Category Archives: Uncategorized

We are fast approaching my favorite time of year – Christmas!  The decorations, lights, and carols all put me in a festive mood.  And one of my favorite things this time of year is Christmas cookies and other goodies.  It’s a busy time of year for most and sometimes the stress of baking or spending hours in the kitchen is just too much for some.  That’s why I want to share with you a few recipes for QUICK yet delicious holiday treats.  Chocolate is involved (lots of chocolate is involved).  And the kids can help with decorating if you need an extra hand or 2. You’ve probably seen some of these treats around before or perhaps you’ve made them yourself but here are the recipes if you are interested: Holiday Rolo Pretzels Holiday Peppermint Pretzels Slow Cooker Chocolate Peanut Clusters Chocolate Covered Graham Crackers   Let’s walk through how to make them! Holiday Rolo Pretzels These are super simple to … Continue reading

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My new favorite obsession (aka quick and easy weeknight meal) is Naan Flatbread.  You can create so many different variations by swapping out toppings and utilizing premade / store-bought naan flatbread.  My most recent creation is Walnut, Pear & Gouda Naan Flatbread.  It’s perfect for pizza night, to serve as an appetizer, or to serve alongside a salad or pasta dish.  Think fresh, juicy pears on top of warm, chewy flatbread with spicy arugula, walnuts, and a savory balsamic glaze.  It’s yummy! The recipe can be found here. Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place both flatbreads on the baking sheet and drizzle with 1 Tbsp olive oil (drizzle on both). Divide the shredded cheese evenly between the flatbreads.  I like to use gouda, but crumbled gorgonzola would also like well if you like a flavorful and strong (yet stinky) cheese. Top each with red … Continue reading

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I recently felt the need to get out my Mini Scone Pan and try my hand at a festive breakfast of Gingerbread Scones with Cream Cheese Glaze.  The result was super yummy!  They taste similar to a gingerbread cookie; packed with cinnamon, ginger, and clove flavors, but make a tasty breakfast or treat.  I think these are slightly more moist than traditional scones and have a nice texture.  They pair well with some scrambled eggs and bacon or could be added to your brunch menu. Click this link for the Mini Scone Pan. The recipe can be found here. Start by preheating the oven to 400 degrees F.  Generously brush the scone pan with vegetable shortening.  I find vegetable shortening works best when removing the scones after baking.  The pan is a little hard to clean because of the corners but if you soak it in warm soapy water for a short while it will clean up … Continue reading

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Elevate your next hotdog by smothering it with cheese and wrapping it in a tortilla before cooking.  Sounds good, right?  I give you the Quesadilladog!  It’s basically a Tex-Mex mashup of hotdogs, spicy nacho cheese, jalapenos, and warm tortillas.  It’s a great afterschool snack or can be served for lunch or dinner.  You can use any kind of hotdog – all beef franks, turkey franks, etc.  And any kind of nacho cheese – mild, spicy, etc.  I recommend fajita size tortillas because they work will with the length of the hotdogs.  You can also customize the dish if preferred.  Spread some refried beans on the tortilla, add some black beans before wrapping the hotdog, perhaps serve with salsa for dipping…you get the idea!  It’s a wonderful meal for picky kids or when your family can’t decide on one thing to have.  Simply combine 2 favorites (hotdogs and quesadillas) and you have a win. The recipe can be found here. Start by … Continue reading

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Bruschetta is a staple of summer meals.  I know it’s fall, and the days are getting colder, the sun is setting earlier, and you are probably thinking of warm, hearty meals…not fresh, summer sides.  BUT…bruschetta can be enjoyed in many ways.  Including being used as a pizza topping. If you have a vegetable garden in your backyard or perhaps like to visit your local Farmer’s Market, you can make bruschetta with some wonderfully fresh produce.  This time of year, you most likely have to purchase the ingredients at your local grocery store.  And that’s OK!  You’ll still have incredibly flavorful and fresh bruschetta to enjoy.  Now for this recipe, the bruschetta will be used as a pizza topping but you will have leftovers.  What to do with the leftovers you ask?  Add as a topping on a grilled chicken breast, serve as a salsa with tortilla chips, or serve with toasted baguette slices. This recipe combines the bruschetta with rotisserie chicken … Continue reading

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We made Taco Rice with Queso earlier this week and it’s probably one of my favorite new recipes we’ve tried lately!  It’s a one-pan recipe with meat, taco seasoning, and rice that is coated in warm, melted queso.  Talk about delicious!  The rice is perfectly seasoned and tender, and pairs well with the meat, but my favorite part is the queso.  You drizzle some over the top of the dish before serving and then add more and more and more until you have the appropriate amount (aka a lot) of queso on your plate. Don’t mistake this recipe for a burrito bowl.  You don’t add lettuce, tomatoes, shredded cheese, salsa, etc. on top (but you sure can!).  You simply enjoy a bowl of taco meat, rice, and queso.  And it’s amazing. The recipe can be found here. I did use plant-based meat for this recipe.  You can use ground beef, ground turkey, ground chicken, ground pork – whatever … Continue reading

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This time of year is prime for family gatherings, holiday parties, potlucks at work, you name it!… and I want to help you kick of the holiday season with a few simple (yet tasty) appetizer recipes that are sure to get the party started. I like to create delicious appetizers that look like I spent hours in the kitchen or appear to be store-bought but in fact didn’t take much time or effort to make.  You want the conversation to start flowing and to interact with your guests, really be part of the celebration vs. spending the entire event in the kitchen preparing the meal, and I have you covered.  These recipes are quick, easy, and tasty. Here are the recipes: Citrus Herbed Olives Balsamic Roasted Tomatoes with Burrata Cheese Roasted Red Pepper with Burrata Cheese   Citrus Herbed Olives take about 5 minutes to make (plus time to marinate) and are a wonderful … Continue reading

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Flautas are a traditional Mexican dish consisting of a tortilla that is filled with meat and cheese and tightly rolled before frying.  The recipe I want to share with you today is for Baked Chicken Jalapeno Popper Flautas, which is a combination of jalapeno poppers and chicken flautas.  They are made with shredded rotisserie chicken, cream cheese, shredded cheese, jalapeno, and tortillas.  This recipe is very easy to make, doesn’t take a lot of time, and makes the perfect appetizer or meal, depending on how many people you are serving.  We ate these for dinner and had 2-3 each so there was plenty to go around, and we had leftovers. The recipe can be found here. Start by preheating the oven to 425 degrees F.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper then generously spray with cooking spray. I like to use rotisserie chicken for this recipe, so I start by removing the chicken from … Continue reading

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Individual dessert cups are an easy, no bake desserts that are perfect for birthday parties, holidays, a treat for your coworkers, or for you to have on hand at home whenever you are craving a little something sweet 😊 They come in a variety of flavors (3 of which I’m sharing with you today) and are the perfect bite-sized treat.  Think cookie base, creamy filling, and festive toppings.  You will not be able to stop after one! Here are the recipes I’ll be walking you through today: Individual Birthday Cake Dessert Cups Individual Peanut Butter Dessert Cups Individual Banana Pudding Dessert Cups   Let’s start with Individual Birthday Cake Dessert Cups.  These taste just like birthday cake batter and are to die for!  There is a vanilla cookie crust, birthday cake cheesecake filling, and plenty of sprinkles to go around.  Super yummy and will be the talk of the party. The recipe can be found here. Start by making … Continue reading

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Loaded Brownie Ice Cream Cake screams indulgence!  The bottom is a thick fudge brownie that is topped with hot fudge, caramel sauce, ice cream, Oreo cookies, whipped cream, and more cookies.  It’s a rich dessert that you won’t want to share, lol! I think ice cream desserts can be enjoyed year-round.  Sure, they are necessary during summer months but every now and again I do crave a yummy ice cream dessert during fall or frigid winter months.  It’s dessert…it’s for any time of year.  This recipe in particular is a showstopper.  It’s rich, indulgent, sweet, and you don’t need a big slice to feel satisfied because it’s so dense. The recipe can be found here. Start by preparing the brownie mix according to package instructions, using a 9×13 baking dish.  Don’t over bake the brownies!  But do let them cool completely.  If you have a deeper 9×13 baking dish, use that.  The ingredients get piled high!  If you have a standard 9×13 baking dish that … Continue reading

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