Homemade Refried Black Beans

How to make Homemade Refried Black Beans recipe from scratch made using dried black beans but could also be substituted with canned black beans. Ham hock gives these black beans a delicious smokey flavor but could also be omitted for a Vegetarian recipe. Refried Black Beans are easy to make and a favorite side dish to go with all your favorite Mexican Recipes.

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Rice Pilaf With Orzo

Easy to make Orzo Rice Pilaf is a family favorite side dish recipe! Made with shallot or onion, orzo pasta for color and texture, jasmine rice, chicken stock and herbs. It makes a great side dish with fish, seafood, chicken, or beef.

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Asian Shrimp Mango Black Rice Salad

Asian Shrimp Mango Black Rice Salad is a delicious blend of flavors with juicy shrimp, firm texture of black rice, juicy sweet mango, and pineapple that is drizzled with a heavily Asian Ginger Toasted Sesame Vinaigrette. This Rice Salad recipe is incredibly easy to make for an easy summer dinner. I love that it only gets better if it's made a few hours ahead of time or the night before allowing the flavors to mingle. 

Great for lunch or dinner and to take to potlucks or holidays.

You can never go wrong with a Rice Salad or Pasta Salad at least in our house. Other favorite Salad Recipes I think you'll also love are Asian Chicken Vegetable Salad with Chile Scallion Oil, Shrimp Asparagus Orzo Salad, and Mediterranean Couscous Salad. 

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Oven Roasted Garlic

Soft creamy Oven Roasted Garlic is a favorite to spread over crusty bread in place of butter or mixed into the butter. It's a delicious addition mashed potatoes, soups, stews, or mixed into gravy to added a delicious complex flavor. Roasted Garlic is a delicious addition to charcuterie boards. 

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7 Up Raspberry Jello Salad

7 Up Raspberry Jello Salad is a delicious Jello Salad recipe for Thanksgiving and Christmas or just because.

Raspberry Jello is made with 7 Up, crushed pineapple, mandarine oranges, mini marshmallows and fresh raspberries. It's set in the refrigerator before being covered with a homemade pineapple mousse mixture. 

I decided to decorate the top with 3 raspberries and a mint leaf to give the feel of holly berries making it perfect for Christmas and the holidays but delicious enough for anytime.  

If you're still trying to decide on a Fruit Salad or Jello Salad for Thanksgiving I have the perfect one for you! 

7 Up Raspberry Jello Salad is my twist on one of our family favorite recipes my Mother In Law taught me how to make early on in our marriage 7 Up Salad with Lemon Jello that was handed down to her from my husbands Grandmother. 

It wouldn't be the holidays without a 7 Up Salad and this one will quickly become a favorite! Between Colt and the boys they have already devoured half a pan and I will be surprised if the rest makes it through the night. 

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Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

We love these Bakery Style Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins they are so light and full of flavor.

4 Days left until spring! I can't wait! In Washington that means warmer weather, hopefully less rain and tulips! I can't wait for our first 60-70 degree day to kick everyone out of the house and work in the yard, my poor garden could use some serious attention.

As I was flipping through Dorie Greenspan's Baking From My Home To Yours yesterday I came across Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins and knew these would be a perfect treat to help kick start spring with the bright lemon flavor and gorgeous little poppy seeds.

After a few taste testings later, Colt and I agreed these are an Easter brunch must! Besides being easy and gorgeous they are absolutely divine! 

In case you need a few more muffin recipes make sure to check out Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins With Streusel,  Moist Banana Nut Muffins , and Bakery-Style Double Chocolate Muffins. 

Here's how to make these easy Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins:

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Winter Fruit Salad

Winter Fruit Salad with Feta Poppy Seed Dressing has all the winter fruit I love.. The smell of the fresh citrus at the market always leaves me inspired this time of year.

Fruit Salad in the winter is a great way to enjoy fruit for brunch, lunch, or dinner, and it makes a great accompaniment to holiday gatherings at Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The feta really adds a nice contrast of flavors to the oranges, grapefruit, and pears. The Feta Poppy Seed Dressing helps the Winter Fruit Salad keep from browning with all the citrus juice, and really brings the flavors together.

Even if you are hesitant of feta in the Winter Fruit Salad I suggest giving it a try, LJ is fairly particular about cheese, but absolutely loved the feta with the winter fruit.

Here's the recipe for Winter Fruit Salad with a Citrus Honey Poppy Seed Dressing.

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Oven Roasted Broccoli

If you've never had Oven Roasted Broccoli you've been missing out! Roasting Broccoli in the oven is a dinner time staple in our house. 

It's easy to make and results in perfectly cooked broccoli with a delicious concentration of flavors and crunch from the oven roasting.

I like to add fresh minced garlic to my oven roasted broccoli but it can be omitted if you prefer. It's quite tasty either way. The lemon zest and fresh squeezed lemon juice adds a nice zest that really brightens the flavor. Sometimes I will sprinkle the Oven Roasted Broccoli with parmesan cheese when I add the lemon juice, it's delicious with or without it.

It's a great easy, healthy broccoli side dish recipe for the holidays and a lighter side dish for Thanksgiving and Christmas that is always a hit.

Here's how we make Roasted Broccoli in the oven. 

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Baked Beans From Scratch

Our Classic Baked Beans From Scratch are a family favorite for picnics, potlucks, and barbecues that everyone loves. Homemade Baked Beans are an easy recipe to make and great for Father's Day Barbecues, Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day. They go so well with just about any meat you throw on the grill.

If you're needing to save time you can use 4 15 ounce cans Great Northern Beans in place of dried beans in a pinch.

We also love to serve Italian Antipasto Pasta Salad and Jalapeño Coleslaw when we barbecue. 

I've been meaning to redo the pictures for Baked Beans From Scratch for the last 3 years but it never seemed to work out whenever  I made them, so this last weekend Colt snapped a photo before they were devoured.

If you've never made Baked Beans they are super easy to make and worth the effort, the flavors are amazing, and so much better then anything you might find in a can!

Absolutely perfect for your next barbecue.

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Banana Bread Coffee Cake

I had a ton of banana's that were becoming overripe on the counter along with almost a shelf of frozen banana's in the freezer I've been saving for a day when I felt up to baking, and  I knew I was long overdue to make a couple loaves of Banana Bread. So I decided I better put them to use to make Banana Bread Coffee Cake.

I'm super picky when it comes to Banana Bread, because there's nothing worse then a dry, tasteless loaf of Banana Bread, but these loaves never disappoint.  I decided to make a double batch of Grannies Banana Bread, and then covered it with a brown sugar coffeecake crumb for a lovely treat! 

These Coffee Cake Banana Bread loaves turn out perfect every time, with a deliciously moist crumb. The addition of a crunchy coffee cake crumb really make these loaves extra special and worthy of a lazy weekend with a cuppa. 

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Tomato Cucumber Olive Salad

Tomato Cucumber Olive Salad is a classic simple tomato salad recipe that is such a refreshing side dish at the end of a hot day when tomatoes and cucumbers are at their peak. This simple Tomato Cucumber Salad is made with juicy tomatoes, sliced fresh cucumbers, olives, fresh dill, fresh rosemary, and a simple red wine vinaigrette. 

Serve Tomato Cucumber Olive Salad next to fish, seafood, meats or sandwiches, such as Greek Chicken, Lemon Garlic Shrimp, Balsamic Steak Shish Kabobs, and Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches. 

Tomato Cucumber Olive Salad has been making a weekly appearance at our dinner table the last few weeks since it's so easy to make! It's one of those recipes that can be made in the morning and only gets better after a few hours marinating in the fridge, making it perfect for all those summer barbecues and picnics. 

I created a red wine vinaigrette and left out feta for this recipe making it only slightly different then this Tomato Cucumber Herb Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette and used a little different ingredients then our beloved Greek Salad. 

At first I wasn't even going to share this recipe but sometimes different variations of favorite recipes may help accommodate a choosy eater who dislikes cheese or someone who has food sensitivities. It can also give tried and true recipe the family likes to enjoy on a regular basis just enough change that no one tires of it.

It's a simple salad worthy of only the freshest summertime tomatoes and cucumbers that is a staple in our house.

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Grilled Romaine Hearts Salad with Shrimp and Basil Vinaigrette

Grilled Romaine is a favorite easy healthy salad. Hearts of Romaine are grilled and covered with a delicious basil vinaigrette with shrimp and tomatoes.

I decided to reshare my recipe for Grilled Romaine Hearts with Tomatoes and Shrimp with a Basil Vinaigrette  I originally published in 2012 since grilling seasons almost upon us.

It's a family favorite when the weather is hot and fairly easy to make.

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Spinach Apple Bacon Salad With Honey Mustard Dressing

Spinach Salad with Bacon and Fuji Apples covered with homemade Honey Mustard Dressing is a delicious easy to make salad recipe.

I promised you this Fuji Apple Spinach Bacon Salad With a creamy homemade Honey Mustard dressing last week when I shared my recipe for Honey Mustard Chicken, since they go together like Peanut Butter and Jelly, you can't have one without the other! 

It's really an easy dinner to make and I strongly suggest making both since they pair perfectly together! 

The smokiness of the bacon makes a perfect addition to the sweet fuji apples and honey mustard vinaigrette; the perfect disguise to sneak raw spinach into my boys! 

We all know everything is better with bacon.

You could leave the mushrooms out of this salad if they aren't your thing but they are well disguised between the smokey bacon, apples, and vinaigrette. 

I skipped adding cheese in this recipe to keep it simple, but gorgonzola would make a nice addition if your looking for something a bit richer. It's really not missing it though, and has plenty of flavors to leave you satisfied.

Fuji Apple Spinach Bacon Salad With Creamy Honey Mustard Vinaigrette makes a fun side or light lunch, and is perfect to bring to your next BBQ or Potluck! 

Here's how I make our this delicious Spinach Salad Recipe:

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Crock Pot Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya

This post is sponsored by McCormick in conjunction with a social media campaign through Sunday Supper LLC. All opinions are those of the individual bloggers.

For this week's Sunday Supper we are celebrating Mardi Gras with  Zatarain's and all recipes are variations of Jambalaya! How super fun is that?

There's something about the fact that Mardi Gras day is historically food focused that leaves me intrigued. I can only imagine all the delicious variations of Jambalaya, Gumbo and all the other local delicacies to sample while taking in the parade.

I love making this Crock Pot Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya to celebrate Mardi Gras in our house, since it's a great excuse to enjoy different cuisine with the kids, and culture. Crock Pot Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya is a family favorite. It's so easy to make and requires only a little prep work.

We love making this on nights where the kids have sports practice or activities since the crock pot keeps dinner warm until ready to enjoy for those who might be joining us late at the dinner table! It's also a great dish for potlucks and parties since it's full of flavor but easy to make! 

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Lemon Poppy Seed Bread

Lemon Poppy Seed Bread recipe is a favorite for breakfast or dessert with a delicious light crumb and plenty of lemon shining through.

I've been dreaming of making this Lemon Poppy Seed Bread for weeks.

I kept telling Colt every time we stepped foot in Trader Joes we need a bag of lemons so I can make my Lemon Poppy Seed Loaf.

It's one of those weird things if we don't buy them they'll be gone, but of course when we do I still have a bag that wasn't touched.

I'm sure Colt and the kids were leaving the lemons in anticipation of me finally using them.

Yesterday morning I realized I had 5 bags of lemons in the fridge, I may have discovered I have a problem with hoarding lemons. This is what happens if I don't create a detailed list before heading to the grocery store, and I'll forget the one thing that I really need like milk.

I can't believe it took me this long to make this loaf since it really is super easy.

I also loved how the kids all went straight to the kitchen after school to find out what I was baking.

I've discovered when I'm having a difficult day doing something nice for someone else like Colt and the kids definitely helps me to feel better, and this loaf accomplished just that! 

The hardest part was keeping LJ away from the Lemon Poppy Seed Loaf until Colt could take the finished photos, the kid was like a vulture, and only asked a million times when he could have a slice.

This Lemon Loaf is perfect in just about every way with a divine crumb, not overly sweet, and plenty of lemon shining through.

The hardest part is sharing the loaf, next time I'll need to make 2! 

Here's how I make my Lemon Poppy Seed Bread:

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Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

I don't think it's possible to make Homemade Spaghetti Sauce without making enough to feed an army. 

When I was growing up Granny would always make a large batch of the BEST Spaghetti Sauce and stock the freezer with the leftovers. She made the best homemade Spaghetti Sauce I ever had, aside from when I was in about 2nd or 3rd grade, and wanted the plain sauce without all the stuff, like my friends ate. That phase of life didn't last long and I quickly realized plain tomato sauce wasn't all it was cracked up to be.

This one time in 6th Grade I spent the night at my friends house, the next day while their parents were gone we became hungry so we made Spaghetti Sauce, and not like you open a can of Ragu Spaghetti Sauce, we made a giant stock pot full of Spaghetti Sauce! I can't remember the outcome of making a giant pot of Spaghetti Sauce but hopefully their family enjoyed it as much as we did! I also can't remember if we cleaned the kitchen, but I sure hope we did.

I can only imagine the look on their Mom's face when there was enough Spaghetti Sauce to feed an army, and the kitchen looked like a bomb went off.. It's moments like those I look back on, laugh, and pray their Mom wasn't frazzled.

My Spaghetti Sauce making ways haven't changed after all these years, I still make a ton, and try to keep a few jars in the freezer for an easy dinner.

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Crock Pot Stuffing

Crock Pot Stuffing is a favorite Thanksgiving Recipe to save oven space. It saves time of having to cook a stuffed Turkey longer, and the mess of stuffing it while giving many of the same flavors and that soft texture you get from stuffing. It makes a delicious Thanksgiving side dish.

Whether you call it Stuffing or Dressing this Crockpot Stuffing will quickly become a family favorite recipe for the holidays. What's not to love about a classic Thanksgiving dish that frees up not only time but oven space?

I know it's after Thanksgiving but I received so many emails this year for my Crock Pot Stuffing, I decided it's better late then never.

We've actually enjoyed Crock Pot Stuffing a few times in the last month or two, with plans of posting the recipe, but we always seemed to run out of daylight before Colt could capture a finished photo.

Luckily the light was perfect on Thanksgiving, and he captured a few shots before the stuffing went to the table.

I started making stuffing in the crock pot on Thanksgiving 2 years ago following my car accident. I had a hard time rolling out of bed extra early that day, and a stuffed 30lb Turkey could have taken an extra 2 hours leaving dinner long over due. I had plenty of kitchen help between Colt and the kids, but they needed my direction. When you're living in chronic pain you start to prioritize what really matters in the day, and on that particular day I knew I needed the extra sleep, after a night of tossing and turning.

From past experience I knew cooking the excess stuffing in a casserole dish never created the moist flavorful stuffing that came from the Turkey, and required valuable oven space. It was dry, and no matter what I did it just wasn't my first choice, so I decided I would test out the slow cooker, to not only save oven space, but on time.

After 15 years of Stuffing the Turkey, my ways have been eternally changed. Not only does the Stuffing smell amazing, but you won't miss the flavor, with a few simple tricks. Slow Cooker Stuffing is moist and flavorful, with a lightly crispy edge similar to dressing. Crock Pot dressing is really the best of both worlds. Here's how to make Crock Pot Stuffing: 

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Potato Dinner Rolls Recipe

Potato Rolls are one of my all time favorite rolls. They are a little sweet, super soft and buttery. The mashed potatoes in the rolls makes them so light and pillowy. Potato Dinner Rolls are so easy to make and so forgiving even if you don't have much experience with bread making.

Potato Rolls are one of favorite roll recipe along with French Rolls. We love them to go along side the Roasted Turkey at Thanksgiving for sopping up the gravy, a must to go along with Beef Tenderloin at Christmas, but easy enough to go with Dinner during the week. 

I use to make these Potato Rolls recipe all the time but I forgot just how amazing they are.

The recipe is so old the paper I wrote it on is yellowed and starting to fall apart. I can't remember where the original recipe came from or just how many changes I may or may not have made since I failed to notate it in my notes but these rolls are too good not to share and perfect for your Thanksgiving or Christmas holiday dinner table.

We love dipping these rolls in gravy or soup, slathering them in butter and you can never go wrong with a little homemade jelly. Leftover Thanksgiving Dinner Sliders are also delicious made on these rolls. Potato Dinner Rolls are light, soft and fluffy just like the lunch lady use to serve back in the day.

I know you'll love these Potato Rolls as much as we do!

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Homemade Beef Stock

I didn't get a really good photo of just this hearty Homemade Beef Stock because it's part of the French Onion Soup recipe I'll be posting on Monday but as I was working on the recipe I decided it would just be easier if I shared my recipe for Homemade Beef Stock as a separate post since I received some flack over using Beef Broth in my Beef Stroganoff and not including my recipe some time ago.

I do use high quality store bought Beef Stock on occasion but nothing can compare to Homemade Beef Stock for it's hearty richness and silky texture from the bones.

Some recipes just aren't the same without Homemade Beef Stock like French Onion Soup. It's actually rather easy to make other then the long simmer and can be frozen for future use.

I will usually ask the butcher for meaty neck bones and find roasting the bones with the veggies prior to simmering makes for a glorious stock. 

The meat from the neck bones is similar to chuck meat in that it is tender and juicy so after simmering the stock for 3-4 hours and straining the veggies I remove the meat off the bones to freeze it for my next batch of Crockpot Beef Vegetable Barley Soup or even Taco Soup in place of the hamburger.

The only warning I have is after making Homemade Beef Stock is it will be hard to use anything else! 

Ok now that I've talked your ear off here's how to make Homemade Beef Stock:

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Green Bean Salad Recipe

I love this simple Green Bean Salad with Grainy Dijon Shallot Vinaigrette.

It's one of those dishes that's perfect for company but easy enough for a busy weeknight since the flavors meld as it sits and is great served warm or at room temperature.

We love this Green Bean Salad as an easy Thanksgiving side dish because it's delicious served warm or at room temperature. 

I prefer Haricot Vert Green Beans for this salad with their thin delicate size and tender yet crisp texture when available. The shallot in the dish offers a milder flavor compared to garlic and softens when the vinaigrette is tossed with the hot green beans.

As they cool they absorb the tangy vinaigrette for a wonderfully flavorful dish.

These will quickly become a favorite way to enjoy your veggies and perfect for holiday entertaining like Thanksgiving and Christmas since they are delicious served at room temperature.

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