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

Slow Cooker Chicken and Poblano Stew

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Slow Cookers.  They can be such a time and sanity saver.  But, as you know, I’m really finicky about what I put in them-I believe it’s my controlling food nature.  When I put something in the slow cooker I’ve lost control.  There’s no seasoning as you go, there’s no stirring, there’s no adding this or that.  It’s a hands off,  no-control zone for me.  So recipes I put in mine have to be precise…and special…and worthy.  This ones there.   Continue reading

Autumn Bark

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Happy Halloween Week!  It’s funny, I was never really a fan of this upcoming holiday until my kids came along.  But now, for me, it’s basically pure excitement.  It’s a fun excuse to dress my kids in hilarious outfits (please, just pray Jude allows me to put his costume on him for at least one photo.  one, thats the goal this year, just one little itty bitty photo is all i ask for.  pray friends, pray.)  Not to mention this holiday is perfectly placed among the most GORGEOUS time of year.  Crispy Autumn.  Ahh.

So on top of the costume thing and the beautiful time of year thing I’m pretty sure most of my excitement stems from the fact that it’s a perfectly wonderful opportunity to get fun and creative in the kitchen.  Holidays equal special food.  Always.  Continue reading

Weeknight Roasted Chicken and Vegetables

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So there’s Sunday’s Finest Roasted Chicken; all dressed up, fancy “tie” and all.  Stuffed and seasoned and as delicious as can be.  At least I thought.  But then my laziness set in and I wanted Sundays Finest Roasted Chicken on a weeknight.  Without all of the hassle of stuffing and tying and fussing.   Continue reading

Oatmeal Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies

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I’m in full recovery mode over here.  From a sleep-deprived, exhausting absolutely amazing weekend with family.  We headed down to my hometown in Iowa to celebrate something pretty darn major in my family.  My parents’ 50th wedding anniversary.  Can you handle it?  I can’t.  I can’t handle so much about it; how quickly time flies, how much they have accomplished in 50 years and, more than anything, how they define what marriage is all about.

I’ve told you before and I’ll tell you time and time again, friends, I am blessed to no end to have been brought up by these parents of mine.  Not because of how much they have done for me or how selfless of parents they are, but because of how they do it TOGETHER.  And so well.  Nick and I have enormous shoes to fill in that department; and from what my eyes have seen it all comes down to teamwork.  And empathy. And respect.  And simply learning that it isn’t all about ourselves and that it is okay to let things go and pick your battles-thank you, Mom and Dad, for teaching me all of these values by example.

So, needless to say, this weekend involved a lot of celebrating.  My five siblings, myself, spouses, 17 crazy-amazing grandchildren and some top notch aunts and uncles.  And as you are aware, in my family, celebrating and food tend to go hand in hand.  These Oatmeal Dark Chocolate Chunk cookies were one of my contributions to the  celebrating.  I’d say they were graciously accepted by all-there was not a morsel left of the double batch I made.   Continue reading