Easy Crockpot Corned Beef & Cabbage

I bought a new crockpot today. *sigh* Its a beauty. It is stainless-steel and black and holds up to 7 quarts of glorious food.  At more than double the size of my regular one, it was definitely an overdue purchase.  So what was the first thing I made in it?  Why, Corned…

Weeknight Marinara: How To Make Store-Bought Sauce Taste Like Homemade

If you could smell what I smell right now, you would swear I had spent hours in the kitchen chopping, dicing, mincing, and stirring my way to the awesome sauce you see above.  If you could taste what is in this picture, you just might start searching my house for the Italian…

Carnita Nachos W/Chipotle-Lime Crema

So.  There is this big game coming up.  Maybe you have heard of it.  Its called the Super Bowl. I only mention it because I happened to be visiting some hardcore football fans the weekend the competing teams were selected and I actually witnessed the games.   Not being a huge sports…

Carolina Cobb Salad

Well hello! For those of you who are noticing that this is the second salad recipe I have posted in a week, I would like to reply with, yes, I realize that too.  And I will not apologize for it, dang it!! You can never have too many fresh, flavor-filled salads in…

Winter Salad W/Cranberries & Feta

Just popping in quick to share one of my most favorite salads with you.  Yes, those are sugared almonds.  Yes, that is one of the reasons its my favorite.  So sue me. I like to call this my winter salad because it looks so fresh and crisp and clean and bright!  Like…

Easy Veggie Spread

I feel as though I would be remiss in my duties as a blogger if I didn’t share this recipe with you.  Is there some kind of foodie law enforcement that makes sure bloggers share the good stuff instead of keeping it to themselves?  Just to be safe, I will disclose all…

Chocolate Cherry Cream Dip

My husband just walked by the computer and glanced at this photograph.  He stopped, looked closer, and stated. “Wow, Babe.  That photo is amazing.”  As he strolled away, I growled under my breath, “I want to eat it…” The truth is, I did eat it.  Last week.  I snacked, dipped, nibbled, and…

How To: DIY Sugared Almonds

I once asked a foodie friend of mine what her favorite part of a salad was.  Her response?  “The candy.”  I busted out laughing. Of course, what she really meant was the toasted, sugar coated walnuts, almonds, or pecans that seem to crown so many restaurant salads.  While I am a fan…

Grilled Sausage W/Apple-Cabbage Saute

Just a quick post to share one of our favorite autumnal dinners!  Believe me when I say that this recipe is a winner.  I mean, you should always believe me (I am very trustworthy) but for SERIOUS, you should believe me now. It is fast to throw together, full of flavor, and…

Spinach & Feta Artichoke Dip

I owe my love of artichokes to my good friend, Dede. Actually, I owe quite a bit to her.  Not the least of which is the fact that she taught me how to devein shrimp, sneak food into a movie theater, and even hosted our wedding at her farm.  Years ago, when…

Crustless Sun-Dried Tomato Quiche

I grew up with big breakfasts. My Dad always liked to make the works on the weekends and he was good at it.  Fried potatoes with onions, a big platter of fried eggs, sausage patties, toast-everything a good breakfast purist would want.  And you wouldn’t believe how perfect my Dad can make…

How To: Make Your Own Chicken Stock

I feel like chicken stock (or chicken broth) is one of those things that scare people.  The whole business of a DIY process for something you can buy very easily in a can at the store is, I am sure, absurd to some people.  Like making your own corn flakes or churning…

Simple Artichoke Dip

Ah.  Classic artichoke dip.  How I love thee… There are some things in this world that you just need to know how to make.  Bread, poached eggs, really good chocolate chip cookies, and if I may be so bold as to add to the list-artichoke dip.  Its classic.  Its simple.  Its familiar…

Honey Cinnamon Slow-Cooker Peach Crisp

Recently, my husband and I purchased a large parcel of land in the middle of the South Carolina midlands.  We have been busy getting ready to build, filling out paperwork, marking trees for removal, pouring over the floor plans, and all the other tasks that accompany a project the size of ours….

Gluten-Free Honey Oat Protein Bites

About a year ago, when I still lived in central Illinois, I was given this recipe from a friend and fellow Mommy.  She was on a mission to get more fit and make some long lasting, healthy changes in her life.  One of her discoveries was this recipe that she got off…