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Grilled Pork Chops with Spicy Peaches is a new recipe we enjoyed this past summer (sorry, I’m a bit behind on posting!) and it was phenomenal!  I can’t wait to make it again.  The pork chops are tender and juicy, the peaches are grilled and served warm, and the marinade for the peaches really rounds out the dish.  There is a bit of heat from the sriracha and red onion, but it’s cut down by the sweetness of the peaches. I would HIGHLY recommend making this during the summer when peaches are fresh, but you can also use canned or frozen peaches (thaw first) to enjoy this dish year-round.  If pork chops aren’t your thing, you can follow the same recipe but substitute chicken breasts.  I’ve tried this version and it’s just as good as the pork chop version.  You will not be disappointed in the vibrant flavors and fresh taste of this recipe. The recipe … Continue reading

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I’m sure most of you reading this are familiar with Jalapeno Poppers, they are such a popular appetizer.  We recently made a batch for a party but made too much of the filling, so I saved it to use on a later date.  Coincidentally, the day I planned on using the leftover filling was cold and rainy, so I didn’t feel like grilling but thought, let’s try them in the air fryer and see how it goes. The end result?  Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers that are filled with rich cream cheese, salty bacon, and plenty of melted cheese.  They taste similar to the grilled version but seemed to take a fraction of the time. The recipe can be found here. You want to start by removing the tops ONLY of the jalapenos.  Core out the inside and remove any seeds.  Then slice in half (lengthwise) and set aside. Combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, paprika, garlic powder, cumin, … Continue reading

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I’m sure you are familiar with the ever-popular Peanut Butter Blossoms in cookie form, but have you ever tried them in bar form?  If not, you are in for a treat!  The cookie versions are incredible, but they are a little time consuming to make because you must roll out the dough into individual cookies before baking.  The bars don’t require any extra work yet taste identical.  I highly recommend giving them a try! The recipe can be found here. Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees F and spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.  Also use the preheating time to unwarp the Hershey Kisses. Add the softened butter, peanut butter (I like to use creamy), sugar, and brown sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer and beat until well combined.  Add the egg, milk, and vanilla, and mix until well combined. Add the flour, baking soda, and salt, and mix until … Continue reading

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Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Skewers are bursting with fresh lemon flavor, have tons of juicy, tender chicken, are perfectly peppered (try saying that 5 times in a row), and slide right off the skewer.  They are a perfect weeknight meal, make ahead lunch, or appetizer.  Serve over a bed of rice, with some cooked veggies, or a salad and you have a delicious and healthy meal! The recipe can be found here. Start by soaking the wooden skewer for at least 30 minutes.  This helps to prevent the meat from sticking to the skewer while cooking and it prevents the wood from burning.  I like to use 6-inch or 8-inch skewers (that’s what fits inside my air fryer). Cut the chicken into 2-inch pieces and place in a Ziploc bag.  Add salt, pepper, garlic, lemon zest, and olive oil.  Seal and toss to coat the chicken.  I like to use boneless skinless chicken breasts, but you … Continue reading

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Smoked Brownies with Caramel are the first dessert type recipe I’ve made in a smoker.  It was a long shot, but I’m impressed with the results.  I don’t know how to describe it, but it just works.  The brownies are sweet, savory, and smokey.  They smoke flavor doesn’t bring out much of the caramel but does enhance the chocolate nicely.  It’s a simple recipe that doesn’t require a lot of ingredients or time in the smoker. The recipe can be found here. Start by preheating the smoker to 275 degrees F and add woodchips to the tray.  I used hickory woodchips but any flavor you prefer is fine.  I do want to note that I only added woodchips during the preheating process and about ½ way through cooking.  I didn’t want the woodchips to overwhelm the taste of the brownies but go ahead and add woodchips at your discretion.  It’s all about personal preference when it comes to smokey … Continue reading

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Easy Taco Skillet is perfect for Taco Tuesday or any time you are looking for some Tex-Mex flavors.  It’s very easy to make, is packed full of flavor, and is a versatile recipe.  When I asked Andrew what his thoughts were, he said “it’s good”.  What he means is it’s cheesy, the beef is spicy, the veggies are fresh, and it has some heat to it but it’s not overpowering.  I would say it’s like taco soup in taste (if you are familiar) but is much heartier. The recipe can be found here. Start by preparing your ingredients.  Chop the bell pepper and green onion, mince the garlic.  Drain and rinse the black beans. Heat oil in a large skillet (one that has a lid) over medium heat.  Add the bell pepper and green onion and cook until soft, about 4-5 minutes.  Next, add the garlic and continue to cook until fragrant.  This happens quickly, about 30 seconds. Add … Continue reading

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Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers are now part of my menu rotation!  They are packed full of juicy, tender chicken, basted in an amazing parmesan-garlic sauce (IYKYK), and slide right off the skewer.  Nothing is better than that.  These make a great appetizer or can be made into an easy weeknight meal when paired with some rice, cooked veggies, or perhaps a side salad. The recipe can be found here. Start by soaking the wooden skewer for at least 30 minutes.  This helps to prevent the meat from sticking to the skewer while cooking and it prevents the wood from burning.  I like to use 6-inch or 8-inch skewers (that’s what fits inside my air fryer). Cut the chicken into 2-inch pieces and place in a Ziploc bag.  Drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat.  I like to use boneless skinless chicken breasts, but you can substitute with chicken thighs if you prefer. In a … Continue reading

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Tender farro is paired with caramelized onions in this wonderful French Onion Farro recipe.  It’s a cross between French Onion Soup and a rice bowl and has a chewy texture and great flavor.  It works well as a main course or can be served as a side dish and is a one-pot recipe.  The recipe itself takes a while to prepare but it is quite effortless.  The most time is spent waiting for the onions to caramelize…and we all know how long that takes 😊 But otherwise you don’t have to fuss over the pan too frequently, making it a great weeknight meal.  This is also a meatless meal so it’s perfect for a vegetarian diet or if you participate in Meatless Monday.  If you omit the cheese, it is a vegan meal, so it’s very versatile! The recipe can be found here. Start by heating 2 Tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-low heat.  Add the … Continue reading

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Smoked Macaroni & Cheese is a wonderful comfort food that is sure to be a hit!  You essentially take a recipe for macaroni and cheese but enhance the flavor by smoking it vs baking it.  A few things I’d like to point out: The smokey flavor is well developed – you can taste it in each bite but it’s not overpowering. It’s pretty effortless to make – you assemble, smoke, add some toppings, and dig in! It’s smoked in a foil pan so it’s easy to cover and transport to another location. It can be a full meal, served as a side, or shared at a potluck or party.   The recipe can be found here.  Let’s walk through how to make it. Start by preheating your smoker to 250 degrees F and add hickory wood chips.  I think this recipe tastes great with hickory but feel free to experiment with another wood chip flavor. Bring … Continue reading

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We are well into apple season (aka fall) so it’s time for me to share my new apple recipes with you.  I do love this time of year.  The temperature is lowering, the leaves are changing color, and all the comfort foods start to replace the lighter summer fare.  Which is where my apple recipes come in.  They gear you up for those crisp fall days, offer easy to make options, and are a great way to use up those apples or apple cider you bought while visiting an orchard 😊 Here’s what I have for you: Apple Cider Whoopie Pies Apple Cider Churros with Caramel Dipping Sauce Apple & Walnut Salad with Creamy Cinnamon Dressing Baked Apple Pie Wontons   APPLE CIDER WHOOPIE PIES Apple cider whoopie pies are a new fall favorite in our house.  They are fluffy and yummy with great apple flavor.  I think the cookies taste similar to apple cider donuts (if you’ve ever had those) … Continue reading

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