Author Archives: Laura Youngquist

Ciabatta Melts with Chicken, Bacon & Pepper Jack are delicious sandwiches that are easy to make and are sure to be a hit!  It’s a classic sandwich you could get at your local bistro or café style restaurant, and I thought, why not try making it at home?  It has warm, crusty ciabatta bread that is filled with juicy chicken, crispy bacon, spicy, melted cheese, and tender veggies.  The sandwich tastes light and won’t leave you feeling too full.  You can’t go wrong with a warm sandwich on ciabatta! The recipe can be found here. Start by baking the ciabatta bread according to package instructions.  Set the bread aside to cool.  Also prepare the bacon according to package instructions and remove to a paper towel lined plate to drain the grease.  Set the bacon aside. Season both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper.  Use a grill or grill pan to cook the chicken on each side … Continue reading

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Balsamic & Guinness Chicken Wings are a unique yet delicious appetizer or dinner option.  They have quite the pleasant flavor…it’s a little tangy and sweet.  I think Guinness is mildly sweet with a hoppy/bitter flavor and notes of coffee, almost tastes like roasted almonds.  Balsamic is rich in flavor with a mellow tartness and some acidity, kind of herby.  But both complement each other nicely. The recipe can be found here. Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  Line the chicken wings on the baking sheet, leaving a little space in between.  Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake for 40 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until an internal temperature of 165 degrees F is reached. While the wings are baking, make the sauce.  Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.  Add the onion and garlic and sauté until soft and translucent. … Continue reading

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I was gifted a Cast Iron Balti Dish and immediately started researching recipes and the type of cuisine to prepare in it.  I learned A LOT!  Balti is a cooking method traced back to Southern Asia and is named for the dish in which it is made.  It’s similar to Indian curries and contains meat, vegetables, and spices.  The main difference is how the dish is served but the ingredients used are cooked the same way.  Balti dishes are stir-fried with vegetable oil over high heat in a flat-bottomed wok.  Most often lamb is used, but you can find chicken or pork recipes as well. My recipe is for Chicken Balti, and you can view the recipe by clicking here. The sauce is a delicious and rich curry that is tomato based with plenty of onion, garlic, and spices, that complements the tender chicken very well.  It’s really flavorful and tasty, fragrant…and SPICY! Start by heating oil in the Balti dish … Continue reading

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No access to a campfire?  Make these no-bake s’more bars instead!  I have 2 recipes to share with you today, both involve Golden Graham cereal and s’more ingredients.  They are quick and easy to make, great for summer, require no open flame, and will be enjoyed by all.  They have all the flavors of traditional s’mores (except one has peanut butter added) …and are packed with ooey gooey marshmallows, rich chocolate, and crunchy cereal.  Talk about great taste and texture! The recipes can be found here, and I’ll walk you through how to make each: Golden Graham S’more Bars Peanut Butter Golden Graham S’more Bars   Let’s start with Golden Graham S’more Bars.  Spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.  Pour the cereal into a large mixing bowl and set aside. Add the butter, corn syrup, chocolate chips, and 5 cups of marshmallows to a saucepan and heat over low heat until melted, stirring … Continue reading

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Duunnn Dunnn… Duuuunnnn Duun… Duuunnnnnnnn Dun Dun Dun Dun Dun Dun Dun Dun Dun Dun Dunnnnnnnnnnn Dunnnn Do you know what that is?  It’s the JAWS theme song because Shark Week on the Discovery Channel is fast approaching 😊 Shark Week is a week-long celebration from Sunday, July 23 – Sunday, July 30, 2023, and features shark themed programming.  It’s an incredibly popular week among shark enthusiasts and anyone interested in learning more.  I don’t participate in the full week, nor do I spend hours upon hours invested in shark programs, but I do like to tune-in from time to time.  There is always something educational or interesting to watch.  This year, I’m going to pair my viewings with some fun, festive snacks! Here are my Shark Week recipes: Pretzel Fishing Rods Sugary Shark Sushi Shark Pudding Cups No Churn Shark Infested Ice Cream   Pretzel Fishing Rods are your basic pretzel rod with Twizzlers Pull ‘N’ Peel licorice used as a fishing line to secure a sour gummy worm as bait.  They … Continue reading

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Chicken Pesto Ciabatta Melts are perfect for your next weeknight meal!  Think of a classic bistro sandwich with warm, toasted bread, tender, juicy chicken, fresh, ripe tomatoes, melted cheese, and an herby pesto to top it off.  That’s what this recipe is, a wonderful hot sandwich option that fills the void for dinner (or lunch).  It’s filling without leaving you uncomfortably full.  The fresh ingredients make it feel like a light sandwich.  I personally think ciabatta is the perfect bread for a sandwich.  It’s soft and airy inside with a crispy crust so you can’t go wrong! The recipe can be found here. Start by baking the ciabatta bread according to package instructions.  Set the bread aside to cool.  Then slice the tomato and set it aside until ready to assemble.  I always but take and bake ciabatta vs fresh.  I think the taste holds up and I like that I can bake it when ready and feel like it … Continue reading

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I recently wrote a blog called Simple Summer Bruschetta Recipes and I’ve been craving something similar ever since.  I think bruschetta is the perfect summer appetizer because it’s easy to make, it’s a bite-sized snack, it’s customizable, and it tastes great!  One piece is never enough for me, so that’s why I like to prepare a variety and enjoy a smorgasbord of recipes 😊 Here are the recipes I have for you today: Roasted Tomato Bruschetta with Pesto Peach, Prosciutto, and Ricotta Bruschetta Cream Cheese, Avocado, and Dill Bruschetta   All are phenomenal in their own way.  The Roasted Tomato Bruschetta with Pesto has warm tomatoes that burst open while baking, and the sweetness really complements the pesto.  The Peach, Prosciutto, and Ricotta Bruschetta has juicy, ripe peach slices that pair well with the salty prosciutto.  The Cream Cheese, Avocado, and Dill Bruschetta reminds me of avocado toast and is something I would love to devour … Continue reading

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Pimento Mac & Cheese is an easy weeknight skillet meal the whole family will love!  It’s packed with flavor and combines 2 of my favorite things….mac and cheese and pimento cheese.  I personally think pimentos are underutilized in recipes, so this is a great recipe for them to shine.  I can’t wait to make it again! The recipe can be found here. Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees F and use 1 Tbsp softened butter to grease a 10-inch cast iron skillet. Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the noodles until al dente.  You don’t want to overcook and make them mushy.  Drain the noodles and set aside. While the noodles are cooking, make the cheese sauce.  Melt 2 Tbsp butter in a large saucepan over medium-low heat.  Add the flour, paprika, and salt, and whisk to combine.  Continue to cook for 1-2 minutes, whisking constantly.  The mixture will start to turn a … Continue reading

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Who doesn’t love peanut butter or brownie desserts?  Any hands up?  I didn’t think so 😊 But if you aren’t sure, I’m confident my recipe for Triple Layer Peanut Butter Brownies will change your mind.  Think rich chocolatey brownie, topped with a layer of rich and creamy peanut butter, followed by whipped cream and chopped peanut butter cups.  It’s heavenly!  And won’t last long! The recipe can be found here. Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9×13 baking pan with cooking spray. Prepare a boxed brownie mix according to package instructions.  Use any brand or box mix of your choosing.  I’m partial to the fudge brownie mixes or anything that is going to be super rich and chewy.  Bake and let cool completely. While the brownies are cooling, prepare the peanut butter layer.  Add the cream cheese and powdered sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer.  Beat until creamy.  Add the peanut butter and beat again, until … Continue reading

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A Thin Crust Potato Pizza with Thyme is my new favorite obsession.  I enjoyed a variation of this pizza at a local restaurant and have been wanting to recreate it at home ever since.  I must say, mine tastes just as good!  The base is a homemade pizza dough that is topped with shredded cheese, thinly sliced (almost paper thin) potatoes and onions, and fresh thyme.  It’s easy to make, flavorful, and delicious. I used my recipe for Thin Crust Pizza Dough for the crust.  If you have a different crust recipe you prefer, go ahead and use it, but this recipe is simple to prepare and doesn’t require any proofing so you can make this recipe on a whim and don’t have to worry about added time for the dough to rise.  Easy weeknight meal?  I think so. The recipe for the Thin Crust Potato Pizza with Thyme can be found here.  It does include instructions for … Continue reading

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