I remember seeing a recipe for some kind of chili with pumpkin in it about this time last year. If you remember, this time last year, I was suffering from "newborn mommy brain!" I have no recollection as to where I saw this recipe, but I remember being both intrigued and bothered by the concept of adding pumpkin to chili. I also remember thinking that it was as simple as … [Read more...]
Curried Turkey Salad
Our Thanksgiving dinner, like most Americans, consists of a buffet that includes too many heavy dishes. And on Thanksgiving Day, I allow myself to indulge. However, I try to make up for that indulgence by using the leftovers to create healthier and lower calorie meals. I will make quite a bit of turkey soup and freeze it to use later on hectic evenings. I also use the … [Read more...]
Roasted Sweet Potato Salad
I saw this recipe in a Kroger coupon mailer, of all places. And I had to try it. I *heart* potato salad. And I *heart* sweet potatoes. And I now can say that I *double heart* roasted sweet potato salad. Here's how you make it... A sweet and delectable side dish for an upcoming meal! Roasted Sweet Potato Salad Such a fun, fresh take … [Read more...]
Brown Rice with Black-eyed Peas and Greens
So black-eyed peas...they're kinda plain. It's like they're crying out for help! Crying out for zest and zip!!! And what better ingredients to help than mustard greens and some zesty jalapeno diced tomatoes! You'd never have known these were black eyed peas in this dish! Let me show you how it's made. Serve it over … [Read more...]
Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
I sure hope that they roast garlic in heaven! Seriously though, I absolutely adore the smell of roasting garlic. Adoration. If the oven wasn't so hot, I'd jump in for a closer whiff!!! And it's not just the smell, it's the flavor that it brings to food. Rich. Robust. Just add roasted garlic to your favorite mashed potatoes. Here's how I did it... Roasted Garlic … [Read more...]
Individual Beef Pies – Repurposing Spaghetti Sauce
So last week I bought some pie crust. You know, the tube kind! While I normally make my own pie crusts, I'm cutting myself some slack and saving myself some time...given the current situation with Tyler and the need to spend extra time with him while he eats and drinks. (Update: He has both a video swallow study and a scope of his tummy and esophagus scheduled for this … [Read more...]
Slow Cooker Spicy Chili
I love chili in the slow cooker. I love how it makes your house smell delicious all day long. I love how you can tell your spouse when they get home that you've "been slaving away" on dinner...because a smell that good certainly means you've been slaving away! ;) I love how you can mix and match ingredients so easily with chilis and soups. And I love that it's finally cool … [Read more...]
Cheesy Pork Chops
You're very welcome! Oh, you'd like to hear the recipe first? ;) I am so happy to share this one with you. I found it a couple of years ago when I was tired of cooking the same thing all the time, yet I need recipes that are easy and fast. Taste is an added bonus because frankly one of the kids will complain no matter what it is. The first time I made the Cheesy Pork … [Read more...]
Individual Taco Pizzas
The whole family will love these Individual Taco Pizzas because everyone can make and customize their own pizza! I went a digging, and I came up with some gold :) I found this taco meat (similar anyways...this time I added canned corn and canned tomatoes to the taco meat) in the freezer...and in less than 15 minutes, I had dinner on the table. I found corn tortillas in … [Read more...]
Sweet Pumpkin Cream of Rice Cereal
A while back we discovered Cream of Rice cereal when Ryan was on a gluten-free diet. (We have since learned he is only sensitive to rye, but not other wheat products.) When cleaning out the pantry and stockpile recently, I discovered a box of Cream of Rice cereal behind some cans. Charlie about jumped out of his skin, he was so excited! We used to "bury" frozen blueberries … [Read more...]