I’ll be honest.. butternut squash soup never sounded all that enticing to me. Maybe it was the baby food-like consistency or that I didn’t really start eating squash until recent years, but I just discovered that I have been missing out! I was inspired to try my own recipe after my friend, Bridgette from The Flamingo Tribune (an adorably wonderful rockabilly lifestyle blog), shared a photo of her own butternut… Keep Reading
We’re in the heart of the fall season right now and hearty chilly weather dishes are all I want right now! Spaghetti squash is one of my favorites to work with because of its pasta-like consistency, so I seasoned it with brown butter, sautéed garlic, and crispy sage leaves to bring out its natural flavor! This is an excellent dish to serve up to any vegetarian guests you have at… Keep Reading
Who’s ready for some comfort food?! I’ve been dreaming of this soup for about a year now and finally decided to make it. I wish I could take credit for such a delicious dish, but Jaclyn from Cooking Classy, provided an impeccable recipe which I stuck pretty close to when making my own. It’s creamy, rich, hearty, and perfect for the chilly days ahead!
I was craving stuffed peppers a few weeks ago, but was a little bit bored with the basic Italian sausage stuffed pepper recipes out there. I decided to lighten them up a bit by using lemon pepper chicken, crumbled goat cheese, fresh basil, and cherry tomatoes straight from my garden. I wrapped them in pancetta and baked them to create a zesty, hearty, and healthy dish that the whole family… Keep Reading
A few years ago I challenged myself to try a vegetarian diet for one month. My first attempt ended at three weeks after I drunkenly scarfed down a pulled pork burrito AND a deli sandwich containing seven different types of meat… it’s a long story. My second attempt, however, was much more successful! I made it the entire thirty days and tried a lot of different foods I had otherwise… Keep Reading
Instead of fighting for the best view on a hill to watch the fireworks this past Fourth of July, we decided to stay right at home, watch our neighbors nearly blow their faces off, and enjoy some delicious grilled foods and spiked lemonade! One of the items on the menu.. chicken wings! I decided to bake these while my fiancé manned the grill with other items, but you could just… Keep Reading
I have a love/hate relationship with salads. A really great hearty salad can be satisfying, but after eating so many of them you finally hit that point. The point where your inner carnivore screams, “I’m not a rabbit! I need bacon.. and steak!” But after making this blackberry vinaigrette I’m finding myself back on the ‘love’ side of salads. The dressing is sweet, tangy, and fresh.. taking a regular salad… Keep Reading
Its grilling season and I’ve got a delicious new recipe for you all to try out! I don’t consider myself a ‘Grill Master’ by any means and even I had no trouble at all whipping these scrumptious little burgers up in just 15 minutes! The juicy sweet pineapple is the perfect complement to the slightly spicy pork. Top these mini burgers off with a festive cocktail umbrella and serve them… Keep Reading
A few months ago I asked what types of posts you would like to see more of or if there was anything specific you wanted me to try and this eggplant lasagna is a result of those answers! You guys asked to see more healthy recipes and one reader in particular wanted to see an eggplant recipe. I combined the two and made a vegetarian and gluten-free (sorry vegans –… Keep Reading
Barbecue chicken pizza is always one of my favorites, but I felt like I needed to kick it up a notch. I don’t know why I never thought to put guacamole on a pizza before, but boy am I glad that I did! The unexpected pairing is sweet, savory, and bold! My fiancé was a little bit skeptical of mixing the two, but quickly changed his tune after just one… Keep Reading
My fiancé loves getting the chicken and waffles from our favorite southern restaurant, so I was originally going to try and recreate the recipe at home. Then after making my Leslie Knope inspired cupcakes with the mini Eggos, a different idea transpired. Since I have a weakness for miniature sized food as well as food on a stick, I couldn’t think of a more perfect combination than chicken and waffle… Keep Reading
Over the years I’ve noticed my meals and cooking style seem to always involve whatever I’m drinking at the moment. Last week it was Angry Orchard Hard Cider and it sparked a delicious recipe! I decided to show two different ways that you can serve it and I’m honestly torn on which way is my favorite! The chicken breasts are juicy and sweet which pairs perfectly with a side of… Keep Reading
This past December we hosted a dinner party for the tattoo shop my fiance works at. On the menu was a delicious 8lb ribeye roast that was quickly devoured! I would love to re-do the roast so I could photograph it properly and share with you, but I don’t exactly want to spend $60 on another one! Instead I’m showing you a meal for two, using the same marinade with… Keep Reading
Ground beef tacos were one of the first meals that I ever learned to cook by myself and for that reason they’ll always be a favorite. Thankfully for my fiancé, I’ve expanded on my cooking skills since the days of being a single, eighteen year old, eating nothing but spaghetti, tacos, and ramen! My mango habanero salsa is always a crowd favorite when I make it and I thought it… Keep Reading
Last week I found myself thinking that I might just scream if I see another quinoa recipe.. then I had inspiration for a burrito bowl and realized, ‘Crap. I’m going to be the one that makes ANOTHER quinoa recipe.’ I guess it should be no surprise that quinoa isn’t going anywhere. It’s versatile, easy to make, and doesn’t just turn into sugar like rice does. I paired mine a mix… Keep Reading
Brussels sprouts have been my go-to side dish when preparing a dinner, but I wanted to make them the main feature for once. With bacon they’re always a knockout combination, but when topped with a sweet and tangy lemon dressing and toasted pecans, the result is incredible! I devoured nearly 2/3 of the skillet in one sitting! If you’ve been skeptical of Brussels sprouts in the past, I promise that… Keep Reading
Thank goodness I don’t have the same palette that I did as a kid. Every time my parents took us out to eat I would order chicken tenders without fail. They would always encourage me to try something else, but it was chicken tenders or bust! I thought I would throw it back to my stubborn youth and make a more grown up version of chicken tenders. They’re baked instead… Keep Reading
My first attempt at risotto didn’t turn out so hot.. the veggies were soggy and the rice wasn’t fully cooked. It was disappointing and discouraging, so I didn’t attempt cooking it again until now. I picked up Gordon Ramsay’s Healthy Appetite book awhile back and decided to try out his risotto recipe. Not only was it extremely easy to follow, but it resulted in some of the best risotto I’ve… Keep Reading
Last week I got the call that my wedding dress was in, but my excitement quickly turned to panic as I realized I had only been to the gym twice in the last month. Let’s also factor in that I was eating Red Velvet Brownie Bites for breakfast that morning. I decided it was time to get serious.. right after I finished those brownie bites of course! 😉 Since we… Keep Reading
It’s been awhile since I’ve used my crockpot and I was feeling a bit lazy after several days of cooking for the blog. Ironically, this became a post for the blog too of course, but thankfully with minimal effort on my part! The chicken turned out tender, juicy, sweet, and a little spicy with the help of spices, BBQ sauce, and Blue Moon. This is a great recipe for a… Keep Reading
I’ve been scarred from eating canned tomato soup for several years now. If you’ve ever accidentally burned it then you know where I’m coming from. Not only does the soup ruin the pan it was in, but it tastes like someone used it as an ashtray during the cooking process, rendering it inedible. In an effort to get past my phobia and also move away from consuming canned products, I… Keep Reading
Everyone loves a good taco pizza, but I wanted to create something a bit fresher and healthier as opposed to the typical refried beans, taco meat, soggy lettuce, and stale Dorito topped pizzas that you get from a pizza delivery service. Starting with a homemade whole wheat crust, topped with tequila and lime marinated chicken, fresh vegetables, and finished off with a spicy ranch sauce.. it elevates taco pizza to… Keep Reading
The first time I attempted this recipe it called for halibut, but the grocery store didn’t have it so I went with tilapia. The second time I tried to make it I decided to use scallops, but at $20 a bag (yes the gross freezer burned bag of seafood was even that pricey) I opted for cheap yet again.. and tilapia it was. I can’t say that I’m sad about… Keep Reading
I made a ham similar to this for Thanksgiving and I couldn’t wait to make it again to share with you! I lucked out when our friend brought over a 10lb ham for me to bake for Christmas! Glazed with fresh squeezed orange juice and Sailor Jerry Rum, and then rubbed in brown sugar and cinnamon to make it sweet, smokey, and savory!