Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts are salty, sweet, crispy and even smoky. Brussels sprouts are roasted with bacon and maple syrup until caramelized and crispy. These are to die for! We really enjoy brussels sprouts in our house. Our kids are starting to like them as well. I do have to say that the bacon and maple syrup helped my 4-year-old enjoy these much more. She loved them! I think helping momma take pictures helped as well, but hey, I'll take it! I love cooking with brussels … [Read more...]
Roasted Balsamic Garlic Vegetables
Roasted Balsamic Garlic Vegetables are beautiful, healthy and delicious. There are so many ways to enhance the flavor of vegetables and one way is to roast them with fresh, flavorful ingredients. These vegetables are roasted and flavored with balsamic vinegar, fresh garlic and fresh thyme! You know...for a blogger that likes to bake, it seems kind of funny to share recipes for vegetables. But that's who I am. I eat cookies and I eat veggies, too. It's the best of both worlds in … [Read more...]
7 Layer Salad
If you haven't heard of 7 layer salad then I'm glad you're here. This is classic recipe I have grown up with but recently started making again. 7 layer salad is layers of lettuce, vegetables, sweetened mayonnaise, cheese and bacon. It's simple to make, pretty and the perfect salad to bring to a barbecue. I can't believe I just started making this recipe again. I grew up eating 7 layer salad all the time. I think it's a midwest thing or maybe an Iowa thing, but wherever it originated, it's … [Read more...]
Favorite Dinner Salad
Looking for a delicious salad to go with your dinner? This is it! This is my favorite dinner salad - tons of fresh ingredients with a classic vinaigrette that tastes great with all types of meals - pasta, steak, or chicken. I know this recipe comes across perhaps a little too simple but I often get a lot of requests for this salad from friends. I like to serve a "heartier" salad when I have guests over - something that tastes great and is pretty. This is one of my favorite salad … [Read more...]
Mexican Chicken Salad
A twist on chicken salad - Mexican Chicken Salad! Same great idea but different flavors. Sweet corn, red onion, cilantro, avocado, and chicken are stirred together with fresh lime juice and a little mayonnaise to make the most delicious lunch ever! This recipe received quite a few good reviews so I had to share it with you! It was inspired by an avocado chicken salad recipe I came across but didn't didn't fully execute the way I was supposed to. I didn't love the idea of mashing up … [Read more...]
Cheesy Potatoes
When in doubt, make cheesy potatoes!! Cheesy Potatoes are a staple side dish in my family. Frozen cubed potatoes are seasoned then mixed with cheese and baked with cream until bubbly and cheesy. When you're looking for something to bring, let's say for Easter because it's around the corner, Cheesy Potatoes is your dish. My family often makes this for holiday celebrations because it's pretty much unreal. It's also a cinch to make and requires little ingredients. It can be made ahead of … [Read more...]
Roasted Broccolini
I love me some roasted broccolini. I love any type of roasted vegetable actually, but this one is my favorite. Broccolini is tossed with olive oil, garlic, red pepper, parmesan cheese, salt and pepper and roasted until crispy and tender. It's SO good! I roast vegetables every night. It's usually whatever is on sale at the store, but I often roast broccoli or broccolini because we love it and so do my kiddos. I prefer broccolini...I like the flavor and the stems are not nearly as woodsy … [Read more...]
The Easiest Summer Sausage and Vegetable Salad
When it comes to making a simple side dish, this recipe for Summer Sausage and Vegetable Salad comes to mind. It's quick and easy to make, tastes amazing and is so colorful! We are huge fans of quick and easy salads in our house. Because I cook and bake, we eat quite a bit at home and this includes lunch. My husband brings lunch to work every day so I often try to make salads like this Summer Sausage and Vegetable Salad that are easy to make and accessible straight from the … [Read more...]
Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad with Chicken and Bacon
Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad with Chicken and Bacon. I don't know how else to title this other than this salad is amazing! Shaved Brussels sprouts are mixed with cubed chicken, crunchy bacon, salty parmesan cheese that all gets tossed in an asiago peppercorn dressing. Or you could use a Caesar dressing, but have you ever had Marie's Asiago Peppercorn dressing? If not, you have to try it. It's one of my favorites. I use it in my Chicken Salad with Sun Dried Tomatoes and Pasta, too. It's … [Read more...]
Sweet Potato Casserole
What's your favorite Thanksgiving side dish? Is it sweet potato casserole? Ok good. Because you're going to love this post then! I have to admit, I haven't been the biggest fan of sweet potato casserole - I just didn't grow up with it. We were the cheesy potato side dish kind of family. BUT, I got married and celebrated Thanksgiving with my husband's side of the family a few times and his Aunt made a mean sweet potato casserole. I asked her for the recipe and it of course was one of the great … [Read more...]
Festive Fall Farro Salad with Kale, Cranberries, Pecans & Goat Cheese
Do you need to take a break? The day after Thanksgiving can be quite overwhelming sometimes. We typically stuff our faces until we are uncomfortable. I think Vin said "I need to stop" 48 times yesterday. I however, felt perfectly full. I have no idea how that happened - perhaps the 16 month old toddler running around helped. There are usually leftovers and we typically eat them around noon the next day and do the same thing over again leaving us grouchy full, but totally satisfied. … [Read more...]
Thanksgiving Stuffing
Holidays = stuffing. Stuffing = holidays. It's just part of the deal. There's no getting away from it. Stuffing is just as important as the Turkey or the ham or the roast. It's what I go back for seconds for and it's what compliments every other dish on the plate. It needs to be good. And pretty! Yes, I think stuffing it pretty. It's a casserole which isn't always the most eye appealing dish, but with herbs, spices, and pretty ingredients like cherries, stuffing can look beautiful. I … [Read more...]