I took an International Foods course in college where each week we would make a big feast of foods from a different region of the world. It was the biggest face-roll course I've ever taken (ie, could not have been easier and more enjoyable) and many of the dishes I learned to make are still […]
Once upon a time, I made an ebook called "Chris Loves Burgers" because it's true – I do! You can find a link for it, along with 3 of my favorite burger recipes, in this post here, but one thing the eBook fails to have a recipe for is smash burgers. The smash burger is […]
The best flavors are the ones on sale, and yellow mangos are everywhere right now. I'm a big fan of chicken wings so this week I went a little tropical for Chris Cooks and it paid off in a big way. Because these wings are incredible. Blender | Tongs | Cutting Board | Lantern Pendants […]
This year for Mother's Day, I wanted to share with you some delicious dishes you can make for your mom, your wife, or any mother figure in your life to show some love and gratitude. Now, since I do 90% of the cooking in our house, Mother's Day is just a regular day of cooking, […]
I'm going to make a claim right now. And it's a claim you hear over and over from food bloggers. So much so, that it feels trite and meaningless, so I hesitate to say it. But please, read these words with the same spirit that I write them: this is my favorite recipe ever. glass […]
I continue to work on my southeast Asian cooking, and the process has me very quickly falling in love with lemongrass. The flavor is so vibrant and it works so well with every type of meat out there. But right now, beef is my favorite and specifically skirt steak. Skirt steak, cut into strips against […]
Something that surprised me when Julia cut out grains was how much "crunch" we lost. That texture experience took a big back seat and I missed it. Of course there are a lot of options being made now, but 8 years ago we had no croutons, no cereal, no crackers. I was desperate for that […]
I grew up eating 7-layer salad most Sundays in the Spring and Summer. It's crisp, full of flavor, and stays fresh even when made the day before (just hold off on the dressing). Unfortunately, the version I had as a child had cheese, bacon, and Miracle Whip (eggs) as the base. Not friendly to dietary […]
I think the reason why I love Easter so much is that it's a simple one-day Holiday full of family time and good food. Speaking of good food, I've curated a bunch of Easter recipes that are perfect for a springtime meal, whether you're looking for the perfect Ham, a light brunch, or the yummiest […]
Deviled eggs are underrated. And also under-experimented with, considering eggs are one of the most versatile and widely-used ingredients out there. And even though we have bouts of egg-free eating, when Easter, Thanksgiving, or Christmas roll around I can't skip making a version of this tasty appetizer. Serving Platter | Ceramic Bunnies I also love […]
I tell myself that I'm not a brunch person. But what is brunch, but a late breakfast? And I'm definitely a late breakfast person so, I guess I am a brunch person. But particularly on holidays, when the brunch sets me up for the main meal coming later. My approach with brunch is simple. Keep […]
Growing up in the Utah/Idaho corridor, "funeral potatoes" have been commonplace my entire life. Of course once people realized it was a bit of a dark name for such an amazing dish, many started calling it "cheesy potato casserole" instead. Whatever you call the dish, goodness sakes its hard to beat. Ruffled Baking Dish | […]
If I were a little more aware of what sports things happen when, I probably would have posted this a few weeks ago. But really, a good dip is always good. And this one is good. Free from grain, gluten, dairy, soy, egg - so creamy, a touch of spice, and lots of flavor. If […]
The classic "wedge" salad is one of my favorites. Crispy bacon, creamy blue cheese dressing, and the crisp, cool lettuce. But when Jules told me she was craving one, I knew that the version I made would need to stand on its own, and not just try to kinda recreate the original. No, the flavor […]
Don't complicate it. If there's anything about cooking I want everyone to understand, it's that it doesn't need to be fancy. It doesn't need to be perfect, or plated, or polished. Food already tastes good. The stuff you buy at the store? It's already good! Some simple seasonings and an appropriate source of heat is […]
For me, simple desserts are hard to beat. A scoop of good ice cream. A cool creme brûlée. A piece of cheesecake. But what do those all have in common? Dairy. So especially when it comes to a romantic dinner for two, desserts can be tough on those with food restrictions. And nothing kills romance […]
We're not exactly sports people, but we're big foodies, and where there's a Super Bowl party, there's food. And so, in honor of the biggest game day of the year, here are 16 Super Bowl food ideas that are sure to please any crowd. 1. Chicharron de Ribeye Tacos Try the recipe 2. Chicken Teriyaki […]
This post is sponsored by EPIC Provisions. Use code CLJEPIC20 for 20% off everything on their site. I was introduced to Chicharron de Ribeye tacos by my brother-in-law, who is from Monterrey, Mexico. I had never heard of them before, but when he and I were out to dinner and saw them on the menu, […]
I hate to toot my own horn, but I'm a bit of a cookware connoisseur. Okay, I tend to be a connoisseur of most cooking supplies and tools, but today it's all about cookware. Despite sounding too cliche, I get a lot of questions about what my "actual" favorite cookware is... and the honest answer […]
In the world of grain-free eating, glass noodles are Heaven-sent. Not as a substitute, in my opinion. Meaning, I wouldn't necessarily suggest ladling a scoop of marinara over top with some Italian meatballs. But for the joy of eating a noodle, and an openness to try something new, this ingredients will quickly become a pantry […]
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Welcome to our online community where we've posted home, DIY, style, renovations, and family since '09. Renovating our #cljmoderncottage in Idaho and headed for new adventures in Raleigh, NC. #cljfam #cljtransformations