We are resharing on of our most popular "31 Days" series - Summer Slow Cooker meals. And you definitely don't want to miss our new 30 Days of Summer Instant Pot series! The reason I love to slow cook in the summer is two-fold. First, the slow cooker doesn't add much heat to your kitchen - like a skillet/stovetop meal or oven meal would. It does add a teensy, tiny … [Read more...]
Instant Pot Chicken Ropa Vieja
A few years back I was at a conference in Miami with a friend and colleague, and we ended up going on a Cuban food eating "tour." It started with a dive near the beach and I ordered the Ropa Vieja. And it ended with Cubano sandwiches, at a walk up food bar. We had a few other meals in between, but these two were my faves! And I knew that I needed to recreate the Ropa Vieja … [Read more...]
Eggplant Pasta Skillet
I adore a good pasta skillet meal. They are quick and easy to prepare on a busy weeknight, and tend to end in "polished" plates at our dinner table. Plus, they are filling - which is just what I need for keeping up with the hungry, bottomless pit stomach boys of mine. (If we haven't met yet, I have 4 boys!) If you've not cooked with eggplant before, please pay close … [Read more...]
Key Lime Pie
A refreshing summer dessert! This Key Lime Pie will be at hit at your dinner table, your neighborhood block party or your church summer potluck! Here's a quick rundown of the how-to... Crush the graham crackers. In a food processor, or with a rolling pin in a plastic baggie. Get them as small as you can! Add some sugar. And then melted butter. And the … [Read more...]
Summer Instant Pot Recipes
Summer Instant Pot Recipes to Help You Beat the Heat and Soak Up the Sunshine! The Instant Pot is my go-to in the summer for two reasons. First, it doesn’t add much heat my kitchen – like a stovetop or oven meal would. Second, we are often spending the afternoon at the pool…mainly for the boys to burn off energy and me to take a breather. The water is super refreshing … [Read more...]
Best Recipes for Your Memorial Day BBQ!
The Best Patriotic Memorial Day Recipes! We always grill on Memorial Day weekend. It's just tradition. Being in the backyard with the boys running around, maybe a sprinkler going, smelling the deliciousness coming from the grill, and hearing neighborhood children chatter and play all around us. Love it! Wishing you an enjoyable and memorable … [Read more...]
Pineapple Cupcakes
A little taste of the tropics with these Pineapple Cupcakes! These Pineapple Cupcakes will whisk you away with each bite. They have just the right amount of pineapple and coconut flavors, and they are soft and moist (thanks to the pineapple!) too! Here's a rundown of how easy they are... Make the batter and fold in the crushed pineapple.... Add to … [Read more...]
Instant Pot Steak Gyros
Oh my heavens....the Instant Pot just works wonders on so many different types of meals....including this one. The beef strips are perfectly tenderized and cooked in the Instant Pot, and you end up with the this lemon-garlic infused beef that melts into the gyro and into your mouth! The acidity from the lemon and vinegar soften the beef, plus the pressure-heat of the IP … [Read more...]
Creole Shrimp & Grits
Excuse me, that was so rude of me. I just couldn't help it. That's what I'd be saying to you, had we been at the same table enjoying this Creole Shrimp. Because I would have been licking my bowl. Seriously, I did. This meal is magical. I liked my plate...in front of the boys...and we all had a good laugh about it. Despite my horrible manners. But seriously, just … [Read more...]
Berry Crumble Pie
You want to know what I love about crumble pies?! Well, it's two things really. One - you don't have to stress about making a lovely edging around the top of the pie when you have the top layer of crust. Two - you can pile the crumble super high for extra sweetness. (Which is important with this pie...because the berries can be tart!) With this Berry Crumble Pie, we … [Read more...]