I spend a lot of time online researching and connecting with others. I also admit I wander Pinterest more than I should—mostly because I enjoy discovering recipes, gadgets, books, and ideas, and I’m tired of this long winter. I frequently find things I want to share—recipes, kitchen tools, fashion and fitness tips, books, movies—and until now I hadn’t settled on a way to share them without flooding your inbox with lots of small posts. I’m not going to do that.
*And yet, somehow, I’m not tidy enough to keep up on laundry. Go figure.
This week I finally had an idea: a weekly roundup published on Fridays that collects the best finds into one post. I’ll aim for at least fifteen items and may add extras if the week is especially full of great discoveries. There’s so much talent online that deserves attention, and I can’t wait to begin.
So let’s get started!
Main Dish Madness:
Fontina Polenta with Easy Marinara Sauce by Foodie Crush. This dish is pure comfort. I’m not usually a red-sauce-and-pasta person, but I’m absolutely a red-sauce-and-polenta fan—my kids even call it “Eye-talian Grits.” Polenta is delicious on its own, but add fontina and marinara and I’ll be begging for seconds. Heidi’s photography makes the dish look irresistible.
Feta Basil Turkey Burgers by Fifteen Spatulas. A turkey burger studded with feta, fresh basil, and Worcestershire sauce—four of my favorite flavor words in one recipe. This is calling my name.
Basil Primavera Stuffed White Sweet Potatoes by Oh Sweet Basil. Carrian is ready for spring, and so am I. A baked white sweet potato topped with a creamy primavera sauce of basil, asparagus, and sweet peas sounds like the perfect way to welcome warmer weather.
Butter Chicken Sliders by A Spicy Perspective. These sliders look dangerously good—I could happily disappear with a plate of them.
Lemongrass Beef Banh Mi by The Little Kitchen. All the classic banh mi flavors transformed to beef and topped with a fried egg—utterly tempting. This is the kind of sandwich I could eat without regret and probably ask for seconds.
Appetizing Appetizers and Snacks:
Bacon-Wrapped Apricots with Honey Rosemary by Reluctant Entertainer. These sound like a perfect little indulgence—I could make a meal of them.
Greek Tzatziki Sauce with Garlic and Dill by The Lemon Bowl. While recommended as an accompaniment for Middle Eastern dishes, my favorite way to enjoy this would be with a spoon—garlic, yogurt, and dill equals happy place.
Whipped Feta by How Sweet Eats. Jessica has done it again—whipped feta is a revelation and sounds like a brilliant, creamy addition to many snacks and spreads.
Deadly Desserts:
Salted Caramel Sauce by Two Peas and Their Pod. There’s nothing more to say than: pass the jar and the spoon.
S’mores Ice Cream by A Kitchen Addiction. S’mores aren’t usually my favorite because they’re so sticky and rich, but I want an entire bowl of this ice cream to myself—though I’ll wait until after Lent.
Hostess Cupcake Cookies by Bake at 350. Bridget’s cookies are pure genius and these cupcakes-turned-cookies are adorable. They wouldn’t make it past the front door in my house.
Chocolate Mint Skillet Cookie by She Wears Many Hats. This is dangerously tempting—Thin Mints plus a skillet cookie equals trouble for my willpower.
Cool Gadgets:
The Panasonic 5-Cup Fuzzy Logic Rice Cooker is a handy appliance for singles and small households. I’ve used a larger 10-cup cooker for years, but I received this compact model to review and found it very user-friendly. It cooks white, wild, and brown rice well, and the porridge setting works for oatmeal or congee. The included steamer basket is especially useful, allowing you to cook a small amount of rice while steaming fish or vegetables above it.
Books, books, books!
Classic Snacks Made from Scratch: 70 Homemade Versions of Your Favorite Brand-Name Treats by Casey Barber is a terrific resource for anyone who loves to recreate nostalgic snacks at home. The book covers favorites like corn nuts, Doritos, sour cream and onion chips, Twinkies, Hostess cupcakes, and Klondike bars. My kids were thrilled and spent time making a list of recipes they wanted me to try and chores they’d do in exchange for the treats—true story. If you enjoy nostalgic snacks and DIY food projects, this book will keep you busy.
The Dangerous Book for Boys by Conn Iggulden has been a huge hit with my sons. It’s packed with activities and knowledge that appeal to boys: knot-tying, Morse code, building shelters, coin tricks, basic survival skills, marbles, tree identification, astronomy, history, and much more. Each of my boys has a favorite section, and despite rough handling—being read in forts, left outdoors, and even slept on by dogs—the book remains well-bound and loved. It’s an excellent pick for boys aged about 6–16.
Disclosure: The links mentioned for the books and the rice cooker were affiliate links on the original site. I was not compensated for recommending these items.