Caramel Apples All Grown Up

After I hit the teenage years and Halloween rolled around, I was always sad that I had never eaten a caramel apple as a child.

I felt like I had missed something, like I had been left out of the cool club.

I'm not sure why I was never around caramel apples...perhaps my parents wanted me to keep all of my teeth intact. And maybe they didn't want me jumping off the ceilings from the sugar rush.

Simple Saturday: White Bean Salad

This week, I threw this dish together because I was in need of a salad that didn't contain lettuce (because we were out).

It was quite a conundrum.

Then, I remembered that I had a can of white beans in the pantry and since the salad was accompanying pasta, the Italian vibe would totally work.

I made this super simple salad by combining washed, drained white beans with carrots, freshly chopped basil, oil, salt, pepper, lemon juice and a bit of garlic salt.

I mixed it all together and threw it in the fridge for about 30 minutes.

It was a delicious and fresh side to our Italian meal.

P.S. White beans are also great on lettuce salads with tuna and in this amazing app. If you have any other great uses for these dandy beans, give me a shout out.

Fallcakes

Two words:

Pumpkin...

Pancakes.

Simple Saturday: Hot Cocoa

It's our third Simple Saturday on the Fruitful blog! Woohoo!

(If you'd like to check out the other two Simple Saturday posts click here: Avocado Toast and Popcorn in a Bag.)

I hope these non-recipes have been inspiring you to make some simple snacks and meals.

Today, I've got a treat for you.

Thankful for Fall

This fall, I'm thankful for many things.

I'm thankful to have a great job.

I'm thankful to get to see the sun come up (most) mornings.

I'm extra thankful for the amazing yellows, oranges, reds and greens that the trees around my apartment are showing off lately.

Simple Saturday: Popcorn in a Bag

I've been spending a glorious weekend in my hometown, hanging out with my family and wonderful husband.

It's been so fun just being here and not having an agenda, not having anywhere certain to be and just enjoying life together.

And this Simple Saturday recipe is absolutely perfect for relaxing weekends in front of a big game or your favorite flick with friends or family.

Chill out and make some popcorn in a bag!

Happy Birthday Fruitful!

Happy 1st Birthday Fruitful!

I can't hardly believe that it's been a year since I started this wonderful journey of food blogging.

In the past year, I've cooked more than I probably ever have in my life.

I've made some really tasty treats and I've had some recipe failures as well.

What I've enjoyed most is when you, my wonderful fans, give me a shout out that you loved a recipe or share your own recipes. You are awesome!

Life is Like Peeling Potatoes

Life is like peeling potatoes.

Sometimes it's not fun. Sometimes it's stressful. Sometimes you nick yourself in the midst of it.

But you know that what those potatoes hold is worth every bit of peeling.

What the potatoes will become, or transform into, is the worth the pain of peeling.

Peeling potatoes is probably the hardest part of making potato soup, so yeah, it's really not that hard to make.

If you can make it through step 1, in a short amount of time you'll have a comfortingly transformed vegetable that warms your stomach and makes you taste buds feel like they're home.

*Click on recipe card to enlarge and save

Simple Saturday: Avocado Toast

Life is about to get a lot busier for me.

I'll be a regular old 9-5 employee starting next week, which I'm thrilled about.

When you spend most of your time in a one bedroom apartment every day, you get a little stir crazy and in need of social interactions.

I'm so excited about this new chapter of life.

Bread Making Take 2

It's finally fall.

Well, technically.

But I get the feeling that, along with everyone else around me (at least judging from Pinterest), I am ready to celebrate the harvest of fall.

I'm totally there with you, pinning recipes for pumpkin donuts and planning to make 50 different soup recipes.

Party with this Pita

I'm totally a chips and dip kind of girl.

I bet you love chips and dip, too.

The mix of textures and burst of flavors are exhilarating.

And chips and dip kind of bring people together. What would a Super Bowl party be without cheese dip and tortilla chips? (Confession: I have a special weakness for that unnaturally yellow cheese dip in the jar.)

Making a Plan

I always thought making a meal plan would be a drag.

Because I'm a spontaneous cook and I figure if I have a great meal idea that I should make it no matter what I have in my pantry.

But, this is not the best way to live, especially on a budget.

I've been learning that organizing the week's meals and grocery needs is a great way to get excited about dinner each night and not have to go back to the grocery store four times in a week to get random ingredients.

Let's Do Brunch: Puffy Apple Pancake

So, I know that it's only Tuesday, but let's talk brunch.

Just think of this post as your encouragement to get through the week and on to the weekend.

I love brunch and well, who doesn't. I'm convinced that even those guys who say they don't really do. It's salty, it's sweet and it's like a combo-meal with loads of choices.

Whenever I eat brunch out, I'm always tempted by the salty options: biscuits in sausage gravy, omelettes, etc., but I almost always end up getting something sweet.

Dinner Out: 28 Springs

I think I mentioned before that I am a fan of eating out and trying new restaurants.

Experiencing a new atmosphere and a different chef's take on foods is thrilling. Not to mention the excitement I get from looking at the menu days (or weeks) before dining to check out all of the options.

There is a restaurant that recently opened in Siloam Springs, our small-town neighbor, the hometown of my alma mater and the hometown of my in-laws.

I was so excited when I learned that the chef/owner of James at the Mill here in Fayetteville was opening a more accessible, casual restaurant called 28 Springs in Siloam. (Find out more about my dining experience at James at the Mill in my Valentine's post.)

Weekend Treat: Brownie Scotchies

It's the weekend!

To celebrate, why not make you and your loved one(s) a pan of brownie scotchies!