If you are watching the World Cup nonstop, you need delicious, filling finger food that you can enjoy while you are cheering for your country to win. There is no time for a formal sit-down dinner this month, not when the World Cup only comes every 4 years! So, I created these filling, delicious, meal-in-one, taco-stuffed potato skins. Yes, they may take a little time to make, but if you plan ahead you can be right back to watching the World Cup with a taco stuffed potato skin in your hand. … [Read more...]
Spicy Cilantro Pesto Quinoa Bowl with Soft Boiled Eggs
Who doesn’t love a nice runny egg yolk? They are a beautiful golden color with a luscious, rich, silky texture. I recently learned how to soft boil an egg to achieve the perfect runny yolk every single time. Soft boiling eggs is really quite simple. And, in my opinion, it’s easier than poaching an egg. It’s all about the timing with soft boiled eggs. 6 minutes exactly. Not one minute more or less. Your egg timer is your new best friend. Once I mastered making soft boiled eggs my mind … [Read more...]
Shrimp Salad with Thyme
I grew up eating tons of peel-and-eat shrimp with a punchy cocktail sauce, and coconut shrimp, fried shrimp-- shrimp in any type of meal that you can imagine. I guess you can say that I am an experienced shrimp eater. When I was brainstorming ideas for shrimp recipes I stumbled across Ina Garten’s shrimp salad. The idea of shrimp salad was foreign to me. Somehow during my shrimp eating experience I missed out on the shrimp salad train. I knew that I must make shrimp salad to fill in my shrimp … [Read more...]
Broccoli and Cheddar-Bacon-Quinoa Bites
This past weekend Paul and I went on a weekend getaway to celebrate our first wedding anniversary. We had a wonderful time exploring a new city. For me, breakfast is a huge topic. I absolutely believe that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It is how you start your day off, and it is up to you to kick-start your day in a healthy way. This, in my opinion, makes a total difference in how well my day turns out. Our hotel offered a complimentary breakfast, which is great to take … [Read more...]
Salmon with 4-Herb Pesto
Ever since I planted my herbs three weeks ago, I have been itching to make something with them. A 4- herb pesto spooned over salmon was the ticket. Salmon is one of my all-time favorite foods because it is delicious, healthy, and a quick meal to make. 10 or 15 minutes and you’re done. Pesto is also a super-fast condiment to whip up; just a whirl in the food processor while the salmon cooks and that’s it! Combine both flavorful, healthy foods and you have a very tasty meal! The salmon is … [Read more...]
Jalapeno and Cilantro Burgers
Burger season has almost approached us here in Iowa. I am encouraging Mother Nature to warm us up by making these spicy Jalapeno and cilantro burgers! Come on Mother Nature, you can do it! I would have braved the chilly weather and fired up the grill to achieve that ultimate smoky flavor that only a grill outside can create. But, we can’t use our grill anymore, at least not until we move into a house. Long story short, the fire department is cracking down on some fire codes here. We can no … [Read more...]
Green Chili-Pork Soup
Are you ready for your Cinco de Mayo festivities? If you aren’t, I have the perfect recipe to help you celebrate. Green chili and pork soup is a Mexican-inspired, hearty one-pot meal. The broth is this luscious tomatillo base with a hint of cinnamon and orange, balanced with the caramel flavors from a dark Mexican beer. Don’t worry, the 6 poblano chilies won’t start a fire, they are very mild, especially when the seeds are removed. The orange bell pepper and frozen corn add a bright sweetness … [Read more...]
Indian-Spiced Lamb
If you love lamb as much as I do, you will love these Indian-spiced lamb chops. If you’re not a lamb fan, you must try this recipe! It will convert you into an instant lamb lover. What is the ultimate match for lamb? Indian spices! Let’s talk about these Indian spices, shall we? We’ve got your favorite curry powder which is generally made up of cumin, turmeric, fennel, mustard flour, coriander seed, allspice, ginger, and cayenne pepper. Combined, these spices are robust and tangy. If you … [Read more...]
Basic Whole Roasted Chicken
Basic whole roasted chicken has become a staple in our little household. The smell of a whole chicken cooking in the oven is divine. It creates this nice homey feel that wraps me in a warm blanket. The crispy skin covering juicy chicken meat is simple, yet nothing short of delicious. If you are intimidated by the thought of cooking a whole chicken, don’t be. It just takes a little knowledge and practice to get it right. The salt and pepper really add so much flavor to the meat and help to lock … [Read more...]
Coconut Chicken Curry with Zucchini and Quinoa
There is nothing better than a heartwarming curry dish. The robust, earthy curry spices melded with rich coconut milk and stir-fried veggies makes me swoon. I jump at the opportunity to eat at a good Thai restaurant! I could literally eat at a Thai restaurant every day and my belly would be perfectly satisfied, but it would empty my wallet. It became obvious that I must cook these mouth-watering Thai dishes at home to help keep my sanity in check and to keep my wallet happy. When I began … [Read more...]
