Having a mixed bag of food allergies and intolerances in our family makes certain dinner ideas and concepts a challenge...but what I love about this one...it easily catered to my egg-free child and my gluten-free child, both of whom happen to be dairy free as well. Ryan enjoyed this ham and egg rollup that you see above...even had a second 'egg tortilla.' Tyler enjoyed a ham … [Read more...]
Basil Balsamic Chicken
This recipe is part of the latest 21 Gluten Free Meals from Costco Plan. Simple y'all. It doesn't get any simpler than this. This is your very basic, but very tasty, chicken and rice meal. I often encourage people to set up 'theme nights' in their meal planning efforts...to take some of the guesswork and edge off of the meal planning process and experience. Besides pizza … [Read more...]
Ranch Chicken & Potatoes Casserole
Chicken + Potatoes + Cheese + Bacon...it's the perfect 'quad-fecta'...because trifecta doesn't work here. Top with some green onions and/or sour cream and you're in potato heaven. Except these are baked potatoes. This is yet another really simple 'load and roast' dish that comes together easily, and makes for a great filling weeknight dinner...as long as you get it … [Read more...]
Linguini with Creamy Tomato Sauce
Finally. A cooking demo that doesn't feature my 8 year old spanking himself, or a super fussy baby that has to sit on my lap while I cook... If y'all need budget gourmet, this is a meal for you. Get this one on your meal plan...ASAP. And before I get to the recipe, I must confess something. From the moment I say/yell (depending on the day and if they are outside!), … [Read more...]
5 Healthy Lunch Ideas
Whether you’re eating lunch at home or brown-bagging it at the office, lunch is one of those times when people often turn to convenience foods and end up making unhealthy choices. Below are five tips for how to eat healthy, budget friendly lunches, without spending forever packing them every morning. 1. Build Your Own Salad Salads are nutritious, delicious, simple and a … [Read more...]
How to Make the Perfect S’mores
This past week was our spring break...and we enjoyed a part stay-cation here in San Antonio, followed by a long weekend at my friend's ranch-river house near Leakey, TX. It was little boy heaven and no one wanted to leave, myself included. My happy, carefree, adventurous Charlie, walking through the river. Nevermind that wet jeans are....well, wet jeans! My shy, … [Read more...]
Andouille Creole Skillet Dinner
Y'all...if I ever write a 'feeding teenage boys on a budget' cookbook or satire in the future, this will be the headline recipe. It's super filling, super delicious, and super budget friendly. Whenever I use a more expensive ingredient, in this case andouille sausage, I work hard to come up with or find a recipe that calls for other inexpensive ingredients to keep it balanced … [Read more...]
Chili Pasta Bake
Our church is experiencing a flurry of new babies and I'm on the team that delivers meals to new mamas! I adore getting to see the tiny humans when I drop off the meal and I LOVE getting to serve new moms in this way. A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of taking a meal to a family I hadn't met who just had their first little girl...a fiery little red head. She was so sweet … [Read more...]
How to Halve a Peach
Learn How to Halve a Peach Run the knife around the peach...starting at the top by the stem... ...running all the way back to where you started the cut. Gently twist... And pull the two halves apart. Scoop out the seed with a spoon. … [Read more...]
Chunky Guacamole with Mango & Red Onion
This one surprised me. I'm a huge fan of homemade guacamole, definitely prefer it over store bought. (I usually doctor up the store bought with lime juice, cumin, cilantro and possibly other mixins.) About homemade guacamole...it's really a highly personal thing. It's almost like you shouldn't mess with a good and simple homemade guacamole. But I promise adding sweet mango … [Read more...]