Notes from a Messy Kitchen

Black Forest Yule Stump Cake with Chocolate Pinecone Truffles {Bakeolution}

Notes from a Messy Kitchen

Since it was the last Bakeolution of the year, I decided I should go out with style. Festive style, that is! After considering sparkling cranberries, peppermint meringue kisses, and edible snow globes (!!!) I decided on this beautiful, rustic black forest yule stump cake. Instead of meringue mushrooms, I went...

Johanna

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Soupergirl Vegan Soup “Cleanse”

Notes from a Messy Kitchen

As I tell all my friends who come to me for my thoughts on the latest diet fad, I don’t believe in quick fixes. Good health is achieved through moderation, not forbidding food groups. But a few weeks ago I found myself in need of something more drastic to set me back...

Johanna

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My Favorite Holiday Dessert: Vegan Sticky Toffee Pudding

Notes from a Messy Kitchen

I don’t actually remember how sticky toffee pudding became a Christmas Eve tradition. My mom had it somewhere and liked it, so my grandmother figured out how to make it as she always did when there was something one of us liked. From then on we had it every Christmas. Later, it...

Johanna

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A Peek at the Messy Kitchen’s 2nd Annual Friendsgiving for No Kid Hungry

Notes from a Messy Kitchen

This post comes way belated because, well, I’ve barely had time to catch a breath! Between cooking for Thanksgiving #2 and #3, cooking with the leftovers from Thanksgiving #1, #2 and #3, trying to burn off a few of the calories from Thanksgiving #1, #2, #3 and said leftovers, a trip to Blacksburg to...

Johanna

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A Long Overdue Dinner Party & a Lot of Bacon

Notes from a Messy Kitchen

Wednesday night, I finally made good on a deal I made 361 days prior. You see, at Friendsgiving last year, these guys went in on an auction item: a three course dinner for six. However, after several failed scheduling attempts I still hadn’t made good on my end of the...

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Miso Roasted Acorn Squash, Pomegranate and Avocado Salad, Garnished with a Sharp Cheddar and Apple Grilled Cheese Waffle

Notes from a Messy Kitchen

Okay, let’s talk about something we can all agree on: grilled cheese waffle sandwiches make salads better. Unless you don’t do cheese or gluten, in which case… well, I’m happy to hear you out on the personal, negative effect these things have on you. Otherwise, read on. As we head into the...

Johanna

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One Pan Roasted Chicken Thighs with Harissa Chickpeas

Notes from a Messy Kitchen

Courtney loved this recipe. And not just because of the crispy chicken skin, flavorful Indian spices and crunchy baked chickpeas… he loved this dish because it’s made entirely in one pan, meaning the Messy Kitchen wasn’t quite as messy as usual (keep in mind, this is all relative). Sometimes you’ll...

Johanna

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Campbell’s Tomato Soup Cake {Bakeolution}

Notes from a Messy Kitchen

I am innately intrigued by the unusual, especially when it comes to dessert. Last week, a coworker had to talk me off the cliff as I was about to order foie gras crème brûlée, and really it’s only for my pants sake that I’m grateful (seriously, you can’t tell me you’re...

Johanna

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One Pan Autumn Chicken Dinner: Roasted Chicken Thighs with Brussels Sprouts, Sweet Potatos, Apples, Bacon and Beets

Notes from a Messy Kitchen

This may be my new go-to fall recipe. It’s unbelievably tasty, with crispy herbed chicken thighs alongside the abundantly roastable vegetables that characterize fall. It’s also incredibly versatile, and lends itself well to the customizability that is so crucial when you have a CSA box delivered each week. You could easily...

Johanna

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Strawberry Shortcake Cheese Cake {Bakeolution, Ice Cream Truck Edition}

Notes from a Messy Kitchen

I’ll start by saying this cake really isn’t my style. I’m more of a cook than a baker, and when I do bake my style tends to be rustic and simple (galettes are just such an easy crowdpleaser!) Boxed cake mix??? Artificial coloring! FOUR high maintenance layers?!? But the whole point of Bakeolution is to...

Johanna

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Favorite recipes, experimentation, dinner parties, impromptu meals, big hits and even huge misses shared here.

Black Forest Yule Stump Cake with Chocolate Pinecone Truffles {Bakeolution}

Johanna

Soupergirl Vegan Soup “Cleanse”

Johanna

My Favorite Holiday Dessert: Vegan Sticky Toffee Pudding

Johanna

A Peek at the Messy Kitchen’s 2nd Annual Friendsgiving for No Kid Hungry

Johanna

A Long Overdue Dinner Party & a Lot of Bacon

Johanna

Miso Roasted Acorn Squash, Pomegranate and Avocado Salad, Garnished with a Sharp Cheddar and Apple Grilled Cheese Waffle

Johanna

One Pan Roasted Chicken Thighs with Harissa Chickpeas

Johanna

Campbell’s Tomato Soup Cake {Bakeolution}

Johanna

One Pan Autumn Chicken Dinner: Roasted Chicken Thighs with Brussels Sprouts, Sweet Potatos, Apples, Bacon and Beets

Johanna

Strawberry Shortcake Cheese Cake {Bakeolution, Ice Cream Truck Edition}

Johanna