Category Archives: Uncategorized

Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing is a wonderful salad that works as a main dish or side dish.  I do think this is a great salad for colder weather because I like to serve it warm, but it is light enough that you can enjoy it during warmer months. The veggies Melt. In. Your. Mouth.  They are THAT good.  The spiced chickpeas have a good amount of heat and flavor, so they complement the mild tasting cauliflower nicely.  The chickpeas also have a crispy outside, so they add a bit of crunch to the salad.  When you drizzle the Lemon Tahini Dressing over the top and take your first bite you will be in heaven. The Lemon Tahini Dressing adds the perfect amount of citrus and tang to the warm and smoky salad.  I could eat this dressing on any vegetable – it’s that good!  It’s also oil-free, … Continue reading

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Stuffed Peppers are a favorite at my house.  There are so many possibilities for stuffed peppers so you can really cater the filling to meet any dietary need.  Our recent craving has been for Greek Orzo Stuffed Peppers.  They are quick to make, fairly simple to assemble, vegetarian / vegan, healthy, and tasty 🙂 You can make this dish more colorful by using a combination of green, orange, red, or yellow bell peppers.  I’m partial to red bell peppers for no particular reason so that is what I choose to use.  I typically serve these as a main dish, but they could easily be a side dish if served with other items. Look for medium to large bell peppers because they are easier to stuff and hold more ingredients. The recipe can be found here. Start by preheating the oven to 400 degrees. Cut each bell pepper in half, length … Continue reading

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I love a good fried chicken sandwich and want to share my go-to recipe with you.  This Beer Battered Chicken Sandwich with Lime Coleslaw is crispy, juicy, and doesn’t disappoint.  The batter includes beer, giving it a light and crisp texture once fried, plus a slight beer flavor comes through in the crust and who doesn’t love that? I suggest using a brown ale for the best batter flavor but any malty ale or heavier seasonal beer (such as Oktoberfest) will work.  You only use 2 cups of beer so you will have a little extra in the bottle to enjoy while you cook 🙂 The chicken is only fried once and then finished in the oven.  Once an internal temperature of 165 degrees is reached, you could fry the chicken again for a very short amount of time to maximize crunch.  I’ve never done this but if you like … Continue reading

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Do you ever ask your family what they want to for dinner and no one can agree on the perfect meal?  That’s a common occurrence at my house too but recently I received a request for lasagna and thought it was a great suggestion…but what kind should I make?  Andrew is more of a meat eater so I knew he would want a traditional lasagna, but I would prefer something more veggie based.  Luckily, I have the perfect pan for the job, so I was able to accommodate both! ***Disclaimer – if you click on the link to any of the recipes listed in this post you will be directed to the full recipe.  The recipes posted are for use in a 9×13 pan.  Please reduce the recipe to 1/3 if you are using a similar 3-lasagna pan*** All of the recipes I’m going to share with you are delicious!  … Continue reading

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Lemon Orzo with Roasted Vegetables is not your typical pasta salad.  It’s packed with texture and flavor yet is very light and refreshing.  It works well as a side dish or as a standalone meal.  I think it’s best served warm but room temp or chilled is also fine, it’s all about your preference. The vegetables are delicious when roasted because they are slightly caramelized.  I like to use bell pepper, asparagus, cherry tomatoes, and red onion but you can substitute any veggies you like – eggplant, zucchini, squash, mushrooms, etc.  You can really make this your own by using the veggies you crave. You can also top this salad with pine nuts for a little crunch or some crumbled feta cheese.  If you choose to skip the cheese, this is a great vegan based dish. Start by preheating the oven to 425 degrees and lining a baking sheet (or … Continue reading

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Today is National Waffle Day and what better way to celebrate than with some yummy waffles!  Traditional waffles are best when smothered in syrup or topped with fried chicken or fruit.  I bet really anything would be delicious when paired with a waffle 🙂 but I thought it would be fun to try something different.  I’m making Cinnamon Roll Waffles and Hash Brown Waffles to enjoy while observing this fine holiday! Cinnamon Roll Waffles are exactly what you think – waffles made from cinnamon rolls.  These are SUPER easy to make and take about the same amount of time as a traditional waffle when using a waffle iron.  Still undecided?  You don’t need to make any batter because you are using refrigerated, store-bought cinnamon rolls. Open a can of Pillsbury Grand! Cinnamon Rolls and pull each roll apart.  I like to set them on wax paper, so they don’t stick … Continue reading

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Black Bean Brownies are moist, rich, and fudge-y.  I bet you never thought you would hear “black beans’ and “brownies” in the same sentence 🙂  Most people look at me like I’m crazy and ask if they heard right.  Yes – Black Bean Brownies are a thing and they are delicious!  They are also healthy and easy to make. The recipe can be found here. One thing I want to mention is this recipe can be Vegan, if Vegan chocolate chips are used, and it can also be Gluten Free, if the oats used are Gluten Free. Start by preheating the oven and prepping an 8×8 baking pan with cooking spray. Combine all ingredients in the bowl of a food processor, except for the chocolate chips, and process until smooth.  You might need to turn off the food processor and scrape the sides a few times. Once processed, I like … Continue reading

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Today is National S’mores Day.  A s’more traditionally consists of a roasted marshmallow on top of melted chocolate sandwiched between two graham crackers.  It’s a very popular campfire treat loved by people of all ages!  It’s ooey, gooey, toasty, deliciousness!  What better way to honor this classic treat than by testing out a few recipes 🙂 First up is No Bake S’Mores.  This recipe only requires 4 ingredients and is the perfect indulgence! The recipe can be found here. I find it easiest to line a bread pan with parchment paper or plastic wrap.  Then place the graham crackers in a plastic bag and smash into fine crumbs.  Melt the butter and add the graham cracker crumbs to the melted butter. Pour the mixture into the bread pan but make sure to reserve 1 Tbsp to sprinkle on top.  Press down to make a flat layer.  If you want a … Continue reading

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Have you ever heard of Jackfruit?  If not, let me fill you in.  It is a meatless alternative (it’s actually fruit) that closely resembles pulled pork.  It’s great for vegans, vegetarians, or anyone looking for a little variety.  I was skeptical at first but it’s quite good.  I like to buy canned jackfruit because it’s pre-sliced and easy to work with – all you have to do is cook it and shred it! I want to share my recipe for BBQ Pulled Jackfruit Sandwiches.  It’s real deal shredded BBQ, loaded with BBQ flavor, but is a plant-based recipe.  It’s a little sweet and savory but looks and tastes like pulled pork. The recipe can be found here. Start by draining and rinsing the jackfruit.  Use forks or your hands to pull the jackfruit apart to resemble pulled pork.  I think a fork works well for finer shreds of meat and … Continue reading

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Right around this time of year I get a craving for a turkey dinner…. a nice plate full of my favorite Thanksgiving foods.  But, that’s just too much food on a hot summer day.  I decided to create a recipe that not only reminds me of Thanksgiving but is light enough for summer.  I give you the Turkey Burger with Cranberry Aioli.   The turkey burger is full of flavorful herbs and when you combine it with the cranberry aioli you have the perfect burger.  It’s a great blend of sweet and savory with a lean and juicy burger. Start by making the cranberry aioli.  Combine the mayo, Dijon mustard and cranberry sauce until well mixed.  It might be a little lumpy and that’s OK.  If you don’t want any lumps use the back of a spook to mash the lumps or whisk the ingredients.  Either set aside until the … Continue reading

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