The tree is up, even though it leans precariously to one side as if tempting one of the new kittens to bring it all down in a blaze of silver tinsel and glory. A small smattering of precisely wrapped and bowed packages are waiting patiently under the leaning tree tempting the children to wonder what could be in them. In the kitchen, the last vestiges of Thanksgiving dinner – ...
Family Dinners
Garlic and Rosemary Roasted Chicken
Roasting a whole chicken is a great way to feed the family and boost your confidence at the same time. Garlic and Rosemary Roasted Chicken will make everyone feel full and loved. When I was a teenager in high school, I took art class as my elective. In one of those classes, we learned how to draw boxes in perspective. These simple boxes were the stepping stones to learning ...
Slow Cooker Peppered Pot Roast with Potatoes
Shake up your pot roast with sweet bell peppers and a savory tomatoey sauce! This Slow Cooker Peppered Pot Roast with Potatoes is a fabulous weeknight meal after a busy day! September is a busy time of year for anyone in the agriculture business. The early days of autumn bring in a flurry of activity in fields and pastures everywhere. The wine industry is particularly busy ...
Autumn Chicken and Sausage Sheet Pan Dinner
Autumn Chicken and Sausage Sheet Pan Dinner has chicken, italian sausage, brussels sprouts, red onion and sweet potatoes in a yummy marinade. This sheet pan dinner has something for everyone in it! Savory chicken, hearty sausage and perfectly roasted veggies make for a complete and fuss free family dinner option that works well for busy school nights, or anytime that ...
Big Batch Turkey Meatballs
Everyone has a freezer. But the moment that you commit to a stand-alone deep freezer for your family home is the day that you open new doors of possibility!! With a deep freeze (or two) in your house you can take advantage of sales on meat, bread and butter. With a little extra frozen interior you can plan out and make meals more months in the future! You are only ...
Cheesy Chicken & Broccoli Bake
Easy, cheesy and delicious this Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Bake is a great family weeknight meal. Even the leftovers are delicious. Grab a rotisserie chicken from the store to make this meal even faster! I find it ironic that, for me, stepping outside of my culinary comfort zone means making a casserole. As a child of the 80’s, I should be well-versed in the magic of the ...
Braised Herbed Turkey Legs in the Crock Pot
One of the most overlooked best buys in the grocery store has to be turkey legs. Turkey legs are usually only seen on the dinner table connected to the rest of the bird during the holidays, but they are available year round in the meat department. They are usually very cheap and are a wonderful change from chicken or beef. Braised Herbed Turkey Legs in the Crock Pot makes your ...
Easy DIY Foil Packet Salmon Dinner
Easy DIY Foil Packet Salmon Dinners are infinitely customizable and a delicious way to get the whole family involved with dinner. Pile in everyone's favorite veggies and top with a salmon fillet and a fresh compound butter and you've got a great dinner for the whole family. This would even be a great recipe for the#KidsMakeDinner Challenge! Every year we vacation at ...
Bacon Queso Stuffed Burgers
Bacon Queso Stuffed Burgers are a deliciously different variation on a the classic American burger. Fresh and creamy queso fresco and salty bacon are at the center of an all-beef patty that is just waiting to ooze at first bite. The all-American burger has really become part of the psyche of the country. Probably more American than apple pie and only slightly less ...
Extra Crispy Pork Tenderloin Sandwich
This Extra Crispy Pork Tenderloin Sandwich is what you want for your next meal. A thin pork tenderloin cutlet is breaded and pan-fried to perfection and topped with tangy dijonnaise and pickles. So so so good. This recipe makes the best pork tenderloin sandwich ever. A thin cut of pork tenderloin is fried to perfection to make an extra crispy sandwich that ...
Spring Parmesan Pasta
Spring Parmesan Pasta is a colorful and vibrant recipe that perfectly showcases the season's freshest veggies. Peas and Swiss chard are the heros of this version, but you could easily substitute the fresh veg coming out of your own garden. If you know me, then you know that I am not a religious person. It’s not a thing I wave around like a flag, but it’s not a big ...
Hot Dog Toppings 5 Ways
Turn up your next backyard cookout with these Hot Dog Toppings 5 Ways. Enjoy them individually, or combine these hot dog toppings in endlessly delicious variations. It only takes about an hour to make all 5 of these, and you can even prep these the day before if you like. Sure, the kids will only want ketchup on theirs, but the adults at the party will appreciate these hot dog ...
Crock Pot Carnitas with Quick Pickled Veggies
Crock Pot Carnitas with Quick Pickled Veggies is an easy way to get a festive Mexican meal on the table! Slow cooked pork makes for amazing tacos and the quick pickled veggies and fresh pico de gallo brighten up the rich pork butt. Summer Fever is beginning to set in at our house. Plans have been made, summer camps paid for, new swimsuits have been ...
Stuffed Godfather Meatloaf
Meatloaf stuffed with ham and cheese and topped with tomato sauce is perfectly easy to make for friends and family. The technique is simple, but the possibilities are endless. Dress it up with prosciutto or salami instead of ham. Try it with pepperoni and pizza sauce. Out of mozzarella? Try fontina instead. But whenever you make this Stuffed Godfather Meatloaf, do yourself a ...
Fried Tuna Patties with Yogurt Dill Sauce
Fried Tuna Patties with Yogurt Dill Sauce is one of those rare combinations of cheap, quick and delicious. We must have eaten tuna patties ( or "tuna croquettes" if you want to get real Southern) at least once a week growing up. Embrace the canned tuna and whip up this family favorite! I have a deep, abiding love for fried tuna patties. Isn't that weird? I just can't ...