Carrot and Cucumber Pasta Salad

January just makes me feel so lovey dovey. I met my husband in January-- 10 Januaries ago actually. We just celebrated our tenth year together. Maybe it's the chilly weather and getting ready for Valentine's day. Whatever the reason, I've been sharing recipes that are staples in my kitchen. This is food that Jason and I live (and would die) for. Check out our favorite tomato soup hack and now my simple Italian pasta cheat. This pasta salad recipe features one of the yummiest cheeses ever-- queso fresco. Check out the full recipe and instructions here.

Little Turkey Pot Pies

I made an impromptu trip to World Market with a friend yesterday. They had a coupon too good to go unused. I've wanted a second cake dish (and non-white this time) for awhile and I brought this cutie home without thinking twice. Cake stands (or cake pedestals) just make me a very, very happy girl. It used to be shoes-- now it's colanders and kitchen schtuff.

Apple Latkes

Finally! Here's my last Chanukkah recipe. We enjoyed these so much and I finally got around to blogging it up. I'm a sucker for green apples all year round (especially in salads) and this recipe is one of my favorite ways to work with them. I used to hate the taste and texture of cooked or baked apples when I was younger but then I guess I grew up? Who knows. Considering I'm a recent sweet potato convert, I guess anything is possible as time goes on.

Stuffing and Applesauce Latkes

I've got some awesome Chanukkah cupcakes, sufganiyot (jelly donuts), and challah in the works but first things first. I did some super yummy stuffing and applesauce latkes as part of tonight's Chanukkah dinner. I'm not even a huge fan of cranberry sauce but absolutely loved it on this latke. It was a perfect blend of sweet, savory and tang when you get a bite of each component. It reminds me of those yummy turkey sandwiches that have stuffing and cranberry sauce on them-- but better! The cranberry sauce garnish (seen cooking below) is leftover from Thanksgiving (obviously) and made with real cranberries, granny smith apples, and one of my most favorite things ever, cherry craisins.

Sweet and Savory Latkes

Thanksgiving was sooooo good. Perfect, actually. I was cooking and baking for days and it felt great to wake up this afternoon with almost nothing to do.

Sweet Potato Soup with Colby Jack Cheese Crisp

It's no secret that I'm not a fan of sweet potatoes. With a name so cutesy, believe me, I want to love them. In the past ten years I've gone from hating them to "I can eat a mouthful if I have to and not make a dumb face like a teenager." These progressive strides are thanks to my husband, who adores sweet potatoes. Since I adore him, I lovingly make sweet potato casserole every holiday as well as other sweet potato side dishes in between the holidays. Having said all of that, I have found a sweet potato recipe that I don't hate and actually enjoy. Yes. I made this, swallowed a spoonful after the necessary food-photo-sesh, and actually smiled. Then I finished my entire bowl of soup. If you know me in real life, you probably think that Heather has been replaced with a podpeople Heather, and that just isn't true. But if it were, that's exactly what Pod Heather would say so... who knows, right? I made this soup the other day and my husband and I both loved it. I had cracked a molar that day, so soup was right up my alley. It was easy to make and ready in no time. What do I mean by easy? Well this recipe is from scratch but you don't have to peel, cut, or boil the potatoes. I'm so in love and just had to share it with you. Click here for my full recipe and instructions.