Recipe for Chive and Herb Buttermilk Biscuits

I'm going to have to blame the accidental making of these decadent chive and herb biscuits and the 3-4 pounds I gained after inhaling the entire batch on my southern husband. One morning he was like- hey, I bought all this breakfast sausage and I don't know what we should make with it. And I was like- oh, I know. Let's completely ruin the last couple trips I made to the gym by making buttermilk biscuits and then putting pork sausage and fried eggs between them. Real smart. Also, real, real effin good. So, maybe it wasn't exactly worth it in the health department, but totally worth it in the delicious southern cooking, butter laden, flavorful herb biscuit department. I plucked the chives and herbs straight from my back deck, used some buttermilk and butter I got from the farm stand down the road and spent the morning crafting the most delicious biscuits I've ever made. These are perfect to take to a summer BBQ or just to eat on the back deck on a warm summer morning with your family.

Katie MilesJuly 8, 2014Summer, Side Dishes, BreakfastComment

Roasted Ranch Potatoes Recipe

How to Make Roasted Ranch Potatoes

I would basically describe these potatoes as a mashed potato encased in a crispy, ranch flavored outer shell that will explode in your mouth with the force not unlike a cool ranch Dorito chip. Now we don't eat Dorito's in our house, (not at all saying I'm immune to the deliciousness of a Dorito, just merely trying to keep our house free of processed foods) but we definitely like to eat a crispy, ranch-y potato now and then. I've been making this roasted potato recipe for a while now, which is NOT AT ALL like a regular old roasted potato. Boiling the potato first so it gets all soft and then baking it in vegetable oil and corn starch creates a magical effect that is probably a little unhealthy, but unhealthy in a way that is crispy and divine thereby making it totally worth it. Adding in the ranch seasoning has taken the recipe to a whole new level. A level that is definitely going to make everyone freak out the next time I make them for a dinner party, which is the goal of my entire life.

Katie MilesJune 30, 2014Side Dishes, Summer, Winter, Gluten Free, VegetarianComment

Grilled Watermelon Salad

Heat Up Your Summer Salad with Grilled Watermelon

Grilling watermelon is not a new thing for me. It was something I discovered last summer when my husband mentioned it to me and about lost my brain thinking about the amazing possibilities that grilling watermelon could bring to my dinner table. My first attempt at using grilled watermelon was the thai inspired Grilled Watermelon and Shrimp Salad which came out AMAZING and seriously wowed my dinner guests. This time around I wanted to make something that featured the watermelon so I created this salad. The warmth and sweetness of the cubed grilled watermelon is the star of the show in this arugula, feta and mint salad and the balsamic vinaigrette plays nicely off the sweetness of the melon, rounding out the flavor of the dish.

Katie MilesJune 26, 2014Summer, Side Dishes, Salads, Healthy, Vegetarian, Gluten FreeComment

Easy Baked Ratatouille

There is a lot of debate surrounding the topic of traditional ratatouille. Some insist that the vegetables be stewed, others agree that it should be stewed then baked. My approach to ratatouille comes from a very American desire to make cooking quick and painless. There is no stewing involved in this ratatouille. Just layer and bake. I developed this ratatouille many years ago and have come up with a version for each season. This particular ratatouille uses summer vegetables and is probably my favorite because of the bright flavors. You can experiment with different vegetables, herbs and cheeses and find your own favorite version of baked ratatouille.

Katie MilesSeptember 4, 2013Side Dishes, Vegetarian, Summer Comment

Sautéed Sugar Snap Peas with Lemon and Cream

The farmer's stand is rolling out new vegetables every week. New on the shelves this week: Sugar snap peas! Sugar snap peas are sweet, crispy and full of flavor. This recipe keeps the crispiness of the peas intact and brings out the flavor with some fresh lemon juice and heavy cream.

Katie MilesJuly 24, 2013Side Dishes, Vegetarian, SummerComment

Rosemary and Garlic Infused Potato Salad

WHOO HOO! GO AMERICA!!! Party on. Excellent. Don't show up to the Fourth of July party empty handed. If you want to set off some taste bud firecrackers you should definitely make this crazy flavorful potato salad. I love a good German potato salad, so I kept most of the ingredients but added a pretty amazing twist. What we are going to do here is replace that boring mustard and mayo mixture with rosemary and garlic infused aioli (mayo made with olive oil), fried rosemary and garlic chips, whole grain mustard and healthy and delicious red potatoes. I mean, come on, what else could you possibly make that would top this side dish? Do it!

Katie MilesJuly 3, 2013Vegetarian, Side Dishes, SummerComment

Watermelon and Mint Salad

Today I have a super simple and delicious recipe that you can serve throughout the summer. Watermelon and mint should be available all summer at your local farmer's market. It is such a fresh and sweet combination of ingredients that you will love having it as a side dish or a desert with many dinners.

Katie MilesJune 27, 2013Healthy, Side Dishes, SummerComment

Baked Rosemary Garlic French Fries

Ever since I waited tables at the Spotted Pig way back in 2006, I have been obsessed with perfected my own rosemary garlic french fries. The Spotted Pig's shoestring french fries with fried rosemary and garlic chips will definitely make your heart go pitter -patter, pitter-patter. Unfortunately, they may also make your heart go phut, phut, phut, eeeeee-arrrrrr- kerplunk because they are basically just a whole lotta oil with a little starch. Over the years, I've tinkered around with my own recipe and I think I've devised a delicious and healthy (well, healthIER) alternative to the Spotted Pig french fries. Baked fries using nutritious red potatoes with loads of garlic and rosemary!! Enjoy!

Katie MilesJune 6, 2013Side Dishes, Toddler Food Comment

Baked Beans

Are you planning a summer barbecue? Well don't forget the baked beans! Wow your guests with homemade from scratch baked beans just like your grandmother used to make. Here is a fabulous recipe that is sure to please.

Katie MilesJune 4, 2013Side Dishes, SummerComment

Dad’s Turkey Stuffing Recipe

I know I’m partial to this stuffing because I grew up with it, but it is the best stuffing that has ever been made. Ever. I know a lot of families have a traditional stuffing that they claim is the best, but this one really is the best. So stop asking for the recipe already! Here it is!

Katie MilesDecember 10, 2012Side Dishes, Fall, ThanksgivingComment

Roasted Curry Cauliflower

Katie MilesDecember 10, 2012Toddler Food, Side Dishes, Healthy, FallComment

Roasted Acorn Squash

One of my favorite things about fall and winter cooking is that you can roast just about any vegetable. Getting the oven fired up for roasting just makes the house that much warmer and cozy and I love the smell of squash and root veggies roasted with spices and olive oil. Here is a super easy recipe for roasted acorn squash:

Katie MilesDecember 10, 2012Side Dishes, Healthy, FallComment