Pumpkin Muffins

Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger...all of the spices of Fall. Along with the spices, come the pumpkins and squash! Although considered a "SUPER FOOD," I find that the only tastes of pumpkin are being experienced through a special ordered latte at the coffee shop. This is a recipe that isn't too sweet and allows the pumpkin flavor to shine through the complimenting spices. These are great alone, with a little honey or just a good swipe of butter.

Baked Doughnuts

Homer Simpson would be a very happy man. This recipe is really versatile because you can mix in fresh berries, chocolate, etc to create a tasty treat. You can also try a variety of frosting and toppings to make these doughnuts exactly what you need to curb your cravings.

Shredded Turkey Tacos

 




Tired of plain, dry, lifeless leftover bird? Instead of dousing it with gravy, this is a great way to use up that Thanksgiving turkey!! It takes only a few minutes to prepare and can be suited to all of your family member's tastes. This mix of herbs and spices is universal and can transform any dish into a taco flavored masterpiece.

Perfect Pancakes

I had to get a recipe that was going to be successful then I was teaching my 6th and 7th graders; here is what I've got! They are hard to mess up and are that great combination of fluffy, sweet and chewy. Top them with your favorite syrups, nuts, or chocolate chips (which were a particular favorite with the kids). I know my grandpa would just spread on some homemade jam and call it a meal fit for a king.

Flaky-Layer Biscuits

Another fast and tasty favorite. Five easy ingredients to give you impressive results. If you love the flaky biscuits that you can buy in the tube, you will love these! No experience necessary or that pop from the tube that you know is coming, but still scares the pants off of you when you peel open the package...

Spicy Pork and Noodles

I love it when I can re-purpose ingredients from another meal. This is a one of those dishes that my mom would be proud of because you take leftover pulled pork from the refrigerator and give it a 360 twist! The spicy sauce even uses the same spices that were used to flavor the pulled pork, just in different increments. It's quick and tasty.

Microwave Mashed Potatoes

This is my recipe for fast, fresh and tasty mashed potatoes. I actually prefer this method over boil the potatoes because I know all of the nutrients aren't being lost in the water. If you prefer, you can bake the potatoes in the oven, but this method is meant for those of us who are in a time crunch. 

Spinach Artichoke Spread

Yummy spread that is great on bread, crackers, or even tossed with pasta. It's very simple, but loaded with flavor.

Egg-In-A-Pepper

I was shown a picture of this dish, but it was a complete fail! The egg was seeping out the bottom of the pepper rings and all over the pan. I looked at the picture and said to myself "I know how to prevent that!" I flour the bottom of the pepper to create a crusty barrier so that the egg stays inside the ring. Next time I make this dish (and I will make it again), I'm going to kick it up a notch...maybe some bread crumbs, fresh herbs, cheese, or even a spin an Eggs Benedict?  It's very versatile.

Crispy Baked Fries

I remember making these for my aunt a few years ago because she was craving some crispy french fries. When I pulled them out of the oven she wanted to know how I got them to be the perfect color and crisp. Some people deep fry them, other toss them in oil; NOT I!! Three simple ingredients, and patience is all that it takes. Now I share my secrets... 

Leftover Hash

In my family, it is almost a guarantee that we make too much food at our holiday gatherings, so there are plenty of leftovers. This is a quick idea to use up those holiday leftovers! Use what you've got: sweet potatoes, stuffing, broccoli, turkey, chicken, WHATEVER; turn it into a yummy hash :)

Dark Chocolate Lave Cake

Surprisingly, I had never made this cake before I made it for my husband's birthday. I looked at several different recipes to get an idea of what needed to go into them and then altered it based upon my baking experiences. They turned out perfectly! I will happily make these again because they were quick and easy. These chocolate cakes appear like you put more effort into make them than they actually require.

Spätzle

 


Spätzle or Spaetzle, is a type of egg noodle that originated in south Germany. It has a soft, chewy texture, is seasoned and can be served with a variety of sauces, gravies, or simply tossed with butter and herbs. I was first introduced to this dish when I was student teaching. I taught an Advanced Food class where their final project was to chose a country and prepare a traditional meal for the rest of the class. While watching them prepare the meal, the spaetzle looked particularly interesting to me.

5-Ingredient Beef Stroganoff

My mom is a firm believer of "The simpler, the better." I know she'll be proud of this one and probably has even made something like it. I think my husband was impressed with this recipe because it has only a handful of ingredients, but BIG flavors. It is a classic Russian dish and can be surprisingly light. Also called Beef Stroganov, it traditionally is made up of sautéed pieces of beef served in a  sour cream sauce. I lightened it up by using a lean cut of meat and fat-free sour cream. This is easy, filling, and tasty. Surprise yourself and your guests with this meal ;D

Simple Corn Chowder

Several corn chowder recipes that I have looked at call for heavy cream, butter, bacon, etc. and I wanted to lighten it up without taking away any flavor. This is an easy recipe that has a creamy texture and that can be done in no time! Canned cream corn is the secret to making this such a quick meal. I also develop the flavor by boiling the potatoes in chicken stock...GENIUS!

Light Vegetable Soup

I honestly feel that soup is one of the hardest things to screw up; if it is cooked long it develops more flavor and there's so much liquid in it that you can't burn it! The trick to a good soup is GOOD STOCK! You can buy stock in the can or make it yourself and freeze it. When I have bones from any kind of meat or vegetables that are almost bad, I know it's time to make some soup stock. Soup has a way of being really filling, yet very healthy when it is done correctly. Whenever I think of soup, I think of a warm savory broth, loaded with vegetables and some tasty saltine crackers on the side. Mmmm....

Easy Orange Chicken

I was challenged to transform $1 chicken tenders into something that looked and tasted even better. This is definitely a few steps upward in both of those departments! I did all the preparation and cooking in less than 15 minutes. This is a college dorm friendly recipe!

Cheesy Cauliflower Mash

This is such an easy side dish and a great way to trick the kids into eating vegetables. The cauliflower flavor is somewhat masked by the flavors of the cheese and sour cream; you can also add a few potatoes to try and hide the flavor even more.