I like to call meals like this "double cook" meals. It doesn't mean that they are harder to cook, or take twice the amount of time. It just means that they cook in two ways. In this case, the chicken is browned on the stovetop, then baked in the oven. All in the same cast iron skillet. The flavor in this sauce is off the hook. It's cray. It's bae. (Please pardon my … [Read more...]
Homemade Vanilla Extract
The holidays are coming. In a few months, yes. And if you want to give the gift of this homemade vanilla...I suggest that you make this RIGHT NOW. It takes at least 2 months to reach quality flavor potential, 3 to 4 months if you can swing it to really maximize the flavor. So write down on your errands list to stop at the liquor store to pick up some rum or vodka...and … [Read more...]
Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
Ever heard of wanting to face plant into your dinner? Apparently it's a 'thing' and this is the kind of meal that makes me want to plant my face right into the bowl. Because YUM. LOL I love the contradictions that happen with this soup. Like, it's soft but chunky. The sour cream and milk give it a soft consistency, but the beans and shredded chicken make it chunky. It's … [Read more...]
12 Pantry Staple Ingredients Every Penny Pincher Should Stock Up On
Whether you are a prepper or a penny pincher, a savvy shopper or frugalista, stocking up on canned goods and other pantry staples is always a wise move. Canned goods can typically be purchased cheap, and as you know they have an excellent shelf life. If you are curious about which canned goods to stock up on in order to save some cash and stretch your food budget, take a look … [Read more...]
ROUNDUP: 13 Freezer Friendly Breakfast Recipes
I'm not a morning person. Like, at all. I once was. My husband likes to remind me that he "thought he married a morning person" because we went on a mountain biking date at 5 am when we were dating. I told him that I was a morning person...until the boys came along. And then, I stopped sleeping...sorta. Then I started sleeping again, and now there are those nights that … [Read more...]
Ginger Peach Salmon
I adore this salmon. It's so flavorful and the combination I want to make salmon more often, but it's so expensive. So I buy it when my budget allows and then pair it with inexpensive sides like rice and frozen veggies. And top it with an amazing sauce or glaze like this one... These peach, sesame oil and ground ginger flavors are just magical! Ginger Peach … [Read more...]
Back to School Freezer Cooking ~ 40 Freezer Friendly Slow Cooker Meal, Breakfast, Lunch & Snack Ideas
I don't know about you - but going from the relaxed 'schedule' of summer and late nights and quasi-bedtimes to being forced back onto the school routing is just plain daunting. I'm not sure if it's the ginormous pile of papers that come home that first week of school and 87% of them need to be filled out or signed. And then you have to turn your "but I still just wanna be … [Read more...]
Veggie Loaded Spaghetti Sauce
I love sneaking veggies into sauces like this. Shredded carrots meet a homemade spaghetti sauce and never once have my boys asked about the "orange stuff" in the sauce. (And I think that's because I shred the carrots really small!) I ALWAYS double up when I make this...so that I always have spaghetti sauce in the freezer if I need it for a no-brainer dinner! I'm … [Read more...]
Twirly Taco Pasta Skillet
My boys love "tacaroni." They have for years. And this is my skillet hack version of the "tacaroni" that they love! This is very much a "homemade hamburger helper" kind of meal. And it's amazing! If you've never cooked a skillet meal from scratch like this, please let me teach you. I survive the busy-madness with these kinds of quick and easy meals. Let me describe it, … [Read more...]
Freezer Friendly Slow Cooker Sweet ‘n Sour Beef
Homemade sweet n sour sauce...that's my favorite way to do "fakeout-takeout." Then load in the meat and veggies --- YUM! This is a great freezer friendly version of Sweet 'n Sour Beef that I know you're going to love! See the FreezEasy recipe for Slow Cooker Sweet ‘n Sour Beef here! We’ve created an easy way to share this freezer friendly recipe on Facebook … [Read more...]