe. It’s easy to make the beef ahead of time, and the apple cider will get you in the fall spirit!

Fresh Corn Cakes with Spicy Shredded Beef
Serves 4

For the Beef:
3 lb. beef brisket or chuck roast
1 14.5 oz can of diced tomatoes
1 large onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, diced
1 10 oz can enchilada sauce
1 packet taco seasoning
1 cup apple cider

For the Corn Cakes:
1 pkg. corn muffin mix (I used Jiffy)
1 egg
1/2 c. milk
2 T. melted butter
2 ears fresh sweet corn, taken off the cob

For Topping:
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 c. sour cream
Handful chopped cilantro
Your other favorite toppings: avocado or guacamole, tomatoes, or hot sauce

In a crock pot, toss in all the shredded beef ingredients. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until meat is fully cooked. Take the beef out and shred it, then return it to the crock pot so it can soak up all those juices!

Whisk together the corn cake ingredients in a large bowl. Let the mixture set for 10 minutes to thicken. Next, cook and flip the cakes until crispy on a greased and heated griddle, just like you would pancakes. There should be enough for 8 generous corn cakes.

Plate up the corn cakes next. Layer two cakes with the beef, a ladle of the crockpot sauce, a dollop of sour cream, and a sprinkle of cheese and cilantro. Pile it high with the fixin’s of your choice, and gobble them up!

Keep Connected,

Caroline