You now have a reason to always have some bacon cooked and ready to crumble ;) I prefer to bake bacon in batches, and yes...I freeze it after it's been baked. (Pat/drain it well and let it cool completely before freezing.) This loaded potato is my favorite - because it's loaded...with flavor and it will hold well you until lunch! Mix it all up, microwave for a few … [Read more...]
Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Add this to the list of foods that invoke the "self control just flew out the window" response. This one is #2, after Thin Mints. (Frozen Thin Mints, specifically.) It's the creaminess, plus the crunchiness. And the sweetness and the saltiness. It's perfectly balanced, like the chocolate and the mint and the crunch and the smooth in Thin Mints. We enjoyed this amazing … [Read more...]
Chicken Nacho Salad
I heart salads. And I'm really crushing hard on the crunchiness of this Chicken Nacho Salad. It's all that I love in a good plate of nachos...but mixed together as a salad. Sliced tomatoes, sliced avo, little shredded mozz tossed with some shredded chicken, romaine and crushed tortilla chips. Drizzle a vinaigrette over the top and you've got yourself a great and filling … [Read more...]
Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats with Berries
Obsessed. Obsessed with this steel cut oatmeal. Obsessed with how easily and quickly it cooks. And how perfectly it ends up tasting! And my obsession with my Instant Pot is strengthening too. It's slowly taking over in my kitchen. It's neck and neck now with my slow cooker. (I still use my slow cooker all the time.) But I'm using the Instant Pot more now for side … [Read more...]
Barely Seasoned Rice
Rice - it's one of our favorite side dishes. Because it's easy. It's cheap. It's filling (hello, 4 growing boys!!!). And it's super 'customizable.' As a kid, we grew up eating simple rice as a side dish. I think it was minute rice, cooked in water. I liked to add butter and garlic salt to mine. Just a smidge. My brother would drown his in salad dressing/vinaigrette - … [Read more...]
Slow Cooker Root Vegetables
Healthy, seasonal, 'fix and forget' kind of side dish...or main dish?!? These root vegetables are so delicious and so filling...so much so that I might consider eating them as a meal by themselves. Or maybe with a side salad?! Either way you partake in them, they are delicious. Before we get to the recipe, I've got some tips for you: Place the sweet potatoes on … [Read more...]
MAKE-AHEAD: The Perfect Christmas Morning Sandwich
I adore Christmas morning. I adore the sounds of glee from the boys, as they open their gifts and search their stockings. I adore the time we get to spend all cozy in the living room with our family. I adore sitting on the couch with my coffee in hand, just watching the magical fun of Christmas morning. While I love cooking and making holiday food, I think I love sitting on … [Read more...]
Goat Cheese with Garlic & Dill Appetizer
Here's a super fast and delicious appetizer that will please everyone at your office holiday party, neighborhood potluck, or family gathering. It takes 3 minutes to put together...and might be polished off in 3 minutes too. I made this for Thanksgiving for our family gathering and it was GONE. The kids kept coming back for more - I love when they try and like new foods. … [Read more...]
Maple-Iced Apple Pie Bars
Please pardon the i-phone picts. These babies were the hit of our family's Thanksgiving dinner! We were attending the meal with extended family and I decided that I needed more than a pie plate for the larger crowd. So, I ended up making apple pie bars...and then added a maple-tinted icing to the top, just before serving! (Want to take these to the next level? Add ice … [Read more...]
Christmas Lights Cookies
I love to bake. I love to bake with my boys. Especially around the holidays and for giving gifts. We have a baking afternoon planned for this weekend - because we are going to make a ton of cookies for the police officers who direct the traffic at our school entrance every day. The boys are mostly into decorating cookies - and seeing how high of a "frosting mountain" they … [Read more...]