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Bacon Cheeseburgers with Pickled Peppers

Bacon Cheeseburgers with Pickled Peppers

Bacon Cheeseburgers with Pickled Peppers are the perfect burger dinner. For the life of me, I don’t understand why people go to restaurants for burgers. I think burgers are so easy to make at home, and there are so many different variations you can make. 

Chocolate Stuffed French Toast with Strawberries

Chocolate Stuffed French Toast with Strawberries

Chocolate Stuffed French Toast with Strawberries is one of our favorite breakfasts. I begin this recipe by baking a challah. But, feel free to use a store bought challah, a brioche, or just regular white bread. While my personal French toast preference is a challah, 

Beet and Candied Pecan Salad with Goat Cheese Hearts

Beet and Candied Pecan Salad with Goat Cheese Hearts

Beet and Candied Pecan Salad with Goat Cheese Hearts is the perfect salad to serve on Valentine’s Day. As much as I like Christmas and Hanukah, I think Valentine’s Day might be my favorite holiday. I really love that it is such a romantic day, and that it celebrates love. Also, I love the pink and red colors that embody the holiday. In that vein, the red beets and dried cranberries in this salad are perfect for this holiday. And, of course, these goat cheese hearts just scream romance.

The Equipment I Used

  • A Salad Spinner- I can’t make a good salad without a salad spinner. To me, it’s essential for spinning the lettuce. Dressing cannot cling to wet lettuce.
  • A Big Bowl- You’ll need this for tossing your salad. This is the best way to ensure that your dressing coats every lettuce leaf.

The Ingredients Needed for Beet and Candied Pecan Salad with Goat Cheese Hearts

  • Beets- I always try and buy the smallest beets possible. I find the bigger beets don’t taste as good. Beets can be really dirty so I like to soak them and scrub them to get them clean.
  • Dried Cranberries- I used the Ocean Spray Crasins.
  • Pecans-I like to store my pecans in the freezer, so I always have them when I need them.
  • Spring Greens- If you can find a mix that has radicchio, it adds a lot of nice color.
  • Goat Cheese- This adds such a nice creamy texture to the salad.

How I Made My Salad

  • First, I boiled my beets. I checked them once in awhile to see if they were tender.
  • Next, I made the vinaigrette. I like to shake everything up in a jar to get everything combined.
  • Finally, I tossed everything together to make sure everything was coated in the dressing.

We really enjoyed this festive Beet and Candied Pecan Salad with Goat Cheese Hearts. It will definitely be on our Valentine’s Day dinner menu.

Beet and Candied Pecan Salad with Goat Cheese Hearts
Beet and Candied Pecan Salad with Goat Cheese Hearts
Beet and Candied Pecan Salad with Goat Cheese Hearts

Beet and Candied Pecan Salad with Goat Cheese Hearts

Spring greens topped with beets, candied pecans, goat cheese, dried cranberries, and a balsamic vinaigrette.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 4 small beets, scrubbed and trimmed
  • 4 cups Spring greens
  • 4 ounces goat cheese
  • ½ cup dried cranberries

For the Candied Pecans:

  • 1 cup pecan halves
  • 2 tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 3 tbsp. brown sugar

For the Balsamic Vinaigrette:

  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tsp. honey
  • 1 tbsp. orange zest

Instructions
 

  • Place 4 small beets in a three quart saucepan. Fill the pot with water, until the beets are completely submerged. Cover the pot and simmer the beets for thirty minutes, until the beets are tender. Rub the beets under running water to remove the skins. Cut the beets into quarters.
  • While the beets cook, combine all the vinaigrette ingredients in a jar and shake it to combine everything.
  • Also, make the candied pecans: Heat a medium skillet on medium heat and melt the butter and brown sugar together. Add the pecans and stir them until the pecans are toasty and coated with the sugar. Let them cool on a wax paper lined plate.
  • If you want to make the goat cheese hearts, flatten the log and use a cookie cutter to make four hearts. Otherwise, just slice the goat cheese into four slices.
  • In a large bowl, toss together the greens, beets, goat cheese, pecans, dried cranberries, and as much dressing as you want.
Keyword salad
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Tex-Mex Salsa Pizza with Bread Machine Dough

Tex-Mex Salsa Pizza with Bread Machine Dough

Tex-Mex Salsa Pizza with Bread Machine Dough is a nice change from traditional Italian pizza. The crust is extra crispy because it contains cornmeal. And, instead of tomato sauce, this pizza is topped with Adobo sauce. In addition, the pizza is topped with a Monterey 

S’mores Sticky Buns with Bread Machine Dough

S’mores Sticky Buns with Bread Machine Dough

S’mores Sticky Buns with Bread Machine Dough are our new favorite morning treat. I make the dough for these buns in my bread machine, so the hands on time is less than thirty minutes. When the dough comes out of the machine, it is so 

Chickpea Salad Bowls with Lemon Tahini Dressing

Chickpea Salad Bowls with Lemon Tahini Dressing

Chickpea Salad Bowls with Lemon Tahini Dressing are a one dish meatless meal. I begin making these bowls by cooking my chickpeas in olive oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Next, I make a Lemon Tahini Dressing. Finally, I filled each bowl with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, olives, goat cheese, the chickpeas, and the dressing. All together, these components create a filling and delicious meatless main course. To round out this dish, I like to serve this bowl with a crusty bread or a warming soup.

The Equipment I Used

  • A Skillet- I used a medium skillet to cook my chickpeas.
  • A Jar- Use this to shake up your dressing.
  • Bowls- You’ll need four big bowls to layer all your ingredients.

The Ingredients Needed for Chickpea Salad Bowl with Lemon Tahini Dressing

  • Chickpeas- I always use dry chickpeas. The night before I want to make them, I soak my chickpeas in water overnight in the refrigerator. Then, I boil them for ten minutes, and then simmer them for one hour, covered. I store the cooked chickpeas in the freezer.
  • Garlic- Always, I buy the peeled garlic cloves. I keep them in the freezer.
  • Tahini- I like the Noom brand.
  • Lemon Juice- Make sure to use fresh lemons, and squeeze the juice out.
  • Goat Cheese- You could also use feta cheese.

How I Made my Chickpea Bowls

  • First, I cooked my chickpeas with the garlic and red pepper flakes. This infused the chickpeas with so much delicious flavor.
  • Next, I made the Lemon Tahini Dressing. I made sure to shake everything up until the ingredients were all combined.
  • Then, I put the lettuce in the bottom of each bowl.
  • Next, I added all the vegetables, the cheese, and the chickpeas.
  • Finally, I poured some dressing on each bowl.

We all loved these Chickpea Salad Bowls with Lemon Tahini Dressing. Especially in the winter, these bowls are so bright and refreshing. I hope you’ll try them soon.

Chickpea Salad Bowl with Lemon Tahini Dressing
Chickpea Salad Bowl with Lemon Tahini Dressing
Chickpea Salad Bowls with Lemon Tahini Dressing

Chickpea Salad Bowl with Lemon Tahini Dressing

A meatless salad bowl with pan roasted garlic chickpeas, lemon tahini dressing, goat cheese, tomatoes, butter lettuce, cucumbers, red onions, and olives.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 7 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Course Main Course, Salad
Cuisine Greek
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

For the Chickpea Salad Bowl:

  • 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 chopped garlic cloves
  • ¼ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 cup cooked chickpeas
  • ¼ tsp. kosher salt
  • 4 cups Butter Lettuce
  • 1 cup sliced cucumbers
  • 1 cup halved grape tomatoes
  • 1 cup sliced red onions
  • 1 cup crumbled goat cheese
  • 1 cup halved, pitted olives
  • 2 tbsp. chopped parsley

For the Lemon Tahini Dressing:

  • 3 tbsp. tahini
  • ¼ cup lemon juice
  • â…“ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 minced garlic cloves
  • ¼ tsp. kosher salt

Instructions
 

  • For the Chickpea Salad Bowl:
  • Begin by making the garlic chickpeas: In a medium skillet, on low heat, cook the garlic and pepper flakes in the olive oil for two minutes. Add the chickpeas, turn the heat to medium, and cook the chickpeas for about five minutes, until the chickpeas are heated through and toasty. Add the kosher salt.
  • Make the Lemon Tahini Dressing by shaking all the ingredients up in a jar.
  • Divide the lettuce between four bowls, and top with the chickpeas, cheese, and vegetables. Serve with the Lemon Tahini Dressing.
Keyword meatless
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Lemon Poppy Waffles with Blackberry Syrup

Lemon Poppy Waffles with Blackberry Syrup

Lemon Poppy Waffles with Blackberry Syrup are my new favorite waffles. First, I begin these waffles by mixing up a rich lemon poppy seed batter. Next, I make an easy blackberry syrup. Finally, I make the most delicious lemon whipped cream. I had a really 

Tangerine and Beet Winter Salad

Tangerine and Beet Winter Salad

Tangerine and Beet Winter Salad is a filling and delicious salad to serve with practically anything. I love this salad for several reasons. First of all, it uses a bunch of seasonal winter produce, like tangerines and beets. Secondly, it’s full of bright and beautiful 

Pork Chops with Roasted Tomatoes

Pork Chops with Roasted Tomatoes

Pork Chops with Roasted Tomatoes is an elegant but easy main course. I make this dinner by topping thick bone-in pork chops with with two delicious toppings. First, I slow roast fresh grape tomatoes, which add such sweet and fresh flavor. Then, I make a decadent Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce, filled with white wine, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese. Both of these toppings really take the pork chops to the next level of yum!

The Equipment You’ll Need

  • A Cast Iron Skillet- I use this to roast the pork.
  • An Instant Read Meat Thermometer- This is the key to not under or overcooking your pork.

The Ingredients Needed for Pork Chops with Roasted Tomatoes

  • Pork Chops- I used bone-in thick cut pork chops, about an inch and a half thick.
  • Grape Tomatoes- You could also use cherry tomatoes.
  • Thyme- Fresh thyme adds so much fresh, herby flavors.
  • White Wine- Use a dry white wine for the Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce. I used Pinot Grigo, because that’s what I had.
  • Garlic Cloves- I like to buy the pre-peeled garlic cloves and I store them in my freezer.
  • Cream- Be sure and use heavy cream.
  • Sun-Dried Tomatoes- Don’t use the ones sitting in olive oil. Use the dry ones. I keep these in my freezer.
  • Parmesan cheese- Grate your cheese on the finest setting possible.

How I Made my Pork Chops

  • First, I roasted my tomatoes. You can make these ahead of time and reheat them at the last minute.
  • Then, while the tomatoes roasted made the cream sauce. This can also be made ahead of time, and then you can just gently reheat it.
  • Next, I seared the pork chops. I used my thermometer to make sure I removed them when they were exactly 145 degrees in the middle of the chop.
  • Then, I made sure to rest my chops for ten minutes.
  • Finally, I topped the chops with some Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce and some tomatoes.

We all really loved these Pork Chops with Roasted Tomatoes. And, I must say they made great leftovers the next day. I simply reheated them in the microwave and they were perfect!

Pork Chops with Roasted Tomatoes
Pork Chops with Roasted Tomatoes
Pork Chops with Roasted Tomatoes

Pork Chops with Roasted Tomatoes

Pork Chops topped with a Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce and Roasted Tomatoes.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pint grape tomatoes, cut in halves
  • â…› tsp. each kosher salt, pepper, and sugar
  • 2 tbsp. fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 cup white wine
  • 3 cloves garlic, sliced
  • 1½ cups heavy cream
  • 3 tbsp. sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
  • 3 tbsp. Parmesan cheese, finely grated
  • ¼ tsp. black pepper
  • 1 tbsp. olive oil
  • 4 bone-in pork chops, about 1½ inches thick , at room temperature
  • ¼ tsp. each kosher salt, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes
  • 2 tbsp. dark brown sugar

Instructions
 

  • Begin by roasting the tomatoes: Preheat the oven to 275 degrees. Place the tomatoes, cut side facing up, on a sheet pan. Sprinkle with an â…› teaspoon of kosher salt, black pepper, and sugar. Also, add a tablespoon of the thyme. Bake the tomatoes for 25 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, begin making the Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce: In a three quart saucepan, boil the white wine and garlic until reduced by half. Add the heavy cream, and boil for about ten minutes, until the sauce is reduced and thickened. Add the sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan, and the rest of the thyme leaves.
  • When the the tomatoes are done, turn the oven up to 425 degrees. Heat a cast iron skillet to high heat. Sprinkle the pork chops on both sides with the garlic powder, kosher salt, and red pepper flakes. Add the olive oil to the skillet and sear the pork chops until brown on both sides. Put the skillet in the oven and bake the chops for about ten minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees. Remove the chops to a plate, tent them with foil, and let them rest ten minutes.
  • Top the chops with the Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce and Roasted Tomatoes, and serve.
Keyword Italian, pork
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Beef Birria Egg Rolls with Adobo Sauce

Beef Birria Egg Rolls with Adobo Sauce

Beef Birria Egg Rolls with Adobo Sauce is a delicious appetizer. For this recipe, I use slow cooked beef birria. I made Birria Tacos with Cucumber Salad a few weeks ago, so I had leftover meat in the freezer. Otherwise, I would have started this