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Holiday Chicken Salad
This festive Holiday Chicken Salad contains all the wonderful flavors of the season. Sweet, dried cranberries, crunchy pistachios and hints of orange and rosemary. It’s savory with a hint of sweet and oh soooo good! To make this yummy salad I started of by seasoning and roasting chicken breast. Once cooled, pull the chicken into small pieces. You can use rotisserie chicken from your supermarket deli if you like. Place chicken into the bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend until well combined. The paddle will shred the chicken while mixing. I like to leave a bit of chunks to…
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Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
This Roasted Red Pepper Hummus is so flavorful, creamy and delicious! And making it is such a breeze that it’ll have you wondering why you ever bought that store-bought hummus. Preparing it yourself also insures that there are no added preservatives or unwanted chemicals in your food. Hummus is not only delicious, it is actually healthy too! It contains: Protein and Fiber to help keep you satiated. Extra virgin olive oil for heart health and antioxidants Tahini (sesame seed paste) contains antioxidants, healthy fats and anti-inflammatory compounds. Lemon Juice also contains antioxidants as well as Vitamin C. Garlic helps detoxify the liver, boost the immune system, helps lower blood pressure…
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10 Things I’m Lovin’ Right Now
Welcome to my post about 10 Things I’m Lovin’ Right Now. Where I can share with everyone a selection of neat/happy things that I have found or that have happened during the week. With all of this craziness happening in the world right now, I’m am doing my best to focus on the positive things around us. Some days are definitely easier than others. So Anyway, here are some Happy things for the week. The 10 Things I’m Lovin’ Right Now: 1. Inspiring Quotes I got this awesome text message today, that I shared on facebook, from Trent Shelton (former NFL Player). I follow his podcast called Rehab Time. It’s…
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Za’atar Seasoned Grilled Carrots
These Za’atar Seasoned Grilled Carrots are are so good, you’re gonna fall in love with carrots all over again! No more boring carrots sticks. Your veggie tray is gettin’ an upgrade! What is Za’atar, you ask? Well, it’s a delicious, savory Mediterranean spice blend that has been around, well, since the beginning of time. But has, in recent years, become all the rage in the culinary field. And for good reason. It’s delicious! and very versatile. The spice blend consists of salt, toasted sesame seeds, ground sumac, oregano, marjoram and thyme. And, as of late, I have been using it in just about everything! Enter these yummy grilled carrots. The…
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Spicy Corn Maque Choux
This Spicy Corn Maque Choux (pronounced: “mock shoe”) is my spiced up version of the classic Cajun/Creole dish. And the perfect way to cook up some fresh summer corn. The main key to making this tasty dish is to use fresh corn cut off the cob. And make sure to get all that milk from the corn as well. That’s what makes it taste so fresh and delicious. Once the Corn is cut off the cob, it gets sauteed with some onions, peppers and garlic until tender. Then we spice it up with a bit of fresh jalapeno pepper and some cajun spice. And for the finish…..Some heavy cream and…
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Italian Beef Sandwiches
Slow-cooked Italian beef sandwiches with sauteed onions, peppers and mushrooms
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Strawberry Rose Tea Cakes
Strawberry Rose Tea Cakes: Fresh strawberries baked into a tender, lightly spiced little bundt cake with a delightful floral scent of rose water. These really are lovely little cakes. My first time ever using rose water and, I have to say, I absolutely love it! Not only did it add a nice floral scent, but it adds a beautiful fresh taste as well. With a bit of cinnamon, cardamom and vanilla, the smells coming from the oven, Oh my! These little cakes are my new addiction. I wish I had made more than six! I served mine up with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and fresh diced strawberries.…
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Tacos al Pastor
Tacos al Pastor are one of my most favorite kind of tacos. Juicy, tender pork is marinated in a combination of spices and chilies and then grilled. The pork is then sliced into tortillas and topped with pineapple, onions and cilantro. The flavor combo is absolutely delicious! I love how the spices kind of char onto the outside of the meat but it still remains tender and juicy. The sweetness of the pineapple pairs so well with the spice crusted meat. And the onion and cilantro and a nice freshness to the whole dish. Perfecto! And if this yummy al Pastor seems a bit reminiscent of the deliciously spice…
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Pear, Fig and Bacon Chutney
This Pear, Fig and Bacon Chutney is the perfect condiment for roasted or grilled meats, baked brie or goat cheese or a charcuterie board. A delicious blend of salty, sweet and tangy with a little bit of heat. And, oh so good! I could eat it by the spoonful! And it’s actually quite simple to make. Start with a couple of bartlett pears, peeled, cored and diced. Mince some red onion and a clove of garlic Chop the figs Cook (crisp) and chop a couple of slices of thick cut applewood smoked bacon Saute’ the pears, onions and garlic in some butter until tender Add the figs, bacon, seasonings and…
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The Best Flank Steak Marinade
Grilling season is finally here! My favorite time of the year! I just love all things grilled, meats, vegetables, even fruit. I love steak but don’t tend to buy it often since most of the cuts I love (ribeye) are a bit pricey. Flank steak (aka London Broil) though, is perfect for grilling and much less expensive. It is a very lean cut of meat, so marinating is essential. This Best Flank Steak Marinade lends amazing flavor to this already flavorful cut, making it absolutely the best! Since Flank Steak is such a lean cut of meat it should Not be cooked past the medium stage or else it will…
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Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki Sauce
Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki Sauce: Delicious grilled chicken skewers that have been marinated in lemon, garlic and herbs are served with a creamy yogurt cucumber sauce. Souvlaki Pita is a popular Greek fast food, consisting of grilled skewered pieces of meat or fish, that are served on pita bread and topped with Tzatziki sauce. It is very similar to a Gyro, the difference being how the meat is cooked. With the Gyro, the meat is placed on a spit (rotisserie), roasted and then thinly shaved onto the pita bread. Both are delicious but Souvlaki is definitely easier and faster to make. This recipe is perfect for weekend BBQ’s, camping, or even…
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Pasta Salad with Roasted Cauliflower, Chickpeas and Creamy Roasted Garlic Tahini Dressing
This Pasta Salad with Roasted Cauliflower, Chickpeas and Creamy Roasted Garlic Tahini Dressing Is bursting with yummy flavor! And it’s Vegan, making it the perfect Meatless Monday option. I just love salads during the spring and summer. They are so fresh and inviting after a long hot day at work or play. While there are a few fresh ingredients in this salad, most of the items are available right out of your pantry. Making it a breeze to throw together after a long Monday at work. Or anyday, really. Actually, you could prepare it the day before and then dinner is ready when you get home. I like to make…
