My husband has begged for me to make this simple recipe since his mother made it over the summer. Now that it's winter, I really see the need to humor him. Blended okra (or sliced if you like the flavor and texture) thickens the gumbo. Corn starch is an acceptable alternative if okra isn't available in your grocer's freezer. Speaking of the freezer, this meal is freezable … [Read more...]
Slow Cooker Smoky Brisket & Cajun 15 Bean Soup
Oh my smoky good-gracious-ness. Please, take a spoon and reach through the screen for a bite. I picked up half a pound of brisket from a nearby BBQ joint and dropped into the slow cooker with a bag of beans and other pantry staples...and WOW-WY! This is a fantastic way to use up any leftover BBQ meat...or you could just order extra next time you go out! I love pairing … [Read more...]
Rice Cooker Hearty Tomato Soup
What's this about a rice cooker? Turns out, it works a bit like a slow cooker. Only a little faster. It uses less energy than cooking on a stove. And, for me, seems to make less of a mess. Try it sometime. Like with this soup. Tomato soup and grilled cheese are about as American as apple pie, right? And tomato soup seems like one of the standard things to come in to from … [Read more...]
34 Recipes for a Delicious Thanksgiving Feast
It's Thanksgiving time! With heaping spoonfuls of turkey, sweet potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce, and dessert. A sweet time of fellowship with friends and family as you embrace thankfulness for all your blessings. And eat. Twice. Enjoy your time and try out some new recipes at your Thanksgiving feast this year... Appetizers & Drinks Butternut Squash, … [Read more...]
Moroccan Beef Stew
It's time to kick the flavor up a couple notches in your next stew. This is a really interesting stew with a whole lot going on in the flavor department. You have the beef with the chickpeas...that soak up the cumin and cinnamon flavors. Then there's the sweetness from the golden raisins and the salt-y zip from the kalamata olives. This stew is seriously a party on your … [Read more...]
Beef & Butternut Squash Stew
Ever since starting this little food blog a few years back, I've been on a mission. Not only to help people to spend less $$ on groceries, but also to help you learn to love new meals and try new foods (maybe that you were afraid to buy because you didn't know what to do with them). Butternut squash is one of those items that people are afraid to buy because they don't want … [Read more...]
Spinach & Tortellini Soup
There's just something about tortellini - it may very well be the perfect pasta. It is the perfect shape for a fork or a spoon and they are the perfect size for one delicious bite. It freezes beautifully too, if for some reason you can't eat them all at once, or if you find them on special and buy a few extra packages. Douse with marinara sauce and some Parmesan cheese for a … [Read more...]
Lentil Minestrone Soup
Ever since becoming a mom, I've felt like life just keeps getting faster and faster. And faster. We have a gazillion things happening in each of our days, but that doesn't mean we have to sacrifice important things like a healthy dinner. Or our sanity. I wanted to share this Lentil Minestrone Soup with you guys because it is very low maintenance (as most soups are) saute … [Read more...]
Slow Cooker Ham & Beans
Y'all...I'm thrilled to be bringing another great recipe from HurstBeans, a longtime partner of $5 Dinners. We all know how delicious, filling and hearty beans can be...in fact, just this evening I was talking with the boys about how we'll be enjoying many a beans-based meal in their lifetime...because they are bottomless pits. And beans fill bottomless pits well. And they do … [Read more...]
Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup
I heart soups. I heart slow cooker soups. And even in the heat of the summer, I'll eat a soup...but only if I made it in the slow cooker! This recipe uses my ranchero chicken as a base. When making 'ranchero chicken,' I prefer to make it with 1 lb. of chicken breast and 1 lb. of chicken thighs. I like the flavors that the thighs add to sauce, and I like the … [Read more...]