Fakeout-Takeout Alert!!! I adore this honey sesame chicken. It's a simple, homemade sauce that simmers, as the chicken sears and caramelizes the flavors and sauce right onto the meat. The onion juices seep into the honey sesame sauce as it all cooks together in a skillet or wok. Serve it over some Sticky Rice and you've got the PERFECT make-at-home Chinese takeout … [Read more...]
Bacon Avocado Tomato Grilled Cheese
Tasty Ranch dressing, rich and tangy cheese, crunchy and salty bacon with browned butter crusting on the bread. Yeah, basically that's a party on the taste buds. Adore all the flavors and textures in this amazing grilled cheese sandwich. This sandwich could be a meal in and of itself...it's got whole wheat bread, some veggies, some protein and dairy. It's hitting all … [Read more...]
Instant Pot Red Wine Beef Roast
This roast and potatoes is so rich and so tasty. The wine subtly soaks itself into the meat and enriches the sauce, and the potatoes and chives are a perfect complement. It's a lovely and light "meat and potatoes" meal that will tempt all the palates at your table. You can use a cooking wine or dry red wine for this roast. And please...please...please...pretty please...with … [Read more...]
Baked Swedish Meatballs
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...]
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...]
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...]