Spoooky spiders

Happy Halloween everyone!

Although I'm not usually a big celebrator of this haunted holiday, this year my fiance and I are throwing a little party with friends and I'm contributing a little sweet treat.

My family has been making these "chocolate spiders" for as long as I can remember. They are a great, easy treat to make for holidays to give away or to munch on yourself. And the hint of butterscotch in them is so tasty!

Bananas + Toffee + British touch= Banoffee Pie

If you haven't heard of banoffee pie, you need to take some time to get to know it! It's a fantastic British dessert that combines a tea cookie crust with a rich toffee filling, bananas and fresh whipped cream!

Since I came back from studying abroad in England, I have longed to try banoffee pie. I actually didn't ever eat any while I was across the pond, but I did get to enjoy some delicious sweets. You know what I'm talking about if you have ever had sticky toffee pudding! The Brits really know how to make a cake or pie and smother it in a rich pudding or sauce that makes it so deliciously sticky sweet.

They happened to be featuring British desserts on Saveur.com (http://www.saveur.com/, a fantastic foodie magazine), and I could almost squeal when I saw the banoffee pie recipe (http://www.saveur.com/article/Recipes/Banoffee-Pie-Classic)!

We all scream for grilled cheeeese!

Who doesn't love a grilled cheese?

Even better, who doesn't love a fancy grilled cheese made with amazing flavor combos and fresh, local ingredients?

One of my favorite restaurants in Fayetteville (which is saying a lot since we have so many great places) is Hammontree's on Dickson. http://hammontreesgourmet.com/index.html

$1 for 8 meals

Lately I have been bitten by the talk show bug. I know, crazy, right?! I have never been one to enjoy daytime talk shows. Most of them just seem to be about a lot of things I don't care about. But, this was all before The Chew (http://beta.abc.go.com/shows/the-chew) began airing a few months ago.

Finally, a talk show about cooking, eating and food news. And it features some of my favorite chefs: Mario Bitali and Michael Symon, along with chef Carla Hall and Daphne Oz (daughter of Dr. Oz and a nutritionist, I think). Oh, and What Not to Wear's Clinton Kelly is also on the show. I love his personality!

Caring is sharing...cookies

One of my favorite cookies has got to be snickerdoodles. They are easy to make, easy to share and oh so yummy.

I would have to say that chocolate chip cookies are my absolute fave!

I worked at a bakery, called Ambrosia Bakery in Hot Springs, Ark. (http://www.ambrosiabakeryco.com/), throughout high school. I have always loved baked goods and the joy that they bring to others. By the way, the absolute best chocolate chip cookie in the world can be found at Ambrosia. How I miss those days of grabbing a fresh out of the oven cookie off the tray and eating it.

Apple a Day

First of all, welcome to my new blog: Fruitful.

I am a foodie, or at least I would like to think I'm one. I love to cook, bake, read food blogs, eat out, find new recipes and enjoy exploring food with the people I love.

I hope to use this blog to share fun recipes and what's going on in my kitchen, as well as cover hot food spots in Northwest Arkansas and how you can make others lives fruitful by featuring charities and ministries that fill others' plates.