New Zealand Mini-Recap

As I wait for my camera to be repaired and returned, I thought I'd post some highlights from our honeymoon month in New Zealand. We had the time of our lives! For anyone out there toying with the idea of traveling there, it is so worth it.

Everything you've heard about New Zealand is true: the jaw-dropping scenery, ridiculously nice people, and lots of sheep. I've picked out just a few of my favorite memories to share. Hope you like! (The first picture is Tahiti, where we were stranded for a couple of days en route to Auckland. True story.)

Oh! And you can find the rest of the photos here if you're interested.

Sunshine and Vitamin C

The sun is actually shining on Oregon today, and I'm in a bright citrus-y kind of mood! I saw this picture on one of my daily reads, Apartment Therapy's The Kitchn, this morning and had to share. Makes me look forward to spring and summer sunshine! Check out the full article on California citrus here.












Image source

Just a little administrative note, our camera broke halfway through our honeymoon (luckily we were able to get a temporary replacement). While it's off being repaired, I obviously haven't had the opportunity to photograph things around here. I miss blogging and hope to be back in full force soon. Hugs, AEI

Southern Weddings Magazine

My dynamo sister-in-law, Lara, has outdone herself once again. This week, she and her lovely team launched the premiere issue of their magazine, Southern Weddings. If you haven't seen the SW Blogsite, check it out immediately for unlimited wedding-related eye candy (and their 3-part feature on our wedding here, here, and here). I haven't personally seen the magazine yet, but I plan on getting my hands on a copy soon!



















Congrats to Lara and all the SW girls, I'm so excited for you!

Recipe Index

Appetizers | Asian & Indian Flavors | Breakfast & Brunch | Desserts & Sweets | Drinks | Italian Flavors | Main Courses | Salads & Side Dishes | Soups | Vegetarian

Appetizers
Apple Cheddar Cranberry Turkey Meatballs
Baked Brie
Baked Chicken Meatballs
Broccoli & Cheddar Potato Skins with Avocado Cream
Bruschetta
Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce
Corn Chive Fritters
Latkes
Muhammara
Slow-Roasted Tomatoes
Spinach & Feta Borekas
Summer Veggie Salsa

Asian & Indian Flavors
Aromatic Noodles with Lime-Peanut Sauce
Balsamic Teriyaki Steak
Cashew Coconut Curry
Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce
Chicken Tikka Masala
Chinese Beef & Broccoli
Coconut Shrimp
Coconut Shrimp Soup
Dosas
Fresh Spring Rolls
Green Papaya Salad
Grilled Thai Beef Salad
Mustard Greens Fried Rice
Pad See Ew
Pad Thai
Phanaeng Curry Fried Rice
Pho Ga
Potstickers
Red Curry Chicken with Thai Eggplant and Bamboo Shoots
Sesame Noodles
Spicy Stir-Fried Chicken & Bok Choy with Crispy Noodle Cake
Spicy Vegetable Korma
Stir-Fried Chicken with Sweet Chili Sauce
Stir-Fried Green Beans with Peanut Sauce, Fresh Tofu, and Chiles
Stir-Fried Snow Peas & Bok Choy
Sushi
Sweet & Spicy Tofu
Thai-Style Turkey Stir-Fry
Turkey Lettuce Wraps
Veggie Fried Rice

Breads
Challah
Chive Fantail Rolls
Cinnamon Raisin Walnut Bread
Dulce de Leche Brioche Rolls
Honey Sesame Rolls (Tahinli)
Potato Tomato Focaccia
Rustic Potato Herb Bread
Soft Pretzels

Breakfast & Brunch
Apple Anadama Coffee Cake
Baked French Toast with Praline Topping
Blackberry Cornmeal Muffcakes
Blintz Souffle
Blood Orange Polenta Upside-Down Cake
Blueberry Gooey Butter Cake
Blueberry Lemon Ricotta Pancakes
Blueberry Peach Mango Crumb Cake
Blueberry Pudding Cake
Blueberry White Chocolate Muffins
Blueberry Yogurt Pound Cake
Candied Kumquat Brown Butter Streusel Pecan Muffins
Caramel Apple French Toast

Chile Cheese Corn Muffins
Cinnamon Raisin Walnut Bread
Cinnamon Rolls
Coffee Chocolate Chip Muffins
Cranberry Applesauce
Cranberry Upside Down Cake
Dulce de Leche Brioche Rolls
French Toast
Ginger Mint Fruit Salad
Grandma Ida's Orange Cake
Honey Sesame Rolls (Tahinli)
Latkes
Lemon Lemon (Lemon) Loaf
Orange Banana-Nut Bread
Orange Blueberry Muffins
Pear Custard "Pie"
Perfect Pound Cake
Pink Grapefruit Cake
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Pancakes
Pumpkin Cream Cheese Streusel Muffins
Raspberry Streusel Muffins
Raspberry-Topped Lemon Sugar Muffins
Rhubarb Cake
Strawberry Clafoutis
Veggie Cheese Strata
Waffles with Blueberry Sauce
Winemaker's Grape Cake

Desserts & Sweets
Brownies & Bars
"Baked" Brownies
Baklava
Brownie Buttons
Cherry Brown Butter Bars
Chocolate Truffle Brownies
Nanaimo Bars
No-Bake Lemon Cream Cheese Bars
Oatmeal Fudge Bars
Oreo Cheesecake Brownies

Peanut Butter Nanaimo Bars
Pumpkin Chocolate Cheesecake Bars
Pumpkin Pie Bars
Quintuple Chocolate Brownies
Raspberry Streusel Bars
Salted Caramel Brownies
Strawberry Lemonade Bars
Swirly Peanut Butter Brownies
White Chocolate Lime Cheesecake Bars
Zucchini Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Cakes
Blood Orange Polenta Upside-Down Cake
Blueberry Gooey Butter Cake
Blueberry Pudding Cake
Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
Cranberry Upside Down Cake
Dobos Torta
Double Chocolate Raspberry Layer Cake
"Dump" Cake
Grandma Ida's Orange Cake
Lemon Lemon (Lemon) Loaf
Lemon Olive Oil Cake
Light Chocolate Bundt Cake
Mini Oreo Cheesecakes
Perfect Pound Cake
Pink Champagne Cake
Pink Grapefruit Cake
Rainbow Cake
Red Velvet White Chocolate Cheesecake
Rhubarb Cake
Root Beer Bundt Cake with Root Beer Fudge Frosting
Spicy Chocolate Pudding Cake
Wedding Cake
Winemaker's Grape Cake

Cookies
Banana White Chocolate Toffee Cookies
Blueberries & Cream Cookies
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
Chocolate Marshmallow Whoopie Pies
Cornflake Marshmallow Chocolate Chip Cookies
Hamantaschen
Jam Thumbprint Cookies
Lemon White Chocolate "Sunshine" Cookies
Macarons
Mallow Cookies
Mexican Wedding Cookies

Mini Meringues
Monster Cookies
Oreo-Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies
Peanut Butter Cookies
Pumpkin White Chocolate Cookies
Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
Red Velvet Black & White Cookies
Red Velvet Whoopie Pies
Vanilla Bean Shortbread

Cupcakes
Chocolate "Ice Cream" Cupcakes
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes
Chocolate Raspberry Cupcakes
Cookies & Cream Cupcakes
Devil's Food Cupcakes
Dulce de Leche Cupcakes
Filled Carrot Cake Cupcakes
German Chocolate Cupcakes
Lemon Raspberry Cupcakes
Maple Walnut Cupcakes
Self-Frosting Nutella Cupcakes

Frozen Desserts
Cherry Garcia Ice Cream
Chocolate Sherbet
Green Apple Basil Sorbet
Pinkberry

Pies, Tarts, Cobblers, & Crisps
Apple Tarte Tatin
Blueberry Lattice Pie
Chocolate Fruit Tart
Chocolate Raspberry Cream Pie
Chocolate Raspberry Tart
Double Chocolate Pudding Pie
Fresh-Picked Blueberry Cobbler
Lemon Tart
Lemon Almond Meringue Tart
Maple Apple Pecan Crumb Pie
Mini Cherry Pies
Peach Pie
Raspberry Chiffon with Pie Crust Chips
Rhubarb Crisp
Rustic Summer Fruit Tart
Strawberry Peach Crisp
Strawberry Raspberry Galette
Summer Berry Icebox Pie

Random Desserts & Sweets
Candied Kumquats
Cannoli
Chocolate Toffee Matzos
Double Chocolate Tapioca Pudding
Dulce de Leche Brioche Rolls
Ginger Mint Fruit Salad
Hobo Eclairs
Honey Sesame Rolls (Tahinli)
Lemon Tiramisu
Oreo Truffles
Raspberry Jelly Candies
Red Velvet Truffles
Vols-au-Vent
White Chocolate Blueberry Bread Pudding

Drinks
Berry Lemonade
Iced Coffee
Lemon & Mint
Watermelon Aguas Frescas

Italian Flavors
Beef Bolognese
Broccoli Sundried Tomato Fusilli
Bruschetta
Cannoli
Chicken Piccata
Creamy Lemon Asparagus Pasta
Gnocchi with Summer Vegetables
Heirloom Tomato Risotto with Fresh Mozzarella
Homegrown Heirloom Caprese
Homemade Pasta
Lasagna-Style Baked Ziti
Lemon Tiramisu
Lemony Pasta with Broccoli, Walnuts, and Toasted Breadcrumbs
Linguine with Shrimp and Vegetables
Marinara Sauce
Orecchiette with Roasted Peppers and Veggie Crumbles
Panzanella
Pasta Ponza
Pesto
Pizza Dough Breadsticks
Potato Tomato Focaccia
Ricey Tomatoes with Breadcrumbs
Ricotta Gnocchi
Roasted Garlic Soup with Parmesan and Lemon
Sauteed Broccolini with Garlic
Slow-Roasted Tomatoes
Spring Green Risotto
Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Sage, Brown Butter, & Green Apple

Main Courses
Aromatic Noodles with Lime-Peanut Sauce
Baked Chicken Meatballs
Balsamic Teriyaki Steak

Beanless Chili
Beef Bolognese
Beer-Battered Fish Tacos
Broccoli & Cheddar Potato Skins with Avocado Cream
Broccoli Sundried Tomato Fusilli
Cashew Coconut Curry
Chicken in Lemon Sauce
Chicken Piccata
Chicken Tikka Masala
Chinese Beef & Broccoli
Coconut Shrimp
Creamy Lemon Asparagus Pasta
Dosas
Enchiladas
Gnocchi with Summer Vegetables
Heirloom Tomato Risotto with Fresh Mozzarella
Homemade Pasta
Jambalaya
Juicy Turkey Burgers
Lasagna-Style Baked Ziti
Lemony Pasta with Broccoli, Walnuts, and Toasted Breadcrumbs
Lemony Ricotta Pasta
Linguine with Shrimp and Vegetables
Macaroni and Cheese
Orecchiette with Roasted Peppers and Veggie Crumbles
Pad See Ew
Pad Thai
Pasta Ponza
Pho Ga
Red Curry Chicken with Thai Eggplant and Bamboo Shoots
Ricey Tomatoes with Breadcrumbs
Ricotta Gnocchi
Sesame Noodles
Shrimp Scampi with Artichoke Hearts
Spanish Rice with Mushrooms and Artichokes
Spicy Stir-Fried Chicken & Bok Choy with Crispy Noodle Cake
Spicy Vegetable Korma
Spinach & Feta Borekas
Spring Green Risotto
Stir-Fried Chicken with Sweet Chili Sauce
Stir-Fried Green Beans with Peanut Sauce, Fresh Tofu, and Chiles
Stuffed Turkey Burgers
Sushi
Sweet & Spicy Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Sweet & Spicy Tofu
Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Sage, Brown Butter, & Green Apple
Thai-Style Turkey Stir-Fry
Veggie Fried Rice
Veggie Pot Pie with Cheddar Scallion Biscuit Topping
Vols-au-Vent

Salads & Side Dishes
Balsamic Onions
Corn Chive Fritters
Cranberry Applesauce
Garlic and Herb Tomatoes
Garlicky Baked Rice
Ginger Mint Fruit Salad
Green Bean, Corn, and Tomato Salad with Shallot Vinaigrette
Green Bean Salad with Corn, Barley, and Arugula
Green Papaya Salad
Grilled Thai Beef Salad
Homegrown Heirloom Caprese
Latkes
Lemon Vinaigrette
Muhammara
Mustard Greens Fried Rice
Oven-Baked Onion Rings
Panzanella
Pasta Salad with Tomatoes & Corn
Pickled Grapes with Cinnamon & Black Pepper
Pizza Dough Breadsticks
Quick Pickled Cabbage
Parmesan Chive Crackers
Roasted Chickpeas
Sauteed Broccolini with Garlic
Slow-Roasted Tomatoes
Spaghetti Squash
Spinach Salad with Edamame, Pomegranate, and Hearts of Palm
Stir-Fried Snow Peas & Bok Choy
Summer Veggie Salsa
Winter Root Vegetable Gratin

Soups
Baked Potato Soup

Beanless Chili
Coconut Shrimp Soup
Cream of Tomato Soup
Creamy Broccoli Soup
Curried Cauliflower Soup
Curried Potato Leek Soup with Spinach
Gazpacho
Pho Ga
Roasted Garlic Soup with Parmesan and Lemon
Sweet Potato Peanut Soup
White Gazpacho with Grapes and Toasted Almonds

Vegetarian
Aromatic Noodles with Lime-Peanut Sauce
Broccoli Sundried Tomato Fusilli
Cashew Coconut Curry
Corn Chive Fritters
Cranberry Applesauce
Cream of Tomato Soup
Creamy Broccoli Soup
Creamy Lemon Asparagus Pasta
Curried Cauliflower Soup
Curried Potato Leek Soup with Spinach
Dosas
Garlic and Herb Tomatoes
Gnocchi with Summer Vegetables
Green Bean, Corn, and Tomato Salad with Shallot Vinaigrette
Green Bean Salad with Corn, Barley, and Arugula
Green Papaya Salad
Heirloom Tomato Risotto with Fresh Mozzarella
Homegrown Heirloom Caprese
Homemade Pasta
Latkes
Lemony Pasta with Broccoli, Walnuts, and Toasted Breadcrumbs
Lemony Ricotta Pasta
Macaroni and Cheese
Muhammara
Orecchiette with Roasted Peppers and Veggie Crumbles
Pad See Ew
Pasta Ponza
Pasta Salad with Tomatoes & Corn
Pickled Grapes with Cinnamon & Black Pepper
Ricey Tomatoes with Breadcrumbs
Sauteed Broccolini with Garlic
Sesame Noodles
Slow-Roasted Tomatoes
Spaghetti Squash
Spanish Rice with Mushrooms and Artichokes
Spicy Vegetable Korma
Spinach & Feta Borekas
Spring Green Risotto
Stir-Fried Green Beans with Peanut Sauce, Fresh Tofu, and Chiles
Stir-Fried Snow Peas & Bok Choy
Summer Veggie Salsa
Sweet & Spicy Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Sweet & Spicy Tofu
Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Sage, Brown Butter, & Green Apple
Sweet Potato Peanut Soup
Veggie Cheese Strata
Veggie Fried Rice
Veggie Pot Pie with Cheddar Scallion Biscuit Topping
Vols-au-Vent

Winter Root Vegetable Gratin

About Me

Hello! I'm Amy I!


About Playing House:
Not too long ago, the thought of soft peaks, homemade pie crust, and making an entire meal on my own sent me into an anxious tail-spin. I started Playing House as a newlywed in July 2008 as a journal to keep track of my successes and failures as I learned my way around the kitchen from scratch. 2 and a half years later, I can't get enough. The cooking, the baking, the photography, the writing, and especially the eating.



There's no rhyme or reason to the recipes I share. The main thing they have in common is that they all sound delicious to me, and it's all food that I'd share with my family and friends. Sometimes I cook, sometimes I bake, and it's always done with love.



I'm endlessly inspired by other food bloggers, so I keep a running Foodie To-Do list on the sidebar of recipes from other blogs that I plan on trying. Suggestions are happily welcomed!



Why Playing House? I like to approach life with a childlike sense of wonder. It makes everything more fun, don't you think?



About Me:
I live with my husband Andy in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (how amazing is that?!). We're here temporarily for Andy's work, and we'll be headed back to the Bay Area this Summer. Missing my best buddy Oliver, our 6 year old rescue dog, is the only uncool part of being here.



We moved to the San Francisco Bay Area from Oregon last year, but I've lived in Southern California, Nebraska, and New York, and my personality is definitely a hybrid of traits from all of those places.

Oliver:


I love farmers markets, berry picking (and eating), my Macbook, rice, birthdays, cookbooks, tomatoes, The Sound of Music, and anything lemony.

I recently trained for and finished a half marathon after a lifetime of hating exercise, and it's the most empowering thing that I've ever done. You can read more about what got me off the couch on my running blog.



You can find my all-time favorite blog posts here, and a bit more on my bloggy feelings here. I hope that you find inspiration here too, and I'm so glad that you've joined me on my adventures.

Hugs,
Amy I.


Let's be friends! You can also find me on:
A Whole New World (My Dubai blog)
Elizabeth Anne Designs - Living
Facebook
Flickr
Foodgawker
Tastespotting
The Happiest Race on Earth (My running blog)
Tumblr
StumbleUpon
Twitter