Ever show up to a BBQ or summer get-together & realize there’s not much you can eat? Well- that kind of comes with the turf when you’re eating differently than many others. For me- I’m keto. This means I focus on high fats, proteins, & very low carbs. What’s the best way to make sure you can actually enjoy the event like everyone else? BRING SOMETHING YOU LIKE! I always try to bring something that isn’t just for me either- because mass appeal at picnics is a big deal! This cold summer salad is perfect! Keep reading to throw it together yourself!…
Bacon Jalapeno Cheese Dip Recipe + KitchenAid 3.5-Qt Mixer!
I think it is incredibly important to have a go-to recipe. & this one just might be yours! It can be hot or cold as well- which is super important. This means it can be a BBQ food or a dinner appetizer. I whip this sucker up in my new KitchenAid Stand Mixer & then put it in the fridge or in the oven to broil. Keep reading for all the details & why this new mixer is perfect for smaller jobs like this!…
Perfectly Crispy Air Fryer Jalapeno Coins- LCHF, Keto, & Gluten-Free!
One of our absolute favorite purchases so far this year? THIS AIR FRYER! Oh my goodness- we use it so much! I’ve even convinced multiple people to pick one up for themselves! Today I’m showing you a quick favorite snack that I can normally only get in a restaurant appetizer form- deliciously crispy jalapeno rings! Or jalapeno coins? Whichever! Keep reading to see the method behind this scrumptious madness!…
The Anti-Salad Healthy Appetizer Skewers Recipe
When it comes to appetizers- soups & salad reign supreme. & while I love both…they’re tough to do easily when you have a crowd. But skewers? Those pretty much KILL IT in simplicity! These are about half the size & a nice healthy snack- perfect on game day or potlucks where people tend to be walking around. Because if you’ve ever had someone accidentally spill salad dressing on your couch…you understand the tragedy!…
Healthy Avocado Egg Salad Sandwich Recipe (no mayo!)
Are you an avocado lover like me? I want to eat it at every meal but my husband can’t stand it. I always have some hanging around but since they don’t last long…I find myself eating them up quicker! Lunch is also my me-time meal where I tend to eat foods my husband turns his nose up- including deviled eggs & avocado! Keep reading to add this simple recipe to your arsenal!…
Circle Dot Bites Recipe- an Easy Appetizer or Snack!
If you’re looking for an extremely easy snack or appetizer to throw together- you’ve come to the right place! I’ve been playing with a lot of recipe leftovers lately- a random orange here…a random tiny hunk of cheese there… This is a little geo food idea I came up with using crackers & some healthy items from my fridge!…
Green Goddess Won Ton Salad Cups Recipe
I’m so excited to bring you guys this recipe! These Green Goddess Won Ton Salad Cups are super easy to make, adapt to what you have in your fridge, & taste a bit like a cheat meal…without being one! Want to see how to make them? I also have my tips for making the perfect little won ton cups too! Keep reading to check it out!…
Creamy Whipped Bleu Cheese Spread & Dip Recipe
There are two types of people in this world- those who appreciate the fabulous-ness of bleu cheese & those who just don’t. My husband just doesn’t get it & I could live off seriously… fragrant cheeses for quite awhile. So what is a girl to do? It isn’t like he forbids it but I also have to figure out a way to work in my love of blue into some lunch & snack options. & then in walks this idea of making it last even longer by doubling it with another cheese. Keep reading to scoop up this recipe & nosh to your heart’s desire!…
DIY Crostini Pizza Bar for an Easy Family Meal
When it comes to making dinner lately- I am a slacker. I’ve spent so much time unpacking, moving things around, & just everything that goes along with it that I haven’t had the kitchen space or time to whip up something complicated. As much as I love making things from scratch, sometimes you just can’t. I’m also on the hunt for ideas that help re-purpose leftovers! Keep reading to check out how we customize crostinis & I’ll have a fun giveaway at the end too!…
Spicy Thai Basil Sriracha Deviled Eggs Recipe
Fun fact: I used to completely hate eggs. This likely surprises those who follow me on instagram (check me out right here for more food, style, & adventures!) because even recently I’ve posted breakfast tacos & portabello scrambled eggs. But go back 10 years & that was just the beginning of me even bothering to give eggs a shot. I’ve come a long way since then! Today I want to share my personal favorite snack involving deviled eggs- keep reading to check out my Thai Basil Sriracha Deviled Eggs Recipe….
Spicy Poached Chicken Breast with Thai Basil in Ginger Broth
Are you a soup fan? I go for weeks eating soups as my lunch at home. Something about the warmth & often something spicy just makes me happy. It can also really help with weight loss & making us feel more full! This recipe was adapted from the Poached Chicken with Bok Choy in Ginger Broth recipe from Martha Stewart Clean Slate Cookbook, p. 232. I’m in love with the recipe overall but I subbed in some flavors & ingredients I almost always have on hand. This is an easy one that is sure to please & adjust for anyone wanting to use up some ingredients!…
Pureed Pea Dip with Mint & Lemon Recipe from Martha Stewart Living
If you follow me on Instagram (check it out if you aren’t!) then you have likely been awaiting some recipes from the new Clean Slate Cookbook from the editors of Martha Stewart Living. I’ll be reviewing the entire cookbook along with some other goodies on Friday (along with a giveaway! shhhh) but first I wanted to share some of my favorite recipes inspired by or directly from the Clean Slate Cookbook & Guide! Today I’m sharing the Pureed Pea Dip with Mint & Lemon Recipe directly from the book- & what I loved serving it with! Check out the way they took frozen peas & made them taste like spring!…
Easy Holiday Appetizers & Roasted Red Pepper Hummus with Mezzetta
Today’s post is sponsored by Mezzetta, by my love for their delicious snacks is all my own! #MezzettaMemories #SharingJoy
Are you ready for the holidays? I am! Because I grew up in a somewhat non-traditional household I tend to have some different holiday treats so I thought I’d share one with you today! & since I’m already here & you’re already here…I’ll also share a few ideas for super easy appetizers with a coupon at the end. Sound good? Great! Let us make some Mezzetta Memories! Because the holidays are all about family I think of foods I always eat with mine. My mom & I both love hummus but my dad & husband don’t so we tend to really load up on it when we’re together! Today I want to share my super easy Roasted Red Pepper Jalapeno Hummus recipe that you can throw together so quickly it is practically sinful. It looks a bit more fun than the plain original & has a lot more zest. …
Bacon Jam Review, Recipe, & Multi-Giveaway! + Spring Blog Hop!
PR Sample.
Do you like bacon? Do you really love it? Then listen up! Today I bring you 4 different types of bacon jam from The Bacon Jams. I am pretty excited to share with you something I probably wouldn’t have ever tried that Ryan & I now love. Whether you have it on some toast, as an ingredient, or as a topper I think you’ll be surprised to find how versatile they can be. As a super special treat there is also a huge blog hop at the base of this post filled with lots of awesome spring giveaways!
So I currently have 3 bacon jams- 3 from the permanent line & a special limited edition flavor. Above is the Original Bacon Jam & behind we have the Black Pepper & Honey, Red Chile & Garlic, & the limited edition Maple Habanero Bacon Jams. Each come sealed in an 8 oz jar with a nice wide mouth- perfectly easy to spoon out what you need without getting too much or too little. I can’t even get over how cute their logo is! A rockin piggy jammin out! Ha!
The first way I tried these jams was on some crusty bread. I mean, hey, isn’t that where you put jam? I liked it that way but the husband didn’t. With some experimenting we discovered he really liked these jams hot (think a hot dip if hot jam isn’t computing!) which doesn’t surprise me either. We tend to prefer our bacon hot (although cold bacon is tasty too!) so then we heated up a little of each & added them to crusty bread. Much better!
From left to right you have The Bacon Jams in Original, Black Pepper & Honey, Maple Habanero, & Red Chile & Garlic. You can see these aren’t gelatinous but rather more of a thick sauce/jam. When heated they thin out considerably because the fats break down. I don’t think there is a right or wrong temperature to eat them- you just have to find your own vibe. You can see each spread on crusty toast is a lot easier to see the differences. The ingredients are wonderfully simple but high in both quality & flavor- you can view them all here on their website.
Now onto the recipe! I wanted to do something ridiculously simple that really showed off a flavor that was dying to be paired with our dinner. I only used three ingredients to make this chicken more fantastic- 3 tablespoons of The Bacon Jam in Black Pepper & Honey, 1 tablespoon fresh honey, & around one tablespoon of water.
After searing your chicken breasts add all three ingredients to the pan. Whisk on med-high until thickened. The added honey helps to make it more of a glaze which will help it stick to the exterior of the cooked chicken. Poor over chicken & serve hot. This should only take maybe 1-2 minutes & the flavor is out of this world!
Needless to say we’re loving these bacon jams. I have so many ideas floating around- Beer cheese soup with bacon jam? BLTs with bacon jam? Bacon jam salad dressings? These are extremely versatile & they are all completely original- something I admire. Think of these jams as creative additions & let your recipes go to the next bacon level with very little effort! Want more ideas? They have a ton of creative recipes on their site here!
They have been so kind to me by letting me try their product & now it is your turn! There will be THREE winners & each winner will get to pick their own flavor variety they’d like to try if chosen! Which Bacon Jam speaks to your bacon loving soul?
Welcome to the Blooming Into Spring Blog Hop!
Hosted By: MPM Network Bloggers
While many of us are looking forward to spring, it doesn’t mean we are looking forward to spring cleaning. To make spring cleaning a bit more fun, the MPM Blogging Network has joined together to make spring cleaning even more fun! Each participating blog below is hosting their very own unique spring themed giveaway, including spring cleaning items, fashion accessories, and even gift card for purchasing your own Spring treats! To increase your chances of getting something fun, make sure to visit all the blogs linked below.
Also, don’t forget to enter to win our grand prize, a Shark PRO Steam & Spray Mop!
The Blooming Into Spring Blog Hop ends on 5/1/14 at 11:59 PM. The MPM Blogging Networks is not responsible for prize fulfillment and associated bloggers are responsible for their own giveaways. Good luck everyone and happy spring!
Kicked Up Serrano Poolside Dip Recipe + Linkup!
Have you ever tried a version of the oh-so-popular Poolside Dip? Recipes for this popular dip have pretty much exploded all over Pinterest. I personally love it especially this skinnier version from Home Trends Utah here. So why am I bothering to make one? Because this is my husband’s favorite dip possibly ever. & it is a bit spicier than most other versions out there.
If table salsa is a bit spicy for you…well then this recipe will need to be altered to fit your needs. Luckily, this is pretty easy to do! Make it your own…but I think our way is tasty as heck!
Kicked Up Serrano Poolside Dip Recipe
from Home in High Heels
1 can Mexican style corn, drained
2-3 Serrano peppers, chopped fine (depending on heat tolerance, for less heat use jalapenos)
16 oz fat-free cream cheese, softened
1 packet Hidden Valley Ranch dip seasoning mix
1/4 cup chunky style salsa, drained (if you like sweet heat think mango or pineapple blend!)
1/2 cup shredded cheese (We like jalapeno or chipotle cheese but a Mexican blend or regular American works too!)
Optional- black olives, bell pepper, green chiles.
1. Start with the cream cheese in a bowl & begin wither mixing with a spatula or beating on low with a mixer. I personally like using the mixer. Next add the ranch mix, Serrano peppers, & cheese so it really mixes together.
2. Add the rest of the ingredients & mix to combine, preferably with a spatula. You’ll have something a bit dense, add a bit of the salsa undrained for something a bit thinner.
3. You can serve it as is or cover & refrigerate. If you like a lot of heat that’s the way to go. The peppers will encompass the rest of the dip & will be hotter the next day. Serve chilled.
I’d like to lie & say we eat this with something healthy like vegetables…but we honestly prefer chips. This dip is such a big hit that any time we have a get together or Ryan has a boy’s night elsewhere this is always requested. They’ll probably never taste another dip from me since I fear I’ll be set ablaze!
I’d love to hear if you make this recipe & what you change up! Also don’t forget to check out the other fabulous dip recipes from the Friday Foodie Linkup below!
Pinterest Experiments: Pizza Stuffed Monkey Bread with Garlic & Herb Coating
I first discovered this magical dish on Pinterest, my foodie addiction. If you love to cook or just stare at food, do yourself a favor & follow me on Pinterest over on the left. Anyway, after I saw this I immediately thought of my husband. He has a sick obsession with pizza and pizza sauce so this was right up his alley. On a particularly glum day, he asked me to make it. I figured I could find something in our sickness filled house that I could use in place of some ingredients & here is what I found & what you’ll need!
Ingredients:
– 2 rolls of Pillsbury Thin Crust dough
– 1 Package of pepperoni, 2 if you want extra!
– 6 oz Mozzeralla cheese cut into about 48-50 cubes
Butter-Herb-Garlic Coating:
– 3 cloves of garlic or 2 tablespoons pre-chopped garlic
– 6 tablespoons butter
– Herbs of your choice! If I was in a hurry I’d go with regular pizza seasoning but this time I used basil & parsley.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Mix the butter, garlic and herbs. You can do this in the microwave in a heat safe measuring cup or over the heat in a pan. Melt thoroughly. Brush the inside of the pan with this lightly.
To create the balls break off a hunk of dough. Place the pepperoni then the piece of cheese before rolling or folding into a ball. Make sure you seal the ends as you go. Keep doing this until you’ve used up all of your cheese.
At the end, brush the remaining butter mixture over the top. It will settle down and bake through to flavor and brown the whole bread.
Bake until lightly browned and bubbly, about 40 minutes.
To remove, just turn out onto a serving platter. Mine stuck a bit so i just ran a butterknife lightly around the outside.
Your last step? Pull apart a hunk and enjoy! I served these with a little container of marinara for personal dipping. It was definitely a big hit!
As stated before, I found this on pinterest! Here’s is the site where I first adapted this recipe to suit my needs.
