Buffalo Ranch Popcorn From Scratch No Ranch Packet

Oh my dear deliciousness! All I can say is this was an amazing snack! The husband and I scarfed the bowl and had to make more to share with the kids! 

I know we've all discussed my hot wing habit before and now I have even moved on to popcorn! I have made Baked Hot Wings, Fried Hot Wings and  Boneless Hot Wings.

I kept seeing Buffalo Ranch Popcorn on Pinterest but they all seemed to use a Ranch packet for seasoning. Problem number one I never have a Ranch packet.

Problem number two have you read the back of the Ranch packet ingredients? First MSG or aka Monosodium Glutamate, I don't know about you but for me I'm not into that. Maltodextrin, google it, what's really the point of adding this to ranch? 

We'll just call it good there or I could ramble on all day! 

But guess what friends I solved your problem! Homemade Buffalo Ranch Popcorn simply from scratch! Oh yes you heard me right no ranch packet here! The best part is this is actually a fairly healthy snack considering there's only 4 tablespoons of butter and then you share the popcorn with say 4 or 5 people. Oh  and did I mention popcorn is super high in fiber, super cheap and low in calories? Score!  

 If you happen to need 1 more reason to make this it's serious man food ladies and your husband will think he's gone to heaven if he's a popcorn/hot wing kind of guy! 

Chipotle Black Beans

This is a perfect cheap eats meal! Who doesn't like a delicious meal on the cheap?

Beans make a super healthy cheap meal and Colt and the kids didn't even miss the meat! 

Our grocery list has been a little out of control lately and I was looking to incorporate some healthy, easy, cheap meals back into our busy weeknight dinners.

One way I found to keep the cost down was to make a grocery list of everything I was going to buy and not buying anything not on the list. I know it's hard I still ended up with a bottle of white wine at trader joes and some crackers the kids wanted, it's bound to happen! 

 I also tried to repurpose some of my meals, for example this made a fabulous lunch the next day for the family and a few days later I added 2 chicken breast or a little leftover turkey and cheese wrapped in a tortilla for a burrito night! The black beans would be tasty over rice or fabulous frozen in single serving to pull out as needed for lunch. 

Light Sweet And Sour Chicken

A redo on Sweet and Sour Chicken, a classic chinese food favorite! 

I love a good sweet and sour chicken but I wanted something a little bit healthier but with all the flavors I love and I was hoping to have dinner done in under 30 minutes.  On busy school night with homework and the million other things going on during the week I am always trying to come up with meals the kids and hubby love and are fairly quick to make. 

Voila, I bring you Light Sweet And Sour Chicken. The sauce has a mild sweet and sour flavor. I wasn't looking for an overpowering sauce but rather a nice compliment to the chicken and veggies. If you like a little more tang feel free to adjust the vinegar to your liking, sweeter add a little more honey. 

Brown Butter Snickerdoodles

The holidays are fast approaching and the weather in Washington has become a bit chilly lately. Perfect weather for cookies with hot cocoa or milk! 

Snickerdoodles have always brought back fond memories as a child with one of my neighborhood best friends Emily. At a young age we had discussed snickerdoodles on a regular basis followed by a lot of mess's in her Mother's kitchen, sorry Marie! Marie is the one who would make Boccone Dolce! Deliciousness!

I remember one time her mother was gone and a baby sitter was at the house and we convinced her to go blackberry picking to make a blackberry puree to go with  snickerdoodle cookies. I'm really not sure we explained our whole plan or if we somehow just occupied the sitter while we took over the kitchen, but looking back I chuckle a little over the combinations we came up with at an early age and the fun we had making a mess. Hey what can I say we were creative! 

Ok back to the cookies these are amazing. Soft and chewy with a slight nutty flavor from the browned butter, did I mention covered in cinnamon and sugar. If you aren't following at this point we might need to end our friendship. Just say'n. Oh and let's not forget the totally delicious crinkly top! Oh and let's not forget just plain old simply deliciousness!

Sausage, Kale And Potato Soup

Sausage, Kale And Potato Soup aka Zuppa Toscana. I know you all know what I'm talking about, that soup from Olive Garden you always order for lunch. Yep, that's the one. 

The kids and husband voted for this soup over the one Olive Garden makes but they could be a bit bias so you'll have to taste it for yourself.

We had a nasty little bug pass through our house last week and there's nothing like a big bowl of homemade brothy soup. I had already made chicken noodle soup a few weeks ago and I wasn't in the mood to run to the grocery store. I just happened to have everything on hand to make this and it's super easy and fairly quick. (I consider anything under 30 minutes fairly quick so you can judge for yourself.)  Pair this with some Easy Cheesy Garlic And Herb Breadsticks and you have one heck of a meal!

If you are really looking to replicate the soup exactly I would use Curly Endive aka Chicory for the greens. I just happened to have Kale on hand, a sick kid and needed some soup for dinner. The Kale really was delicious in the soup and is a bit easier to find if you are trying to eat more organic produce. 

Caramel Apples

This is another fall favorite since the apples are in season and Halloween is just around the corner! Wouldn't these be perfect for a party with some Caramel Corn? 

I'm not sure how this all happened but we have been all about the caramel in our house lately and there's no better way to enjoy caramel then smothered over a Granny Smith Apple. I love the tart crisp apple meets the sweet salty caramel. 

The best part about caramel apples is the possibilities are endless when it comes to decorating with the kids. The kids had used some harvest colored M&M's to decorate the apples after they set up this time. A little fleur de sel salt sprinkled over the top would be divine or a little drizzle of some dark or white chocolate is heavenly. Nuts, coconut, chocolate chips, if you dream it you can have it!

Cinnamon Sugar Popcorn

Oh my goodness, can you say amazing! It's like cinnamon sugar toast but on popcorn! The worst part was the fight over the corn before it was gone, all of a sudden the husband was hoarding handfuls of popcorn trying to make sure the kids didn't eat it all before he had his share. Luckily for me I had set a bowl aside to take the picture so I was able to have a few kernels before the husband and kids were on to me. Oh well maybe next time I'll make it while they're all gone... Bwahahaha... Don't judge you might end up doing the same thing. Just kidding, that would be horribly mean and knowing my luck they'll find  a few leftover kernels covered in buttery cinnamon sugar goodness and a riot in my house would ensue. 

This recipe was featured at Whimsy Wednesday! 

French Bread Dinner Rolls

Oh dear rolls how I love thee.. Hot, crusty, chewy, rolls, need I say more? Do not be afraid my friends on the time it takes to make these, it is well worth it and helps develop the flavor and texture of the rolls. These are a Thanksgiving staple in our house and  the perfect rolls to fill with Sloppy Joe's for Sloppy Joe Sliders. Most of the time I make these the day before and leave them in the fridge to be popped in the oven 30 minutes before we're ready to eat. These never make it past the first 30 minutes out of the oven, they are long gone and very dearly missed. How well I guess I better make some more!

Caramel Corn From Scratch

I've had caramel on the brain. Caramel Corn, Caramel Apples, Caramel Cheesecake, and of course Caramel in my coffee. It must be a sign of Fall or Autumn or whatever you're in the mood to call it. I've succumbed, totally given up to the temptations of caramel and I'm enjoying every last bit of caramelly goodness.. 

I had made this as a special treat for our families movie night. I love the combination of the salty sweet caramel smothered over the popcorn, we added pecans to ours and thought about drizzling with chocolate this time but it was just too dang good to take this mix any further and we also weren't in the mood to wait for the chocolate to harden. Temptation won and we enjoyed it just the way it was.

Asian Shrimp Soba Noodles With Vegetables

I usually keep the fridge stocked with my favorite Asian flavors at any given time. Rice vinegar, sesame seed oil, gluten free soy sauce, sriracha sauce or chili paste, limes and ginger are staples for my cupboards. I am sure nothing I make is ever an authentic Asian dish but more of a fusion of flavors I ❤.

If you are afraid of the heat or just don't like the spiciness feel free to omit the jalapenos and sriracha sauce. This salad isn't super spicy but the jalapenos and sriracha sauce add a nice subtle flavor with just a touch of heat. Also the veggies can easily be subbed out for what you have available in your fridge at home just try to keep in mind the flavors of the vegetables so they compliment an Asian dressing.

This recipe was put together for Yahoo Shine Supper Club. The theme for the month is pasta! Yum!

Baked Hot Wings

As I've said it before I ❤ Hot wings! In case you've missed the other recipes I have Fried Hot Wings and Boneless Hot Wings too. There's just something about little chicken drumettes smothered in hot sauce. The best part of this recipe is it's a little bit healthier since it's baked and not fried! I also love that you don't really need to babysit these babies once there in the oven other than to occasionally brush a little juice out of the bottom of the pan over the top. I made these a bit milder for the kids but to spice things up a little bit brush a little hot sauce over the top the last 20 minutes of baking!

Chicken Fajita Stuffed Bell Peppers

Stuffed bell peppers are always a favorite in our house. The smell and taste always brings me back to childhood memories of my Granny making them. This to me is just simply good comfort food filled with lots of wonderful memories in every bite. 

With that said I couldn't make up my mind the other day whether to make stuffed bell peppers or something with a Mexican flair since I have a slightly HUGE Mexican addiction.. Yes I said it, I am so thankful it's out in the open off to MAA I go.. Yes, that stands for Mexican Addiction Anonymous I am sure there are more out there just like me.. I do believe the first part of a addiction is admitting to it, so I am 1 step closer to recovery or not!So I decided to combine a few of my favorite flavors and walla! We have 2 of my favorite things in one! 

Ok here's the last little secret you could totally pre prep these the night before and just finish with baking them in the oven and topping with cheese! Easy Cheesy Lemon Squeezy as my kids would say or is the Peezy? Oh well these have cheese so cheese it is!