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                  Caramel Corn From thekitchn.com Make caramel corn, make new friends. For some variation, you can substitute cereal, pretzels, and peanuts for some of the popcorn to make a caramel party mix. 10-12 cups plain popped popcorn (from ½ cup unpopped kernels) ¾ cup unsalted butter 1… Read more »

This recipe came to me from my friend Kari’s grandma. Challah (pronounced like “holla”) is a traditional Jewish bread made to eat on the Sabbath and on special holidays. After I attempted to make challah from a generic cookbook in my early bread-baking days, Kari set me on the right path with her family’s traditional… Read more »

Festive with a perfect balance of sweet and tart, these cranberry-orange buns are begging to be a part of a holiday brunch or become a Christmas morning tradition. But be warned—if you want to keep making these all winter (which I think you will), buy fresh cranberries now and freeze them—soon they’ll disappear from the… Read more »

As a kid, one of the most exciting days of the Christmas season was the day when we would make and decorate Christmas cookies. My mom would invite our cousins attending the nearby college and their friends over for supper and decorating. It started as a way to make sure cookies got decorated despite fidgety… Read more »

Nothing says “cozy” to me quite like shepherd’s pie as the temperatures drop and snow starts to fly. Feel free to add more vegetables to the mash or the sauce—any sort of root vegetable would be delicious and appropriate. Fair warning—you’ll probably want to take a nap after eating this comfort food, so plan your… Read more »

This pilaf is a great addition to any cozy fall meal. Try it for Thanksgiving! Autumn Rice Pilaf Serves 6-8 1 ½ cups dry jasmine rice 1 tbsp butter ½ to 1 cup dark greens, chopped (spinach, kale, or swiss chard all work well) 1 clove garlic, minced ¼ tsp cinnamon ¼ tsp dried sage… Read more »

Looking for a fall pumpkin dessert that doesn’t require you to struggle over a pie crust, or even turn on the oven? These easy cheesecake cups are it! One of our recent quilting retreats can back me up—they’re a great fall treat! No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Cups Adapted from CookingClassy.com 1 sleeve of graham crackers, crushed… Read more »

Almond bars are simple to put together, but with their sparkly sugar tops, they’ll stand out among the widest spread of desserts. Trust me, you’ll want to make these again. Almond Bars 4 eggs, beaten 2 cups granulated sugar, plus a few more tablespoons for sprinkling Pinch of salt 2 cups flour 1 cup melted… Read more »

Did you know that North Dakota is one of the top honey-producing states in the US? I didn’t until I moved here, but it explains why Camp Metigoshe’s supporters so generously donate pounds and pounds of honey to camp! These cookies are a fantastic showcase for honey’s flavor since it’s the only sweetener. For a… Read more »

Since I went to college only a few miles from home, I usually made my way to the farm for the hearty Sunday dinners that I had grown up with, and I often took friends who needed a break from cafeteria food. This salad quickly became a favorite, and was often requested–“Will your mom be… Read more »