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December 20, 2023
Homemade Bao Buns
Homemade Bao Buns are something I never thought I would want to tackle but ended up enjoyed making them and of course, eating them 😊 Bao Buns are steamed buns that are soft and pillowy, very fluffy, and have a neutral flavor. I would equate it to eating a piece of plain white bread. They can be made sweet or savory by adding a filling or you can eat them on their own. We filled ours with a teriyaki chicken mixture, but I think a pulled pork, ground beef, or chicken are great fillings when paired with the right sauce. You can also go the sweet route and use jelly or jam, perhaps some butter with cinnamon and sugar. Play around with the flavors! I do not think they are hard to make but must admit….it did take me 2 tries. The dough takes a little time to make because it needs time to rise. This is where I … Continue reading
December 17, 2023
Quesadilla Pie
If you are looking for 5 layers of quesadilla goodness or a meal inspired by Tex-Mex flavors, I have just the thing! It’s called Quesadilla Pie. It’s a savory dish comprised of 5 layers of tortillas with all the fillings. When I asked Andrew to describe it, he said “it’s good. It’s really good”, then proceeded to keep eating so that was all I got out of him 😊 It’s easy to make and very mild to accommodate any palette. I wouldn’t consider it a spicy dish, but you can customize it to spice it up or spice it down. The recipe can be found here. I suggest using a springform pan to make this recipe. If you don’t have one, you can use a pie pan or another round baking dish, but I think the springform pan helps to cut even slices and remove the slices without losing the filling. A link to the pan I used can be … Continue reading
December 13, 2023
Treats for Muggles & Wizards Alike!
The Harry Potter books are something I grew up reading and then fell in love with the movies as they came out in theaters. To this day, we have a Harry Potter marathon at our house some weekend during the winter months to enjoy the films. If you have about 20 hours of free time, I suggest you do the same 😊 Kidding! We don’t watch the movies in one sitting but it is fun to watch them consecutively and within a few weeks of each other to get the full effect. The one thing I struggle with is snacks and beverages. I want something themed to go along with our viewing but don’t always plan ahead. This year, I am planning way ahead. We’re going to enjoy various versions of Butterbeer (IFYKY) and a few themed snacks. Here’s what we’ll be enjoying! Copycat Hot Butterbeer Copycat Cold Butterbeer Copycat … Continue reading
December 9, 2023
Tasty Tidings
It’s that time of year again where we bake way too many cookies, gorge on sweets, go cocktailing with friends, enjoy meals with family, and celebrate the holidays! This is my favorite time of year for baked goods and all things dessert. Anyone that knows me knows what a sweet tooth I have. I could spend all year creating new dessert recipes, fun reindeer shaped cookies, peppermint bark, anything gingerbread related, and more. Which is basically what I want to share with you today – delicious dessert recipes for the holidays! Here’s what I have for you: Gingerbread Whoopie Pies Gingerbread Cupcakes with Cinnamon Frosting Peppermint Lush Bars with Oreo Crust Cherry Fudge with Dark Chocolate First up are my Gingerbread Whoopie Pies. These are phenomenal! Incredibly moist cookies, an excessive amount of filling, and the perfect amount of spice. If you like gingerbread, you will LOVE these cookies. … Continue reading
December 4, 2023
Christmas Martinis
Christmas is a time for family, friends, food, and of course, cocktails! I want to share 4 new martini recipes with you today. All are fun, festive, and sure to get you in the holiday spirit. Here’s what I have for you: Ornamentini Sugar Cookie Martini Eggnog Martini Holiday Spice Martini ORNAMENTINI These are super fun to make and are a great way to serve martinis to your guests. I think they would make great place settings at a dinner party, or you can make them ahead of time and save them to serve as an after-dinner drink. It’s a very merry martini with a citrusy flavor! The recipe can be found here. Start by adding one rosemary sprig and a few cranberries to the bottom of 2 martini glasses. Bonus points if you make sugared cranberries to use because they are both delicious and festive! I opted for … Continue reading
December 1, 2023
Winter Martinis
Look no further for fun and festive martinis that are packed with seasonal flavors and are delicious to drink! I have 4 recipes to share with you today. All are great for holiday parties or family gatherings because they are simple to make and don’t require many ingredients, and you probably have most of the ingredients at home already. Here are the recipes: Espresso Martini Snickerdoodle Martini Mint Chocolate Martini Salted Caramel Martini ESPRESSO MARTINI This martini tastes just like boozy espresso and it’s phenomenal…if you like coffee! Start by making the instant espresso, and let it cool completely. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the vodka, Kahlua, espresso, and simple syrup. Shake vigorously then strain into a martini glass. Enjoy! This recipe is for ONE cocktail and can be found HERE. SNICKERDOODLE MARTINI This martini tastes just like a snickerdoodle cookie. It’s perfectly sweet with a hint of spice. Start by combining 2 Tbsp of … Continue reading
November 26, 2023
Sweet & Tangy Air Fryer Chicken Skewers
Sweet & Tangy Air Fryer Chicken Skewers make for a quick and easy meal. They are a little sweet from the brown sugar and a little tangy from the cayenne and chili powder, but the combination just works! Each skewer is packed with juicy, tender chicken that slides right off the skewer. These are great for a weeknight meal after a busy day, can be served as a side dish or appetizer, and make a great lunch throughout the week. Serve as is, over a bed of rice, with some cooked veggies or a salad on the side, and you have a complete 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). … Continue reading
November 21, 2023
Grilled Pork Chops with Spicy Peaches
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
November 17, 2023
Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers
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
November 13, 2023
Peanut Butter Blossom Bars
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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