cooking ala mel

healthy recipes and the occasional craft

facebook instagram pinterest RSS Feed email bloglovin' goodreads

Double Chocolate Strawberry Muffins (Gluten Free)

My, my.  It has been a little while since I’ve posted last, hasn’t it?  It started out with a crazy exam and figuring out where we’re living next year, and it ended with Morty spilling a full glass of water onto my laptop.  One new, beautiful iMac later (and a new townhouse beginning in June), and we’re all set to go!  I have to say, I’m loving this huge beautiful screen to edit photos with, so when it really comes down to it… thanks Morty, for pushing me into purchasing something new!

As soon as my exam was over, I got myself back into the kitchen.  I’ve had some crazy good strawberries lately (thank goodness for strawberry season looming over nearer), so I wanted to showcase some of them in a breakfast muffin.  Mostly because my freezer stash of muffins is running terribly low with having such a hectic week (the exact reason I keep a freezer stash, really). [Read more…]

Shrimp Scampi with Fettuccine

This week I’ve been in a bit of a rut in what feels like every aspect.  All I’ve wanted to do is just read, read, read.  With exams and deadlines, including trying to figure out a place to move when our lease ends this year, I really shouldn’t be relaxing and reading my days away.  But you know.. sometimes you just have to push the lists aside and breathe.  This afternoon, it’s back to business as usual, though!

It’s restaurant week here in Buffalo, so I’m not cooking as much this week – too many good deals!  I did make some shrimp scampi over the weekend, though.  After having one of the best shrimp scampis I’ve ever had when we were in Vegas, I couldn’t get it out of my head.  AND it was paired with the first chardonnay that I’ve actually liked (they’re usually too oaky for my tastes – Alex calls it buttery).  I knew I had to make it at home, especially since we had some chardonnay on the wine rack that we had yet to try. [Read more…]

Banana Pancakes (Gluten Free)

Happy Sunday!  Weekends are the best for pancakes, so of course, I have to share a pancake recipe with you today!  I made these during the week and stashed my leftovers in the fridge to have for breakfast each morning before class.  Waking up to a pancake breakfast is seriously ten times better during the week, especially since they were already ready for me.  It feels like a treat!

Now, if only my coffee was also already ready for me as soon as I woke up.  That’s one thing I haven’t perfected – making my French press early enough so that it cools down in time for me to drink it before heading to school.  Alex’s mom got a super deal on one of the Starbuck’s Verismo systems for us, so maybe that’ll change things for me.  Quick and easy, and apparently some reviews say they don’t think it’s hot enough – I have a feeling this is going to be perfect for my crazy mornings!  I still love grinding my own coffee, though, so I definitely won’t be completely giving up my French press.  I just ordered a bunch of the new TOMS coffees (for a $20 off $75 coupon on your first purchase, click here – you can get shoes AND some free coffee! 😉 )  Because who can say no to yummy coffee, comfy shoes, AND giving people fresh water and a pair of shoes?  Not I. [Read more…]