Favorite Recipes!

Ok, so I cook a lot. I grew up with my mother making everything from scratch and she is a fantastic cook. everything she makes is amazing and I feel blessed to have spent so much time with her in the kitchen...and, I still call her for advice! On an average week, I make 6 dinners for my family of 5 and often I make hot breakfasts and lunch when time. I really believe that one way to show love is through food and I enjoy it, so it works for me. Over the years, I have figured out what things really taste better from scratch (cookies, pancakes, marinara sauce, mashed potatoes, etc.) and where you can cheat and substitute premade items. Here are some of my very favorite recipes. Ones I cook on a regular basis. Some are simple and some are more complex, but I know not everyone loves or even likes to cook but I happy to help! Please let me know if you have any questions about them or any other cooking questions. Bon Appetite!

Homemade Ice Cream is the best! We have been making so much of it lately and this Ice Cream Maker couldn't be any easier to use! My kids love it and we usually make a simple vanilla ice cream base and each kid can add in their own toppings. My favorite is caramel and sugar pecans! Get my favorite caramel syrup here.

#icecream #icecreamrecipe #icecreammaker #icecreamideas #dessertideas

Air Fried French Fries

Who doesn't love French Fries?!? These are so easy and taste even better. They use just a small amount of olive oil, but taste like they were deep fried! Seriously! I use my Phillips Air Fryer for all sorts of fabulous "frying", but this is one of my go to recipes I use on almost a weekly basis. Especially in the summer. French Fries go with just about anything grilled!

#airfrier #airfriedfrenchfries #frenchfries #airfried #airfriedrecipes

Banana Bread Recipe

I have been making this same recipe since I was a little girl helping my mom in the kitchen. It's one of my absolute favorites and I often bake this as holiday gifts, birthday gifts, to welcome guests into our home with etc. You can easily make it into muffins, but just remember to reduce the bake time to about 30-40 mins. You can bake mini muffins as gifts as well! And you can also add chocolate chips or nuts for an added twist!

#bananabread #dessert #recipeideas #bananabreadrecipe

Soft Pretzels I enjoyed making these pretzels with my kids this week! They are quick and easy and were enjoyed for days! I also made a batch of gluten free pretzels for my son. They were delicious and the dough can actually roll, so I used a bit to make a few gluten free cinnamon rolls. Just to try. I added some easy frosting and, I was pleasantly surprised! Now, the kids are asking for more cinnamon rolls!!

#pretzels #homemadepretzels #food #pretzelrecipe

Shrimp Cocktail is one of our family's favorite appetizers. I used to just buy the shrimp already cooked to save time, but not anymore. This recipe is SO simple, yet so much better than already cooked shrimp. I do still buy jarred sauce as my family doesn't even notice when I make it homemade. Ha!

#shrimpcocktail #shrimpcocktailrecipe

Steak with Chimichurri Sauce My middle son is obsessed with Chimichurri sauce! This is a relatively new sauce for me to make. I had steak with chimichurri for the first time about three years ago and loved the bright, herb flavor and thought I'd give it a try. Now, every time we have steak, it is requested. Sometimes I make it sometimes I don't. I do like it to sit in the fridge for at least a couple hours before serving. It helps the flavors meld together better. Also, I add a pinch of lemon juice and sugar to this recipe. Helps balance the vinegar out a bit. #steakrecipe #steakandchimichurri #chimichurrisauce

White Bean Soup I love this soup on a brisk fall evening! And, it is so quick to make. You can add any kind of tortellinis or sauté some ground turkey or beef to add if you'd like a meat option. Toast some sliced baguette in the broiler and it's a fabulous, easy meal!

#souprecipe #soupideas #whitebeansoup

Easy French Dip Sliders These are a Super Bowl Sunday Staple! I often host the Super Bowl Party and these have been a fan favorite that past few years. Again, easy to do and so yummy! My son and I are gluten free so, I do ours a bit differently. I use Udi's Gluten free French rolls and I add the meat and cheese and just broil for a few minutes until the cheese bubbles. Then, I use the sauce to dip!

#frenchdipsliders #frenchdipsandwhiches

Buttermilk Chicken Once you try this chicken, you want want to make any other kind! It does take a bit of planning because you need to soak the chicken in the buttermilk mixture for at least 24 hours, but it is so worth it! I often pair it with roasted vegetables or rice and a salad.

Light Chicken Alfredo My son loves Chicken Alfredo, but I don't love how heavy it can be. This recipe is the perfect middle ground. We enjoy this meal as a family and you can easily add more or less cream according to your tastes.

#chickenalfredo #chickenrecipe #chickenpasta

Crock Pot Shredded Beef Mexican Food is a staple around our house. I probably have a favorite Mexican Food Restaurant in several different cities. I grew up eating homemade beans and tamales and so I can be picky about "authentic Mexican food". This shredded beef recipe is so amazing and incredibly easy. It's just dump and go!

#shreddedbeef #mexicanfood #shreddedbeefrecipe #beefrecipe

Pappardelle Bolognese This is a great crockpot recipe that is easy enough for anyone to do and delicious enough to impress! You don't need to use pappardelle if you don't have it on hand. Also, I make two pots of pasta because my son and I are both gluten free. My favorite gluten free pasta is from Barilla! They even make no boil gluten free lasagne noodles.

#bolognese #bologneserecipe #pastarecipe #italianfood

Italian Braised Short Ribs

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