Miranda's Kitchen Adventures

Baking my own bread has always been a deeply gratifying experience, and discovering this recipe for homemade whole wheat pita bread presented an exciting new challenge! While initially intimidated by bread-making, I'm so glad I took the plunge; it was far easier than I imagined. Though there's work involved, most of it is inactive time, making weekend baking perfect for me. This recipe is incredibly simple, and the leftover pitas freeze beautifully. When ready to use, I simply remove them from the freezer 30 minutes before dinner, wrap them in aluminum foil, and warm them in a 350-degree oven for about 15 minutes. I truly hope you try this recipe – it will make store-bought pitas a thing of the past! Ingredients 1 1/4 cup warm water 2 tsp. instant yeast 1 tsp. honey 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour 1 tsp. salt 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil Cornmeal, for dusting Directions Pour water into the bowl of a stand mixer with ...

There's nothing quite like classic spaghetti and meatballs, a dish I frequently prepare at home. The meatball recipe itself is one I've relied on for years, passed down from my mom. She never needed a cookbook for it; she knew it by heart. I'm curious to ask her someday where she originally found it, hoping she remembers. Growing up, I rarely saw my mom or grandmother use cookbooks. They cooked almost entirely from memory, which always amazed me. While I have a few recipes I can prepare without reference, it's only one or two. Watching them successfully create an entire Thanksgiving meal without a single glance at a recipe was truly astounding! This meatball recipe consistently delivers delicious results. The best part is its versatility; you can pair it with any spaghetti or marinara sauce you prefer. For this instance, I opted for a marinara recipe from my favorite Italian chef, Giada De'Laurentiis. While her marinara takes time, it's absolutely worth the...

Transforming leftovers into delicious new meals is one of my favorite creative challenges! I dislike eating the same dish for more than two days, and I hate wasting food, so creativity is key. My recent Sunday roasted chicken, for instance, offered a wealth of possibilities. Beyond the popular options like Baked Chicken Taquitos, Chicken Ranch Pizza, and Chicken Noodle Soup, Chicken Tortilla Soup remains a top favorite. And it's not just the meat—the carcass can be used to make homemade chicken stock, a topic I'll explore further in the future. This "oh, so good" and comforting soup is especially welcome on chilly Tennessee nights. Since simmering it for an hour can be time-consuming for a busy mom, I often prepare it the night before. This way, I can simply reheat it the next evening, perhaps even whipping up some jalapeno cheddar cornbread if time permits—another recipe idea for my blog! Ingredients 1 can Fire Roasted Tomatoes* 1 can diced tomatoes...

Roasted chicken is the perfect, easy-to-make Sunday dinner, and it's something I try to make as often as possible. Don't be intimidated by roasting a whole chicken—it's one of the easiest meals you can prepare! Adding potatoes transforms it into a convenient one-pot meal. This post will guide you through step-by-step instructions for roasting a perfect chicken. Ingredients 1 5-6 lb. whole chicken 5 tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature 2 springs fresh rosemary 3 springs fresh thyme 2 cloves plus one whole head of garlic that has been cut in half 1 lemon, cut in half 2 tbsp. lemon zest 1 large onion, quartered 1 can chicken broth 1 small bag of small assorted potatoes (about 2 lbs.) Drizzle of olive oil Salt and pepper to taste Directions Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Adjust oven racks to accommodate a large roasting pan. To Make the Herb Butter Add the butter to a small mixing bowl.  Using a small microplane grater or the small holes on a ...

I've titled this post "My Favorite" because, in my opinion, this variation is the best I've ever tried! You might recall that last week I featured my "My Favorite" pizza crust recipe . Out of the five or so recipes I've experimented with over the years, that one truly stood out as my ultimate favorite. I hope you'll trust my taste buds and give these recipes a try! This particular chocolate frosting recipe earned the title "My Favorite" because of its incredibly creamy flavor and silky texture. It's perfectly balanced—not overly sweet or intensely chocolaty—possessing all the qualities I look for in a chocolate frosting. It would undoubtedly be the highlight paired with any cupcake flavor you can imagine! Ingredients 12 oz.. cream cheese, softened 1 11/2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature 4 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar 1/2 cup cocoa powder Pinch of salt 18 oz. bittersweet chocolate, melted and slightly cooled...

Happy Fall! We just returned from our first family vacation, and the kids' first trip to the beach! Everyone had a blast! I found it hard to get into the fall spirit with beach visions dancing in my head. Now that I'm back, I'm ready for all things fall, and what better way to kick off the season than with pumpkin! I can't believe I haven't made these before now; they are so delicious! I lightened up the original recipe, as I felt it had too much sugar. I hope you enjoy this lighter version; I thought they were amazing! The recipe makes two dozen muffins, and they freeze beautifully! Ingredients For the filling 8oz. cream cheese, softened 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar 1 tbsp. honey 1 tsp. vanilla For the muffins 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour 1 tsp. ground cinnamon 1 tsp. ground nutmeg 1 tbsp. plus 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice 1/2 tsp. ground cloves 1 tsp. salt 1 tsp. baking soda 4 large eggs, at room t...

It's been an incredibly hectic week as we prepare for our first family beach vacation! Work has also been overwhelming, which only makes me anticipate this trip even more. As a result, I haven't had any time to dedicate to my blog, which truly saddens me. I have so much to share with you all, so please bear with me! Given my busy schedule this week, I haven't had much time for cooking, which made this recipe absolutely perfect. It's incredibly easy to make and incredibly delicious. I hope you enjoy it! Ingredients 2 tbsp. olive oil 1 medium onion, chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 lb. Italitan Sausage, Casings removed (2 sausage links) 1 1/2 tsp. dried oregano 1 can (28 oz) whole tomatoes 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes 2 lbs. store-bought ravioli, you can use fresh or frozen 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded Salt and Pepper to taste Directions Preheat oven to 425 degrees.   Heat oil in a large ...