Roast Beast

Recently I've been working in a deli, so I've always got my mind on sandwiches. This one is a simple favorite of mine. It is amazing on the ciabatta bread that I used in these photos but it is also incredible on sliced bread and served grilled cheese style.

Here's what you need:
you choice of bread
thinly sliced roast beef, I prefer medium
thinly sliced red onion
2 tablespoons mayo
1 teaspoon prepared horseradish
sharp cheddar cheese slices
tomato

Mix together the mayo and horseradish and spread it on the bread, add your meat and cheese and place in the oven under the broiler until warm and bubbly. Add your fresh veggies and enjoy. If your making it grilled cheese style add all the ingredients at once and grill it up with a little butter on the bread. Yumm!

Sneak Peek

Italian burgers with 4 cheese spread and breaded and fried zucchini with homemade dipping sauce

Sneak Peek

Classic caprese with homemade pizza sauce & a BBQ vegetarian

Wedding Desserts

Recent my good friends Jessica and Eric Weber got married.  Jess and I went to culinary school together and immediately became friends based on our common backgrounds and love of small town live.  I was more than excited to be invited to her wedding and thrilled when she asked me to help her prepare some of the desserts.  Jess is an amazing baker and took on the ambitious task of making all of her wedding desserts by herself and from scratch.  The menu included fruit tarts, chocolate tarts, individual pies (cherry, apple and strawberry rhubarb), cake balls (cherry, coffee, almond, strawberry), homemade marshmallows and Carmel corn.  Most everything was prepared when I arrived two days before the ceremony, however the fruit tarts needed to be done as close to service as possible so they became my task.  I haven't had a large scale baking project in months and I almost forgot how much I love it.  I had such a great time making pastry cream, chocolate silk and fruit glaze.  The tarts turned out beautifully and tasted amazing!  The dessert display at the wedding was phenomenal, people were stealing treats before they even had their dinner!  I count myself blessed to have wonderful friends like Jess and Eric and to have been able to be a part of their big day. 

Independence, IA

My one and only vacation this summer was to a sleepy little town in Iowa called Independence for a friends wedding.  I knew I would have a wonderful time seeing old friends and spending a few days away from the stresses of everyday life but I had no idea I would fall so in love with this little town.  On our last day Theary and I asked the bride and groom to send us to their favorite restaurant before we had to leave town.  They sent us to Okobojis, the local golf club with a bar and grill.  As we walked up from the parking lot we knew we had stumbled across something special.  Coming from the patio was the sound of an acoustic guitar and the voice of a scruffy long haired musician; the kind that every girl loves.  We were initially seated inside but quickly moved outdoors to hear the music and enjoy the view.  We were seated right on the bank and could see nothing but river in both directions.  As we ate our meal and sipped on screwdrivers and bloody mary's we also waved at kyakers and canoers as they lazily made their way down the river.  I could have sat on that patio for hours, content with life. I was so obsessed with the atmosphere, the food could have been horrible and I wouldn't have minded.  It wasn't, the food was delicious, although I hardly remember what I ate.  The restaurant was a great recommendation, a great meal, great atmosphere in an amazing little town. 

Okoboji Grill 
1749 Golf Course Blvd.
Independence Iowa
319-334-6576