Slow-Cooker Cream Cheese Chicken Enchilada Cups

SONY DSCHow much do you love appetizers?  Give them to me for every meal, friends.  There’s really nothing like trying a bunch of different small bites.  And with the Super Bowl coming up I think these little Enchilada Cups are going to come in pretty darn handy.

We made these just last night for dinner.  I wanted to come up with an appetizer recipe to share with you guys that would be just perfect for you to share with friends for Sunday’s big game.  I’m pretty sure I accomplished my goal…but turns out they make a pretty stellar dinner, too.  My kids devoured them and requested they be added to the “make-often-because-these-are-our-favorite” list, which is pretty much music to my ears.  And I would feel safe assuming Nick and I could win awards for our ability to consume large amounts of these as well; so stinking yummy! Continue reading

One-Pot Salmon Pasta with Cream Sauce

SONY DSCFriends!  Hello!  How are we?  We’ve nearly made it through January, the most grey month of the year, in my opinion…so the rest is all downhill from here, right?  We just returned home from a vacation with my entire side of the family you guys….what a way to break up the month.  We had such a great time and enjoyed the warm weather of the Bahamas so incredibly much.  And now…back to good old reality.  But gosh I have to admit, a solid routine and well rested kids feels pretty dang good.

So to go with this grey month, how about a rich, gooey, comforting pasta dish that you can get on the table in 20 minutes?  Yes?  Yes.  Let’s do it!  Continue reading

Weeknight Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup

SONY DSCHappy New Year!  It’s  been a while, friends, and while I have thought about you so very often, I have just been way too busy eating to check in with you.  I mean this pregnancy thing really couldn’t have come at a better time.  Christmas.  New Years.  Holiday gatherings galore.  It all amounted to more yummy food than I can explain.  And then there’s the fact my oven was broken for nearly  a month.  You guys, ONE MONTH.  Do you know how long that is?  I mean I get it, be grateful for what you have, I try so hard.  But my oven?!  Take my hot water.  My coffee.  My contact lenses.  But for the love, don’t take my oven! I’m happy to report we are back up and running around here..and we were so very happy to have this Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup at home for dinner last night.   Continue reading

Honey Garlic Meatballs + Other Easy Holiday Appetizers

What are the chances that you are either hosting a gathering in the next few weeks or that you are responsible to take a “dish to share” to someone elses home?  Pretty good, I would assume.  Tis the season for cocktails, appetizers and gorgeous, festive finger food and friends, I’ve got the hookup right smack dab here.

So, without further ado, I present to you the most merry, yummy, gorgeous little ditties south of the North Pole.  Happy App’ing!   Continue reading

Southwest Chicken, Bacon and Potato Soup

SONY DSCIt won’t stop, you guys.  All things comfort.  All day.  Every day.  I’m not sure if its the damp, cold weather happening around here or the fact that theres a precious tiny little human growing inside of me but COMFORT FOOD, I will find you.

And soups are at the very top of my comfort food list these days. It’s December, after all-seems only appropriate.  As I’ve told you in the past, soups are one of my very favorite dishes to create because there are just no rules.  Soups are so forgiving.  Throw in what you’ve got in the fridge and with a few of the right aromatics, spices and garnishes you’re practically good to go.  This soup right here?  This Southwest Chicken, Bacon and Potato Soup?  You just must.   Continue reading

Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Meatballs

SONY DSCFriends, it’s all beginning!  Snow.  Elastic pants.  Food overload.  Family time.  The holidays….yay!

Are you all set for Thanksgiving?  Turkeys brining?  Recipes ready to rock and roll?  We will be hosting my in laws again this year so it will be cozy and quiet…looking forward to a wonderful day with lots of food.  When it comes to Thanksgiving dinner I’m a bit of a traditionalist….aside from throwing in a fun, new salad here and there I like to stick to the basics.  Classic roasted turkey.  Mashed potatoes and gravy.  Stuffing. Those are the basics….delicious, dependable, crowd pleasing basics.  And then…in my house, there is no such thing as a Thanksgiving meal without Ina’s Spinach Gratin-I die.  And a good old fashioned cranberry sauce-can never ever ever get enough.   Continue reading

Pan Roasted Salmon Mediterranean Bowls with Tahini Sauce

SONY DSCOh for all things yum.  If you’re looking for a warm, yet light, fresh weeknight meal idea look no further, friends.  These bowls right here are the whole shebang.

Let’s start with the tahini sauce.  If you have even the slightest relationship with hummus this stuff will knock your socks off.  I eat it on everything.  I mean everything.  From green salad dressing to veggie dip to burger topping to sweet potato fry dunking.  Tart and garlicky and creamy and oh my golly I just can’t get enough.   Continue reading

Savory Chicken Meatball Soup

SONY DSCI mean is there really anything better than a warm bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup?  If there is, this soup right here could be it.   Continue reading

Simple Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

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Heres the deal, you guys.  I’m going to be frank with you.  I am getting lazy.  Like LAAAAZZZZYYYY.  Yes, you can still count on me to get a decent dinner on the table most nights…but man, I’ll find a shortcut.  Now don’t get me wrong..I love a good Sunday spent in the kitchen…but these weeknights are all about saving time.

I feel like life has progressively taken me to this place of minimal effort.  And yes, the weather these days must have something to  do with it, too.  But it used to be, you know, pre-kids, I was putting hours into dinner.  Hours.  Meticulously dicing, pureeing, grinding, whatever it took to make the food absolutely delicious.  Then one kid…two kids..came along and it has gradually shifted from hours of effort to literally strategizing how I can get this meal on the table as quickly as possible.  What shortcuts can I take that wont sacrifice taste?  How can I make this easier, not only for myself, but for you, my NP people…because Lord knows you don’t have the time either, friends.   Continue reading

Quick-Chili Loaded Baked Potatoes

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You guys, this weather we are having around here!  It’s COLD!  Gorgeous, but man does that change in temp feel like a chill or what?  It’s pretty much the best kind of weather.  You know, the kind of weather where it’s not too cold to sleep with your windows open…but them when you wake up in the morning you can’t possibly seem to peel yourself out of those perfectly warm, cozy covers because your room has an insane chill going through it.

We have been comfort-fooding around here like crazy people lately.  It must be the weather.  And these Quick-Chili Loaded Baked Potatoes made the roster.  I feel like I say this a lot, mostly because I only tend to share the recipes that get my family’s stamp of approval, but these are definitely a favorite among the kiddos. Continue reading