We always grill on Memorial Day weekend. It's just tradition. Being in the backyard with the boys running around, maybe a sprinkler going, smelling the deliciousness coming from the grill, and hearing neighborhood children chatter and play all around us. Love it! Wishing you an enjoyable and memorable Memorial Day as we celebrate and honor all the men & … [Read more...]
Borracho Beans with Chorizo Sausage
You want to know how I'm planning on surviving the teenage years without spending $8,000 a month of food (yes, I'm exaggerating!)??? This pot of beans right here. Specifically, I plan on making lots and lots and lots and lots of rice and beans over the years. Because it's cheap. And it's filling. And all of my boys will polish their plates when they are loaded with … [Read more...]
Avocado Ranch Dip
I <3 dips. Like, really love them. I love making them, I love dunking veggies into them, I love the crunchy-creamy combo of a snack like this! Dips make for great appetizers...and even a simple dinner on a hot summer evening. A 'dip bar' is a great way to do an easy, no-cook dinner. Just serve a dip like this with some veggies, along with a dip like this with some Naan … [Read more...]
Homemade Pumpkin Dinner Rolls
Homemade Pumpkin Dinner Rolls are the perfect addition to your holiday meal! There's just something about homemade bread. But I know it can be intimidating to make homemade bread, from scratch. If you've never done it before, fret no more. I've got detailed "by hand" directions for making the dough below. If you have a bread machine, you have no excuse ;) You can use … [Read more...]
Texas Caviar Party Dip
More football food, friends. Dare I admit that I've lived back in TX for more than 3 years and I'm FINALLY sharing my Texas Caviar recipe. This stuff is like 'healthy dip crack' - because it's not super high in fat or calories and it's super colorful. And full of fiber. And good for you. But it's addicting.addicting.addicting. You've been warned … [Read more...]
Creamed Corn with Roasted Hatch Chiles
My husband has a thang for creamed corn. He adores it. I like it. It's good. But he loves it. Like, really loves it. Whenever we eat out at a BBQ restaurant, it's always the first side that I order to go with the meat. He could polish off a pint or even a quart on his own. While BBQ restaurant sides are gooooooood, they (along with their meaty side kicks) are muy … [Read more...]
Asian Ramen Noodle Salad
Okay. Let's talk about this salad really fast. I'm including it in this 31-Minutes Meals series for a few reasons. But there's a 'but.' This Asian Ramen Noodle Salad is so so so good. Not only because of the rich flavor of the homemade dressing. But because it's CHEAP. Cole slaw is cheap. Ramen is cheap. (Yes, I toss the seasoning packet. Ick.) Chicken (when bought on … [Read more...]
Grilled Balsamic Veggies
Here is the perfect side dish for your next cookout. As I've shared before this month (and I'll share again!), I love when you can make an entire meal out on the grill...main dish, side dish, bread and even dessert. Yesterday was a "feels like 107" degrees kind of day, loaded with humidity too. So the very last thing I want to do is add a single degree to the … [Read more...]
Pesto Orzo with Tomatoes
Oh pesto. Pesto, pesto, pesto. Pesto just tastes like summer, doesn't it?! I don't make pesto too often because pine nuts are expensive and I can't always get them into my budget...but I found some on sale this week and made my own pesto! Because, enjoying pesto-laced pasta is like taking a bite out of summer. I've written the recipe below with store bought pesto, … [Read more...]
Apple & Almond Butter Sandwiches
So dipping apples in peanut butter has been a long time snack favorite around here. My older boys will happily dip apples in peanut butter for a protein punch in the afternoon, but neither of them would touch a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with a ten foot pole. (I don't get it, but it is what it is.) I decided to 'put it to a test' (albeit, not really a fair test!) to … [Read more...]