I have a great recipe for Chicken Cheddar Apple Burgers to share with you today.  If you love Fall and are looking to put the apples you bought at the orchard to good use or if you just aren’t ready to put the grill away, this recipe is for you!  The complimentary Fall favors come together to create a new take on classic BBQ. The recipe can be found here. Start by combining all ingredients in a mixing bowl.  The apple will need to be shredded before mixing.  This is simple to do by using a cheese grater or potato peeler, depending on how big you want the apple shavings.  The apple will help keep the burger moist and ensure the flavor is included in every bite. Next form into 4 equal size patties.  Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook on each side for about 6 minutes or … Continue reading

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My new favorite slow cooker chili recipe is for Buffalo Chicken Chili.  It has the perfect amount of spice, a creamy base, tender chicken in every bite, and only take about 10 minutes to assemble.  Then…set it and forget it!  There is so much flavor packed into this recipe, you’re sure to like it! The recipe can be found here. Start by adding the chicken to the base of the crock pot, then layer all other ingredients on top – beans, corn, tomatoes, chicken broth, Ranch dressing mix, buffalo wing sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, celery salt, dried cilantro, and salt. Stir to combine all ingredients.  Then place the brick of cream cheese on top. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours.  Once 4 hours have passed, remove the chicken and either shred or cube, and put back into the crock pot.  Stir and cook for another 30 minutes. … Continue reading

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Get in the Halloween spirit this year by cooking up some spooky treats that are a foolproof way to gear up for the holiday.  Your family will love the thought you put into creating a fun, themed dish, and you will love how quick and easy the recipes are.  I have quite a few recipe ideas to share with you that are great for a family meal, snack, or appetizer. Let’s start with appetizers! Jalapeño Mummies – think jalapeño popper when you think of this recipe as they are very similar in concept.  However, I’ve taken crescent rolls, cut them into strips, and wrapped them around the filled jalapeños to create the look of a mummy – spooky and delicious!  These mummies are creamy, spicy, and loaded with flavor.   The recipe can be found here. Cream Cheese Bat Wontons – these are essentially cream cheese wontons formed to look like … Continue reading

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Summer has come to an end and fall is officially here. For our family, summer is all about having fun and indulging. Family vacations, entertaining the neighbors, barbeques, the Minnesota State Fair and lots of birthday parties are all things that we enjoy during the summer. The parties don’t end in the fall, but choosing some healthier options is a must for me.   With this change of seasons and transition back to a more regular schedule, I’m also ready to make some healthy changes to my nutrition so that I can get my sugar cravings under control, have more energy and simply nourish my body with clean, whole foods. I’ve found the Whole30 program to be a valuable tool that I keep in my back pocket for when I’m feeling the need to reset my eating habits and relationship with food. I commit to 30 days of consuming unprocessed … Continue reading

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Any meal with pumpkin in it is the definition of fall.  Some are skeptical of pumpkin being a pasta sauce and I used to agree with them…until I tried it!  Let me tell you, it was delicious!  It’s a great mix of unusual flavors that actually complement each other very well.  The recipe I would like to share with you today is for Cheese Ravioli with Pumpkin Alfredo. The sauce is creamy and luscious, and a great autumn flavor as opposed to traditional Alfredo.  I chose to use cheese ravioli, but you could substitute any flavor of ravioli or even use tortellini in this dish.  You could also made homemade ravioli if you have the necessary tools, and time.  Otherwise, store-bought ravioli will work just fine.  (Not only can I cook but I can also rhyme 🙂 ) The recipe can be found here. Start by boiling a pot of … Continue reading

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Homemade tomato soup is quite possibly one of the best comfort foods you can have.  It’s rich and creamy, smooth in texture, and keeps you warm on a crisp fall day or cold winter night.  I want to share a recipe with a slight twist on traditional tomato soup because it includes 3 cheese tortellini.  This is a one pot meal that won’t disappoint. The recipe can be found here, and this is how you make it: Start by gathering all your ingredients and measuring out quantities.  I think this really helps assemble the soup because ingredients are ready to pour in when the necessary step is reached. Heat oil in the bottom of a large pot.  Add the garlic and sauté until the garlic turns a golden-brown color. Next add the tomato soup, sun dried tomatoes, milk, half and half, chicken stock, and spices.  Stir to combine and bring … Continue reading

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Zucchini noodles are all the rage and a low carb way of enjoying pasta.  If you have a spiralizer you can easily make your own “zoodles” but if you don’t have a spiralizer you can find pre-spiraled noodles at your local Festival Foods.  I think zoodles are a light yet delicious substitution for traditional pasta noodles.  They will fill you up but without the heavy, overly-full feeling, if that makes sense. My new favorite recipe is Zucchini Noodles with Pesto Chicken.  It’s super easy to make and only takes a few ingredients! The recipe can be found here. Start by marinating the chicken.  Place the chicken in a Ziploc bag with some pesto, salt, and pepper.  Shake to combine and place in the fridge for 30 minutes.  I think this is the best method if you are going to grill or sauté the chicken.  I prefer to bake the chicken, … Continue reading

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Chicken Lo Mein is a quick and easy meal to satisfy your cravings.  It can be made in about 30 minutes so it’s perfect for a weeknight meal or when you need to whip something up on a busy weekend with little time.  Plus, it’s enough for 4 so the whole family can enjoy this dish…. or you can enjoy it by yourself with plenty of leftovers 🙂 The recipe can be found here. Start by boiling water and cooking your noodles.  I like to use angel hair noodles or thin spaghetti noodles, but you can use any long noodle.  I’ve also made this dish with whole wheat noodles and you can’t tell a difference (if you’re cooking for a picky eater). Next cut the chicken into cubes.  Then heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook through. While the chicken is cooking, work on chopping your veggies.  I … Continue reading

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It’s the time of year for all the pumpkin flavored lattes, pancakes, cookies, pasta, etc. starts popping up.  If you can eat it, I’m sure someone has tried adding pumpkin flavoring to it!  It’s a craze that I’m more than happy to participate in 🙂 But, another fall favorite I don’t think gets enough credit is apple cider. I thought it would be fun to do a taste test of pumpkin vs apple cider with breakfast foods to see which the fan favorite is.  I made the same two items with both flavors. Apple Cider French Toast Apple Cider Waffles Pumpkin French Toast Pumpkin Waffles   All recipes are made the traditional way, except you either add pumpkin or apple cider, or substitute it for another ingredient.  I chose to make french toast sticks and sliced the bread into 3 pieces, but you can leave the bread whole if you prefer.  I also used a … Continue reading

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Fall will be here before you know it.  The leaves are already starting to change colors, the weather is cooling down, and our appetites are changing from light and refreshing foods to warm and comforting foods.  One of my favorite recipes for fall (or winter, but I’m not ready for those cold temps yet) is Chicken Wild Rice Soup.  The recipe can be found here. This flavorful soup is hearty and delicious, and loaded with fresh vegetables, chicken, and wild rice.  It’s an incredibly satisfying meal on a cool fall day.  Here’s how you make it: Start by making the wild rice according to package instructions.  The rice can then be set aside until you are ready to use. Next, chop your veggies – onions, celery, leeks, mushrooms, carrots, parsley, and thyme.  This will help speed up the cooking process if all ingredients are ready to go.  I like to put each veggie in a bowl, so I … Continue reading

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