Category: Recipes

How to make the perfect lettuce bun

How to make the perfect lettuce bun

There are many reasons to use lettuce instead of a bun for a burger. Here’s how to make the perfect lettuce bun using iceberg lettuce. If you’ve ever been watching carbs, eating keto, or wanting to increase your vegetable intake, chances are you’ve ordered a 

Mini Beef Meatballs for Soup

Mini Beef Meatballs for Soup

These Mini Beef Meatballs are a perfect addition to soup. And, they are so simple to pull together with just 5 ingredients.

Easy Homemade Ghee

Easy Homemade Ghee

Homemade ghee is easy to make and less expensive than store bought. When you see butter on sale, it’s the perfect time to buy extra to make this easy homemade ghee. Ghee has a high smoke-point. Therefore, it’s perfect for frying, sauteing, and roasting meat, 

Braised Pot Roast—Low and Slow in the Oven

Braised Pot Roast—Low and Slow in the Oven

Braising a pot roast low and slow in the oven is the absolute best way to guarantee a fall-apart, moist, and tender pot roast. I have made a few overcooked dry pot roasts. So, I can tell you with absolute certainty, the foolproof way to 

Prime Rib Seasoning

Prime Rib Seasoning

Prime Rib Seasoning is easy to make. You’ll want to make it in large batches. This is like having your own top-secret house seasoning, because not only can it be used on its namesake rib roast, but also great on steaks, burgers, and more. And, 

Homemade Cranberry Sauce with Honey

Homemade Cranberry Sauce with Honey

As I become more of a nutrivore (someone who pays attention to the nutrient density of their food), I tend to challenge myself to make family favorites from scratch with the healthiest most nutritious ingredients. This recipe for homemade cranberry sauce is healthier than the 

French Chicken in a Pot with Garlic and Herbs

French Chicken in a Pot with Garlic and Herbs

I’ve been making French Chicken in a Pot with Garlic and Herbs for years. It’s a lovely fall and winter dish because it slow braises in a Dutch oven for 1 hour and 45 minutes. Besides searing the garlic cloves, vegetables, and chicken the bulk 

How to Roast a Whole Spaghetti Squash

How to Roast a Whole Spaghetti Squash

Yes, it is possible to roast a whole spaghetti squash without cutting it in half first! Most posts I see on the internet call for cutting a spaghetti squash in half. I have a large sharp knife but I still don’t like cutting it in 

How to Host a Raclette Party

How to Host a Raclette Party

If you want to host a memorable and fun party without too much cooking, raclette is the answer. Raclette originated in Switzerland and is a type of fondue. Not the type where you dip bread in a communal pot. Instead, there is an electric table 

Wild Cod Cakes

Wild Cod Cakes

Not too long ago, a friend invited us over for some crab cakes. She received a tub of fresh crab cake mix from G & M Restaurant via Fed Ex for her birthday. They were amazing. So, I started to wonder if I could make 

The Best Baked Sweet Potato Fries

The Best Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Do you want to know the secret to making the best baked sweet potato fries? It’s the potato. My favorite market, Jimbo’s, carries three to four kinds of sweet potatoes on a regular basis. You can see them from left to right in the picture 

Simple Homemade Remoulade

Simple Homemade Remoulade

What is Remoulade A simple homemade remoulade is a mayonnaise based condiment and you likely have the herbs and spices on hand. You don’t have to use ingredients like capers, cornishones, but you can add them if you want. Remoulade is a delicious dipping sauce 

Homemade Seasoned Salt

Homemade Seasoned Salt

Why make your own seasoned salt? There are several benefits of making your own homemade seasoned salt. First, you know exactly what is in the blend. So, if there is a certain flavor you like, you can elevate it even more! Want more garlic? Add 

The Best Two-Ingredient Fry Sauce

The Best Two-Ingredient Fry Sauce

I’m about to share with you the best (and easiest) two-ingredient fry sauce in my humble opinion. The best because it uses something better than plain ketchup as the counterpart (not that there is anything wrong with ketchup). The easiest because there are two ingredients 

Caesar Salad Dressing (Outback Copycat)

Caesar Salad Dressing (Outback Copycat)

After several trips to Outback, I can make my own Copycat version of their Caesar Salad Dressing. My husband and I love Outback’s Caesar salad. We order it every time. As a matter of fact, Caesar salad was the only salad my husband would eat 

Easy Chicken Marsala

Easy Chicken Marsala

I’ve had a bottle of Marsala wine in my pantry longer than I care to admit. And, I’ve been meaning to use it to make Chicken Marsala. Finally, I got around to it. I have no idea why I waited so long. It’s not a 

Pan-Seared Oven-Finished Tri-Tip

Pan-Seared Oven-Finished Tri-Tip

This Pan-Seared Oven-Finished Tri-Tip has a robust beefy flavor, and is easy enough for a weeknight meal. I never had a tri-tip until I lived in California, and even then I didn’t know what to do with it, so I made these Slow Cooker Tri-Tip 

Broccoli-Potato Mash Up

Broccoli-Potato Mash Up

This Broccoli-Potato Mash Up is a new family favorite. The mash up between these two vegetables does not take any longer to cook than making normal mash potatoes. And, it’s a great way to sneak in an extra vegetable serving. Sure, you could have mashed 

Broiled Flank or Skirt Steak

Broiled Flank or Skirt Steak

Guess what? You don’t need a barbecue to make delicious flank steak or skirt steak. All you need is a clean oven heated to the broiler setting. The clean oven tip is from a cautionary tale. Since, an oven on broil gets to 500 degrees, 

Copycat Original Open Pit Barbecue Sauce

Copycat Original Open Pit Barbecue Sauce

My Mom is practically famous for her oven-roasted spare ribs. We have this “thing” where the family member who is celebrating a birthday can choose what they want for their birthday dinner. Hands down my husband would choose my Mom’s Oven-Roasted Barbecue Ribs. As you 

Mom’s Classic Deviled Eggs

Mom’s Classic Deviled Eggs

I have been making my Mom’s Classic Deviled Eggs for years. Mom would make them for almost every family gathering and party. If people were coming over for Christmas dinner, New Years Day, a Superbowl party, Easter dinner, or a summer barbecue then most likely 

Easy-To-Peel Hard Boiled Eggs

Easy-To-Peel Hard Boiled Eggs

Why hard boiled eggs can be challenging for home cooks Something that seems so simple, boiling an egg, can be a challenge. On the one hand, there are two ingredients eggs and water. Yet, I’ve had under cooked, over cooked eggs with a green ring, 

Perfect Sauteed Zucchini

Perfect Sauteed Zucchini

I’ve been making sauteed zucchini for years but only recently (and by accident) did I discover the ultimate secret to perfectly sauteed zucchini. Here are a few important tips. Tip 1: whether keeping the zucchini sliced in half or quartered the seeds must removed. If 

Arugula Walnut Pesto

Arugula Walnut Pesto

Sometimes you just need a sauce to take an ordinary dish to an extraordinary dish. Arugula walnut pesto is a universal sauce that can be used on roasted vegetables, grilled chicken, sauteed fish, scrambled eggs, and pasta. Not only does it taste delicious but it’s 

Whole30 – Paleo Turkey Chili Verde

Whole30 – Paleo Turkey Chili Verde

When I did my first Whole30 challenge I wasn’t sure if I would like chili without beans. How silly. Yes, chili tastes just fine without beans! This turkey chili has such a unique flavor profile my husband and my guests rave about it. What’s funny 

Whole30 – Paleo Ranch Dressing

Whole30 – Paleo Ranch Dressing

Ranch dressing is one of America’s most popular dressings and dips. We use it for salads and dips for chicken nuggets, veggies, and more. If you tolerate dairy products, check out my original Ranch Dressing and Dip recipe. For those following Whole30 and Paleo diets, 

Steak Nicoise Salad with Blanched Green Beans & Cashew-Lime Vinaigrette

Steak Nicoise Salad with Blanched Green Beans & Cashew-Lime Vinaigrette

This is one of our favorite meals to serve to guests.  I’ve served this hearty salad after-church for a Sunday lunch as well as a weeknight dinner for guests. Actually, this is more than a mere salad. It’s a meat-and-potato salad. This is a meal 

Cashew-Lime Vinaigrette

Cashew-Lime Vinaigrette

This vinaigrette is delicious and satiating. It’s wonderful with steak or chicken entree salads. One guest said, “Wow, this dressing really makes the salad.” You can also use this vinaigrette as a dip for spring rolls. Cashew-Lime Vinaigrette1/2 cup lime juice (about 5 limes)1/4 cup 

Mini-Pepper Nachos

Mini-Pepper Nachos

Finally, a whole-food healthy version of nachos. These delightful bites are grain-free and dairy-free. Plus, peppers are a good source of vitamin C. Whether you want to enjoy a nutritious appetizer or introduce others to a healthier option these mini-pepper nachos are easy to make 

5-Ingredient Balsamic Vinaigrette

5-Ingredient Balsamic Vinaigrette

Making a simple vinaigrette only adds an additional five minutes of prep time and yields many benefits. Just think about it. You’ll know all the ingredients your dressing contains. You can control the amount of sugar or leave it out all together. Have you ever 

Blanched Green Beans

Blanched Green Beans

I love going to a produce store and seeing bins of fresh vegetables like snow peas, snap peas, mushrooms, and green beans up for grabs. You can buy as many or as little as you need, and you can hand-pick them to be uniform. It’s 

Not-Your-Ordinary Meatloaf

Not-Your-Ordinary Meatloaf

What do you think of when you hear the word “meatloaf?” For some, it may be an all-beef meatloaf with a ketchup glaze. Others may think of  a meatloaf with a thick gravy on the side. This recipe is not all beef, does not have 

Greek Turkey Meatballs (Keftedes)

Greek Turkey Meatballs (Keftedes)

Yes, you can make Greek meatballs using ground turkey. My husband and I love my all-beef Greek Meatballs. We often serve them to guests with rave reviews. I wondered if they would taste just as good with extra-lean ground turkey. The answer is yes! The 

Delicious and Detoxifying Broccoli Soup

Delicious and Detoxifying Broccoli Soup

Vegetables are such an important part of our diet and most people don’t eat nearly enough. Vegetables are loaded with important vitamins, minerals, polyphenols, phytochemicals, and fiber. Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable and it is especially beneficial—like medicine. Making cruciferous vegetables a regular part of 

Roasted Delicata Squash

Roasted Delicata Squash

I’m not sure where I’ve been that I have not heard of delicata squash until this year. A couple months ago a dear friend had a small birthday party for me. It was a delightful party for eight. We enjoyed appetizers and conversation outside while 

Blistered Shishito Peppers

Blistered Shishito Peppers

The first time I had blistered shishito peppers was at a speak-easy in Ft. Collins, Colorado called The Social. My husband and I celebrated many special occasions there: birthdays, anniversaries, and out-of-town guests. They had the best atmosphere (in the basement of a building like 

Wonton-less Soup

Wonton-less Soup

I love getting the wonton soup that comes with my dinner at Chinese restaurants. It qualifies as comfort food. If we are honest with ourselves, some wonton soups are better than others. Who knows what’s in the soup from restaurant to restaurant. Does it have 

Turkey Brine

Turkey Brine

We shouldn’t automatically brine a turkey. It depends on the turkey. If we buy a self-basting turkey then we ought not to brine because it will be too salty. Essentially, it’s already brined. This year I bought a heritage turkey from a small family operated 

Southwestern-Style Hamburger Soup

Southwestern-Style Hamburger Soup

Leaving behind processed foods and embracing a more whole and real food diet can sometimes be a shock to the wallet. Why is it that food not good for us costs less? Why does eating healthy cost more? Hmm. I’ll have to save that for 

Super Crispy-Baked Chicken Thighs

Super Crispy-Baked Chicken Thighs

There is nothing like crispy chicken skin. It’s to chicken what bacon is to pork. I remember fighting to get “one more bite” of chicken skin as a kid. Then sadly during the low-fat craze of the 80’s and 90’s the family threw it away 

Simple Sauteed Green Beans Inspired by Boston Market

Simple Sauteed Green Beans Inspired by Boston Market

I have been making this recipe for years, roughly since the early 2000’s when one night I contemplated and savored what I loved about Boston Market’s green beans (which now appears only on the catering menu). So, now you can make them at home. I’ve 

Mom’s Fried Potatoes

Mom’s Fried Potatoes

These potatoes  remind me of my childhood. Mom’s fried potatoes were one of my favorite side dishes growing up. I remember when I was old enough, Mom put me in charge of flipping the potato slices. One of the many ways she introduced me to 


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