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Crazy Good Chocolate Cake
Mom's famous chocolate cake recipe. With a light, tender, crumb and rich chocolate flavor, it is the BEST chocolate cake out there. It's great with a variety of frostings and toppings, whether as a simple sheet cake, fan-favorite cupcakes, or elegant layer cake.
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Cheddar Bacon Cheese Ball
This nutty, flavorful cheese ball is a longtime hit. It's the perfect appetizer or snack and goes well with both crackers and veggies.
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Grandpa’s Tomato Salad
This salad tastes like summer. Juicy, sweet, tangy, savory, spicy, creamy, tomatoey summer. My Dad would always make it with garden-fresh tomatoes, and everyone wanted in on that flavor party. In fact, I always thought my Dad invented the recipe, until I later learned that it was my Grandpa Bullough who deserved some of the the credit for passing this food tradition along. Grandpa was known for his love of mayonnaise, and drenching everything in it was his idea of a great no-cook meal. In this case, a little mayo, ranch dressing, and parmesan cheese go a long way in making this a standout salad. It’s great as a lunch,…
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Cherry Cobbler
Ah, Summer! Filled with long sunny days, loads of fresh fruit and veggies, and fun family traditions. The variety of juicy summer fruit is one of the best perks of the season, and for me, no summer is complete without enjoying a fruit cobbler at least once or twice. I love the elegant simplicity of cobbler; it’s easy to adapt to your preferences and available ingredients. In this case, sweet juicy cherries are baked with a buttery shortbread topping; a timeless combination. It’s a marriage of flavors that can outshine just about any other dessert–especially when served warm, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting alongside. Like pie–only easier,…
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Beef Stew
Beef Stew is one of those wonderful, hearty meals that’s a family go-to year round, but especially during the colder months. It’s one of those easy “fix it and forget it” dishes that are ideal for a slow cooker. I make it regularly, and my mom also made it often when we were growing up. It’s always been one of my favorites. Serve it with sliced bread or rolls, and you’ve hit comfort food heaven. This week, I made stew in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. Last year Jeremiah and I took a trip out to Ireland, where I was excited to try out some authentic “Irish Beef Stew.” I…
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German Pancakes
Also referred to as “Dutch baby pancakes,” “puffed oven pancakes,” or even “oversized popovers,” all I know is that whatever you call them, they taste incredible. Apparently these were first created in the United States by Pennsylvania Dutch settlers, and fortunately the tradition continued from there. They’re light, buttery, not too sweet, and entirely delicious. They’re leavened with eggs, so they rise tall and golden in the oven, then after baking, they collapse into a perfect “bowl” for holding your toppings. These have been a family breakfast hit for as long as I can remember, and I make them often for my own kids now too. My Dad (who grew…
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Banana Bread Muffins
I can’t seem to get enough banana bread, and I especially love banana muffins. These are perfect for an on-the-go breakfast (or a lazy leisurely one too, with a mug of tea or warm milk), and they make a great snack any time of day. Even better, the flavor and texture improve overnight, so you can make them in advance and enjoy them for a few days (if they last that long). This recipe is a slightly adapted version of my great-grandma Florence Robinson Beck’s (1905-1998) banana bread. (Mainly, I took her bread recipe and turned it into muffins instead.) It yields muffins that are light and moist (not soggy…
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Corn Chowder
Creamy, savory, corn-studded comfort. Chock full of sweet corn, salty bacon, and cheesy, chunky potatoes, this soup is one you’ll be making often. It’s always been one of my favorite soups, and I can’t let a fall or winter go by without making it. This recipe comes from my grandma, Linda Beck Bullough, and it’s a long-standing family favorite. I’ve adapted it slightly, but it’s still her best-loved recipe at the core. Try it once, and you’ll be hooked for life. Prepare for popularity, because everyone around you will be too. Linda Beck Bullough is the queen of quick-and-easy meals, and this soup is a classic example of that. It…
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Fudge Brownies
Chocolate lovers, these decadent brownies are the stuff of drools dreams. Rich, fudgy, nutty, chewy, chocolaty heaven-in-a-square. Even maestro Willy Wonka himself would agree. I mean, who doesn’t love brownies? And these check ALL the boxes. Even ice cream is superfluous with these bad boys, and that’s saying something (although it couldn’t hurt any either…). I love the crunch and depth of flavor added by the nuts, but you can leave them out if you prefer them that way or have a nut allergy. They’re still fudgy and amazing. This recipe comes from my grandma, Ann Williams Stephens. She’s been making them at least since the 1970’s and it’s THE…
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Grandpa’s Ham and Bean Soup
Grandpa Brent is famous for his soups. His ham and bean soup in particular is the stuff of legend. Due to health challenges, he’s no longer able to cook, but I remember when Jeremiah and I were first married, we all had dinner together and he made this soup. We’ve never stopped talking about it. I’d had it a few times growing up as well, and always loved it, but I don’t think I gave it the respect it deserved at the time. This soup is about simple, quality ingredients coming together in the most comforting, savor-every-mouthful kind of way. My Grandpa, Robert Brent Bullough, is the most genuinely kind,…
