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Fire Roasted Corn Pasta
I spent a good portion of my childhood and youth living in the Midwest. I was born in Nebraska and my dad was stationed at Offutt AFB twice before I was old enough to attend high school. Like the University of Nebraska’s Mascot the Cornhusker implies…the Midwest is filled with corn fields as far as the eye can see. But, it wasn’t until I moved to the Southwest where i discovered the tastiness of fire roasted corn. And how well it pairs in a variety of dishes. A few nights ago, my third oldest, YoYo, exclaimed that he only liked his corn fixed certain ways…creamy pasta dishes were not one…
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Apple Cider Pulled Pork
Pulled pork is easily one of my most favorite ways to prepare meat. It is versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes, and if you have the time for it to cook, it is a super easy hands off way to cook a roast or tenderloin. It takes very little prep time. Sometimes I make a big batch of pulled pork and then use it in a variety of ways. Pulled pork tacos are especially a favorite of my kiddos. However, this recipe topped them all in their books. I made sliders out of the pulled pork, but it is just as tasty by itself with some…
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Homemade Pumpkin Puree
I am a lover of all things decorating with pumpkins this time of year. My favorite ones are the ugly ones, the warty, misshapen, weird pumpkins. I just love the perfect imperfectness of them. Each year, I end up purchasing these outcast pumpkins and squash every time I go to the grocery store. In my area, Sprouts has by far the best ugly pumpkin selection. But when Autumn winds down, what do you do with these extra pumpkins and squash? I hate just throwing them away or composting them. I finally decided to try my hand at making pumpkin puree. And guess what? I should’ve done it years ago. It…
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Roasted Acorn Squash Soup
Right now I am spending time in Western Idaho with my parents. Autumn is in full force here, the leaves are changing from greens to beautiful yellows, oranges, and reds. The temperature has fallen and we have the heater on. It has been a decade since I spent quality time in an area where Autumn is a real season. Las Vegas Autumn pretty much just means that you have to begin wearing a sweater in the mornings and swim season is over. I have been enjoying this cooler weather and took full advantage of it with this recipe. My parents’ garden was super productive this year and dad ended up…
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Caribbean Jerk Risotto
Risotto has been a food I’ve wanted to master for years, ever since watching Giada religiously before my third child was born. Even though Giada made risotto look super easy, I have been intimated for a while now. Finally, I just decided to go for it last year. Turns out it is just as easy as Giada made it look. Risotto is typically made with white rice, but can also be made with short length pasta such as orzo or couscous pasta. My family likes risotto made with orzo pasta more than with rice. Also, when I make risotto with pasta instead of rice, the creaminess of the consistency tends…
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Copy Cat Cafe Zupas Chicken Enchilada Soup
I am a sucker for just about any creamy soup, combine that with Mexican food flavors and I would do just about anything for a taste. Cafe Zupas just has yummy food in general. If I had to absolutely pick between Panera Bread and Cafe Zupas, I wouldn’t even bat an eye saying goodbye to Panera. Their Chicken Enchilada Soup is definitely in my top 3 faves…and even though a new location opened up less than 5 miles away, I just cannot justify eating there every other day…so…of course I had to figure out how to make it at home. Besides, there are plenty of poor souls who either haven’t…
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Copycat Olive Garden Creamy Gnocchi Soup
Can I tell you a secret? The day that Olive Garden came out with their soup, salad, and breadsticks combo I just about died and went to heaven. There are very few things that are more comforting and fulfilling during the fall season than a tasty soup, garlicky carbs, and a salad on the side. One of my favorite’s has to be hands down OG’s Chicken Gnocchi soup. The creamy texture combined with fresh vegetables and the pillowy goodness of the gnocchi, just the perfect combination of flavors and textures. I’ve been wanted to create my version if this soup for a long while now, but was stuck on feeling…
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Cran-Apple Harvest Salad
Fall season maybe just around the corner, but here in Las Vegas the 100º+ weather doesn’t agree. Finding recipes that fill my need for harvest season foods while not overheating myself spending too much time in front of a hot stove. This quinoa fruit and vegetable filled salad definitely fits that harvest food spot. Add in some grilled chicken and it goes from being a side salad to a main dish. If you aren’t a fan of some of the fruits or vegetables I have added to my salad, then exchange them for some in-season produce that you love. Orange slices, dried apricots, raisins, pears, carrots…all of these would be…
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Coconut Chicken Curry Kabobs
Cooking with curry is still a somewhat new experience for me. It has always intimidated me until recently, but when my kiddos asked if we could have kabobs for dinner one night last week, I knew exactly what flavors I wanted to have in the marinade. Cooking kabobs has been a long process for me. Burning the kabob sticks was a regular occurrence in the beginning. Then I saw a tip on Food Network that if you have wooden kabobs, to soak them in water for an hour or so before the assembling of the kabobs. The wood soaks up just enough water to keep from catching on fire, and…
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Easy Chicken Enchiladas
My family absolutely loves Mexican food. We have to have at least one dinner a week that is some sort of Hispanic recipe. I am also super blessed to have a couple of best friends who are Hispanic and amazing at cooking. So I have learned a thing or two from them. My enchilada recipe is easily in the top 5 favorites with my boys. This recipe also makes for a great freezer meal. Do you have any amazing enchilada recipes that you love? Hope y’all have an amazing week!
