Monday, December 29, 2014

Southwest Scramble

Southwest Scramble
Like most of you, my fridge is still full of those decadent holiday leftovers.  And like most of you, I am trying find new and creative ways to use them up.  That is why tonight I decided I was going to make some delicious omelets.  Everything was going swimmingly until it came time for the fold.  …

Easy Beef Pho Recipe

Easy Beef Pho Recipe
I wouldn't say that I live in a small town by any means.  Actually Parkersburg is the third largest city in West Virginia, but being that as it may, we are limited in our ethnic cuisine.  Sure we have the Mexican restaurants and Chinese places, but aside from that it is pretty meat and potatoes…

Sunday, December 21, 2014

How to Make the Perfect Prime Rib

How to Make the Perfect Prime Rib
Nothing says Christmas dinner to me like a beautiful Prime Rib .  It's one of the most coveted cuts of meat there are, and the price tag definitely reflects it.  I think that's why so many people shy away from it.  You see, you have to treat this roast like a lady.  You can't "man h…

Thursday, December 18, 2014

French Toast Casserole

French Toast Casserole
Let's talk traditions, shall we? Growing up, my siblings and I had this tradition of all sleeping in the same bed on Christmas Eve.  Yes, all four of us would pile in together and try our very best to go to sleep as quickly as possible.  I will never forget the year we all piled into my brother…

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip Recipe

Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip Recipe
It's Christmas and of course you are being invited to parties and family get-togethers galore!  One of the good things about hosting a modern day holiday celebration is that it is customary for your guests to bring a dish.  One of the downsides to being a guest is what do you bring?  My go-to, …

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Mediterranean Stuffed Chicken Breast

Mediterranean Stuffed Chicken Breast
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Pompeian Olive Oil.   All opinions are my own. Tis' the season for holiday parties, family get togethers, and more!  I love spending time with all of the special people in my life, and I can't think of a better way to do that than around a t…

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Homemade Hamburger Helper

Homemade Hamburger Helper
I don't know about you, but it seems that ever since we entered into the holiday season, life has been CRAZY!  I feel as though I don't have time to think straight, no less cook elaborate meals for my family.  It is in these moments that a telephone call to the local pizzeria or the drive-t…

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

French Onion Soup

French Onion Soup
Recently my husband has been traveling a lot.  This means that there have been many weekends where my mother-in-love and I are home alone.  So to keep myself occupied, and to test out some recipes, I have been entertaining friends.  I love getting together with my girlfriends.  You can guarantee t…

Monday, December 8, 2014

Chicken and Dumplings

Chicken and Dumplings
The weather has been all over the place this winter, no? One minute it's snowing, and literally within 10 minutes it can be raining.  The next day, 60 degrees!  I CAN'T TAKE IT!!!  That is why I love recipes like these Chicken and Dumplings !  It uses simple ingredients, has great flavor, a…

Corn Flake Wreath "Cookies"

Corn Flake Wreath "Cookies"
A BIG part of the Christmas season, for me, has been cookie baking.  Growing up, my mom was always baking something.  Cakes, cookies, brownies.  She is an amazing baker!  Another thing she was always good at was getting us in the kitchen to help out.  Whether it be measuring flour, cracking eggs, …

Friday, December 5, 2014

Lemon Pepper Chicken Soup w/ Kale

Lemon Pepper Chicken Soup w/ Kale
This Fall/Winter transition is kicking my butt.  (Is it okay to say butt on here?)  Anyway, my seasonal allergies are always worse in the fall.  Throw in all of the snow and rain we have been having and my sinus' have had enough.   That is when I decided I needed to give my immune system a lit…

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Perfect Marinara Sauce

Perfect Marinara Sauce
I am going to share a little story with you.  I didn't always know how to cook.  No, I'm not talking about when I was a child.  I mean as a young woman, in my early 20's, I did not know how to cook. Sure, I grew up around great food and even better cooks, but no one really taught me ho…

Monday, December 1, 2014

Turkey Pot Pie

Turkey Pot Pie
Thanksgiving has come and gone, but if you are anything like me, you still have a lot of leftover turkey in your freezer.  So the question remains...What do you do with all that left-over bird?  Well, one of my favorite dishes to make is  Turkey Pot-Pie !  It is so simple and you can put just about…

Apple Pie Cookies w/a Salted Caramel Icing

Apple Pie Cookies w/a Salted Caramel Icing
Happy December first everyone! Thanksgiving is behind us, the leftovers have been consumed, our shopping carts have been filled, and now it is time to focus on something new...CHRISTMAS! I can't think of a better way to transition into the Christmas season than with COOKIES, can you?  That is …

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Homemade Artisan Bread

Homemade Artisan Bread
I know this may seem silly, but I have always wanted to take a cooking class. Yes, I read a lot of cookbooks.  And yes, I watch A LOT of Food Network.  But there is a certain energy that comes from a group of people, cooking together in a kitchen, that you just can't get any place else.  So w…

Sunday, November 23, 2014

Pizza Calzones

Pizza Calzones
I love cooking.  You all know that.  But let's be honest.  I don't always WANT to cook.  However, here it is, the end of the month, the week before the big Thanksgiving meal.  I do not have the extra cash to be eating out, so I have to make something.  I am tired of stir-fry.  I am tired o…

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Tomie's Bacon Cheddar Ranch Crockpot Chicken

Tomie's Bacon Cheddar Ranch Crockpot Chicken
Y'all know I love a good family recipe. Things that get passed down are great.  In fact, I have many family heirlooms in my kitchen, but things can get broken or lost.  A recipe lives on throughout generations. Today's family recipe is really special to me because it comes from my little …

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Chicken Parmesan Easy Recipe

Chicken Parmesan Easy Recipe
We've not had the massive amounts of snow that many of you are enduring, but we re finally starting to get our fair share.  I will confess that I don't really mind it though.  Why you ask?  Because this is the season where I get to indulge in some of those heavier, heartier meals.  You kn…

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Edameme Stir-Fry with Spicy Peanut Sauce

Edameme Stir-Fry with Spicy Peanut Sauce
I have posted a few stir-fry recipes on here, I know. But the thing is, whether you need a quick and easy weeknight meal or you're just trying to clean out the fridge, stir-fry is a fantastic go-to.  Last week I was CRAVING Thai something fierce.  We don't really have any Thai places aroun…

Friday, November 14, 2014

A Thanksgiving Menu

A Thanksgiving Menu
I know that Thanksgiving can be one of the most stressful meals of the year to prepare. So for the last couple of weeks I have been sharing the recipes and step-by-step instructions to my family's yearly menu.  I hope you have enjoyed reading the stories, hearing about my family, and most impo…

Thursday, November 13, 2014

How to Perfectly Roast a Whole Turkey

How to Perfectly Roast a Whole Turkey
Here we are, the final installment of my Thanksgiving 101 Series, I hope this has helped you come up with a game plan for your big day and ultimately relieve you of a little stress!  YOU'VE GOT THIS!!!  There is only one final piece left in our holiday dinner puzzle, the piece de resistance,TH…

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Homemade Dinner Rolls

Homemade Dinner Rolls
*For your convenience this post contains affiliate links.* Fresh Bread. I could stop right there and not have to say another word.  I mean, who doesn't like fresh bread?  A better question would be what holiday meal would be complete without a piping hot, Homemade Dinner Roll? Not any of mine, …

Made From Scratch Pumpkin Pie

Made From Scratch Pumpkin Pie
What would Thanksgiving Dinner be without a pumpkin pie?  I, for one, don't even want to think about it.  When it comes to pumpkin pie you have everything from canned pie mix to 100% pumpkin puree to choose from.  But, since this is one of the most special dinners of the year, why not get craz…

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Homemade Pie Crust

Homemade Pie Crust
One of the reasons I love cooking so much is that it knows no sense of space or time.  When you are missing someone that is no longer with you, you can simply go into your kitchen, pull out a few ingredients, and they are there. Pies are one such recipe for me.   This is my Grandma Margaret.  This…

Monday, November 10, 2014

Old Fashioned Bread Stuffing

Old Fashioned Bread Stuffing
Thanksgiving has many controversial issues surrounding it.  From the accuracy of historical events to what was actually served on the first Thanksgiving table.  However, the most controversial issue to ever become intertwined with this culinary holiday is the Great "Dressing vs. Stuffing"…

Sunday, November 9, 2014

How to Make Easy Deviled Eggs

How to Make Easy Deviled Eggs
Inevitably someone in my family is early getting to my parent's house for Thanksgiving dinner, and of course we all come hungry.  To help keep us "heathens" at bay my mom always has a few things for us to munch on while we wait for them to finish up.  There are the usual meats and ch…

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Country-Style Green Beans Recipe

Country-Style Green Beans Recipe
Green beans are my FAVORITE vegetable!  I love them in a multitude of ways, but my favorite is the  Country-Style Green Beans  or "cooked to death with bacon" way! At Thanksgiving you can never make enough of these for my family. I know what you are thinking "Why in the world would I c…

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Mom's Fruit Pizza Recipe

Mom's Fruit Pizza Recipe
It's day two of my Thanksgiving 101 series (I haven't settled on a name yet.  I'm hoping that will just organically happen soon lol.) and today we are talking dessert!  There is one thing that you can bank on at any large family dinner, LOTS of desserts.  My family is no different.  Wh…

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Baked Three Cheese and Macaroni

Baked Three Cheese and Macaroni
Thanksgiving. It is the most anticipated/dreaded meal of the year.  We get so stressed out over what to make and how to prepare it that The Food Network actually has an entire month dedicated to it. But, let's face it, all of this anxiety is totally warranted.  IT'S A BIG DEAL!  This year, …

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Soup Beans

Soup Beans
Soup Beans are pretty much a staple in my neck of the woods.  Though it may seem like a simple dish, everyone has their own way of making it.  I am no different.  My soup beans are bold, beefy, and packed with flavor!  You will never look at this humble dish the same way again. Let me show you how …

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Baked Pork Chops and Rice

Baked Pork Chops and Rice
Everyone loves the idea of the "Sunday Dinner", but if your Sundays are anything like mine, the last thing I want to do when I get home from church is head into the kitchen, make a massive meal, and wash a mountain of dishes.  Let's be honest, all we REALLY want to do on Sunday is ea…

Homemade Apple Crisp

Homemade Apple Crisp
By free admission I am not a baker.  However, there is just something about fall that makes me want to fire up my oven and fill my house with the scents of brown sugar and cinnamon.  And when the time comes to get baking, my go-to dessert is this delightful Homemade Apple Crisp .  It has all of tho…

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Homemade Vegetable Soup

Homemade Vegetable Soup
Every week I go to the market, list in hand, and game plan on my mind. I get everything I need, head home, put it away, and think to myself "this is going to be an AWESOME week." Then that little thing called life happens and before you know it we have eaten out three times and my refrig…

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Grilled Chicken Kebabs

Grilled Chicken Kebabs
If you wouldn't mind, I am going to whine for a moment.  I LOVE fall, but ever since autumn has come to the valley we have had nothing but NON-STOP RAIN! For days and days on end it has literally poured.  Just when I was about to just curl up in my bed, not to emerge until spring, we FINALLY h…

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Italian Wedding Soup

Italian Wedding Soup
I love Saturdays at my house.  Typically we sleep in, then I get up, pop some cinnamon rolls in the oven, and proceed to watch The Food Network all morning long.  I know, Heaven right!  Anyway, while I was watching this past Saturday one of the hosts were making Italian Wedding Soup.  I have to ad…

Monday, October 13, 2014

Chocolate Brownie w/a Pumpkin Cheesecake Swirl

Chocolate Brownie w/a Pumpkin Cheesecake Swirl
Fall is officially here, and along with all of you my mind is turning toward all things pumpkin.  And since it is Monday I decided that life is too  short not to start with dessert first!  So in the spirit of fall, dessert, and all things pumpkin, I present to you my recipe for a chocolate brownie…

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Weeknight Lima Beans

Weeknight Lima Beans
Let's face it, we can all do the big entrees in our sleep.  However, one thing I think we all struggle with are side dishes.  I know this is going to blow some of your minds, but this kitchen wife CANNOT live on mashed potatoes alone.  One of my favorite quick and easy go-to's are my Weekn…

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Cheesy Tater-Tot Casserole Recipe

Cheesy Tater-Tot Casserole Recipe
I will never forget the first time that my husband cooked for me. We hadn't been married all that long and we were living in a little basement apartment.  He told me he was going to make something called " Tater-Tot Casserole " and I will confess to you I was a little concerned.  I hav…

Monday, October 6, 2014

Roasted Chicken w/ Fingerling Potatoes

Roasted Chicken w/ Fingerling Potatoes
Every home cook needs to have a good Roast Chicken in their back pocket, but I have to admit that when I began cooking I found this a little daunting.  The thought of roasting an entire foul, while making sure the skin is crispy and the meat was tender and juicy was TERRIFYING!  However, the day c…

Sunday, October 5, 2014

Baked Steak

Baked Steak
I know that I usually do a meatless Monday dish, but I have to be honest with you about something. As the colder temperatures start setting in, I crave heavy, stick-to-your-ribs, food.  You know what I'm talking about.  The kind of food that not only warms the body, but warms the soul as well.�…

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Dora's Homemade Applesauce

Dora's Homemade Applesauce
It is officially Autumn!  I love it!  I...LOVE...IT!! I love the changing leaves, the cooler weather, everything.  So this year, to celebrate the first day of Fall, I decided to head over to our local apple orchard Hidden Hills Orchard . This was my first time there and I am so glad I went!

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Vanilla Scones

Vanilla Scones
I love the Vanilla Scones at Starbucks.  The thing is, there is not a single solitary Starbucks in my entire town.  NOT ONE!  Hard to believe, I know, but alas, I suffer.  That is when I decided that I had to come up with a recipe to make these at home!  Now these are not the prettiest scones you …

Monday, September 22, 2014

Mexican Pizza

Mexican Pizza
Have you ever had a craving that drove you insane?  You know the one.  No matter what you eat, what you drink, if you don't get it you will never be satisfied.  Well, that was me the other day.  I REALLY wanted a Mexican Pizza from that very popular fast food chain.  I mean REALLY wanted it.  …

Penne alla Vodka

Penne alla Vodka
Studhubs and I recently went on vacation to Myrtle Beach, SC.  When we go to the beach we really don't plan on doing much more than sitting on the beach, swimming in the waves, reading books, and evenings in the hot tub.  *sigh*  I LOVE the beach.  However, the one thing we do enjoy doing whil…