Category Archives: Uncategorized

Garlic & Parmesan Crusted Scallops are a wonderful way to prepare scallops.  They are flavorful, perfectly seared, and pair well with many entrees.  These are great on a bed of rice or served over pasta.  Our preference is to enjoy them as is so we can savor each bite.  We then add a side of broccoli or asparagus for a little crunch.  If you are a garlic lover, you’ll love that aspect of this dish.  The garlic provides this great aroma and infuses each scallop while it cooks.  You might not have the best breath after eating but your tummy will sure be happy 😊 The recipe can be found here. Start by heating olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.  Once hot, add the garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add the red wine (optional), soy sauce, brown sugar, and parsley.  Stir to combine and heat for about 1 minute. Rinse the scallops.  Coat the top and … Continue reading

Posted in Seafood, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Garlic & Parmesan Crusted Scallops

Instant Pot meals are quickly becoming a favorite of mine on night we are busy and don’t have a lot of time to spend cooking but still want a nice meal.  We probably use our Instant Pot more in the fall and winter than we do in the spring and summer because it’s great for warm and hearty meals.  Recently we made Instant Pot Chicken Bruschetta Pasta.  It was delicious! The chicken was moist and tender, the noodles were al dente (I hate when they become too soft and mushy), and the bruschetta topping added some lovely color and a bit of freshness to the dish.  The flavors pair well together and left us feeling quite satisfied! The recipe can be found here. Start by preparing your ingredients – the ingredients you will be putting in the Instant Pot.  Slice the chicken, mince the garlic, etc.  Then, add the ingredients to the Instant Pot in the … Continue reading

Posted in Poultry, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Instant Pot Chicken Bruschetta Pasta

Mardi Gras is Tuesday, March 1st this year.  I believe it always falls on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, signifying the end of Carnival season and the start of Lenten season, but please correct me if you are more knowledgeable on these details than I am 😊  Tuesdays aren’t usually something people get excited over, unless it’s Taco Tuesday, but Mardi Gras gives you something to look forward to.  Each city celebrates differently, and I admittedly don’t know of any raging parties happening in the Twin Cities (yet) but that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate at home with a few close friends and family. We typically enjoy a themed meal or some apps and cocktails at home.  This year, we’ll be starting with Sausage Bites with Spicy Cajun Dipping Sauce as an appetizer, then moving on to Cajun Turkey Burgers with Spicy Remoulade as our main course with King Cake Cream Cheese Bites … Continue reading

Posted in Dessert, Holidays, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Homestyle Mardi Gras

Hawaiian Sheet Pan Chicken is a quick an easy, yet super tasty, weeknight meal.  The entire meal is made with one sheet pan so cleanup will also be quick.  You do need a cutting board, mixing bowl, and knife, but that’s still less dishes than normal, right?  I think it took me 60 min TOPS to make this dish, including prep time, bake time, and cleanup. This dish is full of flavor!  The chicken is moist and juicy, the veggies are tender, the BBQ sauce adds a little tanginess, and the pineapple add a wonderfully fresh, citrus flavor.  My favorite way to serve this is over a bed of rice but mashed potatoes or a salad would be a good substitute. The recipe can be found here. Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Slice the chicken and add to a mixing bowl.  Drizzle with olive … Continue reading

Posted in Poultry, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Hawaiian Sheet Pan Chicken

If you are looking for a quick and easy breakfast option I have just the thing – Ham and Cheese Breakfast Quesadillas.  These are all the rage at my house!  They come together in a matter of minutes, can be customized, are portable if you need to eat on the run, and are big enough to share (if you want 😊). My favorite ingredients to use are scrambled eggs, ham, and cheese.  Very simple but very tasty.  You can substitute the ham for breakfast sausage or add veggies like mushrooms, spinach, onions, peppers, etc.  Make it your own!  One thing I want to point out is that the meat needs to be pre-cooked.  You will not be cooking or heating the quesadilla enough to fully cook the meat through.  Sliced deli ham works great because it’s thin and can be used as is or chopped into small pieces.  Pre-cooked breakfast sausage (I’m partial to the crumbles) also works well.  If you … Continue reading

Posted in Breakfast, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Ham and Cheese Breakfast Quesadillas

It doesn’t get much better than Teriyaki Chicken Quesadillas!  The sweet and tangy flavor of teriyaki sauce pairs well with chicken.  Combine it with melted cheese, crisp onions, and a warm tortilla, and you have a gourmet meal. The recipe can be found here. Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees F. In a medium saucepan, add the soy sauce, ½ cup water, brown sugar, honey, ginger, sesame oil, and garlic.  Whisk to combine.  Bring to a boil and heat for 60 seconds. In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch and 2 Tbsp water.  Whisk into the boiling mixture and watch as the mixture begins to thicken.  Then, remove it from the heat and set aside. Place the chicken in a baking dish and pour 75% of the teriyaki sauce over the top.  You want to reserve the other 25% of the teriyaki sauce to use later.  Cover the … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Teriyaki Chicken Quesadillas

Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole is a favorite and easy to-to dinner when we are looking for something hearty and delicious.  It includes tender, juice chicken that is coated in a creamy mixture and topped with spicy jalapenos, shredded cheese, and crisp bacon.  This is a great recipe for lunch or dinner. The recipe can be found here. Start by cooking the bacon according to package instructions.  If you are using rotisserie chicken (which I highly recommend), remove the chicken from the bones and shred.  If you are using boneless skinless chicken breasts (which also work just fine), cook and cube or shred.  You want the meat to be pre-cooked before assembling the dish. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Spread the chicken in the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish.  Season with garlic powder, paprika, and pepper (optional). Whisk together the heavy cream, chicken stock, and cream cheese.  Spread … Continue reading

Posted in Poultry, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole

Instant Pot Bacon Gouda Mac & Cheese is a very simple yet delicious meal that is ready in no time!  The combination of ingredients is incredibly rich and flavorful.  The bacon is crispy, the onions are caramelized, the noodles are nice and tender (but not mushy), and the gouda adds a wonderful nutty and creamy taste and texture to the whole dish.  You cannot go wrong with this recipe! The recipe can be found here. Start by prepping your ingredients – chop the bacon, dice the onion, measure out your spices, and shred the cheddar and gouda.  Set all ingredients aside. Turn the Instant Pot to the sauté setting.  Once hot, add the bacon and cook until crispy.  Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon to a paper towel lined plate.  Set the bacon aside but no not discard the bacon grease in the Instant Pot. Add the butter to the Instant Pot (with the bacon … Continue reading

Posted in Pasta, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Instant Pot Bacon Gouda Mac & Cheese

Sometimes in the winter months we look for lighter dinner options to break away from the warm and hearty meals people typically eat when it’s so cold out.  It makes us feel a little healthier and is a great way to get in those veggies 😊 We recently made a Mediterranean Grilled Chicken with Greek Dill Sauce and paired it with Mediterranean Yellow Rice as a side.  It was incredible!  The chicken was tender and juicy, and the rice was light and fluffy.  But the secret to what makes this recipe so good is the seasoning – it makes the dish really savory.  The chicken is prepared with allspice, nutmeg, and cardamon, and the yellow rice is prepared with turmeric and cumin, making both dishes a little sweet.  So run (don’t walk) to your local Festival Foods to gather ingredients to make this wonderful Mediterranean style dish today! The recipes can be found here: Mediterranean Grilled Chicken … Continue reading

Posted in Grilling, Poultry, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Mediterranean Eating

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching.  Do you know how you are celebrating?  They are so many options…spend time with a significant other or your kids, maybe a few close friends (think Galantine’s Day), or boycott the day all together 😊 Which I know some people like to do, and that’s OK!  We tend to make a last-minute decision on how we will celebrate and some years we go out to eat and some years we stay in.  With COVID and rising cases, we’ve been looking for more “at home” options to say safe and healthy. With that being said, I’m not prepared to talk about dinner options today 😊 but do have a few other Valentine’s Day themed treats to share with you. Homemade Valentine’s Day Pop Tarts Valentine’s Day S’mores Frosted Pink Sugar Cookie Bars Strawberry Lemonade Frosé Raspberry Pina Colada   Homemade Valentine’s Day Pop Tarts are a favorite for us!  They are basically homemade Pop Tarts that … Continue reading

Posted in Breakfast, Dessert, Uncategorized, Valentine's Day | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Valentine’s Day Treats