I’m all about making as many things as possible ahead of time to make actual dinners or events easier to manage. And Thanksgiving is certainly no different. Slow Cooker recipes, like this Slow Cooker Creamed Corn, are perfect for make ahead sides for Thanksgiving!
This recipe for Slow Cooker Creamed Corn is super easy and can be made a few days ahead of time if needed. But, because it’s in your slow cooker, it’s also easy to make the day of while not using precious stovetop and oven space!
Ironically, I’ve been having a hard time getting into a cooking groove during this pandemic. Even though I’m now home basically ALL the time, my job seems to have gotten even busier, and I’m in the process of getting my MBA so I seem to have even less time in the day to cook. Which means I need to get back into doing some food prep on my weekends more than ever, like making these Freezable Breakfast Burritos.
Breakfast is probably one of the hardest meals for me to actually make. For one, I’m not terribly good at making eggs. Plus, I’d much rather roll out of bed and start working immediately. So any make ahead recipes that I can quickly heat up are super helpful.
These Breakfast Burritos are perfect for hectic mornings. They are freezable, so you can take them out of the freezer the night before and just microwave them quickly in the morning. Plus, they are completely customizable to whatever you like in your breakfast burrito! This makes 10 breakfast burritos, so feel free to adjust as needed (my husband and I can polish these off within 2 weeks).
Ingredients:
1/2 (19 oz) bag of tater tots
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 lb breakfast sausage, casing removed (you may be able to find just ground breakfast sausage without the casing as well)
I think fall cooking might be my favorite kind of cooking. I love comfort food meals that make the whole house smell good! And anything I can put over pasta is guaranteed to be a winning recipe in my house. So this Pressure Cooker Puttanesca Pork Ragu is right up my alley.
I came across a recipe for a puttanesca-style ragu and knew I had to try out my own version! Puttanesca sauces typically have a bunch of brine-y ingredients in them — capers, olives, anchovies — in a tomato sauce that may have a little heat to it as well. I honestly don’t make many puttanesca-inspired dishes because, well, I don’t love olives. But my husband does, so I figured it was worth a try!
This recipe uses a pressure cooker to get that cooking all day flavor in much less time. You’re still looking at a just under 2-hour recipe though, so plan ahead!
I am a big fan of my slow cooker (I have 50+ slow cooker recipes on my blog); especially recipes I can set them and walk away (or leave my house) for 4 to 8 hours. But like a lot of people, I’ve been home quite a bit more, given the pandemic, so I decided to try to make a recipe that requires you to stay a bit closer to your slow cooker – Slow Cooker Granola.
My mother-in-law mentioned making granola in her slow cooker, and how great the results were, so I wanted to try to make my own version!
This recipe is very adaptable, you can substitute in any nut, oil, liquid sweetener, and dried fruit you prefer. This recipe also makes a good amount of granola, but if your house is anything like mine, it will be gone before you know it!
Ingredients:
Cooking spray
5 cups old fashioned rolled oats (use gluten-free oats to ensure this is gluten-free)
1 1/2 cups sliced almonds (or any nut you prefer; omit to make nut-free)
1/3 cup unsweetened coconut flakes (optional)
1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/2 teaspoon each of
ground cinnamon
ground nutmeg
salt
1/2 cup melted coconut oil
1/2 cup agave (or maple syrup or honey if you prefer)
1 tablespoon almond extract (or vanilla extract to make nut-free)
During these stay-at-home orders, there have been a few foods that I’ve been craving that I would order frequently from local restaurants. One of my biggest recent cravings was for Messina Social Club‘s pierogis. So, when I accidentally ordered 10 pounds of potatoes (?!), I figured it was the perfect time to try to make my own Homemade Pierogis.
This recipe is a very basic version, but once you try it out, you can add different stuffings to create different flavor profiles.
They also freeze really well, so feel free to double the recipe and stock your freezer for future meals!
Ingredients:
Dough:
2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
1/2 cup sour cream
4 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
Filling:
1 cup mashed potatoes (I halved the recipe and substituted in sour cream for the Greek yogurt)
Note: I was sent a sample of Bear Mountain Gourmet Blend BBQ Wood Pellets in order to write this post. Opinions are mine alone.
I absolutely love grilling, and love to grill anything I can get my hands on. I do not have much experience with smoking foods on my grill though. So when Bear Mountain contacted me about trying some of their wood pellets, I couldn’t wait to get started!
source: bearmountainbbq.com
Smoking adds an additional layer of flavor to your grilled foods that can completely change the taste of a dish. If you’re new to smoking your food, wood pellets are a great “intro” option – you don’t have to soak them ahead of time and they can be used on any normal grill. Bear Mountain offers a bunch of different blends to pair with poultry, seafood, lamb, pork, beef and vegetables. Their wood pellets don’t use any fillers, binders, or bark so their premium all-natural wood pellets deliver a perfect, clean smoke – every time. They’ve also refined the pellet-making process, creating the perfect pellet structure with only 5% moisture. This means that Bear Mountain pellets grant the perfect burn, infusing mouth-watering flavor with little ash to clean up.
source: bearmountainbbq.com
I was looking through Bear Mountain’s recipes for a little inspiration and was intrigued when I cam across a recipe for potato salad that smoked the potatoes on the grill before tossing them in a yummy sriracha mayo.
I decided to add some bacon to further highlight the rich, smoky flavor of the pellets. The result is this amazing Smoked Potato Salad with Bacon and Sriracha Mayo!
Note: I was sent a bottle of Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract in order to write this post. Opinions are mine alone.
It seems like everyone has really taken to home baking while staying-at-home during this pandemic. I’ve been impressed with everyone’s sourdoughs, banana breads, and other baked goods! So why not add another awesome option to your repertoire: Cinnamon Rolls, or more specifically, Brioche Cinnamon Rolls!
Nielsen-Massey recently published a new video showing how to Knead Dough by Hand, which comes in handy while making this recipe.
This recipe for Brioche Cinnamon Rolls is based off a recipe from the Nielsen-Massey website as well.
Ingredients:
Dough:
2 tablespoons milk
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 2/3 cups flour, divided
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/4 teaspoon salt
3 large whole eggs, divided
7 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold, cubed
Cinnamon Roll Filling:
1 cup almond flour
1 egg white
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 teaspoons Nielsen-Massey Pure Vanilla Extract
1/2 teaspoon Nielsen-Massey Pure Almond Extract
Vanilla Icing:
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2/3 cup powdered sugar
Pinch of salt
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon Nielsen-Massey Nielsen-Massey Pure Vanilla Extract
NOTE: I was sent a container of BetterBody Foods Organic Chia Seeds in order to write this post. Opinions are mine alone.
Breakfast cookies. Those should totally be a thing, right? I was recently sent Organic Chia Seeds from BetterBody Foods, and I wanted to try to use them in a way I haven’t already, so Breakfast Pudding, Chocolate Pudding, Jam, and Muffins were out. But for whatever reason, I tend to think of Chia Seeds as a breakfast food, so I started thinking about some of my other favorite breakfast ingredients, and these Chia Oatmeal Peanut Butter Breakfast Cookies were born!
Chia Seeds also can be used as an egg substitute when baking, so I decided to make these cookies both vegan and gluten free.
These little guys have a ton of flavor and are surprisingly filling! Chia seeds have a ton of fiber; when eaten with peanut butter and oats, it’s a great way to help feel fuller longer.
Since originally making this Edamame Hummus as a snack for Christmas day, I’ve made this recipe multiple times and have gotten rave reviews each time.
Calling this a hummus isn’t exactly accurate: there are no chickpeas in this recipe. The edamame is basically substituted in for them, and it makes for a light, citrusy spin on one of my favorite apps/dips!
January is the time of year where many set goals for themselves for the next 12 months, with a lot of those goals centered around diet and exercise. I am not a registered dietician, and am not here to tell you what’s best for you to eat, but I do hope to offer a range of recipes for you to peruse.
Adding to my repertoire, this recipe is adapted from a Keto-inspired cookbook called The Dirty, Lazy, Keto Cookbook. The cookbook is written by Stephanie Laska, who lost more than half her body weight be adjusting the traditional keto diet into something she could stick with without using expensive, hard-to-find ingredients and without adhering to so many strict rules.
The general gist of the keto diet is based on a low-carb, high fat, adequate-protein diet that forces the body to burn fats rather than carbohydrates for weight loss. These Bacon Egg Bites have very few carbs per serving, but will keep you full through a busy morning. The addition of multiple types of dairy make for fluffy, creamy eggs that can be transported to work or eaten quickly before heading out the door, a perfect breakfast for busy mornings!
What I really like about this recipe is it’s completely adaptable to what you might have on hand. I used this as a bit of a fridge cleaner, so feel free to substitute ingredients as you see fit!
Note: this recipe is adapted from The Dirty, Lazy, Keto Cookbook’s recipe for Starbucks Egg Bites
Ingredients:
4 strips no-sugar added bacon, cooked and crumbled
6 large eggs
1 cup shredded cheese of your choice (I used manchego)
1 (8 oz bar) full-fat cream cheese
1/4 cup sour cream
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup baby arugula (or whatever greens you have on hand – kale or spinach would also work)
Note: I received a bottle of Nielsen-Massey’s Pure Vanilla Extract in order to write this post. All opinions are mine alone.
I have quite a few holiday cookie recipes on my blog. I even highlight a cookie recipe on my Instagram every day leading up to Christmas. But I have never tried to make fudge before. So when Nielsen-Massey contacted me about highlighting their Holiday Flavors Bundle, I was excited to find a holiday-themed Gingerbread Fudge in their recipe section!
The fudge uses Nielsen-Massey’s Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract, one of the extracts included in the Holiday Flavors Bundle. The Holiday Flavors Bundle also includes their Pure Almond Extract and their Pure Peppermint Extract, so you’re all set for your holiday baking!
Source: https://nielsenmassey.com
Ingredients:
3 1/4 cups white chocolate chips
1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
1/2 cup molasses
1/3 cup evaporated milk
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract, like Nielsen-Massey’s Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract
sprinkles, if desired (I used red and green sprinkles)
I can’t believe the holidays are almost here! This year, we are heading up to my husband’s brother’s house, and I’m in charge of bringing a dessert. I’ve been testing different recipes for a couple of weeks now, and this Eggnog Bundt Cake is definitely the winner!
Not only will it travel well (hooray!) it’s simple to make and has the flavors of the season.
The richness of the eggnog with a hint of nutmeg is in both the bundt cake and the glaze. (There is no alcohol in this cake though!)
Note: I was sent a Flying Fish Can Variety Pack in order to write this post. Opinions are mine alone.
There are some recipes that almost instantly become a go-to comfort food. One of those recipes for me is arroz con pollo. It has a ton of flavor, an assortment of different vegetables, and is wonderfully filling. Plus, it can be made ahead of time and reheated. What more could you ask for?
My husband has recently taken a liking to quinoa, so I thought making a quinoa version of arroz con pollo, or Quinoa con Pollo, would be an awesome spin. Flying Fish’s Can Variety Pack features five different beers including their OnShore Lager. One sip, and I knew it would be the perfect ingredient in (and accompaniment to) my quinoa spin!
If you follow me on Instagram, you have probably seen a couple of posts / stories about the variety pack. The outdoor themed variety pack truly has something for everyone, including two IPAs (Hopfish and Outside IPA), a Pale Ale (XPA), a Session Sour (Salt and Sea), and a Lager (Onshore Lager). The Hopfish is awesome with spicy food, and the outside IPA has been my go-to when I’m relaxing in my hammock, or hanging out with friends on my roof deck. The XPA is Flying Fish’s original beer, and continues to be a staple for a reason; it goes great with everything! The Salt and Sea was the perfect complement to our friend’s crab feast and barbecue. And the Onshore Lager has a crisp, clean finish making it perfect for both cooking with and drinking.
So let me show off that lager!
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons unsalted butter (or olive oil to make dairy free)
6 boneless skinless chicken thighs (about 2 lbs)
1 medium onion, chopped
6 garlic cloves, minced
2 bell peppers, sliced
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 teaspoons dried parsley
1 teaspoon sweet paprika
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 (12 oz) can lager (I used Flying Fish Onshore Lager)
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce (omit to make gluten free)
Note: I was sent a copy of Slow Cooked Paleo by Bailey Fischer. Opinions are mine alone.
On weekends, I do my best to prepare some meals for the week. Typically, that means dinners, but every now and then I’ll bake muffins to have for breakfast. My husband is much more of a “savory” than a “sweet” breakfast eater, so he was thrilled when I was saw this recipe for Slow Cooker Paleo Frittata Jars in Bailey Fischer’s Slow Cooker Paleo Cookbook.
This cookbook is filled with awesome and easy slow cooker meals that are also Paleo, taking out much of the effort of maintaining a paleo diet. Some other delicious recipes include Coconut-Lime Poached Halibut, Simmering Hawaiian Fajitas, and Pumpkin-Maple Pudding.
The concept of these jars is brilliant and can easily be adapted to include whatever you want (perfect opportunity for a “fridge cleaning” breakfast).
Ingredients:
2 2/3 cups thawed hash browns (~2/3 cup per jar)
1 1/3 cups diced butternut squash (~1/3 cup per jar)
1 1/3 cups diced green bell peppers (~1/3 cup per jar)
12 eggs
1/2 cup dairy-free milk (I used unsweetened almond milk)
Note: I was sent samples of Divine Chocolate’s cocoa powder in order to write this post for #Choctoberfest. Opinions are mine alone.
I love baking, especially when it helps me prepare for a busy week ahead while also relieving some of my stress. I do a lot of my food prep for the week during the weekends. When I can, I like to make something for breakfast that is easy to bring to work during the week. One of my favorite make ahead breakfasts is this Cranberry Pistachio Zucchini Bread, so when I received samples from Divine Chocolate, I thought it would be a great opportunity to make a chocolate version for #Choctoberfest. (For more information about #Choctoberfest and details about the giveaway, see my post here.)
Divine Chocolate’s baking like consists of three premium quality flavors ranging from 55% to 100% cocoa for a wide variety of delicious desserts. To make this Vegan Chocolate Zucchini Bread, I used Divine Chocolate’s Cocoa Powder. The unsweetened cocoa powder is made with the finest fair trade cocoa, in compliance with fair trade standards. Plus, the packaging is gorgeous!
I wanted to highlight vegan baking in this recipe as well, which isn’t nearly as difficult as it seems. This tasty bread is make without butter or eggs, but includes ingredients that are really easy to come by.
