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Bruschetta Chicken
This is a really easy weeknight dinner with a ton of flavor. This is a perfect summer dish especially if you have a garden. I don’t have a huge garden but enough to keep my summer staples going, mainly tomatoes and basil (I can’t get enough of caprese salad!) What makes this dish is the caprese/bruschetta topical and the balsamic vinegar. I don’t have a really good balsamic vinegar but my stepmother gave me a really good idea of just reducing my balsamic vinegar and it works great….you get that thicker syrupy consistency that you get when you buy a really good aged balsamic. I know this dish may seem like…
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Teriyaki Salmon over Cilantro Cucumber Salad
Hello out there! Just made this dish and really enjoyed it. The teriyaki and creamy cucumber salad really paired well. I particularly liked the addition of cilantro in the cucumber salad as it complimented the dish. Not a crazy amount of prep work but I do recommend letting the salmon marinade for at least 4 hours. Cooks note: I purchased 1.6 pounds of salmon and was able to serve 4 people which roughly adds up to about 6 oz of salmon a person. If you want to serve bigger portions purchase 2 pounds of salmon and you’ll get about 8 oz per person if you’re serving 4. When you…
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Savory Zucchini Rice and Feta Cheese
I don’t know about you but I struggle with sides. I mean you can only have corn and a baked potato so many times!!! I have a few different versions of this that I will be posting shortly so stay tuned. This particular side is great because you have your starch and vegetable all in one! I also like these sides because if your like me and religiously take a lunch to work this is so easy because it’s really all in one (you can always add a protein to this if you’re needing more.) I also like the saltiness and richness that the feta brings to this dish, I actually…
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Cioppino
Cioppino is a classic Italian-American fisherman’s stew originated in San Francisco by the Italian immigrants. The stew is simmered in a tomato broth just begging for some crusty ‘ol bread to dunk in. I love making this dish because it’s a restaurant quality dish that you can make at home in under 45 minutes. Your guests will think they died and went to Heaven…trust me! My version doesn’t involve a lot of steps so it’s perfect for the at home chef! I do cheat this recipe a bit and buy the mussels frozen at the grocery store. Typically their frozen in a tomato or garlic butter sauce in a 1#…
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Hawaiian Smoothy
I came up with this recipe because it reminded me of when my family and I went on vacation to Hawaii. We had fresh pineapple and bananas from road side stands that tasted amazing. I know you will like this because it’s good and delicious! Ingredients: (2) Ripe frozen bananas (If your bananas aren’t frozen that’s OK, because you can add 3 ice cubes it just might be a little thin) 3/4 cup crushed pineapple 1/2 cup coconut milk (1 ) cup Greek yogurt Directions: Place all ingredients in the blender and blend until smooth. Pour in glass and enjoy! Yum Yum…Benny
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Seafood Linguine
This is hands down one of my favorite dishes to make..seafood,pasta,heavy whipping cream, and Parmesan cheese!!! This is one of those dishes that your family will always request on special occasions and quite frankly way cheaper to make at home than overpriced restaurant versions. Dishes like this always remind me of family, mainly my sister Jillian because I know she loves these kind of dishes (not to mention the loaf of french bread with olive oil and balsamic and lets not forget a bottle of wine, hey don’t judge…go big or go home!) The ultimate comfort food! (Another disclaimer that I’d like to add….when I am plating I always throw…
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Tri-Colored Tomato Salad
This past weekend I took my bike (whom I affectionately refer to as “Franky”) down to the farmers market. While there, I scored some different varieties of cherry tomatoes and a bouquet of tulips!!! I really enjoy this salad as a side or as a starter and the contrast in color makes this dish beautiful!! This is perfect in the summer/fall when tomatoes are abundant. I like to accompany this with grilled flat bread. Ingredients: 4 cups of quartered cherry or grape tomatoes 2 garlic cloves crushed 2 Tbs. of red wine vinegar 1 Tbs. of apricot preserve ( honey will work if you don’t have the preserve) 1/4 cup…
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Creamy Cod and Shrimp Chowder
Although it’s the end of May, this past Friday was cold and rainy. I was craving a creamy soup and since it was Friday I decided to make my Creamy Cod and Shrimp Chowder. I really love this soup for a couple of reasons….number 1 it has bacon in it, number 2 it is done in under an hour, and number 3 it’s not that fishy so it appeases my sons and husband. I honestly love a New England Clam Chowder but in this household I am the only one who will eat it! The subtle taste of shrimp complimented by bacon and a meaty cod is soooo satisfying!!! I…
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Olive Tapenade
I am crazy for olives. It’s an easy snack, it’s satisfying, and it’s good for you. I really enjoy making this spread because it’s simple and cheap to make. It’s a great last minute appetizer to whip together when you are crunched for time. You can serve this with crackers or on a toasted baguette. A typical tapenade is made with anchovies, but I am not a fan so I make mine without. The flavors are strong in this spread so make sure you and your guests are olive fans!!! If you happen to have any left over I love spreading this on my sandwich or a chicken breast for…
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Winner Winner Chili Dinner
Every year around football season, I host a chili cook off with my friends and family. This chili recipe has taken first a couple times!! Honestly, the chili cook off has brought some amazing chili’s to the contest and every year my family and friends continue to raise the bar. One year we had 13 chili’s to taste.. we had crock pots plugged in everywhere (even the bathroom:/ ) After that year we decided to convert the garage into chili land laden with extension cords!!! I know it’s April but it’s been cold here in Wisconsin and everyone was craving a batch of the famous family chili. Our chili recipe…