Sunday was National Ice-Cream Day and we decided to celebrate with homemade ice-cream sundaes at home. Unfortunately, I forgot to check on our sundae supplies before I made the announcement. I thought I had a jar of my homemade hot fudge sauce in the fridge. When I pulled out the empty jar my husband and kids confessed to sneaking spoonfuls of it. When I went to the pantry to … [Read more...]
Pancakes with Peach Syrup
Have you ever made your own pancake syrup? If not, I highly recommend it...and you could start with this one. (But be warned, you may never go back to the bottled kind.) Ever since my little sugar-free stint in August of 2011 (or was it 2012?), I've made it a point to squeeze harder in other places of the grocery budget, so that I can buy maple syrup. It's my pancake and hot … [Read more...]
Sausage and Mushroom Brinner Tacos
Some would argue that breakfast tacos need eggs. I would argue that they aren't a requirement, but certainly a fixture ingredient. But we're not talking about breakfast tacos...we're talking "brinner tacos" tonight! Soft tacos that aren't traditional tacos because they use breakfast sausage, mushrooms and some veggies...sizzled to perfection, then garnished and rolled for … [Read more...]
Protein Rich Orange Berry Smoothie
I love making smoothies. On a near daily basis, there is a smoothie made in my kitchen. This one is fantastic!! Rich Orange Berry Smoothie I love making smoothies. On a near daily basis, there is a smoothie made in my kitchen.This one is fantastic!! 2 cups orange juice2 cups milk or yogurt1 cup strawberries1 cup frozen berries blend2 tsp protein … [Read more...]
Grilled Bacon Ranch Potatoes
We absolutely love to grill out, really any time of the year, but we do seem to cook on the grill much more often in the summer months and these potatoes are one of our favorite dishes to make. I'd been planning to make them all week long but the weather hasn't cooperated since we've been getting buckets of rain so I made them in the oven tonight instead and they were just as … [Read more...]
Grilled Doughnuts Strawberry Shortcake
This recipe is exactly why I love what I do...I get to try all kinds of new things...the other night, it was Grilled Doughnuts. Used as the "shortcake" in strawberry shortcake. I shared with some friends that I was grilling doughnuts, and the response was "SHUT UP. That is not right." (I think she was a little jealous!) I don't make dessert all that often. When I do, it's … [Read more...]
Sauteed Okra Recipe
Learn how to make a simple sauteed okra recipe to accompany your favorite summer meals. Summer comes and it's always time for fried okra. But it's also always good to have a lighter version of a garden favorite. That's when it's time to slice up and saute your okra. Four cups of sliced okra makes a wonderful side for my family of seven. Yum! Sauteed Okra … [Read more...]
Asian Spinach Salad with Soy-Sesame Vinaigrette
While I do my best to eat salads for lunch during the winter months, I find myself gravitating towards soups and breads when it's chilly outside. But come spring and summer, I'm enjoying a delicious salad for lunch most days of the week. And I especially love picking lettuce and spinach leaves from my garden. I enjoy making my own vinaigrette for my salads as well, and … [Read more...]
Slow Cooker Baked Beans
I love baked beans. They are an essential part of our summer barbecues and picnics. But who wants to turn on their oven for several hours on a hot summer day? Not me! So I cheat and make my baked beans in a slow cooker. This slow cooker baked beans recipe is really easy to make. It is made of common pantry staples, but if you do not have molasses on hand, replace it with … [Read more...]
Quick and Easy ‘Baked’ Apple Recipe
My five kiddos love all types of fresh fruit and that makes me very happy, but sometimes we get a little bored and want to spice it up a little. This method of "baking" apples in the microwave is super fast and easy, it only takes a few ingredients and you can make as much or as little as you like. We also have a favorite restaurant that serves "fried apples" and when the … [Read more...]