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2 pork carnitas tacos on a white plate
Pork Carnitas for Tacos Cinco de MayoCrock-PotDinnerMain DishesPorkSuperbowl
January 27, 2024

Pork Carnitas for Tacos

Pork carnitas tacos is a family favorite, as it is perfect for all seasons, large or small groups and leftovers! We love the flavorful, tender meat and the fresh taco toppings that are served with it.  Oh, and it's also super easy to make, which is a definite plus. For this carnitas recipe, we recommend using a 3-4 lb pork shoulder (or you could use pork "butt" which is considered…
Beef and seasoning cooking in a pan
Beef Taco Seasoning Beef & SteakCinco de MayoDinnerKids Favorites
January 27, 2024

Beef Taco Seasoning

This is a simple taco seasoning recipe, yet it adds so much flavor to ground beef, making it perfect for everyday tacos or taco bowls. Beef Taco Seasoning Ingredients Of course, it is much easier to buy prepackaged taco seasoning, which we have done many times. However, you actually likely have most of the ingredients for a great seasoning already.   In fact, this recipe evolved over times in which I…
Captain Ric's shrimp appetizer prepared in a bowl
Captain Ric’s Marinated Party Shrimp Appetizer AppetizersHappy HourSeafoodThanksgiving
December 4, 2023

Captain Ric’s Marinated Party Shrimp Appetizer

This is a fresh, flavorful marinated shrimp appetizer fit for most any occasion or season.  We love making this for a happy hour with friends or as an appetizer before a celebration dinner. The Marinated Party Shrimp Appetizer Ingredients First, you will need 2 1/2 lbs of cooked, peeled and deveined shrimp.  For the mustard vinaigrette, you will need fresh parsley, diced shallots, tarragon vinegar, white wine vinegar, olive oil,…
Beef & Sausage Chili in a white bowl garnished with shredded cheese and fresh cilantro, with a side of tortilla chips
Beef & Sausage Chili Beef & SteakCold Weather ComfysCrock-PotDinnerFall FavsKids FavoritesPorkSuperbowl
November 10, 2023

Beef & Sausage Chili

This beef and sausage chili is a crowd-pleaser for holiday gatherings, football-watching parties, or for a family meal that will offer leftovers for the week.  With a simple ingredient list and great flavor, you can make this chili your own with varied spice levels or try it our way.   The Ingredients In order to cook this beef and sausage chili, you will need a 6-quart (or larger) crockpot. Beef…
Baked Spaghetti Squash Lasagne with a melty bubbling and browned top.
Spaghetti Squash Lasagne Cold Weather ComfysDinnerFall FavsLight MealsMain Dishes
November 10, 2023

Spaghetti Squash Lasagne

Looking for that cozy comfort food, but not all of the carbs and calories?  Check out this healthier delicious spaghetti squash lasagna option!  This recipe uses spaghetti squash instead of pasta, ground turkey instead of beef or sausage, and low-fat cottage cheese in place of ricotta cheese.   Truth be told, when I make this recipe it can be a selfish treat to eat something that feels like lasagna but is…
Creamy Cauliflower Soup Cold Weather ComfysDinnerFall FavsLight MealsLunchSoupsSoups
November 5, 2023

Creamy Cauliflower Soup

One of our favorite end of summer, early fall recipes is this creamy cauliflower soup.  It is an attempt at replicating a delicious soup we had in Belize at a unique jungle resort, after our brother's wedding years ago.  Although we never got any chef's secrets while there, we think we came pretty close with the recipe we outline here. The Ingredients The base of this soup is of course,…
Ham & Brie Melt prepared on a brioche bun on a white plate, served with a side salad
Brie & Ham Melt DinnerLunchMain DishesPorkSandwiches
November 3, 2023

Brie & Ham Melt

What could be better than a Brie and ham sandwich????  A melted Brie and ham sandwich, of course.  If you are looking to add variety and flavor to your lunch options, this Brie and ham melt is an easy, delicious solution.  We often make these on weekend days at home or when we have visitors in town. Ingredient List The ingredients of this sandwich could be delicious wrapped up in…
Made Rite sandwich prepared on a plate, with a side of small pickles
Maid Rite Sandwich Beef & SteakDinnerKids Favorites
November 3, 2023

Maid Rite Sandwich

Where we come from, a ground beef sandwich with a flavorful sauce was called a Sloppy Joe.  Living in Colorado and influenced by our beloved Iowa neighbors (love ya'll!), I learned that the Maid Rite Sandwich is a Sloppy Joe, without the tomato base.  Both delicious, but since living in CO, our family has adopted a liking to this more Iowa style of sandwich. Although I cannot figure out why…
baked mushroom chicken fresh out of the oven
Mastain Family Mushroom Chicken ChickenCold Weather ComfysDinnerKids FavoritesMain Dishes
October 28, 2023

Mastain Family Mushroom Chicken

This Mushroom Chicken is a cherished recipe from my husband's family, originally created by his grandmother decades ago.  The coziest of comfort foods which has many fond memories of family gatherings surrounding it. So special, that for years has been the chosen Christmas Eve dinner in the Mastain family.  We love enjoying this creamy, tender chicken on any cold fall or winter day, and smelling it cook slowly in the…
Roasted Tomato Soup in a soup bowl, garnished with parmesan cheese
Roasted Tomato Soup Cold Weather ComfysFall FavsLight MealsLunchSoupsVegetarian
October 28, 2023

Roasted Tomato Soup

This homemade roasted tomato soup is the perfect recipe for cold days.  The amazing flavor from fresh tomatoes, onions, garlic and basil makes it difficult to ever go back to the canned tomato soup I grew up on! This soup can be made simply or with added pasta like orzo or tortellini for a heartier dish. Either way, it is delicious and can be accompanied by your favorite grilled cheese…