If you’ve enjoyed the egg bites at Starbucks, here’s how to make them at home! These egg bites have become a staple recipe in my kitchen. Sure, they’re not the prettiest egg recipe, but they’re wonderfully flavorful and silky tender. They’re a protein-rich snack or ready-made breakfast to keep in your refrigerator (they freeze and defrost well, too).

These egg bites are a fun cooking project with a few twists along the way. I was surprised to find cottage cheese in Starbucks’ ingredient list. It’s the secret ingredient that offers a lovely tang and extra protein. Once blended, the lumpy texture disappears, which explains why I’d never guess it was there.

Instead of Starbucks’ sous vide cooking method, we’ll bake the muffin tray on a rimmed baking sheet filled with a small amount of hot water. The steam from the water bath gives these bites a luscious, smooth texture. Without it, the eggs would brown at the bottom and taste more like frittata muffins. It’s a small detail that makes a big difference!

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Refried black beans are one of my favorite plant-based recipe components. I’ve perfected my technique and flavorings over the years, and I’m excited to share the recipe with you today.

Made with canned beans, these refried black beans are a quick and satisfying alternative to stovetop black beans, and a fun variation on classic refried pinto beans. They taste far superior to plain canned black beans or store-bought refried beans. They’re the best!

These refried beans are flavored with sautéed onion, roasted or fresh red bell pepper, garlic, cumin, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Thanks to the red bell pepper and cumin, they have a subtle Cuban vibe that plays beautifully with the earthy flavor of the black beans.

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This roasted red pepper and tomato soup is more than just a recipe—it’s a celebration of the end of the summer heat. It’s the option in between gazpacho and creamy tomato soup. As the temperature finally calms down, I implore you to make this soup with the last ripe bell peppers and tomatoes.

This lovely, light soup is slightly spicy. It tastes more strongly of roasted red peppers than tomatoes, and the light smokiness brings Spanish cuisine to mind. It’s vegan as written, though you certainly add cream for a creamier soup. Perhaps the best thing about this soup is that it freezes well for later.

I originally shared this recipe over ten years ago on a rainy day with my dog, Cookie, by my side. It’s still one of my favorites, and revisiting it brings those moments back to life. I really miss my pup.

We’re growing both peppers and tomatoes in our backyard garden this year, though not enough to make a proper batch of this soup. Grace’s favorite thing to do is, “Pick some ’matoes,” and she checks for more cherry tomatoes at least twice a day. She pops them straight into her mouth and can’t get enough.

Now that I’ve bottled up my favorite summer flavors, I’ll soon be ready for creamy fall bisques and hearty vegetarian chili. What are you making next?

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Let’s talk about roasted red peppers! Roasted red peppers are one of my favorite recipe components. They offer rich, deep bell pepper flavor and a lovely, tender texture. I love to add roasted red peppers to dips, salads, sandwiches and more.

Homemade roasted red peppers taste the best, no doubt about it. Since it’s bell pepper season, I’m sharing my tested and perfected roasted red pepper recipe. Now that I’ve finally nailed down all the factors, I’ll be roasting my own more often!

Roasting red peppers is a fairly simple process, though certainly not as simple as reaching for a jar of store-bought roasted red peppers. The downside to using jarred roasted red peppers is that they vary significantly in flavor—grab the wrong brand and you just might ruin the whole dish (been there, done that). Divina and Whole Foods 365 are reliable winners, in my experience.

Grab a helper when it comes time to peel the peppers, and your homemade roasted red peppers will be ready before you know it. They’ll keep in the fridge for over a week, too, and liven up all your dishes in between.

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I discovered this irresistible dip in Greece last fall. It was new to me at the time, although it’s been around for a very long time. Tirokafteri, also known as htipiti, is bold and spicy, creamy and tangy.

I ordered tirokafteri every time I found it on a menu, which was often. The texture and flavor varied a bit from restaurant to restaurant, but it was always lovely. It’s made with simple ingredients, predominantly feta cheese, balanced by sweet, silky roasted red peppers. Add olive oil, lemon juice and cayenne pepper, and it tastes like more than the sum of its parts.

Make this dip as spicy as you’d like—or not. It’s bright and zesty even without the cayenne pepper. If you enjoy Southern pimento cheese, try this amazing Greek option.

This dip is ready in under 10 minutes, so it’s the perfect last-minute party recipe. Whip it up when you have a moment, and it’ll keep well in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve. Tirokafteri suits a wide variety of gatherings–bring it to a football watch party, a barbecue, girls’ night, or make it part of a Mediterranean-style feast.

You’ll just need a few simple ingredients and basic equipment. Ready?

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I love pimento cheese. There, I said it. If you’re not from the South, you might be wondering, “What is pimento cheese?”

Pimento cheese is a classic Southern cheddar cheese and pimento pepper dip. It’s affectionately referred to as “pâté du Sud,” or Southern pâté.

Pimento cheese is creamy and cheesy, tangy, peppery (spicy if you wish), and spreadable. If you appreciate cheddar cheese, pimento cheese is going to be your new favorite party dip and sandwich spread.

My grandmother, Mimi, made pimento cheese when I was little. I was a picky eater back then, but at least I had the good sense to appreciate her pimento cheese. I order pimento cheese every time I find it on a menu, which to my delight, seems to be happening more frequently these days.

I tried to find Mimi’s recipe in her handwritten recipe books, which are among my treasured possessions, along with her ring that I’m wearing on my left hand. I got lost in nostalgia and found my great-aunt’s Jell-o cucumber salad recipe, but not Mimi’s pimento cheese.

So, I came up with my own pimento cheese recipe. Let’s make some!

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Romesco sauce is an unforgettable sauce. It’s bold, zippy and full of roasted tomato and pepper flavor. You know how much I love sauces, and romesco is a great one.

Romesco originated in a city called Tarragona in Catalonia, the northeastern-most region of Spain that touches France. Tarragona is a port city, and the fishermen there made romesco sauce to liven up the day’s catches. I enjoy romesco sauce on roasted and grilled vegetables, and much more.

I know I said this already, but I love sauces. Sauces have the power to bring together basic staples, like leftover cooked rice and vegetables, and turn them into a meal you can get excited about.

I especially love sharing sauce recipes from around the globe. Sauces offer us insight into other cuisine’s key flavors, and make me want to travel to taste the originals. Sauces can transport you to another place, whether that’s another part of the world or tasting the next best thing in your own kitchen.

As you’ll read, I made a few substitutions to make this romesco sauce easy to make with basic American grocery store ingredients. I think you’ll love it.

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My friend Jessica’s new book is here, and I’m so excited for her! The Pretty Dish is bursting with 150 colorful, flavor-packed recipes in Jessica’s true How Sweet Eats style, and all of them can be made in under 60 minutes. Well, slow cooker recipes excluded. Plus, she included 50 beauty DIY recipes. Homemade bath melts? I’m into that.

Jessica is as bubbly, witty and adorably self-deprecating in person as she is in writing. Her enthusiasm is infectious, and the book’s cover is the most perfect representation of her colorful personality and the vibrant recipes inside.

I was drawn to this chickpea recipe because it’s so simple and reminds me of some of my favorite deli salads. These marinated chickpeas with feta and basil are spicy and garlicky.

They’re a little sweet, too, thanks to the roasted red peppers and a touch of honey. They strike an irresistible balance between the two, and I could not stop going back for more.

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Sometimes recipe concepts sit on my list for months, waiting to be made. Sometimes a craving strikes and a corresponding recipe materializes out of thin air—such is the case with this Greek farro salad. It features bold Mediterranean flavors (lemon, herbs, chickpeas, roasted red peppers and feta), tossed with lots of fresh, peppery arugula and warm, chewy whole grain farro. Pass me a fork already!

The best part? This salad keeps well for several days in the fridge with the dressing stored separately, which is always welcome, especially right now. The seasons are changing here in Kansas City, and it’s just too nice outside to stay inside and cook. Let’s soak up all the seventy-degree days we can get!

To that end, I’m keeping this post short and sweet. Do let me know how you like this salad—please comment below! I love hearing how my recipes turn out for you.

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Whether or not I’m hungry when I step foot in Whole Foods, my stomach is inevitably growling by the time I leave. I could blame the aisles of gourmet chocolate and cheese. Or, the lugging of an overstuffed hand cart as I navigate from the cheese, to the produce section, and back again because I forgot feta. Repeat for tomatoes. Maybe I’m just feeling downright snacky after giving the colorful chips and soda aisle a good, long side eye.

Once my stomach starts growling, I start making circles around the salad bar and hot foods section. I resist, knowing that it’ll inevitably cost me fifteen bucks because I have to get a little scoop of everything. Then I wonder about the Asian tofu bowl, then I see the pizza. Fire dances in the brick oven behind the display and beckons me forward. Pizza trumps tofu yet again.

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