Author Archives: Laura Youngquist

Meatless 7-Layer Tostadas are a spin on the traditional 7-layer dip you’ve probably had at a party or 2 in the past.  Instead of serving the 7-layers in dip form, you assemble the layers on crispy tostadas and serve as the main course.  They have delicious flavor, great texture, and can be customized for various tastes. The recipe can be found here. I like to use refried beans, guacamole, seasoned sour cream, shredded cheese, tomatoes, green onion, and black olives.  I will admit, all my ingredients are store-bought.  You can prepare homemade refried beans and guacamole if you prefer.  I like the simplicity and efficiency of store-bought from time to time 🙂 Start by preparing the ingredients.  Chop the tomato, slice the green onion, and black olives. Add the refried beans to a microwave safe bowl and heat in 30-second intervals until warmed through, stirring occasionally. Add the taco seasoning … Continue reading

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Trash Can Nachos are a fun way to prepare and serve nachos.  The nachos are stacked in a cylinder-shaped metal container and baked until all ingredients are heated through or melted.  They are then inverted onto a serving platter and served in a stack.  Trash Can Nachos are easy to make, customizable, and delicious.  They were originally made famous by Guy Fieri and the Food Network. The recipe I want to share with you today is for Trash Can Chicken Nachos.  I will admit this recipe was trial and error for me.  I wasn’t sure how the nachos would bake, if they would hold their shape when removed from the can, etc.  And I didn’t really have a recipe to follow.  I simply used our favorite nacho toppings and hoped for the best!  The result was pretty amazing. The recipe can be found here. You will need a metal can … Continue reading

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Something I love to do from time to time is making homemade bread.  I don’t do it often because it can be time consuming, but nothing beats the taste of a hot, fresh loaf of bread right out of the oven.  I recently purchased the KitchenAid Bread Bowl with Baking Lid which makes creating artisan bread at home quite simple!  It’s essentially one bowl that goes from mixing to rising to baking.  First, I’ll walk through hot to make the homemade bread then I’ll walk you through my favorite recipe to use with the bread. The recipe for the KitchenAid Artisan Bread Loaf can be found here. Start by adding hot water to the KitchenAid Bread Bowl.  Swirl it around then dump it out and dry the bowl.  Secure the bowl on your stand mixer.  Attach the dough hook. Add the flour, yeast, and salt.  Turn the mixer on to … Continue reading

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Honey Dijon Grilled Chicken Sandwiches should be on your menu this week!  It’s sweet from honey, tangy from mustard, salty from bacon, and a little earthy / nutty from cheese.  Pair it with some juicy, tender chicken and sandwich it between a pretzel bun or brioche bun and you have the perfect meal.  It’s simple to make, is packed with flavor, and will please everyone at the dinner table. The recipe can be found here. Start by making the sauce.  Add the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, and salt to a mixing bowl.  Whisk to combine.  Taste and adjust the seasoning, if needed, and set aside. Place the chicken in a Ziploc bag.  Pour ½ of the marinade into the bag then seal and place in the fridge to marinate overnight.  Cover the remaining marinade and place in the fridge to be used later. Once the chicken … Continue reading

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A previous blog of mine for White BBQ Sauce Grilled Chicken discusses a wonderful condiment – White BBQ Sauce.  Another recipe I created using the same BBQ sauce is for a White BBQ Sauce Grilled Chicken Flatbread.  It’s absolutely divine!  The White BBQ Sauce is tangy, zesty, and pairs well with grilled meat…or in this case, acts as a great pizza sauce 🙂 This flatbread recipe is simple to make and can be customized to any taste.  I like to use chicken, cheese, red onion, and green onion.  You can omit or add any items.  Try adding mushrooms or green pepper, chopped bacon, you name it!  Or skip any item if you have a pickier eater on your hands 🙂 The recipe for the White BBQ Sauce can be found here. The recipe for the White BBQ Sauce Grilled Chicken Flatbread can be found here. Start by making the BBQ … Continue reading

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If you’ve never had White BBQ Sauce, you are missing out!  It’s delicious and worth trying!  It has a zesty, tangy, mayonnaise-y base that is combined with vinegar, mustard, and spices.  It’s a very popular condiment in Alabama from what I hear. One thing I love about this recipe is it makes enough to use between multiple recipes and have some to save for later.  You can also play around with the flavors until you find your favorite combination – swap in a different mustard or vinegar, add different seasonings, etc.  I pair the White BBQ Sauce with grilled chicken most frequently, which is the recipe I want to share with you today. The recipe can be found here. Start by making the BBQ sauce.  Add the mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, salt, pepper, sugar, garlic, and horseradish to a bowl and whisk to combine.  This recipe makes about 4 cups of … Continue reading

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Any recipe that is “no bake” is pretty amazing.  The recipes are typically simple to make and often don’t take a lot of time (just plan ahead so the pie has time to chill).  My favorite “no bake” recipes are for dessert.  You can make some delicious bars, pies, etc. without ever turning on your oven.  So, if you aren’t a baker or don’t have a lot of experience baking, these pies are for you! The recipes I want to share with you today are for 4 different No Bake Pies.  A little variety, something for everyone.  I think these pies are rich in flavor and will be a crowd favorite so whip up one or two for your next gathering! Here are the recipes: No Bake Butterfinger Pie No Bake Heath Bar Pie No Bake Mint Pie No Bake Pistachio Pie   First up is No Bake Butterfinger Pie.  … Continue reading

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I like to consider myself a cookie connoisseur.  I have a few favorite flavors but will not pass up another variety when asked 🙂 When it comes to cookies, you can separate them into 2 categories – crispy and chewy. But that’s just my opinion!  Sometimes I want a cookie that is thin and crisp and sometimes I want a cookie that is thick and chewy, just depends on the day!  The cookies I want to share with you today are incredible soft and chewy, and they are a new favorite in my house.  Here are the recipes: Soft & Chewy Birthday Cookies Soft & Chewy Dirt Dessert Cookies Soft & Chewy Key Lime Pie Cookies Soft & Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookies   Now let’s walk through how to make them.  Each recipe makes 7-8 cookies, but they are decently sized cookies and can almost be shared based on how rich … Continue reading

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Rosemary, Garlic & Bacon Chicken Burgers are packed with flavor yet light and almost more satisfying than a beef burger.  You use this lovely rosemary and garlic mayo as a spread on the bun and inside the burger making it extra moist and juicy.  I like to top the burgers with arugula, but you could substitute lettuce.  I like the peppery, crunchy texture of arugula and this it pairs well with the flavors of the chicken burger. The recipe can be found here. Start by cooking the bacon according to package instructions.  Transfer to a paper towel lined plate to drain the excess grease and set aside.  The recipe calls for 1 slice of bacon per burger, but you can make more and add as much as you like. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, rosemary, and garlic.  Set aside.  If you are looking for a lighter option, use … Continue reading

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These are addicting!  Who knew a chicken burger could taste so good?  Chicken Bacon Ranch Burgers are loaded with juicy chicken, melted cheddar cheese, crisp bacon, and plenty of ranch seasoning.  They are a new household favorite and something you should keep stocked in your freezer for plenty of summer grilling. The recipe can be found here. Start by cooking the bacon according to package instructions.  You can use any brand, thickness, or flavor of bacon you prefer.  Just make sure to have enough bacon to use as an ingredient inside the burgers and as a topping.  Once cooked, remove to a paper towel lined plate to drain the excess grease.  Chop 4 strips of bacon and set the other strips aside. Add the ground chicken, chopped bacon, 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, and the entire packet of ranch seasoning to a mixing bowl.  Don’t make the ranch dressing, just use … Continue reading

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