I love Swedish meatballs - whether they are on a tray at Ikea, baked in my own oven, or handmade by an older Norwegian woman at a restaurant in northern MN. I love them, no matter who makes them. But, I bet you can guess which are my favorite...this summer, we took an insane roadtrip with our boys to northern MN to visit with family. On every other corner in northern MN, … [Read more...]
Pepperoni Pizza Pasta Bake
You are your people and going to go batty-batty-batty over this pasta meal. What I've got for you here is the "basic or base" recipe for a pizza-pasta-bake. It's pasta, tossed with meat sauce, topped with cheese and pepperoni. There are LOTS of ways you can adapt this for your family - mixing in other favorite pizza toppings like mushrooms, black olives, green bell … [Read more...]
Instant Pot Bacon Cheeseburger Chili
Every now and again, I make something that makes me wish I had 4 stomachs. Or a superpower that allows me to eat as much as I want without feeling stuffed. Because, seriously. Bacon. Cheese. Chili. Creamy base to the soup/chili. Beans. It's all my favorite comfort food foods in the same dish. This is also one that my boys polish their bowls and ask for … [Read more...]
Poppyseed Fruit Salad
Light, fresh with just the right amount of sweet and tang. With a simple mix of lime juice and honey (and poppyseed), you have a lovely 'sauce' to drizzle over fresh fruit. This is a fun way to enjoy an afternoon snack, or a side dish, or to take as an appetizer or dish to a party/potluck. Enjoy! Poppyseed Fruit Salad This is a fun way to enjoy an … [Read more...]
Best Banana Bread Mini Loaves
A few weeks ago, I found a new bento style lunch box on Lightning Deal and decided we would give it a shot for our preschooler. I adore Easy Lunchboxes and still use them daily, but wanted a different option with more and smaller compartments for my littlest eater. So this one arrived. And he immediately fell in love. And so did boy #3. So I ordered a second … [Read more...]
Lazy Chicken Parmesan & Pasta
With the school year starting again, I need fast and easy recipes...that are also filling and will go along way with my boys. And this one fits the bill! It's pasta with sauce, then chicken tossed in Parm, then more cheese. And more Parm. Because pasta and cheese is life...at least when you're a mom to 4 boys and they are eating you out of house and home. Let's … [Read more...]
3-Ingredient Sunbutter Cookies
A great protein packed, sweet treat for kiddos with peanut allergies! These 3-ingredient cookies are made with sunflower seed butter! These treats are "sensitive" and could crumble easily, but not if you follow our directions closely!!! Here's what you need to know. It's 1-1-1. 1 cup sugar, 1 cup sunflower seed butter, 1 egg. Mix up into a dough and let … [Read more...]
Instant Pot Ranchero Chicken Recipe
This Ranchero Chicken is inspired by restaurants in and around San Antonio. I love this Ranchero sauce with chicken...and it's great with enchiladas, on tostadas and over a pile of rice too! It's super quick to prepare and when cooking in the Instant Pot, it just takes a few minutes to have ready! Now... If you wanted to make this meal ahead and add this to … [Read more...]
Grilled Cajun Salmon
Yes, salmon is expensive. It's a treat for our family and I'm trying to make it more and more, as fish is so healthy and the omegas and good fats do the body good. All of my boys adore salmon - partly because it's a treat and partly because I know how to doctor it well. ;) This is well doctored and perfectly grilled salmon! (It's not at all as spicy as it looks...that red … [Read more...]
Cherry Pretzel Dessert
One of my favorite things my mom made for us when we were kids was the Strawberry Pretzel dessert. I'd watch her make it, saw how long it took, and marveled. After a few times, I learned that it was worth the wait...and I'd try to eat a small-ish square...with hopes that it would last for days. (It usually didn't, thanks to my brother.) I loved it because it was delicious. … [Read more...]