I've been on a kick lately--changing up classic dishes by adding more veggies to them.

You know, making them much more "Meat On the Side"-esque.

But when I started messing with one of the most classic lunch foods ever--peanut butter and jelly (PB + J), no one liked it...at ALL! 

I posted a pic of my PB + J + P + C a little while back on social media and let's just say you guys had something (not too pretty) to say about it.

Someone recently pointed out to me that I tend to weave fruits into my savory dishes more than the average person.

I never really thought about it, but I guess they're right.

It's just that sometimes when I'm thinking about what a dish needs to make it really delicious, pears, blackberries--or in this case--strawberries, just seem like the perfect adds.

Some chefs will tell you that presentation is everything.

Well that’s not exactly true, though yes, we eat with our eyes first, it’s really all about the taste.

Gluten-free is definitely trending--and for good reason.

Of course there are some people who simply can’t have gluten, but there are also many who are realizing that eating less gluten and carbs helps them feel and look their best.

Super Bowl Sunday is just around the corner and this means you're about to be eating all the Super Bowl snacks your little heart could desire.

It's a day to sit around, watch TV, crack open a beer, and forget about those New Year's resolutions--while enjoying all the cheesy, fried, Buffalo-flavored things you can imagine.

Some people think that because I grew up in Buffalo that I am used to the snow and cold, and that it shouldn’t bother me.

When in actuality my patience for such things ran out by the time I was 8, and by 18 I knew that though I had the most wonderful family Buffalo just wasn’t for me.

Cauliflower is definitely having its moment in the sun.

One of the reasons it’s so popular is that everyone is churning out cauliflower crust pizzas--and loving how tasty an all-veggie crust can be!

I didn't just get the nickname “Picky Nikki” for no reason at all, no, I gave my mother so many reasons to call me “Picky” that I'm almost surprised that she ever called me anything else.

When I talk about my childhood I sometimes generalize and say that I ate no vegetables.

$4.99!

Almost Five Dollars!!

That’s how much it costs for a can of average quality soup at my grocery store. FIVE DOLLARS, PEOPLE!! And what’s in that can?? Not a whole lot...

Making soup is just like making any of your favorite dishes…pureeing it up…and thinning it out with a little chicken stock...well kind of...

The bottom line is that making your own soup saves you a ton of money, plus you can get some great nutrition in a filling, flavorful and many times low-cal little package.

Have I sold you yet???

Queso with Squash + Cauliflower

Makes 2 cups of queso

½ tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

½ large yellow onion, coarsely chopped (about ¾ cups)

2 garlic cloves, sliced

¼ medium head cauliflower, cut into large chunks, (about ½ pound or 1½ cups)

⅛ small butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks (about ½ pound or 1¼ cups)

1 cup chicken stock

½ teaspoon kosher salt, more to taste

6 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1½ cups)

4 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)

½ cup jarred salsa

Chips, for dipping

1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan set over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the cauliflower, squash, chicken stock, and the ½ teaspoon salt. Bring this mixture to a boil, and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook covered, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender—about 20 minutes. This should give you about ¼ cup liquid along with the veggies.

2. Place the mixture in a blender and process it until it is completely smooth. Add more stock or water if there is not enough liquid to blend easily.

3. Transfer the mixture back to the saucepan over low heat. Add the cheddar and Monterey Jack and stir until the cheese melts. Add the salsa and stir to combine. Taste the queso; add more salt if necessary and more stock if your mixture is too thick. Serve with tortilla chips and enjoy hot!

Homemade Doritos

Makes 56 chips

I’m a big fan of desserts with apples--if I’m at a restaurant and it has some sort of apple-licious dessert on the menu, you can put good money on the fact that it will soon be in my belly.

With winter in full swing, there have been a plethora of apple pie-inspired desserts at all my local spots and that means I have definitely been having my doctor-recommended apple-a-day.

I’ve been lucky enough to have spent 11 Valentine's Days with my husband.

Sometimes the older you get--or the longer you've been with someone--you start to think things like Valentine’s Day are silly.