A few months back I told my sister-in-law I would bring a pie for Thanksgiving.  I have this problem of where I’m always wanting to try new recipes, which means that rather than opt for that tried-and-true dish that I know will be delicious, I take a risk on a new dish that may or may not be any good. I received this pie plate (and this loaf pan) that matches my everyday china from my in-laws recently, so I’ve been in full pie mode (Christian completely supports this)!  All of this being said, I wanted to try a chocolate pie for the holidays and lo and behold I found this recipe for the chocolate pie from The Help!

You might remember this scene (of which Christian and I love to quote), but this recipe is quick, easy and absolutely delicious.  I love that the recipe comes from Greenwood, Mississippi, where my grandmother lives and both of my parents grew up. Apparently they made over 50 pies for filming!

Fun fact: The home Bryce Dallas Howard’s character, “Hilly Holbrook,” lives in is actually my mom’s high school friend’s home and where my parents had their engagement party.

I’ve always enjoyed a caesar salad or house salad at restaurants as my meal, but in the past few years, I have somehow come to appreciate a really good chicken caesar salad. A simple dish that always hits the spot. I always make my own salad dressings (they just taste so much fresher), and have tried this lightened up caesar salad dressing before. It’s good, but lacks that creamy texture that traditional dressings have.

Christian and I recently bought some eggs from our neighborhood farmers market and while they sat in my refrigerator, I was trying to think of how the two of us would go through a dozen eggs.  I like a hard-boiled egg occasionally, but other than that and the occasional baking, I don’t really eat them.

I stumbled up this recipe and knew it would be the perfect way to take advantage of these fresh eggs and veggies.  Easy and fresh – it tastes great warm or at room temperature.  It was a great dinner and an even better lunch the next day.

Are y’all big egg-eaters?  If so, what’s our favorite way to cook/serve them?  This is starting to sound like Runaway Bride (remember?), but I’m genuinely curious!

Thanks so much for reading and let me know if you try this recipe! XO –

I was in the kitchen at work one day and noticed a coworker putting together a delicious kale and quinoa salad.  If I was a Californian, I would have observed from afar, trying to piece together the ingredients.  However I am Southern, so I poked my head in her salad and immediately asked, “what all you got in there!?”

She sweetly shared the ingredients with me (and didn’t ask me to get my face out of her lunch), and I knew I would be recreating this salad at home.  So fresh, healthy and delicious – it’s been one of my go-to packed lunches and I wanted to share.

• kale
• shredded brussels sprouts (optional – I just love some sprouts!)
• 1/3 cup cooked quinoa
• 1/4 cup chopped bell pepper
• 1/4 cup red or green onion
• 1/4 cup chopped celery
• a few slices of avocado
• Dressing:  1 TB whole grain dijon mustard
• Dressing:  2 parts balsamic vinegar to 1 part olive oil (to taste)
• Dressing:  salt & pepper to taste

Chop the veggies (excluding avocado) and toss in a bowl (or on a plate).  Mix the dressing together in a sealed container (I use a mason jar) and shake well.  Pour over salad and veggies, layer avocado over the top of the salad and bon appétit!

Do you have a favorite kale salad?  Do share!  Thanks so much for reading and don’t forget to enter the Kiki La’Rue giveaway! XO –

Christian loves some horchata.  I was always a little hesitant to try it – this mysteriously sweet milky concoction that I wasn’t even sure what the ingredients were.  BUT, a sip here and a sip there of his drink and I was like, “alright, I’ve got to figure out what’s in this.”

After doing some research I was so surprised how simple it was to make.  I made a batch at home in no time and Christian couldn’t have been happier!  This is definitely a great little dessert drink and I look forward to occasionally spiking it.

 You’ll need:

• 1 cup uncooked white rice
• 5 cups water
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 TB vanilla extract
• 1/2 TB ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup white sugar

Blend the rice and water in a blender for about a minute.  Let this mixture sit overnight at room temperature (I let it sit about seven hours).   Strain the rice-water mixture in a nut milk bag (I used a nut milk bag that I often use for juicing, but I noticed when I was pouring the mixture into a bowl the majority of the rice was stuck to the bottom of the blender so it was really easy).  Stir in milk, vanilla, cinnamon and sugar.  Pour into pitcher and serve over ice.

Do you like horchata?  And more importantly, have you ever spiked it?

Thanks so much for reading! XO –

We’ve had a heat wave in Southern California and I’ve been melting!  With summer bringing the heat, my girlfriend told me she had made some watermelon juice.  It sounded so easy and delicious that I knew I had to give it a try.

You’ll need:

• 1/4 of a large watermelon, chopped OR one small 6-8 oz. watermelon
• one lime
• mint + lime for garnish (optional)

Toss your chopped watermelon (or a small 6-8 oz. melon) in the blender.  Once blended (just a minute or two), add the juice of one lime.  Blend for a few more seconds and then pour over ice and serve.  Stays in the fridge for a few days, but always stir before serving!

Yum!  This is the perfect morning juice or refreshing treat after a day at the pool.  Of course, I prefer the latter.  Thanks so much for reading and don’t forget to enter the Burt’s Bees giveaway! XO –

Christian has taught me to love a cast iron skillet.  For those of you who have really been following CBL, you might remember this skillet cookie post from two years ago (that photography – YIKES!). From there we’ve gone to brown butter veggie skillet pasta, summer vegetable sandwiches, heirloom bruschetta and skillet s’mores (a personal favorite).

I wanted to bake something sweet for Christian when I got home from Chicago and I knew there had to be a skillet brownie recipe out there.  I found this one and since I already had the simple ingredients in my kitchen, I whipped it up for a decadent dessert.  So rich and delicious, these might be my favorite brownies I’ve ever made!

I recently stumbled across this food blog and immediately wanted to try this recipe.  I cook mostly vegetarian and am so fortunate that Christian will go along with it.  Don’t get me wrong, he asked for a gift card to The Meat House for his birthday, but he goes along with my meal plans as long as he’s not the one cooking.

A one-pot recipe, I was all in!  So easy and fresh, this is definitely an inexpensive, healthy and delicious weeknight dinner.  I’ll be making this again.  If you give it a try let me know what you think!

An adorable Mississippi cutting board from my Aunt Re.

Bon appétit!  Thank you so much for reading – XO