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Gingerbread Cookies
UPDATE – This Gingerbread Cookie post is from several years ago but I just love the pics, and the memories and everything about it so I just had to repost it. I also love Gingerbread cookies so there is that too. ************************************************************************ This past weekend I got to watch my niece and nephew for a night and making cookies was on the menu for sure. Not too long ago I was at World Market and found this great pack of sprinkles that had a little bit of everything from cinnamon dots to metallic sprinkles and everything in between. My little helper is the BEST EVER Anytime I can get my…
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The Santa Chocolate Chip Cookie
Cookies are a must make for all the time, but especially during the Holiday Season. Good thing I know which cookie Santa prefers. A little bit for Everyone … especially Santa For me a good chocolate chip cookie is a little crispy on the edges, soft in the center and loaded with tons of chocolatey goodness. My families favorite chocolate chip cookies are these, but let me tell you after they have these cookies they might just change their minds. Not only are these cookies crispy and soft but they are also loaded with tons of yummy. First I used semi-sweet chocolate chunks and then I threw in…
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Maple Roasted Pork & Veggies
Pork Tenderloin is a quick & easy dinner option, and when you marinade it in maple syrup it becomes a perfect cool weather dinner that will warm you right up. I made this for a family dinner and it was a HUGE hit! First… let’s talk Veggies I wanted to use veggies that were in season & that would go nicely with the maple and apple cider vinegar marinade. Being it is Fall I went with brussels sprouts, apples and onions. You could use butternut squash, potatoes (sweet or russet), acorn squash, carrots… really the possibilities are endless. The key is to season them and make sure you cut…
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Stuffed Honeynut Squash
Honeynut Squash is my new favorite squash. Not familiar? I wasn’t either, until last week. They are everything you love about butternut only smaller, sweeter, more tender and perfect size for individuals sides. Honeynut = Cuteness & Yumminess I was walking through Trader Joes looking at the produce and came across these super small butternut squash. I was intrigued as I had never seen one so small. Just then an employee walked up and asked if I had ever had a butternut squash and pointed at these adorable little beauties. Once I said no she began to tell me every reason why I should She said they cooked…
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Brisket Chili
Brisket Chili hands down is my new go to chili… period. I said it. I mean it. I am standing by it. Brisket Chili… your new favorite chili Being a Texas girl I have had my fair share of chili and I have made my fair share as well. I have made simple ground beef chili, steak chili, chicken chili and now Brisket Chili. I had heard about this type of chili for years from a friend of mine, but never made attempted to make it, until now. So why now? Well I make chili every Halloween for my families Halloween party and this year I wanted to make something…
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Roasted Cauliflower Mash
This Roasted Cauliflower Mash has quickly become one of my most favorite sides. Growing up mashed potatoes were a staple on our table. My mom loved them and my grandmother loved them so anytime we could have them we would. Whether they were just the traditional recipe or something a little extra special like these Garlic Mashed Potatoes, it didn’t matter we loved them all and now I love this cauliflower version (trust me I cannot believe I just said that out loud). Let’s be honest though as we all get older sometimes a lower carb version is the better option… I mean not ALWAYS but sometimes. Roasting is key…
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Bacon Green Bean Casserole
Over the years I have come to the conclusion that you are either a fan of green bean casserole or you are not…it’s really that simple. I have always landed on the not a fan side of this debate but my brother, James, is a HUGE fan and asks for it every holiday…but this year it was time to take it to the next level. Green Bean Casserole like no other Most of the time my sis-in-laws mom will make it for him, but this time I decided to take on his request but to make it in a way that I (and the other non-lovers) would love as well.…
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Sausage Dressing – Thanksgiving Must
Sausage Dressing is hands down our families favorite dressing. How do I know?? After 4 dressings, a blind taste test and an overwhelming vote… the winner has been named!! Changing a Texas Girl’s World Being a good Texas girl I grew up eating cornbread dressing every Thanksgiving. The very traditional version of cornbread with onions, celery, and cornbread. My mom would bake the cornbread days in advance and prep anything she could to make her cornbread dressing. This Texas girls life was changed though a couple of years ago, I was introduced to bread and sausage dressing and it changed my life. It was full of flavor, the bread…
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Smoked Turkey
Turkey Day (aka Thanksgiving) will be here before we know it (like next week) and it is time we talk smoked turkey! let’s talk SMOKED TURKEY I know most of us will roast or fry our Thanksgiving turkeys but this Smoked Turkey is the only way my family does it now. My brother and his Father-in-Law have perfected this recipe and it is just amazing!! To be safe you want to have between 3/4 – 1 pound per person (or more for leftovers). Also make sure you give it enough time to thaw, We thaw our turkey in an ice water bath in a cooler (still in the plastic wrapping)…
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Homemade Spiced Cranberry Sauce
I love cranberry sauce with my turkey (like this smoked turkey), but I am not a fan of the can. This Homemade Spiced Cranberry Sauce is SO MUCH better than the can, and so easy!! Let’s talk about the Spiced Cranberry Sauce Are you a fan of cranberry sauce? I feel like you either are or your not. There doesn’t seem to be too many people out there that are in the middle of the cranberry debate. Well, I was not a fan either until I started making my own cranberry sauce from FRESH cranberries…thats right there are no cans in this recipe. It is all about the FRESH Berries Growing…
