Easy Indian Rice

Jan 18 2019

Learn how to cook PERFECT Basmati Indian Rice Recipe in under 30 minutes! This easy basmati rice uses fragrant spices to create authentic tasting Indian rice. Pair it with roasted vegetables to make a healthy, vegan meal for dinner!

I love Indian food. The problem is that I don’t have any experience with Indian cooking, or traditional Indian spices so I was always scared to try cooking it in my own kitchen. Instead I forked over the money for Indian take-out, wishing I could make my own!

Indian Rice Recipe

Finally, I decided I was going to learn how to make Indian Basmati Rice! And I’m so glad I did!

Basmati Rice Recipe

How authentic is this recipe? It tastes so much like our favorite Indian restaurant that Matthew thought I bought it from there! And here’s the best part – it’s so easy to make! You can be a total Indian food cooking newbie and totally nail this basmati rice recipe!

Jan 13 2019

German Chicken Schnitzel recipe. This is a grandma recipe so you know it’s going to be good. This easy meal only takes 15 minutes! Make sure to serve with classic German sides like potato salad, sauerkraut and spaetzle.

Chicken Schnitzel

This is a German grandma recipe so you know it’s going to be good. Make sure to serve with classic German side dishes – preferably potato salad, mashed potatoes and sauerkraut.

And you need to add a squirt of fresh lemon on top! You know that quote, if a tree falls in the forest does anyone hear it? Well did you even eat schnitzel if you don’t add lemon on top?

But first….

Jan 07 2019

DIRECTIONS on How to Dry Mint Leaves for Mint Tea! These DIY How to Make Mint Tea instructions shows how easy it is to dry mint leaves so you can make your own homemade mint tea. I store this dried mint tea for months so I can enjoy the health benefits year round!

How to Make Mint Tea

I start everyday with a cup of tea. Do you?

It can be warm or cold, it doesn’t really matter. Most green and black teas have enough caffeine for that morning boost. My morning always starts with a yawn. Then I waddle out of the bedroom with my comfiest bed shirt on and make myself a cup of tea.

I then continue to have a few cups of tea throughout the day. The kind of tea depends on the season and my mood. In Winter I might start with English Breakfast or Earl Grey. In the Spring it’s all about Green Jasmine. A nice spiced tea is great for autumn.

Homemade Mint Tea

But the Summer is dedicated to Mint tea. And drying mint is so easy!

Jan 04 2019

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The BEST Half Sour Pickles recipe there is! These easy homemade pickles taste just like New York Crunchy pickles. No canning is needed to make these delicious pickles, just throw them in the refrigerator for a few days! Make them to find out why they’re so popular!

Half Sour Pickles

If I could stand on top of a mountain I would yell “I love pickles!”. I really do. They’re pretty, they’re crunchy, they’re full of flavor, they hit the right spot in the afternoon when you need a snack, they’re great on a burger, they’re great at 4AM standing in front of the refrigerator.

Jan 02 2019

Authentic Chicken Tortilla Soup recipe! This easy to make tortilla soup is made with a handful of ingredients that you already have in your kitchen! I based this recipe on my favorite NYC Mexican restaurant – now I can make it healthy at home!

I love chicken tortilla soup – love, love love.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

I used to get tortilla soup all the time from a local Mexican restaurant but one day I got some near closing time and it was a big disappointment It was like they gave me the entire bottom of the pot that was sitting all day long with every ingredient soggy.

I was very upset. That night I told myself I would match their tortilla soup with my own. I would set up a table outside their restaurant serving small cups of my own soup and compare it to theirs.

The neighborhood would love mine. They would put me on their shoulders, parading me down the streets while chanting “tortilla soup, tortilla soup!”. Well one of those things came true, I came up with a tortilla soup recipe that is better than theirs. *High Fives*

Dec 27 2018

Healthy Roasted Cantaloupe Salad recipe made in 30 minutes. It’s an easy savory and sweet melon tomato salad! I love this recipe for our garden Summer fruit! This salad is vegetarian, vegan and gluten free.

It’s Winter but I’m craving Summer food. Maybe it’s the cold, or maybe it’s the post holiday slump, but I am dreaming of garden fresh fruits and vegetables right now!

It doesn’t matter if it’s Winter or Summer where you are right now – you want this Roasted Cantaloupe Salad! Since it’s Winter in NYC, I’ll have to settle for store bought melon and tomatoes, but the greens will still come from our garden!

Dec 18 2018

Recipe for easy to make Sugar Puff Cookies. These cookies are so soft and light! These are one of my family’s favorite Christmas cookies!

These cookies taste like clouds because they are that light and fluffy. You will throw one in your mouth and it will melt away with sweet flavor. Oh these cookies guys.

Soft Sugar Puff Cookies

These cookies taste like if a sugar cookie got cozy with a butter cookie. They have the taste of a sugar cookie, but the melt away in your mouth affect that a butter cookie has. To me this is pretty much a match made in cookie heaven.

Dec 12 2018

Easy to make Christmas Cookies to make with kids! This classic sugar cookies recipe only has 6 ingredients. I loved baking them with my 1 year old daughter!

Do you know what memory I hold most dear when I look back at my childhood? It’s baking sugar cookies around Christmas time with my Mom. We poured flour all over the kitchen table, the oven was on full blast, and Mom had this beautiful wooden rolling pin (which now lives in my kitchen!).

Christmas Cookies to Make With Kids

With a 1 year old, I decided it was never too early to start creating baking memories so we decided to bake some Christmas cookies.

Yes, that’s right. You can bake with a 1 year old. My advise? Take a deep breath and go with the flow. Yes, there will be spills. Yes, there might be egg shells in the batter. Yes, she might wear the bowl on her head. But all of that is ok.

Dec 08 2018

I have a picky toddler and she loves this puree, so trust me – your baby is going to love this Butternut Squash Baby Food Recipe made with fruits and vegetables! And even better, it’s easy to make! This is a nutritious Stage 2 and Stage 3 puree for baby, or to serve to toddlers in pouches.

Homemade Baby Food Recipe

I love making homemade baby food for my daughter. In the beginning our favorite was Apple, Pear and Banana baby food. Then she loved these Sweet Potato Baby Cookies. Now it’s her new favorite snack – Butternut Squash puree mixed with lots of fruits and vegetables!

Butternut Squash Baby Food

So there I was in the kitchen, eyeing up a beautiful butternut squash that a friend gave me. Sure, I could make butternut squash casserole, or a creamy soup, but instead I decided I was going to chop it up and make baby food with it. How’s that for a Mama loving their baby first?

Dec 07 2018

GLUTEN-FREE White Chocolate Dipped Pistachio Cookies are the BEST for CHRISTMAS baking! This easy gluten-free recipe makes 48 spiced pistachio cookies that are dipped in melted white chocolate! They are made with almond flour and teff flour, making a perfectly formed cookie! They are one of my favorite Christmas cookies, perfect for family eating and holiday gifts!

Gluten Free Christmas Cookies

These Gluten-Free White Chocolate Dipped Pistachio Cookies need to become a must-have on your holiday baking list! I made them last weekend and they were gone by Monday morning! They have the taste of a spiced cookie but they’re dipped in white chocolate adding a touch of sweetness to every bite! Add some festive sprinkles on each one and you have some of the prettiest cookies you’ll bake all season long!

Pistachio cookies are one of my favorites, but they’re even more irresistible when you add in cardamom, cinnamon, and allspice to give more of a holiday taste (and smell!) to them. These cookies are not overly nutty tasting, but just perfect so everyone loves them.

Dec 05 2018

Easy Ground Beef Chili Recipe served inside bread bowls! This quick dinner is ready in 20 minutes and your family will love it! This post is sponsored by Red Gold® and SheKnows Media.

Easy Chili Recipe

If you live in the Northeast, you’re likely feeling the fall season. The temperature changed quickly, suddenly calling for heavy jackets and hats. To warm you up, I wanted to share this Easy Ground Beef Chili Recipe with you; it’s a simple meal that the entire family will enjoy!

If you’re a parent, you probably have an endless list of activities to do every day. Between your career, your children’s school, and their extracurricular activities, it’s probably difficult to carve out an hour to make dinner once everyone is home.

I’m excited to share a homemade chili recipe that doesn’t require a slow cooker or an hour in the kitchen – this dish only takes 20 minutes and it’s sure to warm everyone’s hearts (and tummies!) on the busiest nights.

Dec 03 2018

Organic gardening tips on how to switch your garden to full organic. Compost, seeds, watering and testing the soil are all great steps to take. This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Stonyfield® FIELDS Initiative.

Tips On Making Your Garden Organic

Snacks and parks go together pretty nicely if you ask me. Think of all your favorite times at a park, it probably also involved some friends, a blanket and endless sandwiches and chips. Think of all your favorite times with your child at a park, it also probably involved snacks because goodness – kids love snacks! Within a year of becoming a parent, I’ve learned to always be stocked with snacks!

That’s why I’ve been so happy to team up with Stonyfield since they’re the perfect mission first brand to tie together snacks and parks. How so? Well first read this post, then this post… and now let me tell you a little more about the StonyFIELDS Initiative.

Nov 30 2018

Easy to make Cinnamon Sugar Pistachios recipe! These are perfect for healthy snacking! I love gifting these in mason jars for the holidays too!

Cinnamon Sugar Pistachios

Pistachios are something of a necessity for the holidays in our house. As a kid Santa would always leave me a bag of red pistachios in my stocking that I would eat right up with my pistachio red stained fingers. As a adult I still get pistachios at Christmas time, but now I like adding some cinnamon sugar spice to them.

There is something about the smell of cinnamon that really gets me in the holiday spirit and has me humming Christmas songs!

Nov 27 2018

Easy to make Beef Chorizo Stuffing recipe, one of my family’s favorite holiday side dishes to serve alongside chicken or turkey. This classic simple stuffing is made with white bread cubes and chorizo. Your entire family is going to be asking you for this recipe! Thank you Cacique® for sponsoring this post. Visit your local grocery store to pick up your fave Cacique® product for a delicious dinner tonight!

Beef Chorizo Stuffing

Maybe you don’t think Mexican spices when you think holiday recipes, but I’m here to change that. A little bit of Mexican taste is going to transform your usual stuffing recipe into something bursting with flavor. Say hi to Beef Chorizo Stuffing …. this side dish is delicious!

This stuffing recipe is a family favorite, not just because of how tasty it is, but because of how easy it is to make! The holidays are about spending time with your family, so with this stuffing you don’t need to be stressed out!

I often serve this stuffing alongside chicken or turkey, but I also love it next to pork chops too!

Nov 24 2018

Please everyone admire our Christmas tree because with a 1 year old and 4 cats, the bottom third of the tree probably won’t stay decorated for long!

To be honest, we had our tree up and decorated BEFORE Thanksgiving, but I didn’t want you guys to think I was crazy so I waited 2 days after Thanksgiving to post it. Hah.
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Slow Cooker Beef Stew With Cooking Wine

Nov 20 2018

SLOW COOKER Beef Stew with Marsala Cooking Wine made in the crockpot in 6 hours! This easy recipe is packed with vegetables creating a full classic meal perfect for holiday entertaining or a family meal. My husband declares this one of the best dinners!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Holland House. All opinions are my own.

This is one of my family’s favorite Slow Cooker Meals. We always break out our crockpot when cold weather hits because I love being able to make a delicious meal for my family that I know is going to warm up their bellies!

Nov 15 2018

Easy Cinnamon Rolls recipe ready in 12 minutes! Use refrigerated biscuits to make homemade Cinnamon Rolls with a powdered sugar icing that your kids will fall in love with! These Cinnamon Rolls are quick and delicious – perfect for Saturday morning breakfast.

Easy Cinnamon Rolls

On a scale of 1-10 on the yummy scale, these cinnamon roll muffins are a 11. Watch out, I might fight you for them!

One afternoon I was craving cinnamon rolls. It seemed like everywhere I looked I saw a cinnamon roll on twitter, on the street, in a window, and every time I closed my eyes. All I wanted was a cinnamon roll, ok maybe I wanted two, but I wanted them quick.

Nov 14 2018

EASY Step by Step Instructions on how to make Fresh Pumpkin Puree from Pumpkins! You can use any type of pumpkin for this. Pumpkin Puree can be used in cooking and baking year round! Use this for pumpkin cookies, pies, cakes, pancakes and more!

So you know I love pumpkins.

You know I love baking and cooking with pumpkin too (pumpkin cookies! pumpkin pie! pumpkin pancakes!)

So if you grow your own pumpkins, or will be getting a pumpkin in October to decorate your house with, you can use that pumpkin for much more than making your home extra beautiful (pumpkins are lovely, they brighten up everything). You can also eat them!

There is delicious pumpkin puree waiting for you inside every single pumpkin wishing you would cut it open and scoop it into brownie mix. Trust me, they tell me this. My pumpkins talk to me, what they don’t talk to you?

Easy Pumpkin Puree

Pumpkin puree is so easy to make! The hardest part is the emotional attachment of cutting your pumpkin in half. I always tell myself I’m going to be strong then I end up almost crying and taking goodbye pictures with it. I always always talk to my pumpkins during this process, I just want them to know it’s going to be ok when I cut them up and put them into the oven to bake then process them until it’s smooth.

Nov 13 2018

Easy and fluffy Apple Pancakes recipe! This is one of my family’s favorite breakfast meals because it tastes like apple pie! I always make this quick recipe during apple picking season!

Apple Cinnamon Pancakes

What’s not to love about these easy to make pancakes? They’re easy to make, fluffy to serve and delicious because they taste just like apple pie!

The recipe uses 1 cup of finely chopped apples that gets mixed in with the batter. This guantees that each bite has a little bit of apple in it! During the Fall, I love the combo of apple and cinnamon, so these pancakes are so delicious to me!

Nov 08 2018

SLOW COOKER Green Beans Recipe with Tomatoes! This easy recipe cooks fresh green beans, tomatoes, potatoes and bacon in a crock pot for 4 hours. This is a healthy dish makes for delicious vegetable side dishes that you can serve over rice or as a side dish to chicken or Thanksgiving holiday dinners. This has been become one of families favorite healthy thanksgiving recipes!

Vegetable Side Dishes

With the garden season almost complete for the year, I constantly want to come up with new recipes to try, especially those that will make yummy vegetable side dishes. With pounds of green beans and potatoes just dug up, I wanted to create an easy meal that could use all of them.

At my home, vegetable side dishes are quite popular with the entire family – adults and kids. So, I decided to create a rainbow side dish with all these veggies that everyone would love!

For more vegetable side dishes, try my other green bean recipes.

Easy Indian Rice

Indian Rice Recipe

Basmati Rice Recipe

Chicken Schnitzel

Chicken Schnitzel

How to Make Mint Tea

How to Make Mint Tea

Homemade Mint Tea

Half Sour Pickles

Half Sour Pickles

Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Roasted Cantaloupe Salad

Sugar Puff Cookies

Soft Sugar Puff Cookies

Christmas Cookies to Make With Kids

Christmas Cookies to Make With Kids

Butternut Squash Baby Food Recipe

Homemade Baby Food Recipe

Butternut Squash Baby Food

GLUTEN-FREE White Chocolate Dipped Pistachio Cookies

Gluten Free Christmas Cookies

Easy Ground Beef Chili Recipe With Bread Bowl

Easy Chili Recipe

Tips On Making Your Garden Organic

Tips On Making Your Garden Organic

Cinnamon Sugar Pistachios

Cinnamon Sugar Pistachios

Beef Chorizo Stuffing

Beef Chorizo Stuffing

Our Christmas Tree Is Up!

Slow Cooker Beef Stew With Cooking Wine

Easy Cinnamon Rolls

Easy Cinnamon Rolls

How to Make Fresh Pumpkin Puree From Pumpkins

Easy Pumpkin Puree

Apple Pie Pancakes

Apple Cinnamon Pancakes

Slow Cooker Green Beans and Tomatoes

Vegetable Side Dishes