Midweek Update

How’s everyone’s week going? Today, I got a haircut, which I’m sporting above! I tried making a few cakes this week, and they’ve been hit or miss. I did make a very good version of my Lemon-Blueberry Upside-Down Cake, but I used cornflakes in place of almonds. It tasted so good! I want to make more upside-down cakes with cornflakes (or other cereals!) in the caramel. Yesterday, I tried my hand at the FIFTH (!!) iteration of my peanut butter and jelly upside-down cake, and it was horrible. No two ways about it. Just bad. I’m thinking my grapes were past their prime (that’s what I’m choosing to believe), which is what gave it such a bad flavor. I’m taking a break from that cake and making my Raspberry Chocolate Chip Upside-Down Cake as a palate cleanser tonight.

I took a little break from new recipe development, but I have so many ideas that I can’t wait to dig back in. I still want to share my radish Caesar salad recipe, and I made the most amazing air fryer BBQ chicken tenders this week (I’ve been eating them for days!). Lots to come soon!

For now, I’m sharing a few of my favorite pasta recipes from the archives to keep you cooking the rest of the week.

PASTA PASTA PASTA

Pasta with Calabrian Hot Honey Ricotta

Saucy pasta is piled on top of rich, sweet, spicy Calabrian hot honey whipped ricotta and finished with toasted, crushed pine nuts for a deliciously decadent dinner.

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Chicken with Creamy Pastina

This chicken with creamy pastina is lemony, dilly, and bursting with flavor for an easy weeknight dinner recipe.

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Bucatini with Anchovy Sauce

This easy bucatini with anchovy sauce is a pantry pasta you’ll want on repeat all year long. It’s easy to make, and you only need a few ingredients.

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Caramelized Onion Rigatoni

This caramelized onion rigatoni is served on top of a creamy, sage-infused whipped ricotta for a dreamy dinner everyone will love.

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Beef and Fennel Pasta

An aromatic beef and fennel pasta is a perfect, comforting, and easy midweek meal.

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Parmesan-Leek Tomato Pasta

An aromatic and spicy Parmesan-leek tomato pasta makes for an easy, savory dinner recipe that you can throw together easily.

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Zucchini Parmesan Pasta

Zucchini makes for the best summer pasta sauce in this easy dinner recipe.

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Easy Ramp Pasta

Ramp season is here! If you have a bundle of these beautiful wild alliums, this easy ramp pasta is a great way to learn how to use them.

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Creamy Lemon-Basil Chicken Pasta

This creamy lemon-basil chicken pasta is a weeknight dream recipe. It’s easy to make and finished with the best homemade citrus salt.

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Creamy Lemon-Arugula Pasta with Sausage

This creamy lemon arugula pasta with sausage is one of my favorite pasta recipes. It’s tangy, it’s rich, it’s peppery, it’s spicy, and all of that equals pure comfort.

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That’s all for Midweek Meals! I hope everyone has a great rest of the week filled with lots of tasty food. If you make one of my recipes, please drop a comment on the post to let me know how it turns out; I’d love to hear from you! You can also respond directly to this email! Byeeeeeeee! 💖💖

-kylie

And if none of these recipes caught your eye, use the link below to view all my recipes.

View All Recipes

Looking to incorporate more vegan dishes into your meal plan? View all the plant-based recipes I post on Exploring Vegan!

View All Vegan Recipes

Weekend Update

It was a bit of a slower weekend for me. I went to Baltimore’s Flower Mart yesterday and had a nice dinner at Indigma. I really loved the mango martini, and my chicken vindaloo was nice and spicy! The best part of the meal, though, was the cardamom crème brûlee. This morning, I enjoyed a tiramisu cold brew at The Dashery, though I still prefer the raspberry espresso tonic (which I want to try making at home soon!).

Earlier in the week, I went to my friend’s house for dinner, and she broke out her little indoor butane grill for a Korean BBQ night. I made cheese tteokbokki, and she made homemade kimchi and all the banchan and tons of meat! We had pork belly, beef, pork chops, and grilled mushrooms. I also made a black sesame cake, which was just okay.

For now, let’s get into some reader faves and a few more ideas to inspire your meal plans for the rest of the week.

READER FAVES

Pineapple Ritz Cracker Upside-Down Cake

Thank you, Melissa and Crystal! I’m so happy to see this cake being enjoyed by everyone! It’s such a wonderful combination of moist cake, decadent and lightly salty caramel, and sweet pineapple. Perfect for a summer get-together!

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Chicken Vegetable Soup

Thank you, David! I love this easy, cozy, comforting soup for a midweek meal. YUM.

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MORE IDEAS

Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders

These air fryer lemon pepper chicken tenders bring a lemony flavor, crispy coating, and a luscious and dreamy lemon butter sauce for a crowd-pleasing chicken tender that will have everyone reaching for seconds or thirds.

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Pork Tenderloin with Egg Noodles

Looking for an easy weeknight winner? This pork tenderloin with egg noodles is savory, satisfying, and so easy to throw together.

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Chicken and Chickpea Wraps

Chicken and chickpea wraps are always on regular rotation at my house. They’re easy to make, super filling, and really delicious.

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Chicken Meatballs in Arrabbiata Sauce

Herby chicken meatballs pair perfectly with a spicy arrabbiata sauce for a quick, hearty weeknight meal.

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Cheesy Veggie Pasta

This is an easy cheesy veggie pasta that you can whip up as a quick side for your favorite protein like roasted chicken, baked fish, or seared steak.

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Mushroom-Beef Chili

This mushroom-beef chili is filled with tons of spices with depth from cocoa powder. It’s finished with crunchy cabbage slaw to give you a big bang of textures and flavors in every bite.

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That’s all for this week! I hope everyone has a great week filled with lots of tasty food. If you make one of my recipes, please drop a comment on the post to let me know how it turns out; I’d love to hear from you! You can also respond directly to this email! Byeeeeeeee! 💖💖

-kylie

And if none of these recipes caught your eye, use the link below to view all my recipes.

View All Recipes

Looking to incorporate more vegan dishes into your meal plan? View all the plant-based recipes I post on Exploring Vegan!

View All Vegan Recipes

Midweek Update

I’m really enjoying spring produce! I tried my hand at a rhubarb upside-down cake yesterday (a tasty disaster), and I can’t stop eating radish Caesar salads (recipe soon). I also made a riff on my Italian turkey meatballs last night (using chicken instead; recipe below), which were incredible! Today, I’m finally sharing my take on a mango upside-down cake. Mango has been a frequently requested fruit to showcase, so I’m happy to finally have this cake to share with you. I pair it with an outrageous salted coconut caramel.

Tomorrow, I’m going to my friend’s house, and she’s going to fire up the grill for a Korean BBQ night. I’m making cheese tteokbokki, and I’m also bringing along a black sesame cake (right side up, this time), but I’m trying to figure out what frosting to make for it. I’m torn between a toasted rice buttercream and a strawberry buttercream. Decisions, decisions!

For now, let’s get into my new recipe + a few ideas from the archives to keep you cooking this week.

NEW RECIPE

Salted Coconut Mango Upside-Down Cake

A sweet and salty coconut caramel with rich, buttery mangos makes this upside-down cake an indulgent summer dessert.

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MORE IDEAS

Mushroom and Chickpea Stroganoff

This mushroom and chickpea stroganoff is a creamy, mustardy vegetarian stroganoff that is a lovely homage to the classic beef stroganoff recipe.

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Rotisserie Chicken Tacos

These rotisserie chicken tacos are perfect for a weeknight taco recipe!

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Beef and Spinach Orzo

A quick and comforting beef and spinach orzo makes for a perfect weeknight dinner option.

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Tomato-Basil Shrimp and Zucchini

This summery tomato-basil shrimp and zucchini is a flavorful midweek meal that comes together quickly with just a few ingredients.

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Italian Turkey Meatballs

I made these meatballs with ground chicken last night and they were delicious! No time for the sauce? Just use a jar of your favorite store-bought sauce. Perfect with pasta or on subs. YUM.

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That’s all for Midweek Meals! I hope everyone has a great rest of the week filled with lots of tasty food. If you make one of my recipes, please drop a comment on the post to let me know how it turns out; I’d love to hear from you! You can also respond directly to this email! Byeeeeeeee! 💖💖

-kylie

And if none of these recipes caught your eye, use the link below to view all my recipes.

View All Recipes

Looking to incorporate more vegan dishes into your meal plan? View all the plant-based recipes I post on Exploring Vegan!

View All Vegan Recipes

Weekend Update

Last week was busy, and I am definitely feeling the effects of it this weekend! All I want to do is sleep, and the rainy, cold weather isn’t helping much. I’ve been working with my friend to help her launch a fragrance bar in Baltimore, and we did a really fun photoshoot (including an upside-down cake!) on Thursday. We’ll soon be launching the website (and an extra sweet special promotion), and I can’t wait to share everything with you when it’s ready!

Today, I’m going to try my hand at a banana Biscoff upside-down cake. I really want to do it with the espresso caramel, but we’ll see how I’m feeling. I’m also making another Caesar salad for dinner. I’ve been hyperfixated on Caesar salads with LOTS of radishes. It’s my absolute favorite, especially with a homemade Caesar dressing. Divine.

For now, let’s dig into some recipes to keep you cooking this week.

NEW RECIPE

Pineapple Ritz Cracker Upside-Down Cake

This cake already has a fan club! It’s been made several times by friends in the Baking Baddies channel, and I’m so happy that people are loving it as much as I am. One reader already made it twice because it was such a hit in their house. Featuring a crisp, salty, sweet layer of Ritz crackers and nuts, a layer of crushed pineapple, and a moist pineapple-coconut cake, it’s a dessert you’ll want all summer long. Don’t skip that irresistible whipped coconut mascarpone!

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READER FAVES

Creamy Spinach Pasta Sauce

Thank you, Jillian! So happy you enjoyed this with linguine. This is one of my most popular pasta sauce recipes. The spinach, mascarpone, and pistachios make it so hearty and flavorful.

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Baked Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken

Thank you, Dawn! I bet those wraps were delicious with this chicken. YUM.

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Cherry Garcia Upside-Down Cake

Thank you, Maria! I’m so happy this was a hit and that you found the recipe easy to follow. It’s one of my most popular upside-down cakes for a reason!

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Chicken and Egg Noodles

Thank you, Michael! So happy you enjoyed this! More egg noodles is always the right answer, and I’m happy to hear you’d make it again.

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TWO MORE IDEAS

Basil-Parmesan Pork Chops

This is what I’m making tonight to go with my Caesar salad! They cook up quickly, and the basil-Parmesan mixture makes them taste amazing.

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Salsa Verde Turkey Soup

This salsa verde turkey soup is an easy midweek dinner that doesn’t go easy on flavor. With spicy salsa verde and lots of aromatics, this is a simple meal you’ll crave often.

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That’s all for this week! I hope everyone has a great week filled with lots of tasty food. If you make one of my recipes, please drop a comment on the post to let me know how it turns out; I’d love to hear from you! You can also respond directly to this email! Byeeeeeeee! 💖💖

-kylie

And if none of these recipes caught your eye, use the link below to view all my recipes.

View All Recipes

Looking to incorporate more vegan dishes into your meal plan? View all the plant-based recipes I post on Exploring Vegan!

View All Vegan Recipes

Midweek Update

Today, I am working on finalizing my Pineapple Ritz Cracker Upside-Down Cake. It’s for a special project I’m working on (more details, soon!), but I’m absolutely in love with it. I knew I would need to tackle the pineapple upside-down cake at some point, but I didn’t want to just recreate the traditional (and delicious!) pineapple ring variation. Instead, I created a riff on my Ritz Cracker Cake with Pineapple. It’s so delicious. It’s sweet, salty, and coconutty. And it looks absolutely stunning. I’ll be making it again today to work on the whipped coconut topping, but I’ll be so thrilled to share the recipe in Sunday’s newsletter.

On that note, I turned on Subscriptions on my Instagram. In addition to a group chat (where we can talk all things baking, cooking, and recipes), I will be sharing in-progress recipes, so subscribers can see the full behind-the-scenes of recipe development, and even give in-progress recipes a whirl as I work through them, while helping guide the direction of all my upside-down cake creations! I’ll be sharing the draft recipe of my Pineapple Ritz Cracker Upside-Down Cake today.

For now, let’s get into some recipes to inspire your meal plans for the rest of the week.

Lemon-Parmesan Asparagus

A perfectly simple spring side dish that works well with chicken, fish, or alongside pasta or risotto.

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READER FAVES

Turkey Meatballs with White Beans

Thank you, Greg! So happy you gave this one a try and enjoyed the meatballs! The meatballs would be PERFECT on subs. YUM.

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Stewed Harissa Beef and Rice

Thank you, Sandy! Exactly why I love this harissa beef and rice, too! It’s so comforting and tastes even better the next day (or even the day after!).

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Beau Monde Braised Chicken Thighs

Thank you for the comment! Serving these Beau Monde Chicken Thighs with mashed potatoes is just perfect! Glad you enjoyed it!

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Raspberry London Fog Tiramisu

Thank you, Amanda! Now you’ve got me craving another Raspberry London Fog Tiramisu. It’s such a perfect spring dessert!

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A FEW MORE IDEAS

Seared Salmon with Warm Horseradish Potato Salad

This seared salmon with warm horseradish potato salad is the perfect comfort dinner recipe. A sprinkle of dill adds the perfect finish!

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Vegan Radish Top Miso Ramen

Radishes are the star of the show in this vegan radish top miso ramen. An unbelievably easy recipe that will have you wanting radishes all year long.

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Chicken and White Bean Chili

I find that I love chicken chili as much–if not a tiny bit more–than beef chili. I just love the creamy white beans and tender, shredded chicken.

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That’s all for Midweek Meals! I hope everyone has a great rest of the week filled with lots of tasty food. If you make one of my recipes, please drop a comment on the post to let me know how it turns out; I’d love to hear from you! You can also respond directly to this email! Byeeeeeeee! 💖💖

-kylie

And if none of these recipes caught your eye, use the link below to view all my recipes.

View All Recipes

Looking to incorporate more vegan dishes into your meal plan? View all the plant-based recipes I post on Exploring Vegan!

View All Vegan Recipes

Weekend Update

It was a dining out weekend for me, so I’m excited to cook dinner again tonight. On Friday, I went to Bar Dalí again and tried their cucumbers, tortilla española, and their quesito skewers. Everything was delicious as always! Then, we went to Tio Pepe in Baltimore. The restaurant has been around for over 50 years, and I haven’t been back in nearly 15, so it felt long overdue. I really love that it’s underground and sort of cavernous, with lots of little tunnels in the dining room. Just gives it a really unique feel. The food was excellent! We did the paella and the pine nut roll for dessert, and had so many leftovers. Surprisingly, my favorite was the little after-dinner espresso with anisette, but I’m a big anise fan. I’m excited to go back and explore more of their menu.

I had sushi yesterday, and it was a little bit of a disappointing experience, but they can’t all be winners!

For now, I have a new recipe, reader faves, and a few more ideas to inspire you for the week.

NEW RECIPE

Chicken and Mushroom Orecchiette

This Mushroom and Chicken Orecchiette is everything I want from spring pasta. It’s light but satisfying, packed with herbs, and finished with a bright hit of lemon.

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READER FAVES

One-Skillet Pork with Risotto

Thank you, David! This risotto would work perfectly with chicken breasts. So happy you enjoyed it!

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Garlic-Dill Greens and Beans

Thank you, Liza! Obsessed with the idea of big toasted cubes of bread to soak up that delicious garlicky broth. YUM!

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Herby Bean Stew

Thank you, Katie! I definitely need to try this stew with Italian sausage. I bet it makes it even heartier and more delicious. Thank you!

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MORE IDEAS

Pork Chops with Creamy Peas and Tomatoes

Our recipe for pork chops with creamy peas and tomatoes is so easy to prepare and is a perfect all-year-round recipe that can be adapted depending on the season.

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Beer-Battered Fish Tacos

Paired with charred jalapeño-avocado cream cheese and a sweet and spicy slaw, these beer-battered cod tacos will be your new favorite Taco Tuesday recipe.

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Dill-Panko Crusted Pork Chops

These crisp, crunchy dill and panko-crusted pork chops taste even better with zippy, mustardy potato salad.

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Cheesy Turkey and Rice with Beans

This cheesy turkey and rice with beans is one of my go-to midweek meals that never disappoints. It’s easy, cheesy, and so comforting!

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That’s all for this week! I hope everyone has a great week filled with lots of tasty food. If you make one of my recipes, please drop a comment on the post to let me know how it turns out; I’d love to hear from you! You can also respond directly to this email! Byeeeeeeee! 💖💖

-kylie

And if none of these recipes caught your eye, use the link below to view all my recipes.

View All Recipes

Looking to incorporate more vegan dishes into your meal plan? View all the plant-based recipes I post on Exploring Vegan!

View All Vegan Recipes

Midweek Update

Yes, I normally send these on Wednesdays. Unfortunately, yesterday, I had a few issues with my website, so if you’ve had trouble accessing my site the last few days, I promise things are fixed and back to normal now! Fortunately, it gave me time to finesse a new recipe for you!

If you’ve been following me on Instagram, I’ve been talking about how Beau Monde Seasoning has recently entered my life and charmed its way to the front of my cabinet. I’ve been using it on and in everything. My biggest obsession has been the Beau Monde Braised Chicken Thighs. They’re divine, and they’re perfect with mushrooms and green beans. My recipe is below, and I hope you decide to give them a try!

I’ve also been iterating on my peanut butter and jelly upside-down cake, and I’m really hoping to have that in your inbox on Sunday. Another idea floating around in my head is a candied olive upside-down cake. Too far? Maybe. Or maybe not far enough.

Let’s get into a new recipe and a few reader faves to inspire your meals for the rest of the week.

NEW RECIPE

Beau Monde Braised Chicken Thighs

Beau Monde Braised Chicken Thighs are deeply savory and aromatic, highlighting the celery-forward seasoning. Served with sautéed mushrooms and tender green beans, it’s a simple, flavor-packed dinner that feels both classic and fresh.

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READER FAVES

Upside-Down Carrot Cake

made my Upside-Down Carrot Cake, and that top is STUNNING! The jam is perfection, but with the whipped topping, it’s even more beautiful. Thank you for the kind words, and I’m thrilled you enjoyed it!

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Easy Basil Beans

Thank you, Hannah! I love that this one is just a handful of ingredients, too! Surprisingly comforting but also perfect for warm weather.

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Tart Cherry Upside-Down Cake

Thank you for the comment! The combination of tart cherries, amaretto, hazelnuts, and just a little dark chocolate really makes this an unforgettable dessert experience, and I’m glad you felt the same way! YUM.

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Fettuccine with Sausage and Leeks

Thank you, Susan! I’m so glad you’ve found a recipe that you want to make on repeat (for years)!! That makes me so happy!

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Apple Biscoff Upside-Down Cake

If you’ve been following along on Instagram, I recently remade this cake after some feedback that, while the cake was tasty, it was a little flat. I tweaked the recipe slightly to increase the flour to 1 cup, which has been yielding great results for people. Peyton’s version turned out beautiful, and I’m so happy it was a 10/10!

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ONE OR TWO MORE IDEAS

Chicken Tortilla Salad

I’ve been eating this maximalist chicken tortilla salad once a week. It’s loaded with contrasting textures and big, bold flavors. One of my faves!

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Easy Harissa Lentil Salad

This harissa lentil salad combines a sweet, spicy, smoky dressing with perfectly cooked green lentils, roasted carrots, and ripe summer tomatoes.

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That’s all for Midweek Meals! I hope everyone has a great rest of the week filled with lots of tasty food. If you make one of my recipes, please drop a comment on the post to let me know how it turns out; I’d love to hear from you! You can also respond directly to this email! Byeeeeeeee! 💖💖

-kylie

And if none of these recipes caught your eye, use the link below to view all my recipes.

View All Recipes

Looking to incorporate more vegan dishes into your meal plan? View all the plant-based recipes I post on Exploring Vegan!

View All Vegan Recipes

Weekend Update

The weather was glorious this weekend, and I definitely feel like I made the most of it! I was out and about all weekend and really soaking up the warmth and sunshine. On Saturday, my friend and I tried Chopin Noodle House for the first time and enjoyed it! I got the Rose Tea Lemonade, which was so tasty, along with sesame paste noodles. I especially loved the potato salad.

That evening, I tried out Bar Dalí, a new tapas restaurant nearby. The espresso martini was amazing, and I can’t wait to go back and try more items on the menu. I finished the night with a margherita pizza (best way to round out the evening).

Today was opening day for my local farmer’s market, so I took a long walk to see all the produce and vendors. I didn’t buy any asparagus because I got there late, so all the good stuff was picked over, but it did start getting me very excited and hungry for asparagus season, so I’ll be sharing a few of my favorite asparagus recipes below.

For now, I have a new recipe, a couple of reader faves, and a few more ideas (in addition to the asparagus recipes) to inspire your meals for the rest of the week.

NEW RECIPE

Chicken and Cheddar Rice Soup

A very comforting Chicken and Cheddar Rice Soup with just the right amount of funkiness is perfect for a cool spring night.

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READER FAVES

Chocolate Banana Upside-Down Cake

Thank you, Evelyn! I’m so thrilled this was a hit for your partner’s birthday! This is such a good one to make for special occasions!

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Shrimp with Creamy Peas

Thank you for taking a risk with this recipe, Justine! I’m so happy you enjoyed it! It’s one of those simple recipes that’s still so fragrant and delicious!

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A FEW MORE IDEAS

Warm Asparagus and Tomato Salad

I make this in the summer, but it’s perfectly delicious for spring, too.

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Black Lentils and Asparagus with Poached Eggs

This black lentil salad with poached eggs is supremely versatile, which makes it a great dinner option. Beyond that, black lentils are packed with protein, but the dish doesn’t feel heavy, thanks to bright asparagus and sweet, caramelized onions.

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Spicy Asparagus and Cheesy Grits

Taking inspiration from classic shrimp and grits, this spicy asparagus and grits is a stunning vegetarian take perfect for celebrating asparagus season.

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Thai Basil Chicken Salad

This fragrant Thai basil chicken salad is creamy and aromatic and delivers just the right amount of zippy punchiness.

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Spring Salad with Warm, Buttery Sugar Snap Peas

Mixed with fresh herbs like mint and parsley and topped with creamy fresh mozzarella balls, this salad is full of our favorite spring flavors.

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Miso-Maple Tahini Noodle Salad

This miso-maple tahini noodle salad will be your new favorite cold noodle salad recipe. Sweet and spicy with just a bit of fermented flavor from miso, it’s a filling and easy noodle salad recipe.

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That’s all for this week! I hope everyone has a great week filled with lots of tasty food. If you make one of my recipes, please drop a comment on the post to let me know how it turns out; I’d love to hear from you! You can also respond directly to this email! Byeeeeeeee! 💖💖

-kylie

And if none of these recipes caught your eye, use the link below to view all my recipes.

View All Recipes

Looking to incorporate more vegan dishes into your meal plan? View all the plant-based recipes I post on Exploring Vegan!

View All Vegan Recipes

Midweek Updates

So much baking! Last night, I tried an idea I’ve had for a minute: a peanut butter and “jelly” upside-down cake with roasted grapes as the fruit layer. Aside from the fact that I used too much peanut butter in the cake–which made it quite dense–it was an amazing cake! I can’t wait to perfect it and share the recipe with you.

Today, I tested a new recipe I’ve been working on: a cheesy chicken and rice soup. Similar to my Cheddar Rice Soup with Leeks recipe (linked below), except with tender shredded chicken and a rich homemade chicken broth. Perfect for a cool spring day. Recipe will be coming soon!

For now, I have a few reader faves to share with you and a few ideas to keep you cooking the rest of the week.

READER FAVES

Upside-Down Carrot Cake

I continue to be amazed by the response to the Upside-Down Carrot Cake Recipe! I’ve hardly been able to keep up with the reader-submitted images and wonderful comments. I’m so happy that this cake made an appearance on so many Easter, holiday, and spring celebration tables! What an honor!

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Cheesy Chicken Quinoa

Thank you so much, Kristen! So happy this one has been added to your permanent recipe rotation!

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Herby Bean Stew

Thank you so much for the comment! Sausage is a GREAT addition to this stew if you’re looking for a meatier option. Thrilled you enjoyed it!

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Lemon-Tahini Chicken Soup

Thank you so much, Lynn! The tahini adds such a wonderful creaminess to this bright and comforting chicken soup. So happy you love it!

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A FEW MORE IDEAS

Kale Soup with Lime Cilantro Chickpeas

This soup is mean, green, and loaded with flavor. A simple soup of kale, onion and diced green chili peppers becomes the perfect vessel for charred ingredients like jalapeño, tomatillo, and garlic.

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Cheddar Rice Soup with Leeks

Velvety, cheesy, aromatic cheddar rice soup with leeks is the perfect cold-weather comfort meal.

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Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders

These air fryer lemon pepper chicken tenders bring a lemony flavor, crispy coating, and a luscious and dreamy lemon butter sauce for a crowd-pleasing chicken tender that will have everyone reaching for seconds or thirds.

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Chicken with Arugula Pasta Salad

An arugula pasta salad filled with hazelnuts, golden raisins, burst cherry tomatoes, and just the right amount of Calabrian chili oil works so well with juicy roast chicken for a dinner you’ll want on repeat.

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That’s all for Midweek Meals! I hope everyone has a great rest of the week filled with lots of tasty food. If you make one of my recipes, please drop a comment on the post to let me know how it turns out; I’d love to hear from you! You can also respond directly to this email! Byeeeeeeee! 💖💖

-kylie

And if none of these recipes caught your eye, use the link below to view all my recipes.

View All Recipes

Looking to incorporate more vegan dishes into your meal plan? View all the plant-based recipes I post on Exploring Vegan!

View All Vegan Recipes

Weekend Update

This weekend, I am in Rochester, enjoying a relaxing weekend that I feel like I really needed! The last few weeks have been so busy, and I feel like I really haven't had an opportunity to just decompress. This weekend gave me a bit of time to fully relax, which felt great. I had a wonderful dinner at Cure in Rochester. Their beef tartare was amazing, and they surprised me with a mild bleu cheese that I unexpectedly loved (as a veritable bleu cheese hater). I also enjoyed the chicken confit and Cobb salad. Today, I tried a very tasty carrot cake tiramisu latte at Pearson’s. I think it was a little too sweet, but I would love it as a dessert drink instead of my morning coffee. It was such a fun concept, I had to try it!

For now, I have reader faves and a few ideas from the archives to inspire your recipes for the week.

READER FAVES

Upside-Down Carrot Cake

The Upside-Down Carrot Cake has been the talk of the town this weekend! It’s been such a joy to see so many people enjoy this cake, and I’ve truly loved every wonderful comment and photo I’ve received! Thank you to everyone who tried this one out for your Easter celebrations!

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Spicy Cilantro-Lime Potatoes

Thank you so much, Matt! I’ve been enjoying these spicy herby potatoes with Steak Fajitas, and it’s always such a hit. I’m thrilled you enjoyed them as well!

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Cherry Garcia Upside-Down Cake

Thank you so much for the comment! Such a lovely cake for spring, and I’m thrilled you enjoyed it!

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Red Lentil Meatballs

Thank you for the 5-star review, Deb! Love hearing that the modifications you made worked out well, and I’m so happy you and your husband enjoyed these vegetarian meatballs!

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Sheet Pan Citrus Chicken

Thank you, Chrissy! I’m so happy to hear that this recipe will be the star of your holiday table!

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Lemony Chicken Tomato Pasta

Thank you for the 5-star review, Danielle! This is such a lovely pasta recipe that’s somewhat easy to whip up, relying mostly on pantry items like canned tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, and spices. Glad you enjoyed it!

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A FEW MORE IDEAS

Pork Pappardelle with Tarragon

I will be buying a big bunch of tarragon and making all the tarragon recipes next week. It’s my favorite herb for spring, and I can’t wait to make this hearty and bright pappardelle next week!

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Herby Pasta e Fagioli

This pasta e fagioli is green and bright. It’s perfect for a quick dinner that doesn’t require much prep or effort at all.

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Lemon-Rosemary Chicken and Rice Soup

Bright, savory, and deeply comforting, this lemon-rosemary chicken and rice soup begins with a rich homemade broth and finishes with fresh rosemary and lemon for a warming soup you’ll want all winter long.

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That’s all for this week! I hope everyone has a great week filled with lots of tasty food. If you make one of my recipes, please drop a comment on the post to let me know how it turns out; I’d love to hear from you! You can also respond directly to this email! Byeeeeeeee! 💖💖

-kylie

And if none of these recipes caught your eye, use the link below to view all my recipes.

View All Recipes

Looking to incorporate more vegan dishes into your meal plan? View all the plant-based recipes I post on Exploring Vegan!

View All Vegan Recipes

Midweek Update

I have been hard at work developing an Upside-Down Carrot Cake recipe, and so many people have been asking me for it! I’m happy to finally share it with you. Admittedly, I will be making it again this evening because I want to see if reducing the heat to 300ºF will help alleviate some of the cracking on top, but I also didn’t want to wait too long to share it since I know we’re getting close to Easter! As-is, the recipe is absolutely wonderful, but for my own ego, I need to try it once more. I hope to never grate another carrot in my life after this. You can watch tonight’s cake flip on my Instagram or TikTok. Or even YouTube! I started a YouTube channel…and I swear I have plans for it! Maybe longer form content one day. 😜

This week will be busy, as we are going to Rochester for the weekend, and I am trying to test a few new cake recipes before I go. I’m working on a black sesame and blackberry upside-down cake that’s absolutely divine, and I have an idea for a peanut butter and jelly cake with roasted grapes. Unhinged? Maybe. But I bought the grapes, so I’m in too deep now.

For now, let’s get into some recipes to keep you cooking the rest of the week!

NEW RECIPE

Upside-Down Carrot Cake

This has been a HIGHLY anticipated recipe that so many of you have been asking for. An unreal blend of jammy, sweet carrots, a spiced walnut cake, and a layer of decadent cream cheese, this is such a fun homage to carrot cake. Plus, who wouldn’t want to make a cake flip a new Easter tradition? This cake is a labor of love, but one well worth trying!

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READER FAVES

BBQ Baked Chicken Breasts

Thank you, Sephanie! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, and I agree–doubling the sauce is always the correct answer!

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Lemon-Basil Mushroom Risotto

Thank you, Vicki, and happy anniversary! This risotto is a perfect creamy, flavorful side to grilled chicken. Yum!

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Baked Chicken with Mushrooms and Tomatoes

Thank you, Jennifer! I’m so happy to hear this. Spinach is a fantastic addition to this. Glad it’s a 5/5 for everyone!

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Chicken Meatballs with Egg Noodles

Thank you for the wonderful comment! Such a perfect spring meal, and I’m so happy it’s one you want to return to. Thank you again for the comment!

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Chocolate Banana Upside-Down Cake

This comes from Tiia on Instagram. Thank you so much for the lovely message! This cake is such a wonderful Valentine’s Day gift, and I am thrilled to hear it was a hit. Thank you again!

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A FEW MORE IDEAS

Carrot Trifle

If you want a similarly laborious Easter project, this Carrot Trifle cannot be beat. Carrot jam, whipped cream, and a wonderful homemade sponge cake. Simply stunning.

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Carrot and Cardamom “Pudding” with Cream Cheese Frosting

For a slightly easier Easter dessert, try this Carrot and Cardamom Pudding. Based on an Irish pudding recipe, it’s finished with a decadent cream cheese frosting for a similar-ish take on classic carrot cake.

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Easy Sesame Ginger Noodle Soup

45 minutes stand between you and a delicious, aromatic bowl of easy sesame-ginger noodle soup.

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That’s all for Midweek Meals! I hope everyone has a great rest of the week filled with lots of tasty food. If you make one of my recipes, please drop a comment on the post to let me know how it turns out; I’d love to hear from you! You can also respond directly to this email! Byeeeeeeee! 💖💖

-kylie

And if none of these recipes caught your eye, use the link below to view all my recipes.

View All Recipes

Looking to incorporate more vegan dishes into your meal plan? View all the plant-based recipes I post on Exploring Vegan!

View All Vegan Recipes

Weekend Update

Another weekend has flown by! Yesterday, my parents came to visit, and we went out for sushi. I also made my Cherry Garcia Upside-Down Cake (recipe linked below), and naturally, my dad had to star in the cake flip video. They loved the cake, and so did I! A perfect dessert to welcome spring.

On Friday, I made my Steak Fajitas (linked below), and it really hit the spot. I feel like I may be entering a fajita fixation, and that’s all I’m going to want to eat for every meal. Earlier in the week, I made my favorite “gloop” meal. I love a gloop dinner. Maybe that’s not the best way to describe it, but sometimes you just want something porridgey, gloopy, and comforting. On those nights, my Herby Bean Stew will do the trick. It’s linked below.

Today, I met a friend for coffee, and I’ll be working on my upside-down carrot cake recipe. My goal is to be able to send you the recipe on Wednesday. It’s so delicious! I’ve decided that the premise of this cake will be cinnamon caramel, carrot-cardamom jam, a spiced walnut cake with cream cheese swirl, and it’ll be finished with a few small dollops of fresh whipped cream. YUM.

For now, I have my new recipe plus a few reader faves to inspire your meals for the rest of the week.

NEW RECIPE

Herby Bean Stew

This Herby Bean Stew is perfect on nights when you don’t have the energy for anything too fussy, but still want something home-cooked and comforting.

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READER FAVES

Chicken Meatball Pita

Thank you, Pete! I absolutely love this chicken meatball pita recipe, too! With cherry tomatoes and zucchini, this meal feels like early summer!

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Ginger Beef Stir-Fry

Thank you, Gretchen! SO happy you enjoyed this! This ginger beef stir-fry is filled to the brim with tender beef, velvety sauce, and tons of tender-crisp veggies. It makes for a perfect weeknight dinner.

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Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken

Thank you, Jess! Serving this creamy sun-dried tomato chicken over risotto is such a great idea! I’m happy you enjoyed it!

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A FEW MORE IDEAS

Steak Fajitas

I made my steak fajitas with a flat iron steak, and it was absolutely incredible! A perfect recipe to add to your rotation this week. You can go as big with this meal as you want. No time for the mango salsa? Skip it. No potatoes? Serve with rice instead. As long as you have the juicy steak, the flavorful onions and peppers, and a few tortillas, you’ll be set.

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Cherry Garcia Upside-Down Cake

A perfect spring cake. This Cherry Garcia Upside-Down Cake is perfect for small get-togethers or for snacking on throughout the week.

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One-Pot Cod with Pearl Couscous

This one-pot cod with couscous will be your new go-to easy cod recipe. Paired with sun-dried tomatoes and Castelvetrano olives–or any green olive–this one-pot recipe is easy, quick, and delicious.

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That’s all for this week! I hope everyone has a great week filled with lots of tasty food. If you make one of my recipes, please drop a comment on the post to let me know how it turns out; I’d love to hear from you! You can also respond directly to this email! Byeeeeeeee! 💖💖

-kylie

And if none of these recipes caught your eye, use the link below to view all my recipes.

View All Recipes

Looking to incorporate more vegan dishes into your meal plan? View all the plant-based recipes I post on Exploring Vegan!

View All Vegan Recipes

Midweek Update

This week, I’ve been working on perfecting my upside-down carrot cake, and we are SO close. It’s unbelievable how delicious it is, and I can’t stop obsessing over it. The carrot jam is delicious, and I’m pairing it with a cinnamon vanilla caramel. I added a cream cheese “swirl” layer to the cake, which is just perfection.

Tonight, I want to make it again but use paper-thin slices of carrots to see what a scale design might look like, but I suspect I’m going to prefer the carrot jam, but we will see!

For now, I have a few reader faves and more recipes from the archives to inspire your recipes for the week.

READER FAVES

Tarragon-Dill Chicken Soup

Thank you so much for this comment! I bet it was delicious with butter beans. YUM!

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Stewed Harissa Beef and Rice

So happy to hear this! I love the stewed harissa beef recipe because it’s just one pot but SO much flavor! Such a great hearty dinner.

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Raspberry London Fog Upside-Down Cake

Thank you for the five-star review! This is a perfect spring cake with an irresistible combination of Earl Grey tea, lavender, and sweet, perfectly tart raspberries!

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Creamy Chicken Soup with Peas

Thank you, Patti! Soup is always better the next day, isn’t it? So thrilled you enjoyed this comforting soup!

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A FEW MORE IDEAS

Sweet Chili Chicken Bowl

I think this is what I’m making tonight! It’s one of my favorite midweek meals. Easy to throw together, and you can modify it endlessly.

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Ginger-Sesame White Beans and Kale

Looking for an easy lunch or light dinner recipe? This ginger-sesame white bean and kale recipe is almost effortless to whip up and is perfect for a chilly spring night.

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Parmesan-Leek Tomato Pasta

An aromatic and spicy Parmesan-leek tomato pasta makes for an easy, savory dinner recipe that you can throw together easily.

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Cheddar Rice Soup with Leeks

Speaking of leeks, this cheddar rice soup with leeks is so comforting for those final cold days of spring!

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Pork Tenderloin in Red Wine Sauce

Juicy pork tenderloin pairs perfectly with a savory, aromatic red wine sauce for a perfect dinner party main course.

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That’s all for Midweek Meals! I hope everyone has a great rest of the week filled with lots of tasty food. If you make one of my recipes, please drop a comment on the post to let me know how it turns out; I’d love to hear from you! You can also respond directly to this email! Byeeeeeeee! 💖💖

-kylie

And if none of these recipes caught your eye, use the link below to view all my recipes.

View All Recipes

Looking to incorporate more vegan dishes into your meal plan? View all the plant-based recipes I post on Exploring Vegan!

View All Vegan Recipes

Weekend Update

On Friday, I went to Medieval Times with a few of my friends and had a great time! It was such a fun way to spend an evening, even though we got the “bad boy” knight who kept causing drama. The food was wonderful, too! The half-roasted chicken was really juicy, and I loved the garlic bread and tomato soup. YUM.

Yesterday, I was feeling really tired, so I went out for a delicious Vietnamese dinner, and I came back and started my first iteration of the carrot cake upside-down cake that I’ve been promising everyone. The first attempt was far less difficult than I expected it to be, and the results were much better than I anticipated. My initial idea is to take the Persian-inspired carrot jam that I use in my carrot trifle (linked below) and use that as my “fruit layer” on top of a gorgeous saffron caramel. The cake is a spiced walnut cake that bakes on top of the carrot layer.

For the next round, I think I’ll try a layer of cream cheese baked between the carrot and cake, and if that’s weird, I’ll do a traditional cream cheese frosting on top. Regardless, the carrot jam is absolutely incredible, and as-is, the cake was really, really good. I’m so excited to get it right!

For now, let’s get into some recipes to keep you cooking the rest of the week.

READER FAVES

Cheddar Chicken and Broccoli Orzo

Thank you, Chloe! So happy this one is on the “must make again” list! We can always use a few extra cheesy meals to have on standby for nights when only comfort food will do!

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Lime-Cilantro Shrimp

Thank you both for the wonderful comments! So happy this Lime-Cilantro Shrimp has been such a great addition to your meals!

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Shredded Beef with Cheesy Grits

Thank you so much! Polenta with goat cheese is also a perfect accompaniment to the rich shredded beef. So happy you enjoyed it!

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Shamrock Shake Tiramisu

Thank you, Izz! It may not be St. Patrick’s Day anymore, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make this Shamrock Shake Tiramisu! And you can always load up on extra Irish Cream!

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Irish Carrot Pudding

YUM! Thank you for this comment, Caitlin! The carrot pudding is SUCH a great base for an upside-down cake, and I love the idea of the walnut caramel on top. Absolutely delicious idea!

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MORE SPRING RECIPES

Carrot Trifle

I cannot wait to revisit this recipe for Easter! It’s a perfect spring dessert with an orange sponge cake, irresistible carrot jam, and a fluffy whipped cream.

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Herby Greens and Beans with Chicken Meatballs

The world is (almost) your oyster when it comes to selecting herbs for these meatballs. I did a mix of parsley, scallions, and dill, but you can choose your own adventure with a blend of your favorite green herbs, or keep it simple with just fresh parsley.

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Braised Chicken with Creamy Leeks

An easy, flavorful dinner that is simple enough for a night in and elegant enough to serve at a party.

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Lemon-Pepper Shrimp and Broccoli

This lemon-pepper shrimp and broccoli recipe is the easy, flavorful shrimp dinner you need in your regular rotation. It delivers the perfect balance of acidic, spicy, and sweet for a perfect dinner.

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Lemon-Basil Mushroom Risotto

This lemon-basil mushroom risotto is a perfect spring side dish. Herby, bright, creamy, and rich, it pairs beautifully with roasted chicken or with baked fish.

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Vegan Chickpea Piccata Sauce

Bright, light, and perfect over pasta, this chickpea piccata sauce is a wonderful way to welcome warmer weather.

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Saffron Leek Chicken Soup

Rich chicken broth with saffron and leeks, this chicken soup is the perfect midweek pick-me-up.

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That’s all for this week! I hope everyone has a great week filled with lots of tasty food. If you make one of my recipes, please drop a comment on the post to let me know how it turns out; I’d love to hear from you! You can also respond directly to this email! Byeeeeeeee! 💖💖

-kylie

And if none of these recipes caught your eye, use the link below to view all my recipes.

View All Recipes

Looking to incorporate more vegan dishes into your meal plan? View all the plant-based recipes I post on Exploring Vegan!

View All Vegan Recipes

Midweek Update

I had such a good time hosting St. Patrick’s Day dinner yesterday! I made my homemade corned beef with cabbage and potatoes, my Guinness beef stew, Guinness cupcakes with Irish cream frosting, cheddar boxty, and my Shamrock Shake upside-down cake! It was a busy day of cooking, but we all had a wonderful time. My friend brought homemade soda bread (it was the best soda bread I’ve ever had!).

Of course, we had to record the cake flip, and except for a couple of cherries, it flipped perfectly!

Now I’m just going to relax this week! It’s been a marathon of cooking and baking, so I’m definitely going to bask in the glow of a successful dinner party before I start tackling my next project (upside-down carrot cake, perhaps?).

For now, I have a new recipe, a few reader faves, and a few more ideas from the archives to inspire your meals for the rest of the week.

NEW RECIPE

Tarragon-Dill Chicken Soup

A perfect soup to transition you from winter to spring, this tarragon-dill chicken soup is bright but comforting.

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UPDATED RECIPE

Shredded Beef with Cheesy Grits

I decided to reshoot this recipe, and it’s still as good as I remember. Tender, savory beef over spicy, rich grits. A perfect comfort dinner.

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READER FAVES

Raspberry Chocolate Chip Upside-Down Cake

Thank you for the 5-star review! You have me craving this cake, and I might make one tonight. YUM.

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Spinach-Scallion Coconut Udon

Thank you, EC! I just love the idea of making this with dashi. I will be giving that a try next time I whip this up. It’s a perfect meal for spring!

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Shamrock Shake Upside-Down Cake

So many people made my viral Shamrock Shake Upside-Down cake, and I can’t thank everyone enough for giving it a try! I’ve gotten so much amazing feedback, and I’m ecstatic that my many, many iterations produced a cake that so many people enjoyed making for the holiday. Don’t let yourself be limited by St. Patrick’s Day, though; you can make this minty dessert any day of the year.

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A FEW MORE IDEAS

Cabbage Walnut Pasta

Sweet onions, charred cabbage, and plenty of garlic create a savory base for tender pasta, while walnuts add crunch and depth.

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Pork Tenderloin with Egg Noodles

Looking for an easy weeknight winner? This pork tenderloin with egg noodles is savory, satisfying, and so easy to throw together.

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Slow Cooker Honey-Harissa Chicken

The best part about this recipe? It comes together with ease but delivers big, bold flavors with just a few ingredients. That’s my kind of meal!

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That’s all for Midweek Meals! I hope everyone has a great rest of the week filled with lots of tasty food. If you make one of my recipes, please drop a comment on the post to let me know how it turns out; I’d love to hear from you! You can also respond directly to this email! Byeeeeeeee! 💖💖

-kylie

And if none of these recipes caught your eye, use the link below to view all my recipes.

View All Recipes

Looking to incorporate more vegan dishes into your meal plan? View all the plant-based recipes I post on Exploring Vegan!

View All Vegan Recipes

Weekend Update

It’s been a very busy week (and weekend!) of baking and cooking! I’ve updated nearly all of my St. Patrick’s Day baking recipes to include weight measurements in addition to volume, so I’ve been up to my ears in St. Patrick’s Day treats (not a bad problem to have), like my Guinness Cupcakes with Irish Cream Frosting and my St. Patrick’s Day Trifle (recipes below)!

I also reshot my shredded beef and cheesy grits and was able to donate it to our local community fridge last week, so I felt great about that.

My biggest win is my Shamrock Shake Upside-Down Cake! If you’ve been following me on TikTok or Instagram, you know that cake nearly drove me into lunacy. I just could NOT get it right despite having a very clear vision of what I wanted it to be. But, I’m so, so excited to be able to share a FINISHED recipe for you just in time for St. Patrick’s Day! It’s such a fun and festive cake, and I hope that if you decide to make it, you’ll love it as much as I did.

Next week, I’ll be having my friends over for St. Patrick’s Day to enjoy my homemade corned beef and cabbage, and I’m also going to Medieval Times later in the week. I’m trying to decide if I should dress up or not. Hmmm!

Alright, enough chit-chat. Let’s get into some recipes to keep you cooking this week.

NEW RECIPE

Shamrock Shake Upside-Down Cake

I think I was carrying the mint extract industry on my back as I developed this recipe, but she’s FINALLY HERE. I just love this cake. It really delivers all the best parts of a Shamrock Shake in each and every bite. YUM!

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READER FAVES

Cheesy Sausage Pasta Bake

Thank you, Kathy! This really is a decadent comfort meal and a perfect way to wrap up the cold winter season!

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Baked Beef and Feta Meatballs

Thank you, Bill! Serving these meatballs on couscous is such a great idea! The perfect vehicle for that sweet and spicy harissa-maple sauce. Delish!

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Chicory Banana Upside-Down Cake

Thank you, Sarah! And happy, happy birthday! I’m so glad this was a winner on such a special day. The chicory caramel is really something else. I want it on ice cream, stat!

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Easy Chicken and Red Lentils

Thank you for the 5-star review, Paul! This easy chicken and red lentil dish is so quick, so simple, and so delicious. You only need a handful of ingredients for a satisfying and shockingly easy dinner.

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MORE ST. PATRICK’S DAY IDEAS

Guinness Cupcakes with Irish Cream Frosting

Guinness cupcakes with Irish cream frosting are made for those who want a decadent, luxe St. Patrick’s Day dessert with just a little nip of booziness.

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St. Patrick’s Day Trifle

A fun and festive St. Patrick’s Day trifle makes for the perfect treat to take to parties! It’s filled to the brim with homemade sponge cake, pistachio pudding, whipped cream, and topped with an irresistible pistachio streusel.

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Irish Boxty Recipe

Boxty, a traditional Irish potato pancake and a staple in Irish cooking, is the perfect St. Patrick’s Day potato side dish recipe.

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Irish Guinness Beef Stew with Prunes

This Irish Guinness beef stew uses the sweetness of prunes to offset the bitter flavors of Guinness for a stew that is deeply savory with a balanced sweetness.

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Irish Oat Bread with Dates and Hazelnuts

This Irish oat bread with dates and hazelnuts is decadent with an irresistibly deep and nutty sweetness that pairs perfectly with whipped butter.

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Shepherd’s Pie

This shepherd’s pie recipe is perfect for a cozy dinner on a cold night. A thick gravy made with ground lamb and subtly sweet prunes pairs perfectly with fluffy mashed potatoes.

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Irish Carrot Pudding

This Irish carrot pudding is moist and flavorful and pairs perfectly with dates and hazelnuts for a nice little sweet treat.

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That’s all for this week! I hope everyone has a great week filled with lots of tasty food. If you make one of my recipes, please drop a comment on the post to let me know how it turns out; I’d love to hear from you! You can also respond directly to this email! Byeeeeeeee! 💖💖

-kylie

And if none of these recipes caught your eye, use the link below to view all my recipes.

View All Recipes

Looking to incorporate more vegan dishes into your meal plan? View all the plant-based recipes I post on Exploring Vegan!

View All Vegan Recipes

Midweek Update

I’m really starting to struggle to keep up with the weeks as they fly by! I can’t believe it’s another Wednesday and we’re already looking toward the weekend again. This week, I’ve spent time revisiting some older recipes. Specifically, I’ve been going back to my St. Patrick’s Day desserts from last year and testing them again and updating the recipes to be presented in weight as opposed to volume. I’ve already made the Shamrock Shake Cupcakes and the Irish Cream Cupcakes (shown above) and I can’t get over how much I love them!

Today, I’ll be trying my hand at another Shamrock Shake Upside-Down Cake and spending the rest of the week updating my other St. Patrick’s Day desserts, and I’ll share them in Sunday’s newsletter.

Today, I also took new photographs of my Shredded Beef and Cheesy Grits, but I’ll be taking that meal to the community fridge this afternoon! The grits are a bit on the spicy side, so to make it palatable for everyone, I’m going to send the beef along with roasted potatoes. I’ll keep the grits for myself, yum!

For now, let’s get into the recipes to keep you cooking the rest of the week.

NEW RECIPES

Stewed Harissa Beef and Rice

One pot, lots of flavor. This stewed harissa beef and rice with chickpeas and fennel is my new hearty dinner go-to.

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Lime Cilantro Shrimp

Bright, punchy, and fast enough for a weeknight, this lime cilantro shrimp is a simple recipe you’ll want to keep in your back pocket for Taco Tuesday or any day you’re craving big flavor, little effort.

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UPDATED RECIPES

Irish Cream Cupcakes with Chocolate Frosting

A vanilla cupcake spiked with boozy Bailey’s (or homemade Irish cream) and finished with a decadent chocolate buttercream frosting is a perfect St. Patrick's Day treat!

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Shamrock Shake Cupcakes

What’s better than a Shamrock Shake? Shamrock Shake cupcakes! These minty green cupcakes would look so festive on any St. Patrick’s Day dessert table.

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READER FAVES

Shrimp and Pearl Couscous

Thank you, Dana! I’m so happy you enjoyed the dish! Homemade stock always adds an extra bit of work but it really does take the flavor up a few levels!

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Shirley Temple Upside-Down Cake

Thank you so much for this comment, Karoliina! Thrilled you love the bright, sweet cherry and ginger combination as much as I did!

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Cheesy Turkey and Rice with Beans

Thank you, Brian! Black beans and canned tomatoes are great options in this super versatile midweek meal. YUM.

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My Favorite Pork Tenderloin

Thank you, Pamela! There’s a reason this one is my favorite! The pancetta, the juicy pork, the spinach, and those sweet, savory caramelized shallots. Not to mention the rich ricotta mashed potatoes. Truly heaven on a platter!

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TWO MORE IDEAS

Pork Pappardelle with Tarragon

The minute it starts to get warm, I crave the flavor of tarragon. This pork pappardelle is savory but with just the right amount of sweet brightness from tarragon, lemon, and parsley.

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Irish Cheddar Boxty

A cheesy take on the classic boxty, this Irish cheddar boxty recipe makes a rich, cheesy potato pancake you’ll want all the time.

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That’s all for Midweek Meals! I hope everyone has a great rest of the week filled with lots of tasty food. If you make one of my recipes, please drop a comment on the post to let me know how it turns out; I’d love to hear from you! You can also respond directly to this email! Byeeeeeeee! 💖💖

-kylie

And if none of these recipes caught your eye, use the link below to view all my recipes.

View All Recipes

Looking to incorporate more vegan dishes into your meal plan? View all the plant-based recipes I post on Exploring Vegan!

View All Vegan Recipes

Weekend Update

This weekend was really fun! I went to DC and saw Giselle performed by The Washington Ballet. For lunch, I had a margherita pizza, and for dinner, I went to Le Diplomate for the first time! I had delicious bread and butter, beef tartare, raw oysters, mussels, and a tasty rabbit pappardelle. Personally, I enjoy my rabbit pasta sauce a bit better simply because I like it with tomatoes (I’ll link the recipe below), but overall, everything was very good.

Today, I’m remaking a meal I whipped up last week that I absolutely fell in love with, but didn’t write down my steps! It’s a great beef, harissa, rice, chickpea one-pot wonder dish, and I can’t wait to share the recipe with you when it’s ready. I’ll also be revisiting my Shamrock Shake Upside Down Cake (for the umpteenth time; I’m determined to get it right). I’m also going to be trying another margherita pizza in my new oven, and if I start another fire, I don’t know what I’ll do.

For now, let’s get into some recipes to keep you cooking next week.

READER FAVES

Baked BBQ Chicken Breasts

Thank you for the comment! Mixing leftovers with mac and cheese is such a good idea! (I’ll link my favorite mac and cheese recipe below!).

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Irish Guinness Beef Stew with Prunes

Thank you so much, Holly Ann! I’m so happy you were able to enjoy an early St. Patrick’s Day dinner and that this one will be making an encore appearance!

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Raspberry London Fog Tiramisu

This comment comes from Terri on Facebook! I’m so happy you loved this, and I adore the addition of fresh raspberries across the entire dessert! Beautiful!

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Shredded Beef and Cheesy Grits

Thank you so much, S! So happy you love this; you’ve inspired me to make it again next week to take a new photo of it. It’s such a peak comfort meal, and I could eat seconds and even thirds of those flavorful grits. YUM!

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SPRING HAS SPRUNG RECIPES

It’s warming up, the days are officially going to get longer, and I’m craving springtime food.

Carrot Cardamom Irish “Pudding” with Cream Cheese Frosting

Don’t let the name fool you — it’s actually a lovely little cake that’s perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or Easter!

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Chicken Meatballs with Egg Noodles

Herby dill and tarragon chicken meatballs are served with sautéed cabbage and egg noodles for a flavorful winter-to-spring transition dinner.

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Herby Pasta e Fagioli

This pasta e fagioli is green and bright. It’s perfect for a quick dinner that doesn’t require much prep or effort at all.

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5-Ingredient Chicken Soup

This 5-ingredient chicken soup recipe is perfect for a cool spring day, though you can modify it with any seasonal vegetable and serve it year-round.

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Arugula Pesto Pasta

Homemade arugula pesto transforms this simple pesto pasta recipe into a rich, peppery, and delicious spring side dish.

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A FEW MORE

Rabbit Ragù

Rabbit is a lean, mildly flavored protein that works perfectly in this slow-cooked, rich tomato sauce. If you’ve never made rabbit before, this rabbit ragù recipe is a great place to start.

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Harissa Mac and Cheese

If you’re making my Baked BBQ Chicken Breasts, this is the perfect side to accompany them. Rich, spicy, cheesy. So good.

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That’s all for this week! I hope everyone has a great week filled with lots of tasty food. If you make one of my recipes, please drop a comment on the post to let me know how it turns out; I’d love to hear from you! You can also respond directly to this email! Byeeeeeeee! 💖💖

-kylie

And if none of these recipes caught your eye, use the link below to view all my recipes.

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Looking to incorporate more vegan dishes into your meal plan? View all the plant-based recipes I post on Exploring Vegan!

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Midweek Update

I mentioned in my last newsletter that I was excited to break out my Ooni pizza oven. Well, unfortunately, I did start a small fire. :( Fortunately, it went out quickly, but I was only able to make one small pizza, and it tasted very burnt on the bottom. I have high hopes that I’ll get it figured out soon!

I also made my Shamrock Shake Tiramisu, and it was so delicious! I want to try a non-alcoholic version instead, so I’ll be messing with that this week.

For today, I’m keeping it short and sweet and sharing a few recipes from the archives to keep you cooking the rest of the week.

MEAL IDEAS FOR THE WEEK

Spicy Shrimp Noodle Soup

For this bowl of spicy shrimp and noodles, I started with a homemade buttery shrimp stock as my base and then layered lots of flavors from ginger, garlic, shichimi togarashi, and sesame oil.

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Charred Broccoli and Chicken Orzo

This cheesy charred broccoli and chicken orzo is an easy, cacio-e-pepe-adjacent pasta recipe you’ll love on a weeknight. It’s peppery and cheesy and has a touch of brininess from capers.

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Easy Tomato Ricotta Pasta

This easy tomato ricotta pasta recipe combines my favorite things: lush ricotta cheese and spicy tomato sauce with mushrooms. If you’ve been looking for a good pasta with ricotta recipe, this one’s for you.

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Easy Cabbage Roll Soup

This sarmale-inspired easy cabbage roll soup recipe is the perfect cure for the cabbage roll craving with a quarter of the work. Inspired by the pickled flavors of Romanian cabbage rolls, this cabbage soup is perfect for a cold day.

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Thai Basil Chicken Salad

This fragrant Thai basil chicken salad is creamy and aromatic and delivers just the right amount of zippy punchiness.

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Roast Pork Salad with Caramelized Onions and Charred Fennel

This roast pork salad is so utterly stunning and delicious! The savory flavors of fennel pair so well with the sweetness of caramelized onions, sweet cherry tomatoes, and juicy pork tenderloin.

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Miso-Maple Tahini Noodle Salad

This miso-maple tahini noodle salad will be your new favorite cold noodle salad recipe. Sweet and spicy with just a bit of fermented flavor from miso, it’s a filling and easy noodle salad recipe.

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Meatball Soup with Spinach

A warm, comforting meatball soup that’s perfect for a chilly night.

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That’s all for Midweek Meals! I hope everyone has a great rest of the week filled with lots of tasty food. If you make one of my recipes, please drop a comment on the post to let me know how it turns out; I’d love to hear from you! You can also respond directly to this email! Byeeeeeeee! 💖💖

-kylie

And if none of these recipes caught your eye, use the link below to view all my recipes.

View All Recipes

Looking to incorporate more vegan dishes into your meal plan? View all the plant-based recipes I post on Exploring Vegan!

View All Vegan Recipes

Weekend Update

I can’t believe it’s March 1st already, which means it’s time for me to start thinking about St. Patrick’s Day! I’ve been struggling with a Shamrock Shake Upside-Down Cake concept, but I think I’m finally getting close. It’s a mint cake with shaved dark chocolate and a layer of maraschino cherries. A few of my versions were horrifyingly green, but I’ve been forcing myself to only add a molecule of food coloring to keep it a beautiful mint green color, vs astroturf or swamp green. I’m so close to the finish line! St. Patrick’s Day is one of my favorite food holidays, so I’m counting down the days until I can start brining my corned beef. YUM.

On Friday, we went back to The Prime Rib here in Baltimore. I wanted to go back–not for the steak–but for the gigantic oysters! They’re so good, and I had a very delicious espresso martini, and I tried their famous potato skins. I didn’t totally understand those, but they tasted okay. I wish they had a little more oomph flavor-wise, but I do feel like I’d like to attempt making them because I have ideas now.

Last week, I got my Ooni pizza oven delivered, and I finally unpacked it! Tonight, I’ll be trying my hand at a homemade margherita pizza. I use the King Arthur Neapolitan Pizza Dough recipe, and honestly, it tasted really good even in a traditional oven. I’m sure having a little oven that gets to 800ºF+ will make a huge difference. I just hope I don’t light the entire block on fire. EEK.

Okay, that’s all for now. Let’s get into some recipes to keep you cooking the rest of the week.

NEW RECIPE

Raspberry London Fog Tiramisu

Continuing my dive into all things raspberry and London Fog (plus a little lavender) for a tasty dessert that’s perfect for spring parties. The raspberry mascarpone is just divine, and you’ll want it on everything.

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READER FAVES

Chicory Banana Upside-Down Cake

Thank you, Taylor! I’m so happy you loved it! This is one cake that I think I will make just to freeze, so I can always have a slice to serve to friends and family when they visit! The chicory just adds an incredibly deep, robust flavor that can’t be beat. YUM.

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Orange-Glazed Chicken Meatballs

Thank you, Joan! I’m so happy this was a hit for you and your friend! The sweet and spicy orange sauce is just divine. I want it on everything!

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Lemony Chicken Tomato Pasta

Yay, thank you so much, Honey! The parm mixture definitely belongs on all our pasta and chicken and risotto and everything in-between, doesn’t it? I’m so glad you enjoyed it with farfalle—such a fun pasta shape!

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Easy Mushroom Potato Soup

Thank you, Valerie! So happy you got around to checking this one off the “must cook” list! This is such a great iteration of a classic potato soup recipe, and a good garlic oil really takes it over the top, but not required 😜

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Calabrian Chicken Soup

Woohoo, Lee! I’m so happy you were able to impress the in-laws with this soup and that the Calabrian chili peppers gave just enough heat without being too spicy. This soup is such a good meal for entertaining, too. So flavorful and perfect with crusty bread.

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Roasted Chicken with Fennel and Pears

Thank you for taking a risk with this recipe, Tania! Glad I didn’t lead you astray (yet, lol)! The pears add such a nice, subtle sweetness that works perfectly with that savory, salty chicken. So delicious.

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Lemon-Blueberry Upside-Down Cake

This comment came from Haya on Instagram, and I’m so thrilled this cake was loved! She followed up to let me know that this cake is now her boyfriend’s favorite, even above the Orange-Pistachio Upside-Down Cake she made recently. So happy you and your partner have been loving these upside-down cakes!

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OTHER MEALS I’M THINKING ABOUT

Italian Turkey Meatballs

I’ll be making a batch of my Italian Turkey Meatballs to serve alongside my margherita pizza tonight. They’re juicy, flavorful, and so easy to make.

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One-Pot Cod with Pearl Couscous

This recipe has been a hit with readers since I posted it, and I’m thinking about making it again next week. The salty olives with that buttery cod and tender pearl couscous. Heaven in each bite.

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Spinach-Scallion Coconut Udon

If you’re ready for spring, this green Spinach-Scallion Coconut Udon will put you there fast. It’s light with just the right amount of richness and perfect for a chilly early spring evening.

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That’s all for this week! I hope everyone has a great week filled with lots of tasty food. If you make one of my recipes, please drop a comment on the post to let me know how it turns out; I’d love to hear from you! You can also respond directly to this email! Byeeeeeeee! 💖💖

-kylie

And if none of these recipes caught your eye, use the link below to view all my recipes.

View All Recipes

Looking to incorporate more vegan dishes into your meal plan? View all the plant-based recipes I post on Exploring Vegan!

View All Vegan Recipes