
{originally published in 2013 and updated in 2025} This tomato-forward ricotta pie is light and in the same vein as a quiche but fluffier and was due for a refresh! It works well with really good tomatoes. I used a … Continue reading
{originally published in 2013 and updated in 2025} This tomato-forward ricotta pie is light and in the same vein as a quiche but fluffier and was due for a refresh! It works well with really good tomatoes. I used a … Continue reading
It is a pepperoni pizza and caesar salad living in an on-the-go world by masquerading as a wrap. Continue reading
These fries get extra seasoning and then topped with melty cheese, pesto, tomatoes, and balsamic glaze! Continue reading
July forever has me settled into summer but also feeling like there’s so much I want to do before it is over! We have been swimming, attending lots more parties than usual, and trying to stay cool. Meals feel more about speed and ease than being well thought out or unique.
I re-made Chicken Caesar Salad Pizza from 2012 and it was as delightful now as it was then.
This Pickle Lemonade was really fun and works well spiked or plain!
Mojito Slaw on Fish tacos feels restaurant-ish at home
Peach Crumble Parfaits were a cool breakfast when it has been too hot to function!
August is already upon us. I have such a pull to do all the things before summer is over! Meals have taken a backseat to anything else we might want to do. Also, our fridge kicked it so we have to be a bit creative. We have vacation, a 7th birthday to celebrate, and several parties and adventures ahead this month!
The Big Kid:
He has had some fun camps – and one “not favorite” but he made the best of. He’s all sports all the time – maybe with an exception for a new Star Wars obsession. He quietly hates the heat but doesn’t let it slow him down until it knocks him out. He did the biggest and most intense ride at the theme park and I was so proud that he really decided for himself if he was ready for it.
The Littler One:
Her swimming has advanced to include more underwater and more strokes. She is blowing through chapter books and can’t stop – which we love to see. She cannot wait for her birthday. This summer we have seen her build more friendships. Summer dance class has been fun!
Goals for this upcoming year:
Year of replacements/upgrades! I upgraded 2 new workout tops and let one favorite go
Restaurant Recreations – nope
Special ingredient focus – not really
More fish – fish tacos!
What I’m reading – I read Project Hail Mary which I liked, but could have been 150 pages shorter…then I read The Nature of Fragile Things and was obsessed with the twists and San Fran quake. I just finished the Lost Letters from Martha’s Vineyard and was very into it…60s Hollywood vs grandmother’s past life.
Pickle lemonade (to spike or not) is refreshing and addicting, complete with garnish to snack on! Continue reading
Chia pudding, yogurt, peaches, and granola is sweetness, balance, and just peachy as breakfast! Continue reading
Mojito slaw with flavors of mint, lime, cucumbers, and a touch of sweetness to top fish tacos. Continue reading
{originally published in 2012 and updated in 2025}
California Pizza Kitchen introduced me to pizza on a salad and I’ve loved it since my high school days. This pizza was overdue for a refresh – even if it hasn’t been quite as long as it has been since high school!
Chicken Caesar Salad Pizza
Ingredients:
1 pizza dough ball
¼ cup tomato sauce/crushed tomatoes
Caesar Salad (3 tablespoons + 1/4 cup)
1 cup mozzarella shredded
1-2 chicken breast (marinated in Caesar dressing), grilled and sliced
1 heart of romaine
¼ cup Parmesan cheese
Directions:
Preheat pizza oven/oven to 400 degrees.
Stretch pizza dough out onto a floured baking pan or pizza stone and top with tomatoes and a drizzle of caesar dressing. Sprinkle cheese on and chicken.
Cook the pizza until crisp and melty – our pizza oven is 1-2 minutes.
Let sit a minute before slicing.
Chop the lettuce and toss with dressing, parmesan, and pepper.
Top the pizza with salad.
Enjoy!
This is the best of both worlds. Cheesy pizza with juicy chicken and then cool crisp lettuce.
Our June started at a medium pace with some soccer rain-outs, a drizzly girls trip, and lacrosse winding down. Then we kicked into full-gear for Flag Day! J’s birthday! Father’s Day! Pool time! Last days of school, and end-of-year parties tired us out. It was such a full month and I’m a bit tired from the end of fiscal year as well.
Perfect Patty Melts were this year’s birthday burger and were a hit! The garlic Texas toast made them.
I had some Passion Fruit Bubbly cocktails that were so fun…which reminds me I’m due for a round of those!
We had Corn Relish on hot dogs as an ideal way to use corn early into the season before the peak!
July will be full of camps and swimming. Work should chill-down a bit. I have some plans to make cool sides, a pizza-redo, and maybe a new breakfast!
The Big Kid:
He had a fun end of year. He’s so undecided about fall sports and I wish there was longer time to think about it. I’m not excited to pack camp lunches unless he starts developing some more options of packable things! He had such a nice group for last day of school swimming.
The Littler One:
We went to see a ballet of Sleeping Beauty with light-up costumes. It was so fun – not exactly a must-see but a nice/entry-level way to go to a ballet. She had lots of classmates for her last day of school bounce house.
Goals for this upcoming year:
Year of replacements/upgrades! I didn’t think of one this month!
Restaurant Recreations – nope
Special ingredient focus – raw corn for the corn relish was unusual for us!
More fish – I need to get on these, huh!
What I’m reading – I read The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bishop and was enchanted by her dance background! I also read The Rachel Incident by Caroline O’Donoghue and found it creative.
Happy birthday to my favorite with the tradition continues since 2011! This year we had patty melts using garlic Texas Toast for the bun. They could use even more cheese – I don’t know what I was thinking – don’t be like me. Really go for it.
Perfect Patty Melts
Ingredients: (serves 4)
1 box (8 slices) of Texas Toast garlic bread
1 pound ground meat
2-4 tablespoons (1/4 onion) caramelized onions
~ 8 slices of American cheese (or more!)
4 tablespoons Thousand Island Dressing
Directions:
Preheat the grill and oven/toast oven.
Form the patties (oblong shaped to fit the bread!) and grill until cooked to desired done-ness. Bake the garlic bread until heated through – they will finish on the grill.
Assemble with Thousand Island dressing, cheese on each bread-“bun” the cooked patties, and onions.
Grill or griddle to melt the cheese.
Enjoy!
We loved these! I’d really go for more cheese next time but both sides of the bread is key. These would be a good one if you’re forced inside/grill-less sometime! One kid asked if we could do it without the burger next time…so grilled cheese coming up?
The Historical Timeline of the Birthday Burgers:
2024 was a Hawaiian Burger with Pineapple Slaw for a sweet & salty trip
2023 was a Chicken Caesar Salad Burger with our beloved flavors
2022 was a Bacon Jam and Parmesan Peppercorn burger was all about the toppings.
2021 was a Waffle Breakfast Burger with ground sausage in the patty, maple aoli, and melted gouda.
2020 was a BLT burger with ground bacon IN the burger and tomato jam
2019 was a Manchego Burger with manchego, quince jam, and arugula
2018 was a Garlic Lovers Burger with garlic butter, chips, garlic aoli and white cheddar.
2017 was an Ultimate Mexican Burger with queso, guac, and beans.
2016 was a Mac & Cheese Stuffed Burger topped with bacon, onions, and tomato.
2015 was a Picnic Burger with slaw & potato sticks
2014 was a German Burger with horseradish, caramelized onions, pickles and a pretzel roll
2013 was a Vermont Burger with maple mayo, cheddar, bacon, and spinach
2012 was a Bacon Wrapped Burger – enough said
2011 was a Stuffed Burger stuffed with bacon & cheddar or bacon & blue cheese