Tara Teaspoon

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Spring Dinner Recipes for Weeknights

My collection of spring dinner recipes make delicious use of the season's gorgeous foods and makes your weeknight meals a little more exciting! Bookmark this page and make these your new go-to meals! My simple spring dinner recipes are easy to make, and the entire family will love them. Scroll … [Read more...]

Elderflower and Grape Spritzer

Elderflower and Grape Spritzer, a homemade recipe that is bright, juicy, and a sparkling drink you'll want to serve all year. Make this a cocktail or mocktail for all your guests. Juicy grapes, flavorful juice and a sophisticated splash of elderflower syrup make this drink a hit. Swap the … [Read more...]

Spinach and Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Spinach and chicken enchilada casserole uses sliced polenta in place of the tortillas. No filling and rolling! This is a dinner shortcut you will thank me for! I used to be wary of the word casserole. Memories of childhood! Now I love them! That either speaks to my age, or that I know how to … [Read more...]

12 Easy Ways To Cook With Herbs And Spices

A little sprinkle of flavor turns everyday food into something special. Here are some simple ideas for using the seasonings in your cupboard to make everything taste amazing. • • • I get asked how to use herbs and spices all the time. I find that everyone has a cupboard full of jars that they … [Read more...]

Chocolate Caramel Cupcakes | Recipe Mashup

Chocolate Caramel Cupcakes combines the perfect chocolate cake with my creamy caramel frosting. The flavors make for a great recipe mashup. This recipe takes two favorites and creates a mashup that you'll want to make again and again. I teamed up with Kate from the Instagram @sweetkatebake to … [Read more...]

Mini Greek Lamb Burgers with Yogurt Sauce

Mini Greek lamb burgers with yogurt sauce are packed with massive amounts of flavor. They are a great way to get make a fun dinner, or a party table hit. Big kids (adults) and mini kids (actual children), will love these. They are the perfect size, almost like sliders, so they are fun to eat, … [Read more...]

Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa

Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa bring the Mexican Baja Peninsula to the dinner table. Easy and fresh, they're a great meal for taco Tuesday, or any day! Make your own quick salsa, and not just any typical salsa – one with fresh fruit and creamy avocados. These fish tacos wrap all the good things … [Read more...]

Easy Mozzarella and Eggplant Panini

An easy mozzarella and eggplant panini gets it's extra delicious flavor from smokey cheese and sun-dried tomato spread. What a great way to eat vegetarian for dinner! Some Italian flare for a weeknight dinner is always good. Smoked, fresh mozzarella, sun-dried tomatoes and a Mediterranean … [Read more...]

Spicy Maple Bacon Chicken Drumsticks

Spicy Maple Bacon Chicken Drumsticks make for sticky fingers and happiness. Easy enough for a weeknight, flavorful enough for game day and delicious enough for a comfort-food gathering.  Canada is pretty famous for their maple syrup, and I like bacon and chicken – bam! I give you some … [Read more...]

Christmas Cookie Tips Booklet Free Download

Christmas Cookie Tips booklet Don't miss your chance to get my a FREE copy of the Christmas Cookie Tips. In honor of my appearance on the Food Network show Christmas Cookie Challenge, I am celebrating all things cookies this season! I've included tips for rolling cookie dough right out of … [Read more...]

14 Non Pumpkin Fall Recipes You Must Try

Even if you love pumpkin, you'll die for these 14 non pumpkin fall recipes. The season is full of other great flavors and ingredients like apples, veggies, sweet maple and spices that make the best treats and comfort food. With all the pumpkin spiced lattes, pumpkin cookies and pumpkin … [Read more...]

Holiday Peppermint Brownies

Fudgy Holiday Peppermint Brownies get festive with a sweet, pink fluffy frosting top and crushed candy canes. Peppermint brownies are one of those treats I wish were acceptable to eat all year round. They seem to only come out at Christmas, and rightly so, since peppermints and candy canes come … [Read more...]

Eerie Eyeball Cake For Halloween• Tara Teaspoon

Eerie Eyeball Cake is looking right at you! It's no trick, just a delicious treat with chocolate ganache and homemade candy eyeballs.  You'll have to agree this is an eye-catching Halloween dessert (haha!). With piles of eyeballs atop a chocolate ganache cake. I dare say no one can … [Read more...]

The Real Kit Kat Bar Cake

Layers of cake and chocolate frosting slice perfectly to look just like your favorite Kit Kat bar candy! Don't break me off a piece, slice me a piece of this awesome cake! The outside lined with endless Kit Kat bars and the inside layered to be just like your favorite candy. Chocolate ganache and … [Read more...]

Slow Cooker Brisket With Fruit And Wine Sauce

Use sweet and flavorful dried fruit to make a rich sauce for slow cooked brisket. Slow Cooker Brisket With Fruit And Wine Sauce will be your new favorite dinner.  I do love a good comfort food dinner. This one does it for me times ten! The rich, savory and slightly sweet sauce is the … [Read more...]

Easy Sausage Stuffed Shells

Easy Sausage Stuffed Shells are loaded with meaty goodness, eggplant, spinach, tomatoes and cheese – making for the ultimate weeknight dinner. This stuffed shells recipe is loaded with both flavorful sausage and vegetables. That is a balanced meal if I ever saw one! How long has it been … [Read more...]

15 Wonderful Watermelon Hacks and Tricks

Watermelon is always the perfect summer treat, but sometimes picking, preparing and serving this iconic fruit can be a challenge. I've put together 15 great watermelon hacks that'll make your life easier and more delicious! Everything you'll ever want to know about eating, juicing and … [Read more...]

One Pan Sugar Cookie Bars

One pan sugar cookie bars are a game-changer! Leave the rolling pin and cookie cutters in the drawer and turn your dough into this bar-cookie dream. The draw of a soft, frosted sugar cookie is strong. But the thought of rolling out dough, cutting it, gathering the scraps and doing it again–then … [Read more...]

Korean BBQ Chicken Skewers

Korean BBQ Chicken Skewers with a simple marinade bring authentic cooking home. Tender chicken and colorful vegetables only take a few minutes to make and grill. Hold on to your bamboo skewers, because these little kabobs are going to knock your socks off. Authentic Korean BBQ flavors are … [Read more...]

Ropa Vieja (Slow Cooker Cuban Braised Beef)

Ropa Vieja is a favorite dish at my local Cuban restaurant. It's a slow cooker braised beef stew with peppers and great tomato flavor. I recreated it so I could dish it up any time! This ropa vieja braised beef stew with peppers and onions resembles a heap of colorful rags, or "old clothes." … [Read more...]

Make A Family Breakfast Turnover

Make a family Breakfast Turnover for Sunday morning. It's filled with ham, eggs, cheese and earthy mushrooms, wrapped in flakey puff pastry. I say anything wrapped in puff pastry wins. And when it's breakfast, it's even better. All the things you love in one giant turnover, makes a delicious … [Read more...]

5-Ingredient Easy Pea Soup

A hint of lemon adds freshness to this easy, 5-ingredient pea soup. A summer dinner made in minutes, that the whole family loves, before racing to the soccer game. You're not dreaming! Growing up, pea soup usually meant a ham hock, simmered for hours with split peas and some herbs. It was … [Read more...]

Tomato Soup With Cheese Dumplings

No need to serve sandwiches on the side. I made this Tomato Soup with Cheese Dumplings so you're set with an entire, delicious, meal in your bowl. Tomato soup comes together in a flash. I love making my own with a few simple ingredients. Usually a salad or crispy grilled sandwich is … [Read more...]

Best Creamy Hummus Recipe

This is the best creamy hummus recipe, and it comes together in just 20 minutes. With canned chickpeas and 2 expert techniques I picked up from Israeli chefs, you'll get smooth, flavorful, authentic hummus that rivals any restaurant version. It’s easy and delicious, and the reviews prove: you’ll … [Read more...]

Pancakes From Pantry Ingredients

Homemade pancakes are so easy made from simple pantry ingredients. You've got it all, now make some breakfast! Hot cakes, pancakes, flap jacks, griddle cakes; whatever you call them, they're fantastic for breakfast (and sometimes even dinner!). To make these delicious circles of goodness, … [Read more...]

Blueberry Ginger Sizzle Smoothie

The Blueberry Ginger Sizzle Smoothie gives you a little spicy boost and is packed with antioxidants.  I get a kick out of ginger in my smoothies. Literally and figuratively! The spicy punch from fresh ginger is one of a kind when mixed with fruit, greens, nuts and seeds. It brightens, … [Read more...]

Orange Nut Swirled Bread With Frozen Dough

Orange Nut Swirled Bread with sweet, crunchy nooks and crannies has a secret. Read on to find out how to make this bread in a snap.  Have this sweet bread on hand for your busy mornings, or use it for French toast on a weekend. Toast a slice and slather it with butter and jam if you must. … [Read more...]

Cracked Wheat Cereal With Bacon and Egg Toasts

Cracked wheat cereal with bacon and egg toasts is an irresistible breakfast situation! I mean, every single bite is delicious.  Growing up we had hot cereal a lot. Oatmeal for sure, cream of wheat and my favorite, cracked wheat. It was soft but not mushy, had a little chew and … [Read more...]

Halos Mandarins Frozen Smoothie Pops

Halos Mandarins Frozen Smoothie Pops are a better way to "eat" your breakfast smoothie, have a refreshing pick-me-up or enjoy an after-school snack.  A tangy breakfast smoothie with mandarins, bananas and mangos or strawberries and yogurt, flaxseed and other healthy ingredients are delicious … [Read more...]

Pesto and Ricotta Pasta

This easy Pesto and Ricotta Pasta is a decadent restaurant-quality dish made right at home in 30 minutes. The fresh flavor of pesto paired with creamy lemon ricotta makes every bite so addicting. If you are craving comfort food, a flavorful pasta like my Pistachio Pesto Pasta or Creamy … [Read more...]

Shortcut Potato Herb Flatbread

Shortcut Potato Herb Flatbread is my take on a tasty NYC bakery classic. Mine is easy, delicious and great as a finger food, or a crispy bite with some homemade soup.  Years ago I was introduced to potato pizza here in NYC. I was no stranger to potatoes and bread. I used to (I mean I still … [Read more...]

Chipotle Sweet Potato Soup With Queso Blanco

Chipotle sweet potato soup with queso blanco makes any weeknight dinner a comfort-food celebration. Cozy, spicy and easy, it's pretty much the best meal you'll have all week. You may not think of soup as a culinary experience. Especially a simple pureed soup like sweet potato or butternut … [Read more...]

Family Fun Popcorn Crunch

This caramely popcorn is addictive. With crunchy pretzels, dried fruit and brown sugar, there's nothing the kids, or YOU will want to snack on more than this popcorn crunch! Baking this popcorn crunch after the caramel is poured on, helps it get crackly crisp. The addition of pretzels, … [Read more...]

Curry Chicken Drumsticks With Chickpeas

Curry Chicken Drumsticks With Chickpeas is an authentic dinner using pantry ingredients! Plus the kids will love getting their own drumstick with their rice and veggies. I know what you’re thinking when it comes to real-deal-authentic Indian food made at home...no way! However, I’m here to tell … [Read more...]

Pork Tenderloin with Rosemary Apricot Sauce

Pork tenderloin with rosemary apricot sauce is elegant enough for entertaining, but easy enough for a weeknight dinner. This is one of my go-to meals. Pork tenderloin is a never-fail dish for me, and it always impresses. The sweet and savory sauce takes it to the next level. You'll think you're … [Read more...]

Easy Squash And Pancetta Pasta

Easy Squash and Pancetta Pasta is anything-but-basic. Italian bacon and tender, sweet squash make for a sophisticated, but simply delicious dinner. Tasty dinners come in all shapes and sizes. You can actually choose the shape of this one! Just pick a pasta, your favorite shape, and toss it with … [Read more...]

Mexican Tomatillo and Shredded Beef Soup

Mexican Soup with Tomatillo and Shredded Beef gets its zest from poblano chiles. Flavorful, authentic ingredients create a warming weeknight dinner. I don't use enough tomatillos. It's a fact. I really like them though. They add a savory tanginess to dishes – like a tomato but slightly less … [Read more...]

Caramelized Onion Bacon Dip

This easy Caramelized Onion Bacon Dip is creamy, savory, make-ahead friendly, and uses simple ingredients. It will be the crowd-favorite appetizer at any party. It has golden caramelized onions and crispy bacon folded into a tangy cream cheese and sour cream base—and you can even customize it with … [Read more...]

Classic Yellow Cake with Chocolate Frosting

Classic yellow cake with chocolate frosting is what good memories are made of. Whether it's your favorite birthday cake, grandma's specialty, or just comfort food at it's best, you'll want this recipe. Oh that layer cake, in all it's glory, sitting on top of that cake pedestal like it owns the … [Read more...]

Super Bowl Snack Bowls The Kids Can Make

Super Bowl snack bowls the kids can make are a great pre-game activity! Use them to serve up all your nibbles! While you're whipping up the delicious game day snacks, the kids can get their craft on during the pre-game show. Personalize your Super Bowl snacks with football-shaped bowls. Kids will … [Read more...]