Weekend Update

This weekend, I went to DC to have lunch with a friend at Union Market, and then I really just puttered around. I think the muggy weather has me wanting to just sit inside and not do anything!

Despite that, I did make some really delicious food this weekend. On Friday, I roasted chicken leg quarters in a mixture of chile de arbol, ancho chile powder, cayenne, paprika, cumin, and salt and served them with a taco salad and spiced, air-fried potatoes that I drenched in lime juice afterward. Paired with my usual Friday margarita, it was divine!

Yesterday, I did another reverse-seared sirloin steak (also what seems to be a weekly occurrence). Since I had just had a taco salad the night before, I decided to skip the steak taco salad. Instead, I seasoned it with Montreal Steak Seasoning and served it with mashed red potatoes and sautéed vegetables. It was excellent! I use a little bit of the original Montreal Steak Seasoning with a bit of their spicy version for just a tiny kick. Absolutely loved it!

For dessert, I made the cake above! My inspiration? The banana split! I did a chocolate caramel layer, bananas, and a strawberry cake. It was wonderful, and I can’t wait to share the recipe soon!

Tonight, I’m revisiting the Punjabi masala roasted chicken I wrote about in Friday Faves, so I can finally get that recipe on the site as well as my corn and zucchini salad.

For now, let’s get into some reader faves and more summer ideas to keep you cooking this week.

Interested in becoming a close friend? Become a paid subscriber for early access to new recipes and to support my work.

Get 20% off forever

READER FAVES

Pineapple Ritz Cracker Upside-Down Cake

Thank you, Aspen! This is so great to hear; thrilled you love it! It’s such a great summer cake!

Get the Recipe

Basil-Parmesan Turkey Meatballs with Stewed Tomatoes and Rice

Thank you for rating the recipe! These meatballs with rice and tomatoes are a hearty, filling, perfect dinner.

Get the Recipe

Shrimp with Creamy Peas

Thank you so much, Harper! It’s the best feeling when we can wow our friends and family with a great meal! So happy you love this one.

Get the Recipe

MORE IDEAS

Dill-Panko Crusted Pork Chops

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

Get the Recipe

Summer Quinoa Salad

Filled with summer tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, and lots of fresh herbs, this summer quinoa salad is perfect for a hot day.

Get the Recipe

Chickpeas and Grits

Savory, smoky chickpeas with cheesy, creamy grits. A perfect vegetarian dinner option for the week!

Get the Recipe

Hot Honey Potatoes and Arugula

Hot honey potatoes and arugula are spicy and zingy, with just enough sweetness to complement the flavors of this easy side dish.

Get the Recipe

Baked Chicken with Mushrooms and Tomatoes

A simple, spicy baked chicken dish with mushrooms and tomatoes is perfect paired with pasta, rice, risotto, or roasted vegetables.

Get the Recipe

White Peach Lemon-Ricotta Tart

A simple end-of-summer white peach lemon-ricotta tart is a perfect little sweet treat to round out the season.

Get the Recipe

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

My Favorite Bite

Every Sunday, I keep coming back to this spicy Punjabi masala-roasted chicken and spiced corn salad. I’ll be making it again this weekend, so I can get the final recipe posted.

This might sound strange to some, but I never felt confident roasting a whole chicken, so I rarely tackled it. It intimidated me so much–even more so than turkey or duck–but recently, I feel like I finally can make one with no hiccups! I don’t know why, but that was such a liberating feeling for me.

Similar to how I felt when I finally had basic cake recipes down pat. What a joy it is that I can just whip up a cake any time I want straight from my noggin!

And now, I can say the same about a whole chicken. I know it seems very basic, but I love that I can just present a beautifully trussed chicken to an army of guests any time I want. Not that I’d likely ever find myself in a situation where I have an army of guests that I’m trying to show off my chicken skills to, but IF I DID, I’d be ready.

Read more

Midweek Update

Another week is racing by faster than I can handle! I can’t believe we’re already in August. I always feel like the minute September hits, I turn around, and it’s December. I’m trying not to let summer rush by by enjoying lots of sun and trying to slow down a tiny bit.

I’ve been cooking a lot! I remade my Punjabi masala roasted chicken again with my corn salad, and I think I got pretty close to replicating that Sweet Chilifire spice blend. It’s not as good, I admit, but it has enough of that sweet, smoky, spicy flavor that it’ll be a good enough stand-in for me. It’s so delicious on fresh corn salad, and I’ll be sharing the recipe soon. I also riffed on my upside-down fig cake (recipe below) by using half figs and half raspberries for a little extra tartness. I’ll share the recipe below for my OG cake. If you want to make it with raspberries, just use 6 ounces of figs and 6 ounces of raspberries instead of 12 ounces of figs. It was absolutely divine!

For now, I have a new recipe plus a few reader faves to keep you cooking this week.

Interested in becoming a close friend? Become a paid subscriber for early access to new recipes and to support my work.

Get 20% off forever

NEW RECIPE

Summer Chicken Ragù

This summer chicken ragù is the best of summer in each bite–a deeply savory but bright tomato sauce paired with tender, shredded chicken.

Get the Recipe

READER FAVES

My Favorite Steak for Taco Salad

Thank you, Nicole! So glad you enjoyed it! I’ve been making this almost every Friday because it’s so delicious and easy to make! Perfect for a taco salad, stuffed into tortillas, or piled high on a burrito bowl. YUM.

Get the Recipe

Stewed Chickpeas and Red Lentils

Thank you, Lisa! Basil is such a delicious substitute! So happy you enjoyed it with the vegan crema. Magnificent!

Get the Recipe

Salted Coconut Mango Upside-Down Cake

Thank you, Anne-Marie! I hope you did keep it all to yourself! It’s such a tasty cake; it’s hard to share.

Get the Recipe

MORE IDEAS

Fig Upside-Down Cake

Make this as-is or use 6 ounces of figs and 6 ounces of fresh raspberries for a little added brightness. Perfect as a late summer cake!

Get the Recipe

Roasted Gnocchi with Caramelized Shallot Sauce

This roasted gnocchi with caramelized shallot sauce is rich, luxurious, and such an easy vegan dinner recipe.

Get the Recipe

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.

Get the Recipe

Steak Salad with Avocado-Cherry Salsa

This steak salad with avocado-cherry salsa combines all of summer’s best ingredients – juicy, ripe cherries, fresh avocado, and sweet cherry tomatoes.

Get the Recipe

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

Yesterday, we went to Lancaster to try Pizzeria LUCA! We ordered a salad, arancini, and a margherita pizza. Absolutely loved the salad and arancini. The pizza was good, but we are margherita purists, so our preference is always simplicity! Bufala, basil, tomato sauce, and a soft, airy dough with a crisp exterior. This had parmesan and shaved garlic, and the dough was a little more crispy without as many of the pillowy air bubbles. While it was a fine pizza for what it was, it wasn’t our favorite margherita. But I caveat that by saying that we are harsh margherita critics! I would definitely go back to try their other pizzas (and for more of the salad!).

That evening, I made my steak taco salad that has become almost a weekly ritual. Reverse-seared sirloin steak piled high on a crisp salad with lots of crunchy tortilla strips and washed down with a margarita. The best dinner. I’m finally sharing my easy recipe for the steak, too.

Today, I’m revisiting my Punjabi masala-roasted chicken and my spicy corn salad. I can’t wait to share my recipe for the corn salad!

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

Interested in becoming a close friend? Become a paid subscriber for early access to new recipes and to support my work.

Get 20% off forever

NEW RECIPE

My Favorite Steak for Taco Salad

Reverse-seared sirloin steak, seasoned with plenty of spices and salt, is my favorite steak for taco salad.

Get the Recipe

READER FAVES

Pineapple Ritz Cracker Upside-Down Cake

This comment comes from Catherine on Instagram. I’m so thrilled you loved the recipe, and your photo is stunning! Thank you so much for sharing!

Get the Recipe

Chicken and Pepper Linguine

Thank you, Kelly! I’m thrilled that everyone loved it! You know it’s a winner when an encore is requested!

Get the Recipe

MORE IDEAS

Cheesy Chicken Quinoa

For days when you’re low on energy and inspiration, this cheesy chicken quinoa is here to save you. Easy to make, big on flavor, and perfect for a weeknight.

Get the Recipe

Harissa Fig and Chickpea Stew

Smoky, spicy, and subtly sweet, this harissa fig and chickpea stew combines all of my favorite flavors into one sweet and savory dish.

Get the Recipe

Sausage, Farro, and White Bean Stew

This sausage, farro, and white bean stew is a perfect midweek dinner idea. It’s a beautiful one-pot recipe that can come together in less than an hour.

Get the Recipe

Zucchini Noodles in Tomato-Caper Broth

This recipe for zucchini noodles in tomato-caper broth is easy to prepare with a fragrant, buttery broth and works well with vegetable noodles or traditional noodles.

Get the Recipe

Chicken and Chickpea Wraps

Easy chicken and chickpea wraps deserve to be on regular rotation in your home! They're easy to make, super filling, and really delicious.

Get the Recipe

Salsa Verde Risotto

This easy salsa verde risotto is a perfect summer riff on an Italian classic. Loaded with tangy homemade salsa verde, this green risotto is creamy with a bite.

Get the Recipe

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

My Favorite Bite

I’ve made this multiple times, and it’s just so perfect for summer. Ripe tomatoes are marinated to intensify their flavor and then simmered quickly to preserve their bright, acidic wonderfulness! It’s the best of both worlds.

Read more

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a pu…

Read more

Midweek Update

Tomorrow, I’m going to Philly with my friend since she’s never tried Uchi before. I can’t wait!

Like most people right now, I’ve been cooking with so many tomatoes. On Sunday, I made the most amazing Punjabi masala roast chicken, and I paired it with a spicy corn, tomato, and zucchini salad. I used Sweet Chilifire (one of my favorite spice blends), but unfortunately, the company is no longer in business. My goal next week is to make the salad again and do my best to approximate the flavor of the spice blend so you all can make it at home as well!

For now, I’m sharing my new recipe for a spicy shrimp and clam tomato chowder, a few reader faves, and some more ideas from my archives to keep you cooking.

Interested in becoming a close friend? Become a paid subscriber for early access to new recipes and to support my work.

Get 20% off forever

NEW RECIPE

Spicy Clam and Shrimp Tomato Chowder

This spicy shrimp and clam tomato chowder is heavy on the seafood flavor (in the best way), with a homemade shrimp stock, lots of garlic, and plenty of clam juice.

Get the Recipe

Tiramigloop

People (myself included) still love the Gloop, and I shared a new recipe that people are obsessed with right now. It’s tiramigloop and features a Greek yogurt “frosting” with a cocoa-coffee oat base. It’s the closest to having straight tiramisu for breakfast that I’ve ever been, and I’m very much here for it.

Get the Recipe

READER FAVES

Upside-Down Carrot Cake

Thank you so much for the 5-star review, Patricia! This is such a special, albeit labor-intensive, upside-down cake, and I’m so happy it was five stars for you!

Get the Recipe

Cheesy Turkey and Rice with Beans

Thank you for the 5-star review, Cherie! One of my go-to midweek meals. It’s so versatile, flavorful, and easy to make!

Get the Recipe

MORE IDEAS (CHEESY)

I’m feeling cheesy, so I’ll share a few of my favorite cheese recipes today.

Chicken and Goat Cheese Roulades

I’ve been making these chicken and goat cheese roulades for years. They’re so easy to whip up but look beautiful and taste delicious!

Get the Recipe

Stewed Beans with Manchego Cheese

This recipe for stewed beans with manchego cheese is a rich, comforting bean stew topped with crispy mushrooms.

Get the Recipe

Cheesy Baked Spaghetti Squash

An easy cheesy baked spaghetti squash recipe that makes for a perfect late summer side dish.

Get the Recipe

Mushroom-Taleggio Risotto

This mushroom-Taleggio risotto recipe is an irresistibly creamy risotto. Taleggio cheese adds perfect decadence and funkiness to this easy risotto recipe.

Get the Recipe

Cheesy Pork Cutlets

If you’re looking for an irresistible pork chop pasta recipe, make this your go-to.

Get the Recipe

Cheddar Chicken and Broccoli Orzo

This cheddar chicken and broccoli orzo is my new favorite comfort dinner. It’s creamy without being overly decadent, with homemade broth adding savory richness in place of cream or milk.

Get the Recipe

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, my parents and cousin came down to meet Manwich, and then we went out for sushi! My favorite roll includes a layer of spicy tuna and is finished with a slice of orange. Something about that combination just hits so perfectly!

I also made them my Pineapple Ritz Cracker Upside-Down Cake. It’s the cake they request any time they visit (and it’s always such a stunner when it’s flipped).

Today, I’m making a roast chicken, and I have a lot of corn in the refrigerator, so I think I’ll do something with that on the side.

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

Interested in becoming a close friend? Become a paid subscriber for early access to new recipes and to support my work.

Get 20% off forever

Dukkah-Spiced Pork Tenderloin

This dukkah-spiced pork tenderloin is earthy, savory, and bright, with just a little heat from Aleppo pepper.

Get the Recipe

READER FAVES

Arugula Pesto Pasta

Thank you, Molly! Those sandwiches sound divine! So happy you love the arugula pesto as much as I do!

Get the Recipe

Creamy Shrimp and Gnocchi

Thank you, David! This shrimp and gnocchi is definitely decadent, but I’m so happy you enjoyed it! Perfect for a night when only comfort food will do.

Get the Recipe

Chickpea and Fennel Rigatoni

Thank you so much, Pam! This is definitely up there as one of my fave pantry pasta dinners. So filling, easy to make, and leftovers are even better the next day!

Get the Recipe

MORE IDEAS

Tomato-Basil Pappardelle

If ever there were a pasta recipe to keep in your back pocket, it’s this tomato-basil pappardelle. It’s easy to make with simple ingredients, the best kind of meal.

Get the Recipe

Swordfish with Lemon-Caper Spinach

Bright and punchy lemon-caper spinach is an ideal companion to perfectly seared swordfish.

Get the Recipe

Baked BBQ Chicken Breasts

These baked BBQ chicken breasts are smothered with caramelized onions for a flavorful midweek meal you’ll want all the time.

Get the Recipe

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!

Get the Recipe

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.

Get the Recipe

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

My Favorite Bite

The shrimp and clam chowder. So good. I’m having a moment with canned clams. I find myself absolutely craving clam chowder, clam pasta, clam dip. I also find myself swearing off fresh clams (ok, maybe not entirely), but that canned clams require only the effort of using a can opener vs soaking, scrubbing, and cooking certainly gives them the edge over fresh clams (for Wednesday me, at least).

Read more

This post may contain affiliate links. If you m…

Read more

Midweek Update

This week is zooming by! I can’t believe it’s already Wednesday. I’ve been cooking so much, too. I made an incredible shrimp and clam chowder (recipe will be shared in Friday Faves this week). It was so easy to make, but so flavorful.

Yesterday, I had a great meal. I made extra-thick bone-in pork chops seasoned with salt, pepper, and Aleppo pepper and served with plenty of sautéed onions. I paired it with roasted broccoli and a harissa cheese sauce, and my Never Fail Rolls, except I didn’t feel like making rolls, so I just dumped all my dough into the pan and chucked it into my oven. After it finished baking, I just cut them into squares. Of course, I’ll be making a recipe for the pork chops. It’s the best way to eat them, and that little bit of heat from Aleppo pepper really takes them over the top.

For tonight, I’m making super basic turkey burgers, and since I have cheese leftover, I might make my harissa mac and cheese. On Friday, I’m making shredded beef taco salads. Yum. I can’t wait!

Let’s get into some recipes to keep you cooking the rest of the week.

Interested in becoming a close friend? Become a paid subscriber for early access to new recipes and to support my work.

Get 20% off forever

READER FAVES

Salsa Verde Turkey Soup

Thank you so much, Abby! I’m so happy you love this soup. Such a great midweek meal that’s easy to throw together but brings big flavor.

Get the Recipe

Tortellini with Spicy Brown Butter Tomato Sauce

Thank you so much—I’m so glad it was still a 5/5 and looks like I’ll be having some of this yummy tortellini in the future to tweak my recipe a bit! I appreciate you taking the time to provide feedback!

Get the Recipe

Baked Basil Chicken Meatballs

Thank you so much for the comment, Pond! Everyone needs a good chicken meatball recipe that they can pull out at a moment’s notice! I’m so happy you enjoyed this one!

Get the Recipe

Roast Chicken with Chorizo and Leeks

Thank you so much, Kristen! So happy you enjoyed this smoky, savory, aromatic pairing of three of my favorite things. Yum!

Get the Recipe

MORE IDEAS

Vegan Roasted Poblano Corn Chowder

This Vegan Roasted Poblano-Corn Chowder is loaded with corn, kale, and roasted peppers for a hearty soup you can eat any time of year.

Get the Recipe

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.

Get the Recipe

Simple Shrimp and Bay Scallops

Shrimp and bay scallops are paired with garlicky cannellini beans for an easy seafood dinner recipe!

Get the Recipe

Summer Tomato Pasta with Sausage and Zucchini

This summer tomato pasta with sausage and zucchini is a simple, delicious way to enjoy summer produce this season.

Get the recipe

Chicken and Chickpea Wraps

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

Get the Recipe

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 had such a wonderful weekend! I definitely felt like I had time to enjoy the true spirit of summer, and I’m going into the week feeling energized and rejuvenated.

On Friday, I got to try out The Duchess in Baltimore. It’s a fantastic restaurant with an amazing Chamorro menu! I had a sweet and refreshing calamansi spritz, and I loved the shrimp ceviche with titiyas. My other favorite bite was the spam steamed bun—the bun was so fluffy, and it paired perfectly with crisp, salty spam and kimchi. I can’t wait to go back.

On Saturday, I made a really great clam and shrimp chowder; I can’t wait to share the recipe with you. Today, I went to the farmer’s market with my friend and got so many delicious peaches and tomatoes. Of course, I made a tomato sandwich the minute I got home. We also tried the pineapple passion fruit shakerato at The Dashery, and we both loved it.

Today, I have new recipes, plus ideas from the archives to keep you cooking all week. Let’s dig in.

Want to be part of the inner circle? Sign up for a paid subscription to receive early access recipes and support my work.

Get 20% off forever

NEW RECIPES

Ginger-Gochujang Chickpeas and Greens

Sweet, spicy, and deeply flavorful. These ginger-gochujang chickpeas and greens are a meal you’ll want every week (or maybe every day).

Get the Recipe

Shrimp Cocktail

On a hot day, nothing hits like cold, plump shrimp and sinus-clearing cocktail sauce. Perfect as a party appetizer or as a snicky-snacky dinner paired with blanched vegetables and your favorite dips.

Get the Recipe

SUMMER FAVES FROM THE ARCHIVES

Steak Fajitas

I’m obsessed with these steak fajitas. Served with mango-avocado salsa and lots of charred veggies, they’re perfect for a summer dinner.

Get the Recipe

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.

Get the Recipe

My Dad’s West Virginia Hot Dog Sauce

A simple, West Virginia-style hot dog sauce recipe that’s perfect for all your summer cookouts.

Get the Recipe

Cherry Crumble

The best way to celebrate one of summer’s finest stone fruits.

Get the Recipe

Sweet and Spicy Mushroom Tostadas

Shredded mushrooms get an upgrade in this sweet and spicy mushroom tostada recipe!

Get the Recipe

Peach Biscuit Cobbler

An old-fashioned peach biscuit cobbler is a great way to celebrate one of summer’s finest fruits.

Get the Recipe

Chilean Sea Bass with Olives

This Chilean sea bass with olives is a perfect summer dinner recipe. Buttery fish with crispy skin paired with juicy cherry tomatoes, salty green olives, and lots of basil creates a rich, flavorful dinner perfect for a warm evening.

Get the Recipe

White Peach Lemon-Ricotta Tart

A simple summer white peach lemon-ricotta tart is a perfect little sweet treat to round out the season.

Get the Recipe

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

Happy Friday. Today, I’m introducing a new newsletter series. I relaunched paid Substack subscriptions a few weeks ago, and I’ve been brainstorming ways to create more value in what people receive from me while still being cognizant of just how often I’m showing up in your inboxes. I’m highly protective of my own personal inbox, and I will unsubscribe so fast if I get even a whiff that my opt-in status is being taken for granted. I never want people to feel like I’m rolling up to their digital home uninvited too often.

From now on, you can expect the following cadence from me:

• Wednesdays: Midweek Meals

  • This is focused on reader faves or seasonal faves from my archives.

• Fridays: Friday Faves

  • This is for paid subscribers, but will include a preview for free subscribers to get a taste of what we’re talking about each Friday. This newsletter will feature early access recipes and more of a casual chitchat about food, meals, or ingredients I loved from the previous week. It’ll also include ideas I have for the upcoming week. Early access recipes will always make their way to the website for totally free public consumption, but paid subscribers will get them first!

• Sundays: Recipes for the Week

  • This will feature my weekend update and any new recipes on the website, as well as mini recipes (quick, stream-of-thought dishes that I’m still perfecting) and more archive or reader faves to give you ideas for the week ahead.

You can always do a free trial of paid subscriptions, and I’m still offering 20% off annual plans. As always, you can manage your Substack inbox notifications from the settings page if I’m irritating you. 😜

Get 20% off forever

For now, let’s get into Friday Faves.

Friday Faves

This week, I’m sharing two new early-access recipes, including my Dukkah-Spiced Pork Tenderloin and Lemon-Peach Cornflake Upside-Down Cake.

Read more

My next cornflake adventure will involve baking this irresistible lemon-cornflake caramel mixture on a baking sheet and then crumbling it over ice cream. Or perhaps making a peach crisp with it? …

Read more

This is a draft recipe available for paid subscribers to try before it’s live, and the full recipe will be on my website soon.

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our post, we …

Read more

Midweek Update

Not many food updates this week because I’ve been busy with the new addition to our family! I wasn’t sure I was ready to bring in a new kitty just yet, but we met this handsome fellow at a somewhat unexpected pit stop, and I fell in love immediately. He’s a tiny tuxedo, just 10 weeks old, and the name that seems to have stuck is Manwich (yes, like the Sloppy Joe) and Manny for short.

Interested in becoming a close friend? Become a paid subscriber for early access to new recipes and to support my work.

Get 20% off forever

MINI RECIPE

It’s SO hot today, so I’m doing a cold dinner tonight. Since green salads are off the menu for the foreseeable future, it’s going to be shrimp cocktail with leftover potato salad I made the other day. I’ve made this shrimp cocktail so many times, and one of my favorite memories is from Galentine’s Day when the last few attendees of my party and I housed all two pounds at the very end of the night.

Shrimp cocktail is one thing that I have absolutely zero self-control with. There’s something about the plump, ice-cold shrimp with zesty cocktail sauce and extra lemon juice. YUM. I got many compliments about mine, and the key is really making sure the court bouillon (the poaching liquid) is well-flavored, well-salted, and that you don’t overcook the shrimp.

First, I peel 2 pounds of the biggest shrimp I can find (save those shells) and season them with 1 teaspoon of kosher salt and refrigerate them. I love colossal or jumbo for this. You can leave the tails on or remove them. Leaving them gives a little more flavor to the broth, and removing them makes them easier to eat. I’ve done it both ways. For parties, I typically remove the tails to make it easier for my guests.

I combine about 8 cups of water in a large pot with 2 tablespoons of kosher salt. I add the shrimp shells, 1 teaspoon black peppercorns, 2 bay leaves, a peeled, quartered onion, a head of garlic (halved), and a few ribs of celery (cut into big chunks). I bring it to a boil and then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 30 minutes.

From there, I strain the broth into a large bowl, wipe out the pot, and return it to the stove. I pour the bouillon into the pot and bring it back to a boil, and then immediately turn off the heat, add the shrimp, and cover the pot. I let them cook in the hot water for a few minutes until they’re opaque and cooked through. Depending on the size of your shrimp, this can take anywhere from 4 to 8 minutes. I use a slotted spoon to transfer them to an extra-icy cold water bath to stop the cooking process.

After that, I arrange them on a platter covered in ice and serve them with lemon wedges and cocktail sauce. I’m hungry just thinking about it!

For now, let’s get into some reader faves and a few ideas to keep you cooking this week.

READER FAVES

Chicken and Pepper Linguine

This comes from Monica on Instagram, and I’m so happy to hear it was enjoyed! Sausage is such a great addition to this savory sauce. Perfection!

Get the Recipe

Fig Upside-Down Cake

Thank you so much for this comment! It’s a perfect late summer cake, and we’re getting close to fig season!

Get the Recipe

Stewed Chickpeas and Red Lentils

Thank you for the 5-star review! With a filling trifecta of red lentils, rice, and chickpeas, this flavorful vegan stew is a perfect midweek meal.

Get the Recipe

Shrimp and Pearl Couscous

Thank you! This is such an amazing shrimp recipe! Whether you make the homemade shrimp stock or opt for chicken stock, it’s a delicious meal that everyone at your table is going to love.

Get the Recipe

A FEW MORE IDEAS (FOR THE LOVE OF CORN)

Chicken with Corn Relish

This chicken with corn relish might be the perfect summer dinner. Juicy, spicy chicken is topped with a perfectly sweet and spicy honey-lime corn relish.

Get the Recipe

Aleppo Pepper Shrimp with Creamed Corn

This Aleppo pepper shrimp with creamed corn is the best of summer on one plate. It’s filled with creamy sweet corn, juicy shrimp, and burst summer cherry tomatoes.

Get the Recipe

Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta with Corn

This sun-dried tomato pasta with corn is unbelievably easy to make, and you need just five ingredients for this tasty vegan dinner recipe.

Get the Recipe

Mushroom Corn Chowder

A rich, flavorful corn chowder that’s even more savory thanks to the umami flavor of mushrooms.

Get the Recipe

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

Not too much to report this weekend. On Friday, we went to Sisu for a happy hour drink. Normally, I love their espresso martinis, but the Tuscan sour caught my eye. It uses a Montepulciano grape, and it was a beautiful lavender color. I’m going to see if I can find either a wine or a liqueur made with that grape, so I can try to make it at home. It’s my new favorite cocktail!

We also went to Amadeo’s for an Italian dinner and then had gelato on the water! A perfect night.

Today, I have a new recipe to share, plus reader faves, and a few ideas from the archives to keep you cooking.

NEW RECIPE

Stewed Chickpeas and Red Lentils

A vegan take on my chicken and red lentils, these stewed chickpeas with red lentils and rice are comforting and perfect for a quick midweek meal.

Get the Recipe

READER FAVES

Spicy Tomato and Clam Linguine

Thank you, Jennie! It’s so exciting when we can recreate our restaurant faves and make them even better at home! So happy you enjoyed this!

Get the Recipe

Grammy Bananny Upside-Down Cake

Thank you for the 5-star review! This Grammy Bananny Upside-Down Cake features a crispy Cocoa Pebbles caramel with a layer of sweet bananas and a moist chicory cake.

Get the Recipe

MORE IDEAS

Parmesan Zucchini with Lemon-Dill Rice

This parmesan zucchini with lemon-dill rice is creamy, bright, herby, and perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.

Get the Recipe

Chicken and Ramen Noodle Stir Fry

This easy chicken and ramen noodle stir fry is one you’ll want to have on regular rotation. You can mix and match the ingredients to your preferences, and it’s a great dish for using up scrap veggies!

Get the Recipe

Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken

This creamy sun-dried tomato chicken will be your favorite weeknight recipe with its lush sauce, tender chicken, and tons of flavor from oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes.

Get the Recipe

Brothy Beans and Greens

This recipe for brothy beans and greens recipe is an easy weeknight dinner recipe dream come true. It’s so easy to make and loaded with simple pantry staples.

Get the Recipe

Summer Spaghetti with Charred Scallions

This summer spaghetti with charred scallions is loaded with summer vegetables and herbs and is perfect for a warm summer night.

Get the Recipe

Roast Chicken with Chorizo and Leeks

This roast chicken with chorizo and leeks is all parts spicy and garlicky. We load up on aromatics – garlic, leeks, and onions – for an easy, flavorful dinner.

Get the Recipe

Swordfish with Lemon-Caper Spinach

Bright and punchy lemon-caper spinach is an ideal companion to perfectly seared swordfish.

Get the Recipe

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

Interested in becoming a close friend? Become a paid subscriber for early access to new recipes and to support my work.

Get 20% off forever

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 have two new recipes to share, including my Chicken and Pepper Linguine and my Grammy Bananny Upside-Down Cake. In one of my newsletters earlier in June, I mentioned that the vet found what they thought was a tumor on my sweet senior tortie cat, Grammy. Unfortunately, it was cancer, and we had to make the decision to euthanize her last week. All this happened while I was in the process of developing this cake, and because it reminded me so much of her tortoiseshell fur color, I named it after her. Grammy Bananny just felt like a sweet and silly way to memorialize my sassy kitchen companion and all the joy she brought us during the 12 years we spent with her.

I’m also sharing a recipe for chicken and pepper linguine–cheesy, savory, and so good as a comforting midweek meal.

NEW RECIPES

Grammy Bananny Upside-Down Cake

This Grammy Bananny Upside-Down Cake features a crispy Cocoa Pebbles caramel with a layer of sweet bananas and a moist chicory cake.

Get the Recipe

Chicken and Pepper Linguine

An express chicken cacciatore of sorts, this chicken and pepper linguine is an easy, comforting dinner that will get you out of any midweek cooking rut.

Get the Recipe

READER FAVES

Zucchini Shrimp Spaghetti

Thank you so much, Tina! Yes, we’re getting into the time of year when we’re up to our eyeballs in zucchini! I’m so happy you enjoyed this way to use up some of your bounty!

Get the Recipe

One-Pot Spicy Shrimp and Beans

Thank you, Therese! Your modifications sound delicious, and I’m thrilled you enjoyed it!

Get the Recipe

Chickpea and Fennel Rigatoni

Thank you for the 5-star review! I love how fragrant and easy-to-make this pasta is. Perfect for a quick midweek dinner!

Get the Recipe

Baked Basil Chicken Meatballs

Thank you for the 5-star review! These baked basil chicken meatballs are a perfect accompaniment to pasta, salads, or served with a simple mushroom risotto.

Get the Recipe

MORE IDEAS

Slow Cooker Honey-Harissa Chicken

This slow cooker honey-harissa chicken is one of my favorite slow cooker recipes. It’s delicious with an irresistibly sweet and spicy sauce.

Get the Recipe

Pearl Couscous in Saffron Broth

Looking for a luxe vegetarian dinner? This pearl couscous in saffron broth is the place to start for a creamy, golden-hued dinner.

Get the Recipe

Arugula-Plum Salad

An arugula-plum salad with a sweet and bright poppy seed vinaigrette is a refreshing summer salad that you can modify endlessly.

Get the Recipe

Baked Beef and Feta Meatballs

These baked beef and feta meatballs are salty, savory, and easy to prepare, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Paired with a sweet and spicy harissa-maple sauce, they are great on pita or served on salad.

Get the Recipe

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

Want to support my work? Become a paid subscriber for early access to recipes.

Get 20% off forever

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 got back from the beach on Friday (with just a minor sunburn, despite my best efforts). I had so much great food on our trip, and I enjoyed my day lounging at The People’s Beach at Jacob Riis Park. I actually baked my gloop into muffins (lovingly called “gluffins” now), and they were a perfect snack for the beach! I made the gluffins with about 3 cups of my date-cacao gloop, and it made a great chocolatey coffee muffin. I also had to end the trip with a lox bagel, and although delicious, I did miss the capers and tomato.

When I returned home, I made another reverse-seared sirloin steak taco salad. I really need to get my recipe put together for that one. I season the steak liberally with chipotle powder, ancho chili powder, cayenne powder, salt, and pepper. I bake it for about 40 minutes (depending on the thickness) and then quickly sear it. The salad is just whatever I have at the moment—chopped romaine lettuce, radishes, cucumber, or maybe chopped sweet peppers or roasted corn—and finished with crispy tortilla strips and cheese. I make a simple dressing with Greek yogurt, agave, chipotle powder, and lemon juice. It’s perfect!

MINI RECIPE

I can’t get this chicken out of my head. It’s sort of an “express” chicken cacciatore, but I loved it all the same. Simply pat four bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs dry and season with salt and pepper. Brown them, skin-side down, in an oven-proof wide pot until the skin is golden and crisp. Flip and cook for 1 minute more. Add sliced red and green bell peppers, sliced onion, and a few minced garlic cloves around the chicken and turn off the heat. Season the peppers and onions with a bit of salt and pepper. Transfer to a 425ºF oven for about 30 minutes or until the chicken reaches 165ºF. Meanwhile, boil 12 ounces of linguine until al dente and reserve about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water.

Remove the pot from the oven and transfer the chicken to a platter. Return the pot of peppers and onions to the stove over medium heat, and add a heaping tablespoon of tomato paste (maybe even closer to 2 for an extra savory flavor). Mash the paste into the peppers for about 1 minute until it sizzles and browns. Be sure to season liberally with salt, pepper, and a bit of crushed red pepper. Add the pasta cooking water and a sprinkle of sugar, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for a few minutes until it thickens and reduces. Add the cooked linguine and toss to coat. Arrange the chicken on top and sprinkle the tops of the chicken with shredded mozzarella (next time, I may try with rounds of mozzarella) and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Broil until the cheese melts and browns. Serve immediately.

It’s not an ideal hot weather meal, but it sure is comforting and easy to make!

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

READER FAVES

Pineapple Ritz Cracker Upside-Down Cake

Thank you so much for the comment, Jannette! So happy to hear everyone loved this! It’s such a wonderful summer cake!

Get the Recipe

Miso-Maple Tahini Noodle Salad

Thank you so much for the comment, Rae! So happy you enjoyed this with sugar snap peas. Delish!

Get the Recipe

Tomato-Basil Shrimp and Zucchini

Thank you, Mary! No leftovers always feels like the biggest achievement! So happy everyone enjoyed this summery dinner!

Get the Recipe

Pasta with Vermouth Cream Sauce

Thank you, Angela! Extra butter is always the right move. So happy to hear you enjoyed it.

Get the Recipe

MORE IDEAS

Balsamic Farro Salad with Figs

This balsamic farro salad with figs is sweet, savory, and filling thanks to roasted figs, cherry tomatoes, and an easy balsamic vinaigrette.

Get the Recipe

Pasta with Sausage and White Beans

This pasta with sausage and white beans is a perfect midweek recipe. It’s an easy-to-prepare pasta recipe, and you can throw just about anything in it.

Get the Recipe

Lemon-Ricotta Nectarine Tart

This lemon-ricotta nectarine tart is the best of summer, baked into a flaky puff pastry with the perfect amount of decadence from the lemon-ricotta base.

Get the Recipe

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.

Get the Recipe

Seared Swordfish with Orzo

Easy, herby, bright, and filling. The perfect midweek dinner.

Get the Recipe

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

Interested in becoming a close friend? Become a paid subscriber for early access to new recipes and to support my work.

Get 20% off forever

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 am going to the beach! The Rockaways in NYC, specifically. I actually booked this hotel last year, but got Covid the week we were supposed to go. They normally wouldn’t have given a refund due to how short-notice it was, but given the circumstances, they gave me a credit on the room that I had to use within 1 year, so I booked it nearly to the day one year later! I feel like I am very in need of a decompression day, so I’m excited to lounge on the beach and not think about anything (except maybe upside-down cakes).

Today, I have a new recipe (I am holding it above—a gorgeous chickpea and fennel rigatoni), reader faves, and a few more ideas to keep you cooking the rest of the week.

I also have a new draft recipe to share! As I mentioned, I’ve started paid subscriptions on Substack, and part of that is receiving draft recipes to try before they go live. This has been in response to many requests for recipes before I’m 100% ready to share them (so they’ve been tested by me at least once already). If you can’t bear to wait for new recipes, you can sign up with the button below.

Get 20% off forever

Today’s draft recipe is this stunning Banana Biscoff Cream Cheese Upside-Down Cake. One of the most magical upside-down cake experiences I’ve had. Each layer is stunning on its own, but put together, it’s a dream.

NEW RECIPE

Chickpea and Fennel Rigatoni

Chickpeas, fennel, and rigatoni paired with plenty of mozzarella cheese create a fragrant, filling vegetarian dinner.

Get the Recipe

READER FAVES

Baked BBQ Chicken Breasts

Thank you, Lyle! Serving these saucy BBQ chicken breasts on sandwiches is such a good idea! So happy you loved this recipe!

Get the Recipe

Easy Chicken and Red Lentils

Thank you so much, Monica! Homemade dukkah sounds so perfect for these fragrant chicken and red lentils! I’m thrilled you enjoyed.

Get the Recipe

TOMATO SEASON

Baked Chicken with Mushrooms and Tomatoes

A simple, spicy baked chicken dish with mushrooms and tomatoes is perfect paired with pasta, rice, risotto, or roasted vegetables.

Get the Recipe

Summer Pasta with Squash Blossoms and Heirloom Tomatoes

This summer pasta with squash blossoms and heirloom tomatoes is a beautiful summer dinner and is chock full of our favorite summery ingredients.

Get the Recipe

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.

Get the Recipe

Branzino with Sumac Tomato-Cucumber Salad

Crispy-skinned branzino with a bright, savory sumac tomato-cucumber salad is the pinnacle of summer dinner perfection.

Get the Recipe

Basil-Parmesan Turkey Meatballs with Stewed Tomatoes and Rice

This basil-Parmesan turkey meatballs with stewed rice and tomatoes recipe is a hearty, filling, perfect dinner.

Get the Recipe

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.

Get the Recipe

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