Sauteed Carrots with Thyme

I love carrots!  Aside from being my favorite color, orange, they are some of the most delicious and versatile vegetables on the planet!  You can eat them raw, roast them, boil them, the possibilities are endless.  One of my favorite ways to eat them is sauteed in a pan with a little butter and thyme.  They are tender, sweet, rich, and absolutely wonderful!  I am sure these carrots will become a family favorite!

Let me show you how I make them!

Gnocchi Primavera

I have a confession to make.

During the summer months I could very easily be vegetarian.  Oh yes, I could.  How you ask?  Well, why not I say!?!  If you spend any time at all at farm stands or farmer's market you too will become intoxicated by all of the fresh, vibrant produce we have available to us during this time of year!  Deep reds, vibrant greens, robust oranges, bright yellows.  If we eat with our eyes first, then summer is our culinary apex!  And that is what inspired this dish, Gnocchi Primavera!  Yes, I know, I know.  You are saying to yourself I thought this was supposed to be PASTA primavera!?!  Well, I really wanted the star of this dish to be the vegetables, and I feel that the soft little pillows of potato gnocchi help achieve that.  Trust me!  You are going to love it! 

Let's get started!

Grilled Antipasto Pizza

 

 

For as far back as I can remember we had this tradition in my family. 

 

 Every Friday night, after school, my parents would take us to Blockbuster Video where we would take turns picking out a movie for the family.  Then, we would return home and order Napoli's Pizza for dinner.  EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT! I have to be honest about something, I don't remember the movies, but I remember looking forward to the event every week.  Why?  Because it was something my entire family did together. 

 

Today we are returning to these events known as family night.  Everyone is powering down and reconnecting over a movie or a board game, and always with food.  But wait!  What if you could make family night even MORE memorable!?!  Yes, you can!  For instance, what if, instead of ordering pizza, you MADE your pizza?  Everyone in the kitchen talking, laughing, cooking, connecting?  Talk about making memories.  Want your picky eater to try something new?  Put it on a pizza HE made and it is go time!

 

When it comes to pizza the varieties are only limited to your imagination, and today's pizza recipe was birthed out of just that!  One night, a few years ago, my best friend and I set out to create a delicious pizza that was a little healthier for us.  What was born is seriously one of the best pieces of pie I have ever put in my mouth! Grilled Antipasto Pizza!  Perfect for families, parties, and date night!  You are going to love it, and I can't wait to share it with you!!!

 

Let's Get Started!

Homemade Pizza Dough

 

 

This recipe is so simple you will never feel the need to buy a box or canned dough again!  With just a few simple ingredients you will be making a delicious, made-from-scratch pizza dough that is perfect for pizza, calzones, and so much more! 

 

Let me show you how easy this is!

Creamy Stove-Top Mac & Cheese

 

I have a confession to make.  Are you ready?  Okay, here is it.  I love the "blue box" mac & cheese.  There, I said it!  It is like mac & cheese crack!  But, like many others, I am trying to get away from processed foods in my life.  This has prompted me to figure out how to get that delicious, creamy, stove-top mac & cheese, in the same amount of time as the "blue box". 

 

Well, I am so excited to say that what I have come up with is actually BETTER that "the box" and it is ready in about the same amount of time!  I can't wait to show you how I did it! 

 

Let's get started! 

 

Classic Meat Loaf

Nothing says All American Home cooked Meal like a good ol' fashioned Classic Meat Loaf.  I will be the first to admit that in the past, meat loaf has been my culinary Achilles heal.  It either had great flavor, but fell apart, or held together nicely, but was bland.  However, through a lot of trial and error, I have come up with the perfect meat loaf recipe that will guarantee success every single time! 

Let me show you how I did it! 

Sweet Corn Chowder

 

Along with all the beautiful weather that summer brings, it can also bring in some pretty nasty days as well.

 

 

Today is one such day.

 

We have a large storm system moving through the valley, and I have to be honest, it is not the sort of weather that invokes productivity in me.  In fact, I have pretty much spent my morning cuddled up with my dogs, drinking coffee, and watching Dr. Who. But, we have to eat right?  So what does one make on a rainy summer day such as this?  Why a warm, hearty, and delicious Rainy Day Sweet Corn Chowder of course!  It is a perfectly simple meal, that infuses the wonderful bounty of sweet corn we have so readily available to us right now, with the warm, rib-sticking meal your soul longs for on days like today.  Yes, this is the PERFECT rainy day meal indeed, and I can't wait to show you how I make it! 

 

Let's get started!