Crock Pot Lemon Chicken

So as you know, a couple of weeks ago, I took a winter trip to Virginia Beach. If you follow me on Facebook, you will also know that I literally spent and entire day going to posh kitchen supply and grocery stores.  While you are perusing around in these establishments, you can bet your bottom dollar that you will be surrounded by all sorts of delectable delights.  It was at one such place that I first tried this Crock-Pot Lemon Chicken.  Yes, I walked in the door of this well known kitchen supply store, to be greeted by the cutest little sales rep you have ever seen, asking me if I would like to sample it.  Of course I did, and I thought "WOW!  This is really good!"  She could see the obvious pleasure on my face and says to me "It's so easy!  All you have to do is pour this sauce over frozen chicken in your slow cooker and Viola! DINNER!"  My first instinct was "Yes, yes I WILL purchase this!"  Then I looked at the price.  TWENTY DOLLARS FOR ONE JAR OF SAUCE!!!!  WHAT!?!  No way was I paying that for GRAVY.  That's when I flipped the jar over, looked at the ingredients, and thought "Oh yeah, I can TOTALLY make that!"  

So here it is!  My version of this Crock-Pot Lemon Chicken.  It is super easy, very flavorful, and I PROMISE it will cost you under $10 to feed 6-8 people TOTAL!  You are going to love it, so let's get started!

Nachos Supreme

 Okay, it's been a busy week.  You've had work, errands, housework, the kids had a thousand places to be.  You barely had time to make dinner.  However, here you are, Super Bowl Sunday and YOU HAVE NO SNACKS!!!  What are you going to do!?!  You HAVE to have snacks for the big game!  Don't worry, I bet you can find everything you need to whip up a FANTASTIC Nachos Supreme in no time!  Just head on over to your pantry and fridge and I'll show you what I'm talking about!

Let's get started!

Beer Braised Short Rib Chili

The play-off games are over and we have all been dealing with the news frenzy over deflated balls.  And no matter what side of the controversy you stand on, Super Bowl XLIX is coming, so it's time to start planning that game day menu.  For me, nothing says football food like beer and chili, and when you combine the two together, the result is A-MAZING!  So without further ado, I give you my Beer Braised Short Rib Chili.   I can't wait to show you how I make it so let's get started!

Spinach and Goat Cheese Frittata

If I had to pick what my favorite day of the week is, I would HAVE to say it is Saturday.  Why you ask?  It's because Saturday is the ONE DAY that my husband and I are home, together, with nothing going on, nowhere to go, it is our one day that we can just stay in our pajamas if we want and watch Netflix all day.  Yes, Saturdays are wonderful.  That's why I like to make something special to eat for brunch.  Yes I say brunch because, let's face it, we aren't getting up early enough on Saturday to call it breakfast.  *lol*  Usually I do Saturday Cinnamon Rolls, but sometimes you just want a little protein to start your day.  When that's the case, nothing beats a delicious Spinach and Goat Cheese Frittata!  It's super simple, packed full of veggies, and HELLO...cheese!  You are going to love this recipe and I can't wait to show you how I did it!

Let's get started!

Homemade Lasagna

I have openly discussed with you that I struggled with cooking in the early years of my marriage.  So when I got to the point where I was feeling confident in the kitchen, I wanted to take on one of my very favorite dishes, Lasagna!  Honestly, what is there NOT to love about lasagna?  It's cheesy, savory, pasta-li-cious, goodness warms my heart and fills my soul like NO other!  I know that it can feel a little intimidating at first, but it couldn't be more simple and I can't wait to share with you how I do it!

Let's get started!

Perfect Pan Seared Scallops

I spoke a little about my recent trip to Virginia Beach yesterday, but one thing I didn't mention is that, for my birthday dinner, my friends took me to this great sea food buffet called Captain George's.  

I will be honest with you.  I was a little...how do I put this...frightened.  That's because anyone who knows me, KNOWS that sea food is not my thing, but I decided to put my big girl pants on and give it an honest try.  The result?  I LOVE CRAB LEGS, SCALLOPS, AND MUSSELS!!!  Three things I would have never tried had it not been for this experience.  

I knew immediately I wanted to make these delicacies of the sea at home, so on our way out of town we stopped at this great, local sea food market called Dockside.  There I bought the most beautiful crab legs, sea scallops, and mussels you have ever seen.  Not only that, but I got to talk to the fish guys about the best way to prepare them.  That is another reason to always shop local.  These guys KNOW their product and they will NOT steer you wrong.  So feeling confident and prepared, I headed back home to West Virginia to begin my new found sea food journey!  

I decided to start with Perfect Pan Seared Sea Scallops, and though it sounds a little intimidating, it couldn't be easier!  I can't wait to show you how I did it so let's get started!

Slow Cooker Teriyaki Meatballs

I had the best weekend!

  You see, my best friend's birthday is in September.  Her mother's birthday, who I'm also very close to, is in December.  Then you have my birthday in January.  Throw Christmas in there and you have a lot of gift buying and giving.  So a few years back we decided that we weren't going to do gifts anymore.  No, we were going to make memories and so began the Ya-Ya winter road trips!  Usually we go to a big city, but this year we decided to switch it up and head to Virginia Beach!

Even though is was mid-January we couldn't have asked for better weather!  It was sunny and in the mid fifties all weekend.  

*sigh*  Just stunning.  I adore the sea and I miss it already.  

Well, needless to say it is now Monday and, after a LONG day of traveling, I don't really have a desire to cook.  Perhaps you have had a busy weekend of ball games, horseback lesson, traveling, dance, working, etc. and you too have no desire to cook a big meal.  Good news, I've got your back!  Yes, I always try to have some great slow cooker meals, that are super simple, and take next to no time to throw together, in my back pocket.  At the top of this list, my Slow-Cooker Teriyaki Meatballs.  Using a few pantry staples, you will literally have this in your slow-cooker in 5 minutes, and on your table in 2 hours.  It's absolutely scrumptious, and I can't wait to share it with you!

Let's get started!