Chai Spice Carrot Cake

Posted by: Nicole Dula on Mar 29 2016

First, thank you so much for all of the love on FB, Instagram, and here on the blog regarding the baby news! Thank you, thank you! I’ve been really fortunate and haven’t been sick at all. I have great energy in the morning and have kept up my boxing/strength training classes. At night I’m pretty much useless, but I’ve learned to be really productive in the morning before work. My food aversions are few. Surprisingly I have more of an aversion to actual cooking than to specific foods and when I do make something, I hardly want to eat it.… Continue reading ≻

Creamy Black Bean Dip

Posted by: Nicole Dula on Feb 9 2016

I’m just not that into football, but I do love the snacks. If you root for the snacks, you always win. On Sunday we watched the game with Marc’s parents and I brought this dip. I’ve made it several times now and each time I get the look that says we’ll never eat all that. The bowl is always emptied, though! Best of all, it’s so easy, too. My mother-in-law made minestrone with a ton of veggies, a colorful salad with sesame dressing, meatballs, shrimp cocktail and apple crisp. A fun mix! We busted this dip out at half time and I was scooping… Continue reading ≻

German Christmas Stollen 2015

Posted by: Nicole Dula on Dec 22 2015

This is the 7th (!!) year I’ve made stollen and it’s the 4th year I’ve made a quadruple batch with my friend, Nancy. We call it the stollen workshop and this year I went over to her place after work on Friday, picked up pizzas and we set out our equipment and did some pre-measuring. Marc and I went back on Saturday afternoon after our morning kickboxing class and the last loaf was out of the oven around 6:30 pm. We watched holiday movies while we waited for the last loaves to cool. My Oma used to bring foil-wrapped loaves of stollen… Continue reading ≻

Poached Cardamom Pears with Mascarpone + Honey

Posted by: Nicole Dula on Dec 8 2015

I have had this dessert on my mind since summer. Ever since I had that perfect wine-poached peach with whipped mascarpone at 9 Bean Rows in Traverse City. Such a simple dessert, but completely delicious. I put a winter spin on that concept and poached pears with fragrant holiday spices. I used a dry Michigan Gewurztrtraminer that we bought during the trip for the poaching liquid, too. Poached fruit is so elegant, but really easy to make and great for entertaining because it can be made well in advance. I’m going to have to throw a party, just so I can serve… Continue reading ≻

Thanksgiving Recipes + what I’m eating this year

Posted by: Nicole Dula on Nov 24 2015

This morning I washed the cranberries and tonight I’ll make the cranberry sauce and prep my kale gratin. Last year we started a new tradition of the whole family gathering in Holland for Thanksgiving at my brother and sister-in-law’s house. A few weeks before last year’s event, I sent a slew of recipes over to my sister-in-law so we could pick the perfect inaugural menu. She added a couple of her favorite recipes and soon we had a great menu. This year, we’ve adjusted it slightly, learning the limits of oven and stovetop space. Here’s what we’re eating! Turkey – My Mom was never… Continue reading ≻

Cheesecake with Pomegranate-Vanilla Bean Cranberry Sauce

Posted by: Nicole Dula on Nov 17 2015

I’ve tried to find out who started making this cheesecake in Marc’s family and I think I’ve traced it back to Marc’s (honorary) Aunt Ruthie, his grandma’s good friend. I wish I knew the cookbook or magazine it was clipped from, but we may never know. Marc’s grandma and mom have made this cheesecake for years and it’s been a staple at many family gatherings throughout our 15 years together. Every time I see it, I get excited because it’s creamy and wonderful and has lots of good memories attached to it. If you can believe it, I’ve never made… Continue reading ≻

Beet Gravlax

Posted by: Nicole Dula on Nov 3 2015

By some cruel twist of fate, I live in the Great Lakes State, but have trouble finding really fresh fish in my city. If you’re making ceviche or gravlax, you don’t want to be on the fence about how fresh the fish is. This year at the farmers market, we have a fish vendor that offers walleye, salmon, whitefish and trout that was caught the day before in cold Lake Huron. I did a little dance of joy, knowing I could finally make ruby-hued beet gravlax at home (!!!) You need a few tools and a couple of days, but… Continue reading ≻

Vegan Chocolate-Dipped Avocado Popsicles

Posted by: Nicole Dula on Jul 13 2015

It’s popsicle week! That magical time of year when food bloggers show their undying love for this frozen treat. I can’t wait to see what everyone is making, so head over to Popsicle Prince Billy’s blog and check in all week for what’s new. And check out the official Pinterest board of popsicle week hosted by Munchie’s. I knew immediately what I wanted to make this year. I had to recreate my Las Paletas avocado popsicle with chocolate dip I had in Nashville. And because I couldn’t stop at the chocolate dip, I also sprinkled them with roasted pistachios and Maldon sea… Continue reading ≻

Homemade Sweet and Savory Pierogi

Posted by: Nicole Dula on Apr 21 2015

Homemade Pierogi Recipe with Take a Megabite // @nicoledula

You guys know Megan, right? I assume you do because she’s the super fun gal behind the food blog, Take a Megabite. We go on lady dates from time to time, always getting a brunch appetizer. In addition to being fun to eat with, she’s also incredibly talented, kind, funny and a really good friend. I’m very lucky to live near her! We wanted to collaborate on something special and we came up with homemade pierogi. We dared to dream our dreams and came up with our own savory and sweet fillings. Between the two of us, you have 4 pierogi… Continue reading ≻

Caramelized Onion Spinach Dip

Posted by: Nicole Dula on Dec 30 2014

I can’t help it you guys, I love spinach dip. Well, I knew it could be improved upon, but there’s something about that creamy dip with fresh bread that gets me. After I made Everything Focaccia a while back, I thought it would be incredible with a good spinach dip. I’m so happy I was right about that. This dip is heavy on the spinach and flavor with the help of sweet caramelized onions. I don’t like spinach dips that are soupy with sour cream or frugal with the veggies. This dip is 100% from scratch, so no dried mixes here.… Continue reading ≻

Dula Notes

Seasonal recipes and adventures from Michigan with love

Posts in the category: Holiday