Food
Blueberry Cobbler
Blueberries! Blueberry cobbler (and this cobbler, specifically) is the best dessert. Whether you make it with fresh blueberries from farmers’ market, or with frozen blueberries from the freezer section of the grocery store, this recipe will be a go-to for years to come. Late spring and early summer is the time of year when blueberries are plentiful, thanks to garden bushes, farmers’ markets and, when I lived in Maryland, a great little farm stand nearby. You can end up having enough to keep some in the fridge for cereal and yogurt toppings, fresh smoothies, to freeze for using later, and also to grab by the handful for easy snacks. (And…
Honey Lemon Zucchini Bread
You will love this honey lemon zucchini bread recipe — it’s so fresh and bright! Enjoy a slice for breakfast with coffee or tea, or as a snack mid-day with cream cheese or butter. Back when we lived in Maryland, I was often faced with a summertime snafu: an overabundance of giant zucchini from my parents’ homestead or from my co-workers whose gardens produced produce like it was their job. I suppose it was the gardens’ job, but that’s neither here nor there. In the case of my green-thumbed co-workers, when fraught with what to do with their giant zucchini they often thought, “Liza will take it.” Because, obviously.…
Easy Slow Cooker Pork BBQ
Easy slow cooker pork BBQ is perfect for those days when you need a “set it and forget it” recipe that can be thrown together in minutes. Sometimes I make my own BBQ sauce for recipes, which (by the way) isn’t difficult. And yet, other times I use bottled BBQ sauce. There’s no one right way to get to town with your sauce! Luckily it’s easy to find an tasty, basic BBQ sauces (with pronounceable ingredients) these days at most grocery stores, or you can even buy BBQ sauce online. Options range from few and simple at ALDI (my favorite), to a range of organic and specialty recipes at stores…
Kale Salad With Honey Mustard Dressing
This kale salad is full of dried cranberries, sliced red pears, crispy bacon, honey goat cheese and a hint of lime juice, and then topped with glazed honey almonds. A simple homemade honey mustard dressing drizzled on top adds a final sweet and savory note! Fall is without a doubt my favorite season. The weather’s cooler, but snow is still a month or two away (hopefully), which means I’m able to don layers and scarves, build roaring fires in the fireplace, and spend plenty of time curled up with a blanket reading or writing. Ahhh… That time of year is also when family and friend gatherings abound and holiday celebrations…
Sweet Potato Casserole
The very best sweet potato casserole EVER. And not a marshmallow in sight! My paternal grandmother passed away many years ago and, even today, Thanksgiving isn’t complete without her tried and true — and terribly addicting! — sweet potato casserole. This isn’t your typical sweet potato casserole that’s served on Thanksgiving. There isn’t a marshmallow in sight. Not a one. Instead, it’s a fluffy, creamy, crunchy, gooey, can’t-believe-it’s-a-side-not-a-dessert accompaniment to an already spectacular spread. And it’s better without the marshmallows. It. Just. Is. My aunt traditionally made this sweet potato casserole during our large family gatherings every Thanksgiving since my grandmother’s passing. For one, it’s super…
Chicken and Lentil Soup in the Instant Pot
This simple chicken and lentil soup made right in your Instant Pot (or any pressure cooker) is a hearty meal that’ll warm you to the bone! Ever since getting an Instant Pot back in 2017, I’ve wondered how I managed without a pressure cooker for so long. Don’t get me wrong, a pressure cooker’s no substitute for a slow cooker… It’s just, I’ve found many of the same recipes can be whipped up in a fraction of the time — which can be helpful if you’ve not planned a meal hours in advance. It’s been fun to play around with ingredients I’ve had in the fridge and pantry, particularly when…
Chicken Sausage and Apple Rigatoni
Chicken sausage and apple rigatoni takes about thirty minutes from start to finish, which means it’s a snap to pull together on a busy weeknight! And, with fall right around the corner, busy weeknights are about to be status quo. Ahhhh, fall. Apple “everything” is about to be in the air: apple scented candles, apple cider, homemade slow cooker applesauce, apple pie, etc. Pretty soon the leaves will turn brilliant sunset shades and evenings will start getting crisp and cool, even though the sun still warms the day. It’s a phenomenal time of year; one of my absolute favorites! Though many of the recipes I make with apples are…
Old Fashioned Creamy Potato Salad
This old fashioned creamy potato salad is a huge favorite of ours, and a perfect side dish to burgers and dogs on the grill! Don’t like potato salad? I hear that a lot. That is … until people try this potato salad. No, seriously. My husband won’t typically eat potato salad unless it’s this potato salad. And, he’ll eat leftovers, which is worth noting because he’s not typically a “leftovers” kind of guy, unless it’s steak or his mother’s enchiladas. Starting in spring, this particular potato salad is requested at every family gathering. Yes: Every. Single. One. Friends who’ve tried it? Same request. You might be wondering what it is…
