The Super Bowl is coming up and if you made a resolution to stick to a healthy diet this year, this day could really test your willpower! Instead of sitting as far away from the snack table as you can, try this ‘skinny’ approach to mozzarella sticks! They have all the flavor, crunchy outside, and gooey melted cheese inside as regular mozzarella sticks, but a fraction of the calories! I… Keep Reading
Ohh January.. the month of new diets, cleanses, and gym memberships. It’s always great to start a new year off with the intentions of making it a happier and healthier one, but it doesn’t mean you have to eat nothing but rice cakes and water! If you haven’t tried out quinoa yet, you need to get on it! It’s a great alternative to starchy rice or other pastas and it… Keep Reading
I’ll be the first to admit it.. I only watch the Superbowl as an excuse to indulge in a lot of food and beer! Don’t be upset with me football fans! Its sporting events like the Superbowl that inspire me to create delicious concoctions like this one! As soon as this came out of the oven, I quickly dug in and devoured nearly half of it in a matter of… Keep Reading
I’ve never been a big fan of cranberry sauce, jelly, or even yams by themselves, but I still wanted to incorporate them into our Thanksgiving dinner. I made this dish last year and I’m so glad that I did! it was a huge hit and now a staple for our Thanksgiving meal. Caramelized in brown sugar, cinnamon, and Sailor Jerry Rum, this will quickly become a favorite of yours too!
Whenever I tell someone that I’m cooking quinoa the response I get back is usually, “Keen-what?!” If you’re unfamiliar with this super seed, quinoa is much like rice, but with more fiber, protein, and vitamins. You won’t be left with that bloated feeling that rice gives you after eating either. I adapted my cilantro and lime rice recipe using quinoa instead and it’s now my go-to side dish for chicken,… Keep Reading
What a difference one year makes.. This recipe is actually an old one that I’ve updated the photos on because.. well.. they were downright awful! I didn’t know much about lighting, angles, or presentation. I’m still learning every day and doing the best that I can with the camera I have, but they now look a bit more appetizing than before! 😉 Sweet mashed potatoes are delicious and perfect for… Keep Reading
Game day parties are already in full swing this season, so whip up a zesty hot onion and cheese dip for your guests to enjoy! Just a few simple ingredients and 30 minutes in the oven for a delicious dip that’s perfect for chilly fall days
One of my closest friends back home is due in November and her biggest pregnancy craving has been hot wings! I posted these last November in the beginning of my blogging days and the photos were pretty awful… Food photography 101: DON’T USE THE FLASH! I decided to redo the recipe and of course the photos to do these delicious spicy hot wings the justice they deserve. Channing.. this one… Keep Reading
Summer is coming to a close and if you kept a garden this year, you might be wondering what to make with your last harvest. Look no further than this simple hummus recipe made with roasted tomatoes, garlic and fresh basil leaves!
The day I made these I had mentioned something about it on Facebook and immediately the response was, “WASABI? WASABI MASHED POTATOES?!” I get it.. it’s an unlikely combination, but by no means a displeasing one! I tried them at a restaurant nearly a year ago and I’ve wanted to make my own ever since. They turned out to be just as delicious and much easier to make than I thought!… Keep Reading
A few weeks ago we stopped at a great Southern-style cooking restaurant for some food after the big move. The food was phenomenal, but I wished I would have ordered another side of collard greens! I’ll admit that I was a little hesitant to try them in the beginning.. it just looked like soggy cooked lettuce to me, but I’m so happy I got over that! To satisfy my craving… Keep Reading
Since I’m originally from Iowa, I’ve avoided putting a corn recipe on the blog in fear of confirming everyone’s stereotype that Iowans are just corn-fed Midwesterners who have acres of farmland and hogs in their backyard. I assure you this is not the case… for most! Despite the ‘Children of the Corn’ stereotype, they do have some of the best sweet corn in the world and aside from friends and… Keep Reading
I’m not really a fan of blog recipes with long stories that have nothing to do with the recipe itself, but this is too good not to talk about and it does have a little to do with the recipe.. When I set out to find a nice goat cheese with herbs in it I came across Cypress Grove’s Purple Haze goat cheese. I asked the man working at the… Keep Reading
Usually starting with Memorial Day going on until Labor Day its picnic season. The most common side dishes you see are pasta salads, potato salads, and coleslaw, so surprise your guests by putting a twist on a classic! This creamy coleslaw mix has a subtle sweetness from a mango and a much needed kick from the habanero! You can enjoy it as a side dish or even top your burger… Keep Reading
It’s grilling season and I’m taking full advantage of it! I don’t know if it’s the sizzle of food hitting the grill or the fact that everything just seems to taste better when cooked on a grill, but if you need an excuse, these shrimp skewers are definitely it! After marinating the shrimp in fresh lime juice I smothered them with honey barbecue sauce on the grill, creating a sweet… Keep Reading
I rarely indulge in fried foods unless I’m at the Iowa State Fair or if it’s for fried pickles! I decided to add another indulgence of mine to the mix.. Blue Moon beer! Oh, and as if that wasn’t enough.. I threw Sriracha into the mix to spice up the dipping sauce! If you love any of the three items mentioned above, these are a must try recipe!
Hummus has become one of my favorite snacks because it’s much healthier than regular store bought dips and I can make a ton of it at a fraction of the cost! This zesty roasted red pepper hummus is definitely one of the best I’ve made so far! It has just the right amount of spice for even the mildest of taste buds to enjoy and great natural flavor from… Keep Reading
My favorite salads are always a combination of sweet and tangy with a bit of a crunch. This particular medley was a perfect blend of all three! So dress up a boring salad with a homemade apple cider vinaigrette and candied walnuts that take only 5 minutes to make!
Coming from a state where everything is deep fat fried (at the Iowa State Fair they once did deep fat fried BUTTER on a stick! SICK!) it’s hard to get yourself away from those kinds of foods! Jalapeno poppers are one of my favorite game day snacks or bar appetizers that are so hard to give up… until I made these! You still get all the flavor and crunch as… Keep Reading
Almonds are one of my favorite snacks and Sriracha is one of my favorite condiments to add to… well… EVERYTHING! Combine those two?! Now I don’t want to eat them any other way! These are great to make for cocktail parties, but you better double up the recipe because they are wonderfully addicting!
Ever since I received a food processor for Christmas (thanks Momma Goose!!), I have been dying to make some homemade hummus! I figured on my first attempt it may not come out right or it would taste weird, but I was dead wrong! Making hummus is incredibly easy! The cilantro and jalapeño complement each other perfectly and I have to say, this is better than any hummus I’ve had in a restaurant!
Pizza is my heart and soul. My death-row meal. The one item I would never give up for a diet. Now let’s turn that classic dish into miniature deep dish cups of holy deliciousness! A nice crunch on the outside and soft on the inside with bursts of flavor from fresh cherry tomatoes and basil. I’m dying to find an excuse to throw a party because these make wonderful… Keep Reading
Last week I said I was going to make these and boy am I glad that I did! They’re crisp, zesty, and fulfilling! Definitely my new favorite snack! See for yourself!
I’m sure you’ve seen these before on Pinterest.. I know I have about 3 dozen times! I tried to find the original source, but they’ve been redone so many times I can’t! Now while the idea of dying them may not be original, the recipe most certainly is! This is the one item we always request my mom make for any holiday, picnic, or get-together! Find out how to make… Keep Reading