Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

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Why hello there. Yes, you…the banana bar with frosting as thick as you are. Where have you been hiding?

Would you care to join me for a quick bite?

No?

Well, you are just too delicious to let slip through my fingers…NOM NOM NOM!

Creepiness aside, these are serious bars. I made these after a request, nay, a challenge, from a coworker to make a banana dish with cream cheese frosting – his favorite.

Luckily for him, I had 4 bananas quickly blackening and an oddly large amount of cream cheese in my fridge.

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The Food of St. Andrews

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St. Andrews is not a big place. Yes, it’s home to the Old Course, and yes, it’s where Kate met Prince William, but it is essentially a bubble or a world that houses a small fishing village, a lovely university (not that I’m biased…), and a large number of tourists/golfers.

It only has three main streets, but St. Andrews does not disappoint when it comes to food. Filled with adorable local cafes, bistros and bakeries, St. Andrews offers an amazing variety and quality of food not usually found around college students and tourists.

Here are my personal favorite places to eat while in St. Andrews. If you’re planning a visit, make sure to put these at the top of your list!

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Eating Well in London

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Even my vacations seem to be about food.

I’m currently in London. Yes, London – home of the Olympics and some very wonderful friends! I am seeing a lot of both, and I am also eating some tasty food.

The Brits are not known for having particularly delectable cuisine. Wonderful Indian, Thai, Italian, etc., but when it comes to their own native foods we are left with things like sweet corn and tuna pizza, Scotch eggs, mushy peas and haggis.

I’m not saying it’s all bad. I love shepherd’s pie, and fish and chips (fries for Americans) can be hard to beat when you’re craving something fried, but it’s all fairly heavy, meat-and-potatoes type dishes that aren’t necessarily well suited to the lighter summer eating I find myself craving these days.

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Cheesecake Brownies

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Cheesecake brownies…yum.

I was inspired to make these after a friend, and fellow belly dance troupe member, brought some her husband made for a pre-show costuming session. (Best husband ever, right?)

These were what I like to call “Oh Wow” treats. The kind of treats you bring into work, set on the designated “treats” counter, and watch as coworkers pass by and eye them up.

Eventually they’ll cave, the mid-morning/mid-afternoon urge to snack kicks in while they’re sipping some coffee and thinking about their next meeting or reminding themselves to remember to email so-and-so back.

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Zucchini Fritters with Garlic-infused Yogurt

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Stop the presses!

I’m interrupting today’s regularly scheduled dessert post to bring you something better.

And it’s made with vegetables.

I know, I just saw the pigs fly by my window too, but seriously guys – you’ve got to try these. Right now. Go to your local farmers market, buy some zucchini, clear your schedule and make some zucchini fritters.

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Asian-Inspired Ribs

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These ribs came to me from my friend Marisa. Now, I am not usually a big rib person, but after she made them for a dinner party, I demanded the recipe within two bites.

These are fantastic for people who either lack a grill, or the skills to grill in general because you make them in a slow cooker. The long cook time results in rib meat that literally falls off the bone – you may have a hard time getting them out of the pot in one piece!

These also got rave reviews from rib-lover and resident manly food expert, my boyfriend. Ribs are his number one favorite food, and he’s pretty pleased I finally found a recipe that let’s me love ribs as much as he does.

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Polenta with Black Beans, Tomatoes and Spinach

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Have I mentioned how much I adore Cooking Light? They have a great selection of delicious and healthy recipes, and every time I try something new from their cookbooks or magazines I end up with a winner.

Why? Because (and I truly do believe this despite previous posts like these Big Butt Bars) healthy options can be just as scrumptious as those loaded with oil and salt.

Case in point: polenta with black beans, tomatoes and spinach.

Since I first tried out this fast and easy recipe, it’s become my go-to for Summer cooking. It’s light, filling, and doesn’t require you to heat up the house.

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Hola Arepa Food Truck Review

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It’s no secret I have a mild obsession with food trucks. Ok fine, mild is slightly inaccurate – more like when I see a food truck I start to bounce up and down, clap my hands with childish delight, and exclaim to whoever I am with, “Look it’s a food truck!”.

The food truck scene in the Twin Cities has exploded over the past few years, and much to my delight I am fortunate enough to work in downtown Minneapolis within walking distance of the streets frequented by these mobile culinary delights.

With this being my first food truck season where I am close enough to go during my lunch hour, I decided it was my duty to all of you to eat at as many of them as possible and let know how they are.

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Blondie Bites with Nutella Frosting

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A few months ago, I experimented with chocolate baklava. Despite making (and then eating) an entire pan, I still managed to end up with half a jar of Nutella.

Determined to find a more creative way to use that Nutella besides the spoon-to-mouth technique, I whipped up some banana cupcakes that just screamed for Nutella buttercream. Problem solved, right?

Nope. I made two dozen cupcakes, and still ended up with enough Nutella buttercream for another round of treats.

So I present to you, the final saga in the thrilling trilogy that sprung from a single jar of Nutella – blondie bites with Nutella frosting.

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Sloppy Joes

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Memorial Day has come and gone and, if you’re like me, you are officially in Summer mode. That means ice cream, a walk around one of our many lovely lakes, and outdoor barbecues with friends!

I was already put in the mood for some Summer cooking when I stopped by Minnesota Monthly’s GrillFest a few weeks ago. But with no grill of my own and no central air, I’m faced with the challenge of capturing my Summer favorites without heating up the house. Continue reading →