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, …

Prime Rib Rub 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 it’s also great on steaks, burgers, and …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

This Caesar Salad Dressing (Outback Copycat) has a mayonnaise base, does not require a raw egg, and tastes just like Outback’s 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 …

Broccoli-Potato Mash Up is a delicious combination and the perfect solution for picky eaters who wouldn’t otherwise eat broccoli.

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 …

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 …

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, …

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 for making Perfect Sauteed Zucchini: Whether keeping the zucchini sliced in half or quartered the seeds …

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 …

This Dairy-Free Ranch Dressing is a Whole30 and Paleo friendly version of America’s favorite dressing. We use it for salads and dips, for chicken nuggets, veggie trays, and more. If you tolerate dairy products, check out my original Ranch Dressing and Dip recipe. There are …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

In a quest to bring a Chipotle restaurant experience to a very large dinner party, I included “Cilantro-Lime Rice” on the menu.  I have a Chipotle restaurant near by from which my husband and I periodically enjoy tacos and salads. Someone at my party said …

In full disclosure this is a semi-homemade salsa because this recipe uses canned tomatoes. Someday if I run across amazing tomatoes from a farmer’s market, or if I grow my own then I’ll make a 100% homemade version. That said, this salsa tastes so fresh …

This salad is a family favorite. We eat it all the time. My father-in-law recently stayed with us and when I asked him what some of his favorite “bites” were during his stay the first thing he said was “Caesar salad.” Wow. I was surprised…a …

What is the deal with not being able to get Open Pit west of the Mississippi? I’m not sure where the real shipping line stops, but I’m not the only one lamenting this foodie issue. For the last 7 years I’ve lived west of the …

My husband and I had the privilege to vacation in Costa Rica a couple of months ago. One of many activities that we enjoyed was going to Rainforest Spices. Of all the things people can do on vacation you probably wouldn’t think that going to …

This is not-your-ordinary fruit salad because tomatoes, olives, and avocados are not often thought of as fruits. Technically, they are fruits. Add apples to the ingredient list and that makes four fruits in this salad. This salad is a bit like a party in your …

When I was a kid I loved when my Mom made her recipe for wax beans with buttered bread crumbs. She often served them with pork chops. As I got older, I even remember begging her to make bigger batches. I would have been happy …

One of the more popular posts on this site is for a steakhouse baked potato.  It’s a recipe for a crispy-skinned Russet potato. However, there is more than one kind of potato that you can get at most steakhouses.  Let’s not forget the sweet potato! …

Everyone loves my Mom’s potato salad—even when I make it! I have been making my mom’s potato salad for several years, mostly for large gatherings. I’ve made  it for 4th of July parties, potlucks, and even a wedding with hundreds of people. This is one …

If you are trying to reduce the amount of your sugar intake in your daily diet be sure to check the ingredient list of your salad dressing. I’ve read the back of a few bottles of dressing, and not recognized an ingredient or two. Now, …

Cauliflower Gratin is one of my favorite cauliflower recipes. Although my “Smashed-cauliflower Potatoes” are a close second, I have literally made this cauliflower gratin dozens of times. I love that I can have a large portion of it if I’m especially hungry. It’s a delicious …

The following recipe is one of my brother’s go-to recipes. He has made it so many times that he no longer needs the original recipe, and now just cooks it by feel and what looks good. I love when that happens! It all started one …