Really, Erin? Yes....trust me! This was one of those "happy accident meals" and I had to share this with you. This past summer, our family spent some time at our family's lake cabin in Minnesota. I had a crash course in "country living" and being far away from the grocery store. I had to adjust my meal planning habits a little to be better prepared for the "long drive … [Read more...]
Chunky Avocado Salsa
Can you say CINCO DE MA-YUM!!!! It's Cinco de Mayo week and I've got a great new recipe to try! Love me some salsa (yes, I judge tex-mex joints based on their salsa!) and I apparently have been missing out on the whole 'add avocado chunks to your salsa' thing. This is 'next level' salsa right here...and I'm so grateful to my friend Hannah for introducing me to this bowl … [Read more...]
King Ranch Chicken Mac & Cheese
Pardon me while I drown myself in this bowl of cheesy delicious. It's macaroni and cheese, doctored up with all the delicious flavors from the traditional King Ranch Chicken. I've made King Ranch Chicken Enchiladas...and we are adding this Mac n Cheese to our "King Ranch list." You can use any small shell pasta for this - I used rotini because that's what I had in my … [Read more...]
Barely Seasoned Rice
Rice - it's one of our favorite side dishes. Because it's easy. It's cheap. It's filling (hello, 4 growing boys!!!). And it's super 'customizable.' As a kid, we grew up eating simple rice as a side dish. I think it was minute rice, cooked in water. I liked to add butter and garlic salt to mine. Just a smidge. My brother would drown his in salad dressing/vinaigrette - … [Read more...]
Twirly Triple Mac n Cheese
Cheesy magic is about to happen in your kitchen. Have you ever made a homemade cheese sauce? If not, please do so...like, tonight. I'm showing you how in the video (you can watch the complete FB Live video here.) It's super simple and after watching, you'll have the confidence and inspiration to try! What makes this recipe so amazing is the combination of mild cheddar, … [Read more...]
Cuban Black Beans
I adore Caribbean food. I'm not sure if it's because I lived in the Caribbean (specifically the Dominican Republic) for 6 years. Or because I love Latin food in general. Or because I love Tex-Mex food. Or because I just love food. It's probably all of the above...but mainly the Caribbean living part. I also love rich and flavorful rice and beans meals like this one … [Read more...]
Copycat Panera Mac ‘n Cheese
It's the white cheddar. WHITE CHEDDAR. And if you can splurge on some white cheddar from Vermont...DO IT. Because, it's so so so so so so good! And the cracked pepper. There's just something about cracked pepper on homemade macaroni and cheese. This Copycat Panera Mac 'n Cheese is outstanding! Copycat Panera Mac 'n Cheese Totally … [Read more...]
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
My son Charlie has declared these the perfect Oatmeal Raisin Cookies. He's not a fan of chocolate chip cookies. Which I make often. So I find myself making a batch of oatmeal raisin cookies for Charlie and my husband. (Charlie is Steve's mini-me in so many ways...looks, personality, they are both early bird morning people, they don't like chocolate chip cookies but do like … [Read more...]
Chunky Beef & 15 Bean Chili
I'm sitting here watching Sunday night football. Rather, I'm sitting here with football playing in the background. My older boys have become quite the football aficionados and I know more about football these days than I ever have in my entire life. (Thanks to the endless supply of information and stats they tell me every day.) I've always loved college football...but that … [Read more...]
Beef & Bean Oven Nachos
Dare I admit that this is one of those meals that I would plop right onto the table and let the kids dig from the dish. (Yes, I'd let it cool a bit so the glass dish isn't hot to the touch. And yes, I'd help my younger toddler.) But I know we all have 'those' afternoons where you just want to drop dinner on the table and let the big kids dig for themselves. Well, this is … [Read more...]