Slow Cooker Smokey Ham and White Bean Soup

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I’ve got a thing for a good ham and bean soup. It’s old school.  A staple.  Nostalgia central.   It’s like a really fantastic,  super old pair of Chuck Taylors, or that worn in sweatshirt with all the holes in it.  Solid.  Legit. Classic.  Always in style.  So this recipe?  My jam.

I’ve tried simmering this stuff on the stove for hours.  I’ve soaked the beans overnight.  I’ve used beans from a can.   I’ve seared the ham before slow cooking it.  I’ve added roasted garlic.  The list could go on.   I’ve fussed around with ham and bean soup in every way, shape or form and this ridiculous, itty bitty, hardly-any-work-or-ingredients recipe is by far the best I have done to date.   Continue reading

Pan Roasted Chicken with Pomegranate and Tahini Sauce

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Ladies and Gentleman of the Delicious Food Nation please rise…

We are gathered here  today to witness the union of Roasted Chicken, Pomegranate Relish and Tahini Sauce in holy matrimony, which is an honorable estate, that is not to be entered into lightly, but reverently and soberly.  Well, if you want to pair it with a fine white wine that would be okay. Continue reading

Sweet, Salty, Antioxidant Rich Snack Mix + Thanksgiving Meal Inspiration

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I planned on just leaving you with a bit of Thanksgiving meal inspiration today.  I did.  But it felt wrong, you know, not sharing a new recipe and all.  It felt like going to a dinner party empty handed.  No dish to share, no bottle of wine or even fresh flowers.  It felt icky.  So it’s not going to happen.  This snack mix is your hostess gift.  I hope you like it 😉 Continue reading

Roasted Spaghetti Squash Pie

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Spaghetti Pie.  My guess it’s graced your family’s table in some way, shape or form.  Think baked ziti, with spaghetti noodles.  It’s casserole-ish.  Hot dish-ish, to my Minnesotan friends.  It’s comforting, rich, gooey and just plain welcomed in my home.

So, how about Spaghetti Pie with roasted spaghetti squash?  Have you?  Would you?  You should.  You totally should.  Heres why… Continue reading

Lentil and Sausage Stew

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I may have had MFPD when I threw this stew together.  That’s a thing, right?  Multiple Food Personality Disorder?  You know, when you get cooking and throw a bunch of random ingredients together that aren’t typically supposed to “go” with one another?

Italian sausage and greek yogurt?  Eh, it’s happened I suppose.  But cilantro?  Now thats just peculiar.  But right.  So very right with this stew. Continue reading

Roasted Spaghetti Squash Carbonara

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I won’t deny it.  Pasta Carbonara tends to be one of my favorite dishes on the planet when I’m in the mood for comfort.  And my entire family is right there with me, even on picky-eating days.  It’s as indulgent as all get out and I am always able to get it on the table in a matter of minutes which is huge.

But my little unsatisfied food brain got to thinking….if Carbonara is so delicious and weeknight savvy with spaghetti pasta…why the heck couldn’t it be with spaghetti squash?     Continue reading

Maple Coconut Snack Nuts

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‘The Holidays’.  Is it safe to say they are upon us?  I’m going to  go ahead and declare a yay on that.  It is November, after all.  And the hustle and bustle is right around the corner.  I’ll be the first to admit, I love it.  Most of it.

I love it because of the constant gathering around the table with loved ones. People just tend to get together more often, at least in my world.  Whether it’s a group of couples having  a fun dinner out on the town, old friends who are hosting a gathering in an effort to get the ‘gang’ back together, or simply having dinner at other families houses, we just tend to do it more often around this time of year.  And I’m TOTALLY cool with that. Continue reading

Slow Cooker Beef and Bean Chili

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My husband was craving chili big time last week.  And chili is one of those weird things I have a hard time making on any day of the week other than Sunday.  It’s a Sunday food, no?  It needs time to simmer on the stove and smell the house up beautifully while everyone gets cozy and football is blaring in the background.

But last week on Sunday I had an event to attend.  Which meant no time to let that chili bask in its glory on the stove.  So I decided to try a stab at it in the slow cooker. Results?  Delicious.  So simple.  And perfect for days where time has got the best of you. Continue reading

Asian Steak and Cabbage Bowl

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So, how was it?  Did you go crazy for your kids halloween candy?  My husband did.  I had no part in it.  Except for the DOTS.  And peanut butter cups.  I may have had a Snickers, too.  Or two.

This weekend basically consisted of lots of junk food…pizza, burgers and fries, way too much candy..and not enough sleep.  So, back we are to reality and it feels so very good to have meals at home, sleep schedules for the kids and real-life food in the fridge.  It doesn’t take much for me.  If I’ve got those three things I am ONE HAPPY CAMPER. Continue reading