August 30, 2020
Autumn is quickly approaching with crisp, quiet mornings and leaves starting to collect on the ground. I am sharing one of my favorite summer cocktails and appetizers as we squeeze in the final flavors of summer this Labor Day weekend. These recipes look stunning and are full of flavor, but are actually quite simple to prepare.
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June 30, 2020
What I have always loved about food and cooking is the connection to others. The sense of community that comes with sitting around a table, sharing conversation, and food prepared with intention and love. The memories last long after a meal ends. I found this is what I missed the most being isolated in quarantine. Cooking for, and with, people.
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March 22, 2020
The first Saturday in March, I went to Funks Grove for a maple sirup making demonstration. The day was sunny, 60 degrees, and perfect. Several of the volunteers said the weather was the nicest they had in their many years of experience. None of us thought how quickly the world would turn sideways in the weeks that followed, and since I am currently self quarantined in central Illinois, I thought I would share a positive experience from that beautiful day.
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February 29, 2020
A sweet friend gifted me a Bavarian cookbook, Biergarten, for my birthday last year. I was excited to see she tagged her favorite foods among the recipes, and I have been anxious to try some of them since last August. The author, Julia Skowronek, does a good job of explaining the rich history of Bavarian beer gardens.
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February 9, 2020
Happy first birthday to Lilacs and Green Onions! Wow, a year really does go by fast. As I started to write this, I was reflecting on how much I have learned over the past year. Mostly I learned that blogging is hard work. Successful bloggers will tell you to treat blogging like a full-time job and they are right. Since I already have a full-time job, there have been many times over the past year where I just haven’t had the energy to capture what I am cooking, or ideas will come to me but life happens and I don’t move fast enough to publish the content before the season is past. I am still working to find that balance between day job and maintaining a steady presence here.
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January 19, 2020
2020 arrived with a punch to the jaw. The weather leaps from frigid to balmy every 24 hours, I failed to dodge the illness that has circled the office, and my washer just turned in its resignation. The blustery snow and sleet storm that hit this weekend was the final straw. I stepped into my kitchen determined to reclaim 2020 and started with making this banana bread.
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December 27, 2019
I hope you all had a wonderful holiday surrounded by those you love! We are in post-holiday relaxation mode where we are finishing leftover Christmas cookies and trying to not think of any January resolutions yet. This soup is a favorite recipe to make after the rush of all the cooking and baking. This uses those bits of extra vegetables in your fridge, and after the initial chopping of vegetables most of the recipe is hands-off, allowing the soup to simmer and grow in flavor.
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November 24, 2019
My family is traditionalist when it comes to Thanksgiving dinner. There must be roast turkey, dressing made using my grandma’s recipe, the cranberry sauce my aunt made every year, and my mom’s pumpkin pie. A few additions have snuck in over the past few years. This Butterscotch Bourbon Pie has been my contribution to the dessert table these past few years, becoming a new required tradition.
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October 30, 2019
If you need a reason to throw a fall party, I have a suggestion. Crafting and cocktails! These fabric covered pumpkins are super simple to craft, and they will make your home look cozy through the Halloween and Thanksgiving season.
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October 27, 2019
Welcome to a second installment of Dinner and a Movie - Halloween Edition! Guest writer and author of Greatest Book of Movie Lists in the World…Allegedly, Casey Heaton, has provided his top ten list of Halloween movies! In collaboration, I am sharing one of my favorite autumn comfort food recipes, Sweet Potato-Topped Shepherd’s Pie. This dish will warm your family as you settle in for a long Halloween movie marathon. Happy Halloween!
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October 16, 2019
It’s apple season! We have landed solidly in the middle of our short autumn season at this point. One of my favorite ways to enjoy apples are tossed in with a salad. I love the crunch and sweetness of the apple in combination with the other components of a salad which have to include some sort of saltiness and acidity.
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September 29, 2019
The last few days of summer encouraged my basil plants to resurge with new growth and I could not be more pleased. Whenever I have an abundance of basil to use I think of this recipe, Thai Beef with Basil. I have been making this recipe frequently over the past few years for a couple reasons. The ingredient list is short and prep is minimal, making this a fast weeknight meal.
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August 18, 2019
Welcome back! I took a break from blogging to lean into summer and recalibrate a little. I am back with this quick and easy, completely irresistable Heath Bar Cake. You can serve this warm, with a scoop of ice cream, or let it cool completely if you are traveling to a party. I can never resist sneaking a piece or two of hot melted toffee from the top when the cake is right out of the oven. The burnt fingertips are totally worth it!
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July 13, 2019
Over the past few days I have been considering my summer bucket list. What are the things I do that make me FEEL summer? I am still working on the list but here is what I have so far. Long bike rides through green fields, surrounded by puffy clouds. Hearing the dip and splash of paddles while kayaking. Sitting on the patio at twilight, raising a chilled glass of wine in salute to the crickets for their concert and to the fireflies for their pyrotechnics. Escaping the heat for a few hours in a cool movie theater to catch the summer action movie.
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June 29, 2019
The best way I can describe Juneau is in the words of my shuttle driver, Marcos. As he drove through the vibrant, green valley from Juneau International Airport to the hotel at 10:30 p.m., he gestured out the window into the twilight at the bald eagles perched on the street lights. “The view at this time of day is most glorious,” he said proudly. Indeed, Juneau is “most glorious” at every turn.
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June 14, 2019
Introducing a new feature this month, Dinner and a Movie! I have partnered with guest writer, Casey Heaton, who is the author of Greatest Book of Movie Lists in the World…Allegedly. For this first installment, we are bringing you a Father’s Day option of a movie, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2, and a special dinner of a toasted marshmallow milkshake with a chopped cheese sandwich. Wishing a happy Father’s Day to all the fathers!
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May 21, 2019
We are heading into a long weekend and I can’t think of a better time to share this fruit-granola crisp recipe with you. This recipe is fancy enough to take to your brunch with friends, or can be a last minute dessert to take to a cookout. The recipe contains only a few basic ingredients but is completely brilliant.
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May 11, 2019
Did you celebrate Cinco de Mayo last weekend? Did you watch the history-making Kentucky Derby? I couldn’t decide which event to celebrate, so I landed on a mashup menu to combine the two. I called the celebration Derby de Mayo, but Cinco de Derby might work too!
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April 28, 2019
Nothing tastes like spring more than Rosé! Trees are exploding with vibrant blossoms, flowers are finally daring to show up in their finest, and the earth is green and good again. While I could drink Rosé all year, there is something special about a crisp, chilled glass of Rosé with fresh spring fruits and vegetables. Or roast chicken and a salad. Or Thai takeout. Basically, I drink Rosé with anything. Mostly because pink wine is just pretty.
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March 31, 2019
Someone told me this week that spring is a myth. I don't want to believe them but I do know what they mean. We have reached the end of March without much green-ness in view, but there is the feeling that spring is just around the corner if we can just hold on a little longer.
This week I've surrounded myself with fresh cut flowers, pastels, and jammy peanut butter-chocolate cookies. These cookies are BIG! While they don't specifically reflect spring, there is something about their shape that reminds me of a blooming flower. I made these cookies for the first time several years ago, and for some reason they were on my mind this week. Read more...
March 5, 2019
Happy Mardi Gras! I hope you celebrated properly with a king cake or two. Since I don't have a local bakery who sells king cake, this year I was determined to join the celebration and make my own. After doing some research, I saw this incredible Cinnamon Swirled Layered King Cake from Joy the Baker and knew I finally found the recipe I was looking for - the buttermilk cake is tender, the cinnamon swirl is buttery, and the cream cheese icing is perfect. I trust Joy in all matters of cake and this one did not disappoint. Celebrate Mardis Gras like you are in New Orleans today! Read more...
February 23, 2019
My sweet friends are expecting their second child in a matter of days. I recently spent a Saturday afternoon helping them plan and prep a couple meals they could store in their freezer for after the baby arrives and when they need a quick, comforting meal. It was such a joy to spend the afternoon in their kitchen, and they chose some delicious meals!
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February 9, 2019
Welcome to Lilacs and Green Onions! This project has been a concept for a while and I am excited to finally share my blog with you. Almost eight years ago, I first discovered food blogs and they have since been a source of inspiration for me and what I cook. For almost as long, I have had conversations with friends and family, tossing around the idea of creating my own blog. I have wanted a way to document what I cook and to share the stories around what inspires me. My intention for this space is to invite others to cook their food with me, and to share their family food traditions. Read more...