Grilled Chicken Mediterranean Bowls

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Summer is officially halfway over you guys.  Each year around this time I seem to begin easing into fall mindset; it’s a  point of bittersweetness thinking about what’s shortly ahead.

School.  Structure.  Less daylight.  Earlier bedtimes.  More responsibility.  And quite honestly, each time around this year, that all tends to sound slightly appealing to me.  As much as I adore our summers here in MN, the fall brings so much wonderful newness.  The scenery is impeccable.  The crisp air and lack of mosquitos are like a dream.  The kids getting into a new routine and their utter excitement about school is so uplifting.  And schedules…you know I love a solid, predictable schedule 😉

But before all of that comes, while things are still warm and sticky and loosey-goosey, please, please, I beg you, do me a favor?  Celebrate these last days of summer in your kitchen and make this dish.  It’s sheer delight; summer at its very very very finest.  And if you have even the slightest love for Mediterranean flavor, this is absolutely for you. Continue reading

Gooey Chocolate Zucchini Bread

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Guys, I write to you with reservation.  This is not how this was supposed to go.  We weren’t supposed to end our zucchini week this way.  I had big dreams.  High hopes.  Goodbyes are difficult…zucchini goodbyes, well, they deserve more than a confidence-lacking post.

You see, I was kind of saving the best for last here with this bread.  I made it last week…it was incredible…but I didn’t take photos.  Figured I’d make it again this week because my kids acted like famished wolves when I made the last batch…it would be a perfect opportunity for me to get some photos for you. How special to be able to share them on this last day we have together with zucchini.  I hate goodbyes.   Continue reading

Cheesy Mexican Zucchini Boats

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Truth:  my family has about had it with zucchini, I am afraid.  As promised, I am dedicating this entire week on the blog to zucchini-because man, it’s everywhere and it’s just got to be utilized.  So, as one would assume, I have been testing zucchini recipes left and right in my kitchen for the last couple of weeks.  Some failed miserably, some were just mediocre, and some wowed us and actually convinced me that my children like zucchini; these Cheesy Mexican Zucchini boats were one of those.

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I shared the recipe on KARE11 a couple of days ago and it was such a great time.  I always love spending afternoons around there-the people are just so darn friendly, the work space is so far beyond most local TV station kitchens, and it’s a total excuse for me to get out and ‘work’ outside of my own kitchen; so fun!  Click here to see the video if you didn’t catch it. I’m happy to say the recipe was totally loved by all! Continue reading

Pasta + Zucchini Carbonara

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I’ve assumed for a very long time that everyone makes Pasta Carbonara.  Without a recipe, just by use of memory and repetition. As if it is one of their kitchen staple dishes that they go to when in doubt and in pinch.  And when they are strapped for time and need the worlds fastest dinner on the table. Because thats absolutely how it is for me. But my mama slapped me ever so gently on the wrist when she called the other night when I was whipping this one up, it went a little like this:   Continue reading

Zucchini, Corn + Cheddar Cakes

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Happy Zucchini Week, friends!  I have taken it upon myself to dedicate this entire week of posts to this oh-so-pretty veggie…they are perfectly ripe, perfectly available, perfectly local and so very versatile.  I’ll be pumping your recipe boxes full of some really fun ways to utilize this yummy in-season veggie and I hope you love each one!

IMG_5364The goal is to give you zucchini lovers some new, fun inspiration and to turn you haters into believers.  Zucchini is so much more than a soggy, sautéed side dish or casserole and I hope to prove that time and time again this week.  And what better way to start that mission than with these Zucchini, Corn + Cheddar Cakes?  Words cannot express my love for these little bundles of yum!

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Grilled Chicken Summer Clubs with Garlic Mayo Sauce

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Well, folks, my lovely oven is not working…it’s been a sad couple of days.  But you know what?  If my oven is going to go on strike it couldn’t have picked a better week for such a catastrophe.  It’s hot outside.  Like, reeeeaaaaalllyy, really sticky hot.  There is just no way I would be using the oven in this heat, that I can assure you.  So with the heat, and an oven thats waiting for the doctor to arrive, the grill saves the day!

Here we’ve got Grilled Chicken Summer Club sandwiches; start to finish in way less than 30 minutes.  And  these are not just any sammich.  These are little delicious packages that have summer written all over them.    Continue reading

Garlic and Herb Rack Of Lamb

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This is the good stuff, guys. The really reeeeaaallllyyyy good stuff.

Rack of Lamb. Sounds fancy and intimidating, no? Take one breeze over this recipe and you will be so pleasantly surprised. It’s just so simple to do. And the results? So good. Like stupid good. Incredible. Continue reading

Crispy Roasted Potatoes with Bleu Cheese Dip

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Do you guys have that urge to cook a solid meal on Sundays?  Like, a stick to your ribs, starchy, midwestern type meal?  I can’t get over it.  I don’t know what it is.  But chances are you’ll never see me serving a main course salad or light dish on that savored last-day-of-the-weekend.  It just doesn’t feel right.  Continue reading

Grilled Beer Brats with Mustard Jalapeño Slaw

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Here we have the boss of all brats: Grilled Beer Brats with Mustard Jalapeño Slaw:  mastering BBQ’s since 2016.

Not much can top a perfectly cooked, fabulously seasoned beer brat.  No?  Yes.  Yes, something can!

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Pan Seared Salmon with Quick Dill Yogurt Sauce

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Monday, you’re back.  Back to rushing home to get dinner on the table, no?  Man that can be such a lame feeling.  So let me give you a little hookup to make that process a bit easier this week: Pan Seared Salmon with Quick Dill Yogurt Sauce.

You can have this one on the table in less than 15-hows that for quick?  All the salmon needs about 8-10 minutes on the stove.  Total score. Continue reading