Lemon Ricotta Blueberry Bread Pudding

What to do when you have food that needs to be used in short order? In this case, the obvious solution was to whip up a bread pudding with a few extra lemons, ricotta, blueberries I’d planned on feeding the kids but then forgot about and a loaf of bread with a forgotten purpose.

It [...]

Leek and Potato Gratin as We Bid Farewell to Winter

Today, the sun is shining. The icicles that adorned my house have all melted. The snow that covered my backyard? Well, it’s still there, but the forecast says it won’t be there forever, which is how I felt about it last week at this time. Yet the nights still dip below [...]

Kugelhopf, My Grandma’s Way

It’s hard to say where this kugelhopf originated from. While other kugelhopfs start from sweet, yeast-risen dough, I grew up eating a rich cake-like version my grandmother made. With its distinct rich taste and buttery texture, this moist cake is the perfect complement to your morning coffee and manages to hold its own [...]

General Tso’s Chicken, Takeout From Home

Along with the wontons, this was my first attempt at getting in touch with the takeout box I so longed for. Fried chicken pieces, sticky sauce. General Tso’s Chicken. Why General Tso’s and not orange chicken, sesame or even sweet and sour? To be honest, I never really liked sweet and [...]

Blog Aid: Recipes for Haiti

I am here at Blissdom this week(end), but I have to tear myself away from the wonderful presentations and amazing people to tell you about something I have had the incredible opportunity to be a part of.
When Julie from Dinner with Julie posted just after the Haiti earthquake about her vision to raise money and [...]

The Art of Folding Cream Cheese Wontons (my methods)

When Ole and I first got married, we ate on the cheap. I worked for a nonprofit (and after that for myself), and he was finishing his graduate degree. It was during this time that we started experimenting with the art of bringing the restaurants to our house, specifically of the Americanized Asian [...]

Chicken Fried Rice: The How-To

Things have been a little crazy around here. I’ve been juggling one thing after another, starting up this and working on that. It’s exciting, encouraging and hectic. And because of this added component as I try to fit a slice of life into my already jampackedfullwithnoroomtospare schedule, I’ve been cutting some corners [...]

Lemon Ricotta Blueberry Bread Pudding

Posted by Shaina On March - 10 - 20102 COMMENTS

What to do when you have food that needs to be used in short order? In this case, the obvious solution was to whip up a bread pudding with a few extra lemons, ricotta, blueberries I’d planned on feeding the kids but then forgot about and a loaf of bread with a forgotten purpose. It all started when I agreed to make broccoli cheese soup for Kiera. She’d asked for it repeatedly, and I’d finally picked up all the necessary ingredients, including a load of bread. But then a few... more

Weekly Dinner Menu Plan: 3/8/10

Posted by Shaina On March - 7 - 20107 COMMENTS

Can you guess what we’re doing? If you guessed that we’re starting seedlings, you’re right! Our yard may be completely covered with snow still, but we’re getting our plants going so they’ll be ready when the thaw comes. We’ll be going through the process here, so be sure to check back to watch our garden grow! One of the things we strive for when planning our menus is making everything fit together into one nice, neat little package. We look to use ingredients... more

Today, the sun is shining. The icicles that adorned my house have all melted. The snow that covered my backyard? Well, it’s still there, but the forecast says it won’t be there forever, which is how I felt about it last week at this time. Yet the nights still dip below freezing, and I find myself curled up under an afghan my mom crocheted 13 years ago. To chase out the last days of winter, comfort food seems appropriate. Bring on the potatoes, the cream, the oven and the leeks.... more

Weekly Dinner Menu Plan: 3/1/10

Posted by Shaina On February - 28 - 20104 COMMENTS

March? Really? I couldn’t tell by looking outside. One of the things we strive for when planning our menus is making everything fit together into one nice, neat little package. We look to use ingredients in different ways throughout the week so that we’re benefiting from the ability of do-aheads and being able to buy in bulk. We also benefit from a well-stocked pantry. Monday – Turkey Salad on greens Tuesday – Spaghetti Pie, green salads Wednesday – Red Lentil Soup using... more

Stocking Your Pantry for Home Cooking: The Basics

Posted by Shaina On February - 24 - 20105 COMMENTS

If you’ve ever started dinner only to realize that you’re out of one thing or another, then you’ll know how easy it is to give up on dinner and just head for the nearest eating establishment. I mean, you’re going out anyway, right? A well-stocked pantry is one of the first keys to successful home cooking. Why Stock Your Pantry? ::As I stated before, having ingredients on hand means you’re less likely to run to the nearest fast food chain, order takeout, pizza or... more

Weekly Dinner Menu Plan: February 22, 2010

Posted by Shaina On February - 21 - 20105 COMMENTS

It has been a busy weekend. I started it out by working a lot and getting ready for my mother-in-law’s 60th birthday (Happy birthday, Kathleen!). On Saturday I had the privilege of photographing Hearts for Haiti downtown with Anne followed by church and basketball tournaments and a long overdue top-to-bottom cleaning of the entire house (excluding the laundry room and storage areas). I had started last weekend by doing the kids’ bedrooms, but I finished the rest of the house today.... more

Kugelhopf, My Grandma’s Way

Posted by Shaina On February - 18 - 20108 COMMENTS

It’s hard to say where this kugelhopf originated from. While other kugelhopfs start from sweet, yeast-risen dough, I grew up eating a rich cake-like version my grandmother made. With its distinct rich taste and buttery texture, this moist cake is the perfect complement to your morning coffee and manages to hold its own after the main course with a cup of coffee. The reason it’s hard to say where exactly my grandma’s kugelhopf came from is that her history is a bit like a rubber... more

About Me

Hi, I'm Shaina Olmanson. I am a work-at-home mom of four, feeding my family and my friends one plate at a time. From gourmet to cheater foods, you'll find a little bit of both and everything in between.

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