The Best and Easiest Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese Pardon me while I drown myself in this bowl of Mac and Cheese. Like, please don't judge me. I won't judge you. ;) It's so delicious. The pasta is cooked perfectly. (Be sure to use both of the "extra" ingredients when cooking the pasta.) And then the cheese melts beautifully to create (what might possibly be) … [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...]
Peach, Almond, Blue Cheese Salad
One of my favorite parts of summer...all of the amazing fresh produce and fun salads that you can "build." I think of salads as being "built." There's the lettuce base. There's something crunchy. There's something sweet-ish. There's something tangy. There's something creamy. There's the dressing. Sometimes there's the protein. In this case, we're … [Read more...]
Instant Pot Corn on the Cob
The FAST, NO HEAT way to cook your corn on the cob this summer... Your Instant Pot!!!! It's quick (3 minutes, plus come to pressure time) and you won't heat up your kitchen or have to cook them out of the grill! The kernels are perfectly softened and cooked, and if you can time it right to have these ready just as you're plating dinner...the following will … [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...]
Glazed Sweet Potato Rounds
Holiday Feast Side Dish Alert... I love sweet potato casserole...I really do. Especially when there is a crunchy, nutty topping or layer in the dish. But what I don't always love is the prep-work. If you're hosting the holiday feast, it's a flurry of madness getting everything ready and sometimes you just want simple and easy. THIS. Is simple and easy. Slice the … [Read more...]
Braised Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
I love Brussels sprouts. But for some reason, we don't eat them regularly. They aren't part of our regular veggies with dinner rotation. (They should be!) I seem to always want them around the holidays. I also seem to always want them with bacon. Because bacon makes everything better, especially Brussels sprouts! With this recipe, we are going to cook the bacon, drain off … [Read more...]
Honey-Glazed Parsnips
Parsnips, what are those Erin? They're like carrots. Similar consistency, similar flavor and they cook up just the same. They're just a different color. If you've never tried them, this is a great recipe to start with...because I'm tossed them together with some carrots in a similar and delicious roasted and glazed recipe. It goes like this: roast the carrots and … [Read more...]
Cheesy Potato Casserole
Before we start into this delectable side dish, I need to make the following disclaimer. Calories don't exist on holiday feast day. They just don't. They can't really. ;) I'm teasing...there are ways to be smart about calories at a holiday feast...but I like to pretend they don't count or exist. (hehe) Making this calorie disclaimer is important with … [Read more...]