Main Dishes and Sides

This recipe is a wonderful combination of lemon and oregano and pairs beautifully with my cool creamy, classic, cucumber dip.  It can feed a crown, and you serve it with warm pita bread on the side.  It can also be used as a delicious appetizer.  

This  is a recipe I came up with for shepherd's pie and I have to say it is pretty darn fabulous. But be warned, it is TRUE comfort food!! It's all me with one alternative from "the pioneer women" if you choose to go that route.   It's not a quick meal.  This is more of a Sunday supper, but nonetheless, worth the effort. 

These are two of my favorite go-to recipes that are delicious and require just a little forethought.  If you work outside of the home you will want to prepare  your steak marinade and meat the night before, and even the acorn squash can be put together the night before, although it's very easy.   These are not my own recipes, but awesome dishes that I discovered.   

This grilled chicken recipe has been a favorite of ours for many years.  It is simple to make and keeps the chicken moist and flavorful.  It is perfect for a weeknight dinner, especially when the temps are still warm!  I do one extra step and I pound out my chicken breasts before I marinate them Enjoy! 

This recipe was so much fun to create and was a collaboration with Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese.  It is a wonderful side dish and can also be the main course if you so choose. We love to add shrimp, veggies, fresh herbs, chicken, or lemon, among other variations, and every time it is perfect.  If you follow my recipe, you will have the best risotto you've ever tasted.  I hope you give it a try and ask me any questions that you may have.  YUM! 

  My homemade pizza recipe is absolutely awesome and it's special because it came from my mom.  It’s something that I loved to make with her as a girl.  It is always a hit with whomever I share the recipe.   It is a a cinch to prep and clean up.  This includes a recipe for crust, but if you want to make it super easy, then buy store bought crusts. Just use the sauce recipe and toppings and it will still be amazing!  

 Lasagna is the perfect dinner because it is cheesy, warm, and super comforting to all who eat it.  Try this recipe along with a simple salad, a loaf of garlic bread, and a great bottle of red wine and I know you will be the hit of your house.  Oh, and the best thing about this recipe is that you can make it a day ahead of time.  Throw it together and then simply pop it in the oven.  

 Well I am not sure that there is anything better than soup season! When the temperatures drop it's time to get cooking!  Soup is amazing!  It feeds your family for several meals, it's comforting, fairly healthy, and warms the soul. This link contains five different recipes that are all equally incredible! (Oh and if you make the Italian Wedding Soup, follow my tips to make it better than the original recipe link) Enjoy!

My kids love mac and cheese.  I mean who doesn't??!  I have tried many recipes and this combination is by far my favorite, but the great thing is that you can add any kind of cheese that you love and it will be amazing.  

Grilling is king in our house, and even if you're working full time, it takes little prep to throw a meal together.  I like to use the weekend to prep veggies and fruits. This page contains a fabulous chicken rub and some tips for roasting the perfect vegetable 

 Hello Friends!  Today Fall is in the air.  I'm sharing my fabulous, oh so easy, chili and cornbread recipes.  It's the perfect dinner on these cool fall nights.  It's also a great recipe for when you're watching football, or hosting a fire pit with family and friends.  I'm going to share two different ways to make both. The chili is BEST when we have leftover smoked brisket to add, but it's still delicious even when you don't.  My recipe for buttermilk cornbread is the perfect compliment to your chili, and I have a twist to kick it up a notch!  Happy Fall cooking y'all!!  Cheers! 

This soup is perfect and came from a little restaurant that I frequented as a kid. I have changed just a few things from the original recipe, but it's very similar.  Feel free to add cheese, it's great with sharp white or yellow cheddar.  It is posted on another past blog post with several other recipes, but I wanted to share it alone, so it wasn't missed!  I hope that you are all "cozied" up on this brisk Fall day!   

This is one of our favorite Summer recipes because peaches are so delicious.  But you can make it anytime of the year. It is quick and easy enough for a weeknight, but fancy enough for a special occasion.  It pleases all palates, even the kids will love it!  Give this a try you will be glad that you did. I did not create this recipe, but was lucky enough to find it.  Just click on the photo and it will take you to the link!!