Pan-Braised Meatballs with Spring Onions + Parm (Toddler Friendly!)

First, a tremendous thank you for the comments, messages, virtual hugs and social media shares in light of my last entry. Shortly after pressing publish, I asked Chris how he felt about the post, and he pushed back with “how do you feel after writing it?” To which I offered, “Better.” So. Thank you for listening, for allowing this spot to be about more than just side hustle and SPAM. For indulging me. If I could hug and squeeze every one of you, I would. But as I cannot, I’ll offer up this — the coziest, most comforting gift I … Read More

Three Cheese Butternut Squash Pasta Bake with Mushrooms + Chard

Three Cheese Butternut Pasta Bake with Mushrooms + Chard Recipe (via thepigandquill.com) #vegetarian #burrata #casserole

Some weeks ago I saw a Tasting Table video on Facebook I couldn’t resist. Jumbo shells, stuffed with roasted butternut squash and ricotta, topped with burrata and baked. It was undeniably appealing, instantly evocative of the frozen, cheese-stuffed jumbo shells my bestie Whitney and I used to heat up for summer lunches back when Costco was Price Club and we still owned more cassette tapes than CD’s. Looking in my fridge, I was heartbroken to remember using the last of our ricotta on that morning’s toast (with sliced pears and honey — never a bad idea) — but was blasted with hope in the … Read More

grilled artichoke and cherry tomato pasta with parm, parsley + garlic toast crumbs

Grilled Artichoke and Cherry Tomato Pasta with Parm, Parsley + Garlic Toast Crumbs from @thepigandquill | via thepigandquill.com | #summer #vegetarian #brunch

There are so many ways to start this post today, I almost don’t know where to start. It’s (un)officially summer! It’s officially mah berfday month! I’m eating dairy again! BRUNCH PASTA! I suppose if you needed to weave all of those items into a common tale, we could talk about how all I wanted for my birthday was to put milkstuff in my facehole again and this totally brunch-worthy pasta that sings of summer is making all those dreams come true. In fact, that’s basically it. I should probably end the post here. But you know meeeeeeeeee. So first off: … Read More

tomato-bacon bisque + apple-bacon grilled cheese | two red bowls guest post

tomato-bacon bisque + apple-bacon grilled cheese |two red bowls guest post! (via thepigandquill.com)

Today I’m beyond elated to have Cynthia from Two Red Bowls generously pinch-hitting for me while I gorge myself on baby Lana cuddles (ok – more like baby Lana feeding. after feeding. aaaaafter feeding. someone takes after her momma…). I’ve adored Cynthia’s culinary creativity (these biscuits + Chinese sausage gravy! this SPAMmy budae jjigae! those pineapple buns!) and distinctively styled photography since shortly after I joined the blogosphere, and her warm heart and sincere voice always keep me coming back to her space time and again. She’s truly an inspiration! If you don’t already follow Cynthia (you silly duck, you…), I implore you to … Read More

(party-perfect!) deviled cheese crisps + farewell 2014

Super simple cheese crisps made with crisped rice cereal!! Great for cheese plates or party trays. Full recipe at www.thepigandquill.com. #partyfood #NYE #recipe #cheese #snacks

Crumbly. Spicy. Almost-shortbready-but-they’re-made-with-rice-crispies-whaaaaaaa…CHEESE CRISPS!!!!! Yes. But first. There’s but a single day left in 2014 (or two? do I count today?) and I’m trapped somewhere between having too many words to share and not a clue what to write. Which, if you blog or journal or have even ever tried to write a particularly clever email to your boss, is something you’ve all experienced. (Side note: that clever email thing = really hard to pull off. And not for lack of trying, trust me…) Generic as it may sound, 2014 was a year of substantial changes in our little abode. There … Read More