Category Archives: Uncategorized

Three words that come to mind when I think of key lime are citrus, sweet, and tart.  Key limes have a distinct lime flavor that can be hard to explain.  It’s tart without being overly acidic, very aromatic, has an elevated sense of flavor (more so than a standard lime), citrusy, and has a very subtle sweetness.  If you know, you know 😊 The flavor pairs well with many desserts, which is what I plan on sharing with you today.  Even better, it’s such a refreshing flavor that it’s perfect for this time of year! These are the recipes I have for you: Key Lime Pie Rice Krispie Bars Key Lime Pie Ice Cream Key Lime Cheesecake Parfait Key Lime Pie Martini   Key Lime Pie Rice Krispie Bars are a great combination of traditional Rice Krispie Bars loaded with key lime flavor.  They are sweet and slightly tart and everything you want in a Rice Krispie … Continue reading

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Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is my newest weeknight recipe that your family will love!  It’s a filling and delicious pasta that comes together in about 30 minutes.  It’s rich, creamy, a little spicy, and packed with wonderful ingredients.  I will admit…when I was originally working on this recipe it was going to be soup, not pasta, but plans changed, and soup just wasn’t in the cards that night.  I blame the noodles for absorbing so much of the liquid that would have been yummy soup, but the recipe still turned into something great, and we had a lovely pasta dinner.  One thing I love to do is play around with recipes so even though my original plan didn’t work out, I was able to recover and still serve dinner.  Has that ever happened to you? The recipe can be found here. Start by seasoning both sides of the chicken tenders with Cajun seasoning.  I like to use tenders because … Continue reading

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I love this time of year because all things pistachio start to appear in grocery stores 😊 Pistachio is a flavor I can’t get enough of.  It’s mildly sweet and has a slight almond flavor.  Sometimes they are salted but can be enjoyed raw, and they have this lovely pastel green color when used in recipes.  Most commonly, pistachios (or pistachio flavoring) are used in breakfast/brunch or dessert type dishes.  You can however use them on top of salads or perhaps in a pasta dish like Pistachio Fettuccine.  Pistachios can be on the expensive side, but I think they are worth the cost and make you appreciate cooking with them that much more! I have a handful of pistachio themed recipes to share with you today: Pistachio Bread Pistachio Pudding Bars Pistachio Cookies Pistachio Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting   Pistachio Bread is the perfect breakfast item because it can be enjoyed at home or … Continue reading

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We recently had dinner at a local Italian restaurant and ordered a variety of Bruschetta as an appetizer.  I’ve been thinking about the Bruschetta ever since and couldn’t resist the attempt to recreate it at home.  Who doesn’t love a crunchy Bruschetta appetizer?  And who doesn’t love options?  That’s what I have for you today!  Four vastly different yet incredibly satisfying Bruschetta recipes. When I think of Bruschetta, I typically think baguette with fresh tomatoes and maybe some basil or balsamic dressing.  These are not your traditional Bruschetta recipes by any means, but I think you’ll like them just as much 😊 They are perfect as an appetizer or snack for any gathering and would be great for brunch, a bridal shower, girls’ night in, etc.  Here’s what I have for you: Smoked Salmon Fig & Apple Blueberry, Basil & Ricotta Tomato Aioli & Bacon   Smoked Salmon Bruschetta is surprisingly simple to make.  Don’t worry, you don’t have to … Continue reading

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If you love salad, grains, or any type of “bowl” style meal, you are going to love these Mediterranean Brown Rice Bowls!  Its rice topped with plenty of veggies and a lovely lemon-olive oil style dressing.  It’s easy to make, healthy, has limited cooking requirements (only cook the rice) and tastes great…that checks off every box on my list.  You can also customize the flavors within the salad and dressing.  For example, if you don’t like roasted red peppers, use fresh bell peppers, or substitute edamame for the cucumber…you get the idea.  Make each bowl your own! The recipe can be found here. Start by cooking the rice according to package instructions.  Set aside to cool.  I suggest using brown rice in this recipe, but you can use white rice or even quinoa if you prefer. Next, prepare the toppings.  Drain and rinse the chickpeas.  Drain and chop the artichokes and roasted red peppers.  Halve the tomatoes and olives.  Chop the … Continue reading

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Star Wars Day is upon us!  If you aren’t familiar, it’s an informal commemorative day observed annually on May 4th to celebrate all things Star Wars.  It’s not an official holiday by any means but any diehard fan is aware as observance of the day has spread quickly.  The title of this blog, May the Fourth Be with You, is a play on the popular catchphrase May the Force Be with You.  It you’ve watched the movies, you know what I’m referring to 😊 It’s a popular day for franchise fans and whether you plan on celebrating at home or in a galaxy far, far away, I hope you enjoy the recipes I’m going to share with you.  As expected, all are Star Wars themed. Here is a list of the recipe: Copycat Blue Milk Copycat Green Milk Stormtrooper Cheeseball Rebellion Pizza Chocolate Covered Pretzel Lightsabers   Copycat Blue Milk and Copycat Green Milk are beverages popular to … Continue reading

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Cinco de Mayo is coming soon – it’s Friday, May 5th.  Cinco de Mayo quite literally means the 5th of May in Spanish so it’s easy to keep track of the date 😊 If you aren’t familiar, here are 3 fun facts about Cinco de Mayo, 1) it’s not Mexico’s Independence Day, 2) it’s not a national holiday in Mexico, 3) it celebrates Mexico’s victory against Imperial France.  As you can see, it’s a relatively minor holiday that is celebrated regionally in Mexico….and pretty much everywhere in the United States.  In Puebla, Mexico it is celebrated with parades, parties, music, folk dancing, and traditional foods.  In the United States, it’s celebrated with Mexican food.  Are you sensing a theme to my blog post?  I’m going to share fun Mexican fares to enjoy for Cinco de Mayo or anytime you are craving Mexican food. Here’s my lineup: Homemade Flour Tortillas Slow Cooker Shredded Salsa Chicken Spicy Grilled Queso Chunky Guacamole Mexican Fried … Continue reading

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Cheesy Pull Apart Bread Bowls are designed for sharing making them the perfect appetizer!  Simply pull apart (hence the name) or tear the pieces of bread off and enjoy.  Toasted bread with melted cheese that’s smothered in garlic and herbs?  Yes, please.  It’s comfort food at its finest! If you aren’t familiar with “pull apart bread” it’s basically a round loaf of bread that is cut at a diagonal leaving little squares that you stuff cheese, meat, and/or herbs between then cover with melted butter and bake.  Sounds delicious, right?  It is and you’ll be drooling while you wait to dig in! The recipe can be found here. Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  Use a bread knife to slice the round sourdough loaf from side to side in both directions, leaving about 1-inch of space between each slice.  You will create a cross pattern and do … Continue reading

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I’m sure you’ve either seen, tasted, or heard of the ever-popular ham and cheese sliders made with King’s Hawaiian Rolls.  They are a crowd pleaser because they feed a crowd and are easy to whip up.  I made a slight variation using turkey and Swiss, and the result was phenomenal!  I can easily see myself making a pan of each (ham and turkey) at my next gathering for a little variety.  The turkey is sliced thick and is juicy and tender and the melted Swiss cheese holds it all together (literally). The recipe can be found here. Start by spraying a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.  Use a long bread knife to slice the rolls in half.  Keep the rolls attached to each other, do not separate into individual rolls. Remove the top half of the rolls and add a layer of cheese.  You will use 5 slices of cheese with one piece being cut … Continue reading

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Slow Cooker Chicken Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches are loaded with tender chicken, bell peppers, and onions, piled high on a hoagie roll and covered in melted cheese.  It’s a tasty meal that’s easy to make!  I think it’s perfect on a cold winter night or on a busy weekend because your slow cooker is doing most of the work. The recipe can be found here. Start by placing the chicken in a slow cooker.  I recommend using boneless skinless chicken breasts but if you prefer to use chicken thighs, make sure to trim some of the fat off first.  Sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.  Season to taste.  I tend to add more garlic powder because we love the flavor. Pour the chicken broth over the top and cover.  Cook on LOW for 4-5 hours.  Add the bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms.  Cover and cook on LOW for an additional 1 ½ – 2 hours or until the … Continue reading

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