As a mom with three little ones, I understand and live through the daily vegetable battle. My two older boys have distinctly different tastes when it comes to vegetables. The middle man likes most of them plain, straight steamed or boiled, with a little salt and pepper. But he won't touch carrots to save his or my life. My older guy needs to have just about every vegetable that … [Read more...]
Five Ways to Cook Butternut Squash
And are you afraid of butternut squash?! Are you afraid to buy them because you don't know what to do with one?! (Besides stare at it.) Well, I've got some help for you! It seems everywhere I turn these days; I find a great sale on butternut squash. Whether I’m at the farmer’s market or at the grocery store, this is the time of year the butternut squash reigns. In … [Read more...]
Four Bean Salad with Quinoa
Light. Easy. Summer. Salad. The quinoa cooks on the stove top in just a few minutes. If you really don't want to have any heat in your kitchen, cook the quinoa in a rice cooker out on your patio. Once the quinoa is cooked, the rest is dump and stir. A refreshing light salad - perfect for the dog days of summer! Four Bean Salad with Quinoa Light and … [Read more...]
Sherry-Simmered Carrots
These carrots are amazing! And, be sure to double up on the recipe for a delicious holiday side dish. Sherry-Simmered Carrots The best side dish EVER! Great for holiday meals! 1 lb. baby carrots, halved lengthwise1 Tbsp butter (or (dairy-free) margarine)1 Tbsp brown sugar1 tsp lemon juice 1 tsp dijon mustard1 tsp 1/2 tsp rosemary leaves, chopped 2/3 cups … [Read more...]
Honey Mustard Lentils & Rice Casserole
What's with the crazy half-fluffed photo, Erin? I know that's what your thinking. I haven't lost my mind. Well...since this cooking method is probably a new concept for many of you, I decided to just fluff half of the dish before snapping the photo so that you can see what it will look like when it comes out of the oven. And what it will look like once it's … [Read more...]
Tex Mex Restaurant Style Rice
Last weekend we had our final church group meeting before summer and the dinner theme was 'taco night.' Upon seeing the signup list, I quickly chose rice and beans...because I love cooking rice and beans. :) They're cheap, healthy and are easy to 'doctor up.' I made 2 lbs. of these Dominican style beans. And then made a giant pot of Tex Mex restaurant style rice (2 lbs. of … [Read more...]
Southwest Rice Pilaf
This recipe is part of the latest 21 Gluten Free Meals from Costco Plan. Please note that the photo above includes green peppers, but the plan calls for red peppers. Peppers can be interchanged easily in recipes, so feel free to use either red or green...depending on what your store has, and what your taste preferences are. Love this simple one-dish vegetarian meal. Hope … [Read more...]
Chunky Guacamole with Mango & Red Onion
This one surprised me. I'm a huge fan of homemade guacamole, definitely prefer it over store bought. (I usually doctor up the store bought with lime juice, cumin, cilantro and possibly other mixins.) About homemade guacamole...it's really a highly personal thing. It's almost like you shouldn't mess with a good and simple homemade guacamole. But I promise adding sweet mango … [Read more...]
Orzo Salad with Mango & Avocado
Here is your next 'to-try' lunch recipe friends. Or a great side dish for carnitas or ranchero chicken. Or fajitas. Or grilled chicken. I adore the mango and avocado flavors together. About 5 days a week I have a salad for lunch, and 4 of those 5 days it has mango and avocado mixed in. Now that mangoes are back in season...we go through about 2 boxes a week from Costco. … [Read more...]
Roasted Garlic & Parmesan Noodles
Because sometimes spaghetti with meat sauce just gets old. Y'all. I love garlic. I love cooking with it and add it to anything that it makes sense to add to. Last year, when I was super-preggers with Cuatro, the entire family got the flu. I had had my flu shot so figured it wouldn't get it. After all 4 of my guys started to feel better, I was hit with it. I knew right … [Read more...]