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weekly specialsAuthor Archives: Laura Youngquist
July 20, 2022
Hickory Smoked Buffalo Wings
We recently got a smoker and let me tell you, we’re having some fun working on recipes! Our first attempt at smoking meat was chicken wings. We thought, let’s start small, see how this thing works, and not spend a lot of money on meat in case it doesn’t turn out…. The result was Hickory Smoked Buffalo Wings. They were phenomenal! We used hickory wood chips and the flavor really came through in the chicken wings. The smoker is electric and does require you to add additional wood chips throughout the smoking process. Perhaps next time we’ll try mesquite. The whole process was pretty easy. You basically smoke the chicken wings as is, then toss them in the sauce and smoke again, so the smokey flavor will also absorb into the sauce a bit. The recipe can be found here. Start by adding the hickory wood chips to the smoker … Continue reading
Lettuce wraps are one of my favorite go-to recipes for a hot summer day. They are light and packed with fresh flavors, leaving you satisfied without being overly full. I want to share my recipe for Asian Chicken Meatball Lettuce Wraps with Mango & Coleslaw with you today. The nice thing about this recipe is it’s really 2 recipes in one. You can eat the Asian Chicken Meatballs as is or turn them into delicious lettuce wraps. My preference is to create lettuce wraps but the meatballs pair well with rice or steamed vegetables if you are looking for something more comforting during cooler months of the year. The Asian Chicken Meatballs are tender and saucy, the coleslaw is packed with vegetables and offers a nice crunch in each bite, the mango adds a bit of sweetness, and the lettuce acts as a vessel to hold it all together. I … Continue reading
July 13, 2022
Broccoli & Bacon Quiche with Pepper Jack Cheese
Quiche makes a great meal for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Quiches are easy to make in advance, refrigerates well, and reheats well (think yummy leftovers). My recipe for Broccoli & Bacon Quiche with Pepper Jack Cheese is certain to be a crowd favorite. It’s packed with tender broccoli, crispy, salty bacon, and spicy pepper jack cheese. The recipe can be found here. Start by letting the pie crust sit on the counter for 10-15 minutes to soften. I like to use refrigerated pie crust for the simplicity of it, but you can use homemade if you prefer. Once softened, unroll the pie crust and place in a 9-inch pie plate. Crimp the edges and set aside. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Microwave the broccoli according to package instructions. Set aside to cool slightly. I find it easiest to use “heat and serve” frozen broccoli. If you prefer, you … Continue reading
July 10, 2022
Cheesy Enchilada Orzo
Cheesy Enchilada Orzo is a simple southwest style meal that is filling, packed with a great blend of flavors and textures, and will satisfy any Tex-Mex cravings! It’s a vegetarian dish that is loaded with tender veggies, chewy orzo, and a spicy sauce. Think deconstructed enchilada…there is no burrito or shell. All ingredients are mixed in a skillet and combined with a traditional enchilada sauce. It’s also a one-pot meal that is easy to make (less time in the kitchen is always a win for me). The recipe can be found here. Start by doing all your food prep; chop the bell peppers, drain the black beans, and green chilies, cube the cream cheese, etc. Set all ingredients aside. Add the bell peppers and corn to a large skillet. Heat over medium-high heat and cool until softened. I used frozen corn and did not thaw it first. If you use canned corn, make sure to drain the … Continue reading
July 5, 2022
Grilled Chicken Caprese
Grilled Chicken Caprese is an Italian-inspired chicken dish that is perfect for summer! It’s made with tender, juicy chicken that’s topped with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and a lovely balsamic glaze. This dish can be prepared in a variety of ways, but my preference is to grill it. The recipe can be found here. Start by preheating a grill pan over medium-high heat. Spray with cooking spray. You can also use your outdoor grill if you prefer. Combine the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Season both sides of the chicken. Grill for 6-7 minutes on each side or until cooked through and an internal temperature of 165 degrees F is reached. Top each piece of chicken with a slice of fresh mozzarella cheese. Loosely place tin foil over the grill pan to act as a cover to melt the cheese (or close your actual grill over to … Continue reading
June 29, 2022
Pimento BLT Sandwich
A Pimento BLT Sandwich is not your ordinary, run of the mill sandwich. It’s an elevated BLT because of the Pimento Cheese spread. If you aren’t familiar with Pimento Cheese, it’s a creamy, cheese, and tangy spread that is often referred to as the pâté of the South. It’s made with cream cheese, cheddar cheese, pimento peppers (which are sweet and mild), and mayonnaise. You can adjust the spicy by adding cayenne pepper and other seasonings. It’s best when homemade but you can usually find a jarred variety at your local grocery store. It goes well with crackers, vegetables, or spread on a sandwich, which is what we are doing today. BLTs are crisp, fresh, flavorful, and can be a delicious sandwich on their own but I like to add a little something extra to mine. I always think something is missing so I like to add avocado, egg, or in this case, Pimento Cheese. It’s a BLTP … Continue reading
June 25, 2022
Pizza Grilled Cheese
Pizza Grilled Cheese combines 2 of my favorite things…pizza and grilled cheese. It’s the ultimate mash-up meal! And it’s something the kids will absolutely love! Think mounds of melted cheese and spicy pepperoni sandwiched between 2 slices of buttery, garlicky bread. Dip it in your favorite marinara sauce before each bite and you will be in heaven. The sandwiches are somewhat customizable too. Use turkey pepperoni vs traditional pork/beef pepperoni, add crumbled sausage, etc.…you get the picture, so each family member can easily create their own yummy sandwich. The recipe can be found here. Start by adding 3 Tbsp unsalted butter to a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds or until melted. Add the parsley, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt. Stir to combine and set aside. If you prefer to use salted butter, simply skip adding any additional salt. Add 1 Tbsp unsalted butter to a skillet or griddle and melt over medium heat. Place the 4 slices of … Continue reading
June 21, 2022
Individual Cheesecakes
Cheesecake is one of my favorite desserts. It comes in a variety of flavors, can be fruity or sweet, and is usually a crowd pleaser. Mini cheesecakes are fun for a party or holiday because you can make a few different varieties, or perhaps make one plain batch but let your guests add their own toppings and have a simple yet delicious dessert. One of the recipes I want to share with you today is for Mini Salted Caramel Cheesecakes. If you like cheesecake and caramel, these are for you! The crust is a homemade graham cracker crust. The cheesecake has a creamy texture, sweet taste that might be considered a little rich to some, with a slight tanginess, which comes from the cream cheese. The mini cheesecakes are then doused in a generous amount of caramel sauce and sprinkled with salt. SO GOOD! The recipe can be found here. Start by preheating the oven to 350 … Continue reading
June 17, 2022
Puff Pastry Breakfast Pizzas
Puff Pastry Breakfast Pizzas are a quick breakfast or brunch idea that are easy to make and will be a fan favorite. These aren’t your traditional pizzas with marinara sauce and pizza toppings. They are completely made up of “breakfast food” items. The crust is puff pastry so it’s incredibly light, flakey, and buttery. You combine Havarti and parmesan cheese to get this creamy, melty, cheesy goodness in every bite. I like to use maple bacon because I love the maple flavor and think it pairs well with the salty elements in this recipe, but you could substitute any flavor of bacon or even use Canadian bacon or sausage. The eggs are cooked to your liking (whether you want a hard yolk or runny yolk). I haven’t tried this recipe with scrambled eggs but I’m sure they would yield a similar result. This is going to be a breakfast meal you will love and want to make … Continue reading
June 13, 2022
Summer Salads
Summer is fast approaching and one thing I look forward to eating more of is salads. There is something about a big bowl of leafy greens with all the fixings that screams summer. It’s a healthy meal and is light and refreshing on a hot day. You also don’t often feel like you overate with a salad, and you can customize the ingredients to match your tastes. I want to share 4 of my favorite salad recipes with you: BLT Chicken Chopped Salad Grilled Chicken Arugula Salad with Strawberries & Feta Doritos Taco Salad Spinach Salad with Fruit & Maple Dressing All are simple to make, delicious, and large enough to feed a family of 4. If you leave the dressing off, you can portion out the ingredients to have lunches prepared for the week or dinner a couple night during the week (just add the dressing when you are ready to serve). … Continue reading
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