What if you could turn banana pudding into ice cream? Or pie? Even better, what if you could turn banana pudding into ice cream pie? Well guess what, it's your lucky day!

My fiancé may consider himself an ice cream connoisseur, but even he was hesitant when I told him I was going to make "buttery popcorn" flavored ice cream. I can see how it might seem a bit strange, but I had tasted its perfection myself — in sundae form. At a dinner with fellow food writers last fall, a dessert tasting was ordered to be shared by all. I scoffed at the other desserts, heading straight for the chocolate tart. But after one requisite taste of the popcorn ice cream sundae, my opinion indeed changed. I pulled it close and didn't let another bite out of my sight.

It's Reader Request week, and I'm looking forward to the posts we have scheduled. You asked, we answered. With all the great ideas you guys sent in, I had a tough time choosing just one. But one reader's suggestion sparked my interest the most—DIY versions of famous restaurant recipes! Call me crazy, but the one I settled on is the pleasantly cool and icy cocoa shake known as the Wendy's frosty.

For Cocktail Week at The Kitchn, I decided to share, well, not much of a cocktail recipe at all. The thing is, I rotate between three alcoholic beverages year round: vodka + lemonade, vodka + ginger beer, and vodka + orange juice. Yes, I am very adventurous when it comes to my booze.

I mentioned last week that I was on a mission to create the ultimate party "snack bar," featuring homemade versions of store bought classics. Of course homemade Cracker Jack was at the tippy top of that list. After learning how easy the recipe is, now I'm cursing myself for not making it sooner!

With my wedding plans well under way, in addition to an upcoming engagement party and the fiance's big 3-0, let's just say I've been in full on entertaining mode. The internet has been a fabulous (if not overwhelming) source of creativity. With all the extra inspiration coming my way however, I feel the need to harness the overload of ideas into a few solid hostess home runs.

Sometimes the best kitchen discoveries aren't because of a fancy new pan or the latest addition to your cookbook library. Sometimes they happen by pure accident. Some of a chef's most cherished recipes probably came about from a careless error or minor mishap. That's what happened with the case of my English Muffin French Toast—a delicious mistake I will happily make again and again.

I have a few weeknight dinner options in my back pocket that are a guaranteed success. If there's chicken sausage, a rib eye, or teriyaki-marinated pork tenderloin in my refrigerator, then I can have a delicious meal on the table in 30 minutes or less. It is easy dinners like these that usually remind me why less is often more.

By now it's probably safe to assume that you've heard of the famous Zuni Roast Chicken. Considering the viral nature of the food blogging world, who hasn't?! I've tried it and it's fabulous, but I'm not going to lie: I just don't always have the time to put that much effort into dinner. (Please tell me I'm not the only one.)

Everyone's mother has a signature potato salad recipe, at least in the South it seems. I've got about four versions I rotate between, my favorites including an Ina Garten recipe that uses whole grain mustard and my future mother-in-law's featuring Greek yogurt and plenty of chives.