I discovered the recipe below via Pinterest, made it immediately, and now faithfully read Baker by Nature. Make the dish. Check out the blog. You’re welcome, kids.

Super Cheesy Kale and Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Bake 

Serves 6-8

Ingredients:

1 pound bow tie pasta, cooked al dente

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 medium-sized yellow onion, diced

1 large roasted red pepper, sliced into thin strips

1 pound kale, ribs discarded and chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper

2 cups of your favorite marinara sauce

1 cup ricotta cheese

1 cup shredded mozzarella

2 tablespoons fresh parsley

Parmesan cheese for sprinkling

Instructions:

Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add pasta and cook for 7-8 minutes, or until al dente. Drain and set aside. Don’t over cook pasta or your final result will be soggy noodles. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium flame. Add onions, peppers, and kale, and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes, or until the kale has softened and the onions have lightened in color. Add garlic and crushed red pepper, and cook for another 2 minutes. Stir in marinara sauce, then remove pan from heat.

Preheat oven broiler.

Stir cooked noodles into the sauce mixture, then pour mixture into a very large, deep, baking dish. Spread ricotta cheese over the top of the noodle mixture, prinkle with mozzarella. Place baking dish in the oven on the middle rack, and broil for 5-6 minutes, or until the lid of cheese is melted and lightly golden.

Spoon pasta mixture onto plates, sprinkle with parsley and parmesan.

Credits: Original recipe and image via Baker by Nature

A fellow blogger named Emma created this Cider Rum Punch. Stir it up on Thanksgiving or for any future winter gathering. A crisp cocktail? Absolutely. Get the original recipe right here.

Are you sticking to tradition or trying something this holiday season? I’m switching it up and heading to Dutchess County New York to celebrate Thanksgiving. One of my younger brother’s girlfriend’s parents (follow that? ha) has invited all of my immediate family to join her big group of family. Hashtag family. We’re embracing the fun change, which means rolling into a log cabin style celebration. I’m thinking this low key yet definitely chic look may do the trick.

Image Credits: Frock // Fizz

Last month I got lost in Paris. It began with a chance meeting with a guy named Gregory. Inherent coolness radiated from his being into handwritten recommendations. The next day, I was off to le 10ème to connect at an actual unnamed cafe. I never made it (although I did see Gregory again). Instead, after hours of wandering and google-mapping failure, I surrendered to hunger – and a pizza.

Through the lense of my iPhone I noticed Piccoli Cugini…

…and selected a seat outside. Immediately, I felt the energy of the waiter. Starving, I understood his French, but couldn’t muster a quick enough response as to why I was a party of one. He pulled up a chair and ordered a pizza for two. Wine and cheers later, I walked out with a few new pals and a reason to write this post. If you go to Paris and you are hungry, get yourself over to Piccoli Cugini.

Daily notes in my bobo à raconter reveal that on this day of pizza and Parisian perfection, I felt like life stopped everywhere else and only Paris existed. C’est vrai.

Image Credits: Jenny Graham