Up until I was around 16 or 17 I hated salads. The only time I would ever eat one is if it was made up of iceberg lettuce and pools of ranch. The most adventurous I got with the vegetables was carrots and cucumbers. So because of that, I still struggle with creating really delicious and interesting salads because I didn't start experimenting until I was older...but this one is awesome! It's ...
30 Minute One Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Broccoli Cheddar Soup is one of my favorite things ever. I don't know why it's so good...I mean, broccoli is pretty good but it's not absolutely delicious or anything. But when you throw it in a soup with some cheese it become sooo yummy. Not to mention a great way to sneak some broccoli into your kids' bellies. This recipe has two whole heads of it, so it's not a small amount! This is such an ...
Black Bean and Quinoa Burgers with Roasted Jalapeno Ranch
These burgers are just as good as a beef burger. Maybe even better! The seasonings in the patty make this burger so delicious. I read somewhere a looong time ago that using cumin in vegetarian cooking is a good trick because it makes things taste meatier...I could have dreamed that, but I swear I remember reading it somewhere. So because of this (possibly fake) trick, I use cumin when I am making ...
Roasted Jalapeno Ranch
I have two AWESOME best friends that I've known since I was 5 years old. We all grew up with each other and were in school together from 1st grade to our college graduation. They were both my maids of honor (jointly) at my wedding, and we now live in three separate states...which is very sad. There is a restaurant in the town where all three of us went to college called "The Rock," and one of ...
Mexican Hot Chocolate Truffle Balls
Seriously. These. Are. The. Best. Things. Ever. First of all....its a truffle...that you drop in hot milk...and it turns into rich hot chocolate. Second of all...it's Mexican chocolate, so there is cinnamon, ginger, and a touch of cayenne that brings this hot chocolate to the next level. Not even the next level. The level 57 billion levels above the next level. By the way, like my Peppermint Bark ...
Peppermint Bark Oreo Pops
Alright, so first of all...try to ignore the subscript under the title of this blog that says "Light food that doesn't skimp on flavor"....because this recipe definitely isn't light. But, come on...its Christmas! No matter how healthy you like to eat, there are certain occasions in which you have to let that go and indulge in junk food. Christmas is DEFINITELY one of those occasions. If you are ...
THE Best Mac and Cheese Ever
This is THE BEST Mac and Cheese EVER. It is so good. It has everything that Mac and Cheese should have: perfectly cooked macaroni, cheesy creamy sauce, a crispy top, everything. My husband had like 5 bowls of it. We finished an entire 9x13 pan. Make this Mac and Cheese as a side dish for Thanksgiving this year. Everyone will love it. This is our second Thanksgiving side dish recipe this week, ...
Pumpkin Barley Risotto with Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving! Thannkkksssgiiivvinggg!!! I feel like Thanksgiving is a particularly fun holiday for anyone who loves to cook. I actually enjoy the cooking more than the eating... Don't get me wrong, I love the eating portion of the day too, but I love being in the kitchen with a bunch of people that are all cooking together. It's one of my favorite things ever. So this week I ...
30 Minute Garlic Rosemary Focaccia
There is a secret ingredient in this recipe that will make it the easiest focaccia bread you have ever made or ever will make for the rest of your entire life. Store bought pizza dough! I literally preheated the oven, rolled out some dough, chopped garlic and rosemary, drizzled some olive oil, and that's it. No mixing, no kneading, no resting. Now if you would rather make your own pizza dough ...
Almond Butter “Reese’s Cups” with Sea Salt
Reese's Cups really are one of the best candies out there. And they are so simple! Just chocolate and peanut butter. So why not just make your own? These "Reese's Cups" are not only super easy, they are much better for you than the real thing. They use semi-sweet instead of milk chocolate, and they use almond butter instead of the super sugar packed "peanut butter" inside a Reese's Cup. But I ...