Category: Recipes

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 

Avocado-Cilantro Lime Dressing

Avocado-Cilantro Lime Dressing

When I first made this salad dressing ten years ago, my husband wasn’t fond of it. For those who are trying to transition their families to healthier recipes, I’d like to offer some hope and insight. I can now fast forward 10 years later from 

Zucchini, Yellow Squash, Eggplant, and Onions on the Barbeque

Zucchini, Yellow Squash, Eggplant, and Onions on the Barbeque

There are many variations of vegetables you can grill on the barbecue. Here is a combo of vegetables that are readily available through, spring, summer, and fall. All you need is sliced vegetables, olive oil, salt, and pepper to grill a delicious side dish. Eating 

Basil Pesto (Dairy Free)

Basil Pesto (Dairy Free)

Can you make pesto without cheese? Yes! The last time I went to the store they had large tubs of basil and I couldn’t resist. The weather is good enough to grill now and basil screams summer to me. I love pesto with pasta, of 

Tomato and Zucchini Frittata (Dairy Free)

Tomato and Zucchini Frittata (Dairy Free)

I love my original Zucchini Frittata recipe. However, many people can’t have cheese or choose not to have cheese if they are doing a 30-day elimination diet. So, I altered my original recipe to create this dairy free version. The main difference is this frittata 

Roasted Broccoli with Lemon-Garlic Gremolata

Roasted Broccoli with Lemon-Garlic Gremolata

We all know that broccoli is good for us. Why exactly? It provides vitamin K, vitamin C, a variety of B vitamins, calcium, potassium, loads of amino acids, and fiber. Not to mention broccoli contains cancer-fighting antioxidants and feeds your gut microbiome.  Until recently, I’ve 

Hamburger Salad with Bacon and Onion Relish and Sweet Potato Croutons

Hamburger Salad with Bacon and Onion Relish and Sweet Potato Croutons

If you are carb conscious one of the very first things you learn is skip the bun on a burger and swap it for a lettuce wrap, or have the burger with a side salad. That’s why I love Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar. They have 

Spicy Sweet Potato Home Fries

Spicy Sweet Potato Home Fries

Doing a Whole30 challenge brought sweet potatoes back into my life. I shunned all potatoes, fruit, and starchy vegetables for far too long. I put them in a “bad food” category. I’m recovered from that thinking. I now know that they are good for me 

Mom’s Juicy Ginger-Beer Ham

Mom’s Juicy Ginger-Beer Ham

I periodically get nostalgic for my Mom’s Juicy Ginger-Beer Ham. She served it to our family both at Christmas and Easter. As a child I remember grumbling to my mom about having ham and potato salad twice a year while only having turkey and stuffing 

Mom’s Hamburger Gravy (Makeover)

Mom’s Hamburger Gravy (Makeover)

Hamburger gravy is something that my Mom made often when I was growing up. It was one of my favorites. I decided it was time to give mom’s recipe a make over in order to replace that beloved can of cream of mushroom soup with 

Homemade Chicken Stock (Stove Top, Pressure Cooker, and Slow Cooker Methods)

Homemade Chicken Stock (Stove Top, Pressure Cooker, and Slow Cooker Methods)

I have been making homemade chicken stock for years. I started making stock from scratch because I wanted to know exactly what I was eating, and I thought it would taste better. It does taste better! A lot better as a matter of fact. Years 

Housemade Southwest Seasoning

Housemade Southwest Seasoning

When my husband and I lived in Michigan there was an Outback Steakhouse right down the street. We often would “belly-up” to the bar and order wings for an appetizer. If we didn’t get steak for our entrees we would order salmon or pork. The 

Smashed Cauliflower “Potatoes” (3 Ways)

Smashed Cauliflower “Potatoes” (3 Ways)

I originally posted this recipe in 2009. Since then it’s received over 30,000 views. I would love to think that I’ve helped families embrace cauliflower and not be so dependent on potatoes for every meal. Don’t get me wrong. I love potatoes and believe they 

Sweet Potato Hash with Chorizo, Onion, and Asparagus

Sweet Potato Hash with Chorizo, Onion, and Asparagus

I have been aware of the term Whole30 for awhile. Someone I knew did a Whole30 challenge about a year ago and I could tell she lost weight. Recently, another friend on Facebook posted a picture after completing the challenge so I visited Whole30.com to 

Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Balsamic, and Dried Cherries

Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Balsamic, and Dried Cherries

Brussels sprouts weren’t on my radar. I don’t remember the first time I had them. I don’t remember my mom making them. My best guess is that I was at a restaurant that served them roasted. I was probably at a steak place with friends 

Pan-Seared Flat Iron Steak with Chimichurri Sauce

Pan-Seared Flat Iron Steak with Chimichurri Sauce

Flat iron steak is my new favorite steak for two main reasons. One, it tends to be a bit less expensive than flank steak. Two, it’s easy to cut into even portions which is perfect for entertaining. The other day I bought a 1.5 pound 

Simple Chimichurri Sauce

Simple Chimichurri Sauce

Chimichurri is a sauce or marinade for grilled meats and vegetables. The main ingredients are parsley, olive oil and a little acid. The sauce can very greatly from recipe to recipe. Personally, I don’t like too much vinegar or acid. Also, I don’t like it 

Brisket in Half the Time [Gas-Grilled and Oven-Finished]

Brisket in Half the Time [Gas-Grilled and Oven-Finished]

When you don’t have time (or a smoker) you can make brisket in half the time using a gas grill and finish it in the oven. For the last three years my husband and I have bought a half side of beef. It’s an amazing 

Classic Broccoli Salad with Bacon

Classic Broccoli Salad with Bacon

If you’ve been to a picnic or a church potluck then chances are you’ve seen Broccoli Salad. I often see Broccoli Salad for sale at stores in the deli section. What makes this recipe unique is bacon, dried cherries, and shelled pumpkin seeds. To the 

Summer Garden Vegetable Bolognese in a Slow Cooker

Summer Garden Vegetable Bolognese in a Slow Cooker

Whether you are enjoying the bountiful abundance of vegetables from the produce section of your grocery store, your local farmer’s market, or your own garden this is a delicious way to infuse more veggies in an otherwise traditional pasta sauce. Pasta used to be a 

Tuscan Lemon and Rosemary Spatchcock Chicken on a Gas Grill

Tuscan Lemon and Rosemary Spatchcock Chicken on a Gas Grill

I love to grill chicken as long as the temperature is warm enough. I plan on doing as much outdoor grilling as possible. Two of my favorite things about grilling: That open-flame flavor (especially if I add wood chips on the grill). A clean kitchen 

Cheeseburger Cauliflower Helper (Low-Carb Comfort Food)

Cheeseburger Cauliflower Helper (Low-Carb Comfort Food)

Raise your hand if you’ve had at least one box of “Hamburger Helper” in your lifetime. We all love those one pan meals! Now we can enjoy some nostalgia with a simple low-carb version and stay in ketosis. I’ve made this once a week for 

Gas-Grilled Chicken Thighs with an Asian Flair

Gas-Grilled Chicken Thighs with an Asian Flair

I thought I bought three packs of chicken breasts. But, no, turns out I bought boneless skinless chicken thighs. I must say that thighs are not my favorite. As a matter of fact, it’s only in the last couple of years that I’ve started liking 

The Famous Hummer Cocktail (Kahlua, Rum, and Vanilla Ice Cream)

The Famous Hummer Cocktail (Kahlua, Rum, and Vanilla Ice Cream)

If you want to put your summer dinner guests into a state of bliss, this dessert-type cocktail is the answer. I was introduced to “The Hummer” by the mixologist himself at the Bayview Yacht Club.  Back in the day, when my husband was working red-capet 

Bacon and Onion Relish (Perfect for a Burger Bar)

Bacon and Onion Relish (Perfect for a Burger Bar)

Recently, friends invited my husband and I to a dinner party where the theme was “burgers.”  Everyone was supposed to bring a burger condiment as well as a side dish or dessert.  I decided to bring a bacon and onion relish. It was a huge 

Tex-Mex Feast for a Crowd (Carnitas, Beans, Rice, and Fixings)

Tex-Mex Feast for a Crowd (Carnitas, Beans, Rice, and Fixings)

My husband and I love hosting big parties at least once a year. By big, I mean big. We hosted over 60 people on July 4th last year, and we counted 56 this year. We host other dinner parties throughout the year but this one 

Pan Pizza—Restaurant Style (Made at Home)

Pan Pizza—Restaurant Style (Made at Home)

The first time I had Pan Pizza—Restaurant Style at a friend’s house I begged shamelessly for the recipe. When I make this for guests they tell me it’s better than what they get at restaurants. You see, the “pizza lady’s” husband actually managed Pizza Huts 

Cheeseburger Salad

Cheeseburger Salad

If you are one of the many people making low-carb recipes a part of their lifestyle then this recipe might come in handy. I was able to transition from “needing” a bun to just putting the burger on a salad.  This is one of my 

Homemade Ranch Dressing (and Dip)

Homemade Ranch Dressing (and Dip)

I love the convenience of bottled salad dressings, but equally important is knowing exactly what all the ingredients are in those type of convenience foods. If I buy salad dressing from a store I prefer to buy the kind that needs to be refrigerated. The 

Oven-Roasted Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Cilantro-Butter Pan Sauce

Oven-Roasted Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Cilantro-Butter Pan Sauce

I have so many cookbooks and magazines. Like many foodies I love them all and can’t part with any of them so my collection keeps growing! I do have an online source that I turn to quite often. I have an all-access pass to Cook’s 

Keftedes (Greek Meatballs)

Keftedes (Greek Meatballs)

This is one of my favorite tried and true recipes. I’ve been making this recipe for over 10 years and I’ve made it dozens and dozens of times. I make them just for my husband and me. I make them for guests and they love 

Spinach, Tomato, and Feta Frittata

Spinach, Tomato, and Feta Frittata

I have been on a major frittata kick lately. It seems that between leftovers and the staples I have in my my refrigerator I can make a frittata out of just about anything. The flavor combination of spinach, tomato, and feta makes for an especially 

Greek-Inspired Salad with Cannellini Beans, Red Onions, and Feta

Greek-Inspired Salad with Cannellini Beans, Red Onions, and Feta

I don’t know why I have waited so long to blog about this salad. My husband and I have enjoyed this salad for years. We serve it to company. You can serve it family-style, split between six bowls, or split between two bowls. Add some 

Egg Salad Lettuce Wraps

Egg Salad Lettuce Wraps

Lettuce leaves make a great vehicle for low carb meals and snacks. Recently, I was craving an egg salad sandwich, but I didn’t want to have the added carbs with this particular meal. I thought why not put it in a lettuce leaf. This seems 

Lentil and Vegetable Chili

Lentil and Vegetable Chili

I love making a big pot of chili for dinner. I have made chili with ground beef, chili with ground turkey, and chili with leftover roasted turkey. All of these variations are delicious. I crave them all from time to time. I couldn’t help but 


Verified by MonsterInsights