Homemade Salted Caramel Frappuccino Recipe – my favorite coffee shop drink made lighter at home. Quick, simple, and absolutely delicious. These past few days in Kansas have been gorgeous: sunny mornings, upper 70s, and a light breeze. Warm weather makes me crave iced coffee with a tall crown of whipped cream and a generous drizzle … Read more

I was walking this morning through the nearby woods on a crisp, chilly fall day. My eyes are usually tuned to spotting birds, but with the leaves gone the mushrooms growing on hardwood stood out clearly. Mushrooms have always fascinated me. When I was a child in Switzerland, my father took me mushroom hunting until … Read more

I put together this fun Monster Mash recipe because we had a surprise snow day, it was Halloween, and I was craving something spooky and sweet. I was bored (we had a totally random snow day) It was Halloween I wanted something gooey and green — monster goo! When I first served this to my … Read more

Confession: if it weren’t for this blog, I’d probably live on quesadillas. When inspiration and leftovers run low, I stuff a tortilla with cheese and whatever’s in the vegetable crisper and call it a meal. Quesadillas—literally queso tortillas in Spanish—originated in Mexico, along with many other tasty ideas. My go-to quesadilla often includes black beans … Read more

This virgin Bloody Mary made with V8 is one of my favorite non-alcoholic drinks. It’s a tasty way to boost your vegetable intake while enjoying a full-flavored, savory mocktail. A perfect Bloody Mary elevates any brunch, and this V8-based version is simple, popular, and delicious. A salted or chili-rimmed glass adds a nice finishing touch. … Read more

Welcome to Life at Number Eight — my monthly series where I recap the month and catch up on what’s been happening. And just like that, another month has passed. For me, March marked the end of summer: my calendar is filling up and, happily, the last few days have brought some cool breezes. Maybe … Read more

A slow-roasted leg of lamb makes a striking holiday centerpiece and is easier to prepare than it appears. The meat turns out moist and full of flavor, served with a gravy made from the pan juices and roasted vegetables. You can prepare it ahead of time so you have more time to enjoy family and … Read more

This Cucumber Avocado Tomato Salad is an easy, flavorful side perfect for warm weather. It’s low-carb friendly and fits Paleo, Whole30, gluten-free, and vegan diets when prepared accordingly. Avocado Cucumber Salad This bright garden salad is one of my favorite summer dishes. Crisp cucumbers and juicy tomatoes are combined with creamy avocado, red onion, fresh … Read more

What Rice Does Instead of an Egg The secret comes down to one thing: starch. When rice simmers gently in hot milk, the grains swell and release amylose, which thickens the liquid. This gelatinization gives body to the base in the same way an egg yolk would in a classic ice cream. In other words, … Read more