Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

My dad loved cookies as much as I do, and that's really REALLY saying something.  However, unlike me, his favorite were Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies.  This was the recipe my mom would always make for him!

Peking Roast

This is a recipe my mom use to make when I was little.  I haven't actually made it yet as an adult, but it's on my to-do list. I'll update this post with more specific measurements and directions once I finally make it!

Fresh No-Cook Tomato Sauce

This recipe is from my fabulous sister-in-law's father, Tom.  He was kind enough to share his recipe with me and it's one of my favorite summer meals.  I should note that he recommended that this recipe not be served with any cheese topping, as he feels it detracts from the beautiful simplicity and flavors of the core ingredients.  That being said, I bastardized it with my American taste buds and serve it topped with fresh mozzarella.  Shhhhhh...  If you want to keep it legit, Tom recommends not doing any cheese, and instead serve it with a side of melon and crusty bread. 

Stuffing with Sausages, Apples, and Pecans

This is a fun spin on a classic side dish to serve at Thanksgiving or Christmas.  

Jazzed Up Burgers

In my opinion, when you have great ground chuck, you shouldn't add anything to it other than salt.  However, for those times that your beef source isn't the best, this recipe will help elevate those burgers. 

Healthy Meatballs

Here's a meatball recipe that is both healthy and kid-friendly!

Wacky Cake

My mom used to make this for birthdays when I was a kid.  It's a super tasty and unique chocolate cake!

Coca Cola Cake

My mom made a lot of fun cakes when I was growing up.  As a true Southerner, of course one of those cakes was a Coca Cola cake.  It's delicious!  

The Softest Chocolate Chip Cookies

I love all chocolate chip cookies.  Chewy, crispy, fluffy, barely cooked... If you are craving a soft chocolate chip cookie, this one is the best!

Healthy Meatloaf

My meatloaf is actually my kids' favorite meal.  I try to make it healthier by using oats instead of bread crumbs, and I think it really adds to the flavor.  My secret ingredient though?  Buttermilk.  It makes the mealoaf extra rich and moist!

Breakfast Sausage Casserole

We love to make this breakfast casserole for holiday brunches.  You can easily make it the night before and then bake it in the morning.  It's easy to make and super indulgent. 

Corn Pudding

Corn Pudding is one of my favorite easy holiday side dishes.  Super easy to whip up and always a hit. 

One Pot Baked Ziti

My life has been so chaotic lately, I barely have time to cook or post recipes any more.  My 4 year old never stops chattering, and my 18 month old's idea of fun is trying to climb furniture or turn the oven on.  So when I make dinner these days, I need it to be relatively easy, and with little clean up.  Also ideal?  A meal that everyone in my family will actually eat.  I'm trying to eat lower calorie meals in order to lose the last few pounds of baby weight, my husband wants to feel full, my daughter hates anything with vegetables, and my son doesn't like most meat.  

This Baked Ziti was pretty much a miracle.  First of all, it all bakes in one pot!  Just make sure you use something that can go in the oven, like an enamel dutch oven.  Otherwise, you'll need to transfer the food into a baking dish, which will give you two dishes to clean up (the horror!).  It only takes about 30-40 minutes to cook, which is super necessary in my life right now.  I held my breath when I served it to my family, praying that the meal wouldn't be filled with tears and gagging (like most meals these days...toddlers are so much fun!).  To my immense relief, everyone ate it happily!  Sweet success!  And to my own happiness, this dish is under 400 calories a serving, so I can eat it guilt-free.  WOO!

Cheesy Broccoli & Chicken Quinoa Casserole

I have a deep love for casseroles.  It is really hard to cook a main dish and several sides when you have two young children.  A casserole means less cooking, less cleaning, and a less frazzled mama.  Plus, casseroles will always be the quintessential comfort food.  

Cashew Chicken Lettuce Wraps

I needed a quick and healthy dinner that would appease both my husband and my picky toddler.  I'm a huge fan of cashews and lettuce wraps, so I thought, "Hey, let's try Cashew Chicken Lettuce Wraps!".   It only took about 20 minutes to make, and everyone gobbled the wraps right up.  Success!

Browned Butter Pecan Pie

In my family, no single person is responsible for all the holiday cooking, regardless of who is hosting the meal.  We are a potluck family, where each family member is assigned a dish or two to bring, so we can focus on just being together.  I had three separate holiday dinners to attend this Christmas, so I was sure I would be asked at least once to bring a dessert.  I had been dying to try out a new pie recipe, since I rarely have a good reason to bake a full-fat, decadent pie. Much to my surprise, everyone instead requested my "Crackaroni & Cheese", so I have found myself making a ton of macaroni and cheese, and alas, no pie.

Pasta with Creamy Butternut Sauce

One of my favorite fall dishes is Pasta with Creamy Butternut Sauce.  The sauce tastes rich and decadent, but it is oh-so-healthy. It's also a really easy dish to make vegetarian!  But for my meat-eaters, this dish is excellent with sliced sausage added to it.  Either way, it makes the perfect comfort meal for a cool fall evening.  Enjoy!

Ultimate Fudge Brownie

The only thing in my culinary life that can match my deep love for chocolate chip cookies is a fudge brownie.  My favorite kind of brownie has a flakey buttery crust on top, but is gooey and fudgy inside.  While I adore my healthy brownie recipes (like my Black Bean Brownies), sometimes I just want a classic delicious brownie!  For the past few months, I've been experimenting with different brownie recipes, and tweaking them to try to create my personal favorite brownie.  If only I put this much work into other endeavors in my life.... Anyways, after much determination and calories, I've finally created a recipe that results in the ideal, ultimate, fudge brownie.  Honestly, this whips up so quickly and easily (with ingredients I always have on hand), that I'll never feel the need to buy a box mix again.  

Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal

Today is the official last day of summer.  Most people are excited about the start of fall, but I have to admit, I'm more of a summer gal.  I love swimming, and the long summer days, and the fresh meals you can make with all the wonderful summer produce.  Summer food pretty much trumps fall food in every way...except breakfast.  As soon as I start waking up to the chill in the morning air, I know it's time to start making my favorite weekday breakfast:  Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal.

Gazpacho with Goat Cheese Salsa

Summer is finally coming to an end, so it's time to hurry up and make your final summer dishes.  Gazpacho is definitely one of those recipes that require in-season produce.  If you tried to make this during the winter, you would end up with a watery flavorless soup.  In the summer this soup is vibrant and fresh and delightful!  It's one of my absolute favorite summer side dishes.  I like to pair it with a BLAT, and it makes for the perfect meal on a hot summer day.