Loaded Blueberry Bread

I love quick breads! If you're searching for a seasonal blueberry recipe, look no further. This bread is loaded with blueberries and you don't even have the hassle of taking off the paper (like a blueberry muffin). Just slice and munch. Please enjoy!

Browned Butter Banana Blondies with Brown Sugar Frosting

My nephew is an absolute monkey! For his last birthday, I made him these monkey-inspired banana treats and he (along with the rest of my family) gobbled them right up. Make these if you're ever having a nana craving. 

Orange Poppy Seed Cake

A simple twist on a classic cake. These are simple ingredients with a great outcome.  I remember my grandmother making lemon poppy seed cake all the time. The smell that filled the kitchen was nostalgic and sweet. Please enjoy this moist cake and think of your childhood :)

Potato Broccoli Soup

Simple and tasty! A soup with a great texture and can hold its own or great with some bread for dipping. It meat-free and veggie loaded. Enjoy!

Chicken & Stars

So I hope we are all aware that the yellow brothed, condensed version of this recipe is not what you will be getting as your end result....IT'S BETTER!! You can taste all of the ingredients and they aren't muddled together and overwhelmed by salt. You may be accustomed to the condensed version, but this one is a little more grown up, but still a kid pleaser. Don't get me wrong, I have memories of eating this soup as a child, but it was a rare occasion because the regular chicken noodle was easier to find. Here is this recipe in hopes that there is liquid nostalgia poured into your bowl.

Chicken Hobos

This recipe brings me back... I remember having this for dinner a lot when I was growing up because it was something that we could all agree upon (that and Dad's homemade pizza). This recipe takes little preparation and cook time and is sure to please everyone!! You may wonder why they're called "hobos" and to be honest I'm not sure when my family started calling them this... ANYWAY, we call them "hobos," because, similar to a hobo, you throw everything you need into a sack or package. This recipe can be altered to fit you and your family's tastes, but this is how my family has always prepared them, but replacing the hamburger with chicken.

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.

Parmesan Potato Poppers

This is a quick and easy appetizer idea. Adult and kid friendly! These are great alone, but they can also go well with dipping sauces. This recipe makes just enough for two or one hungry person. I have a secret to making them extra crispy...read the recipe to find out.

Italian Cheese Bread

This is a great way to use up and dress up a loaf of ordinary bread. This is a very easy, quick and tasty recipe that everyone will love. Eat your heart out fast-food pizza chains!!!

Bacon-Wrapped Scallops

I was feeling adventurous when I took on this dish. My husband was hesitant trying scallops, so I figured if I wrapped them in bacon he would be a little less intimidated. This was successful! In addition to introducing my husband to new cuisine, I also learned more about scallops. You know the typical seashell that has the "scalloped" edges? Yep, that's where these meaty medallions come from. I never put two-and-two together. 

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.

Fresh Applesauce

This past weekend I visited some apple orchards with my family and we brought home a good amount of apples. We grabbed two varieties of apples in particular: Haralson and Fireside. I personally prefer the Fuji apple, but everyone has their own tastes. Apples are intriguing to me because they may all look the same on the outside, but they can be completely different beneath the skin. 

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

Personal Pizzas

Pizza is amazing to begin with, but it is even better when you get your own!!! I have included the recipe for the great crust and the easy pizza sauce, but top it with whatever you would like. I chose to keep mine healthy; The picture below is LOADED with vegetables. I tossed on a bunch of sliced vegetables including: red onion, broccoli, spinach, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, Anaheim pepper, red chili flakes, Parmesan, and slices of garlic cream cheese. Give it a try, it's delicious.

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!