• Amped-Up Grilled Cheese

    I don’t know about you but a good grilled cheese can make any day a GREAT day!    When you add in short ribs it can make it AMAZING making your day CRAZY AMAZING!! A long time coming… Ever since I was a little girl I have loved grilled cheeses.  There is just something so good about the crispy buttery bread with ooey gooey cheese in the middle.  Then you add in other yummies it making it even better. My first memory of a grilled cheese is that of my dad (look how cute he is) fixing it with one of those plastic wrapped cheese slices (it was a long time…

  • low, slow & grilled short ribs

    My slow cooker is one of my favorite cooking tools all year long but especially in the spring and summer.  And now these short ribs are one of my favorite things to fix in it! Short Ribs? So I am a HUGE fan of short ribs.  I love how tender they are while being full of flavor and texture.  And don’t even get me started on the gravy that is left after they have been cooking for a while.  It really is true perfection. For this recipe I used the boneless short ribs.  Honestly it wasn’t on purpose, but when I picked the package up I just a assumed they had…

  • I could eat it all on it’s own

    It is probably no surprise but I am a fan of garlic.  I use it in almost all my savory dishes…not almost really in all my savory dishes.  I love it in all forms, but Roasted is my MOST favorite!! It all started at a pizza joint Years a go, I mean like many years ago (17 or 18 probably) I went to a super fun pizza place with a dear friend.  I was a little late and when I arrived there was the most interesting appetizer on the table.  It was 2 bulbs of garlic that looked almost burnt and some soft cheese and crostini’s.  I was immediately intrigued, but…

  • It is always worth it…I promise

    I am what some people call an eternal optimist.  I always believe something good can come out of anything and everything and waiting on it is always worth it. It may be hard, but it is worth it I know some situations are just bad, but even in my worst times there has always been something good come out of it. Sometimes it is a conversation that happens, a new truth understood, a revelation about yourself or someone else.  Even when the something good doesn’t come immediately it usually comes down the road sometime.  Just keep your heart open to it and it will happen. Just like my momma has…

  • this ain’t your normal sugar cookie

    Sugar cookies are my mom’s favorite cookie.  She would eat them everyday, if I made them for her everyday.  Thankfully for her I don’t…or her time at the gym would be a lot more than it is right now. Time for something new My Mom is not the only one who loves sugar cookies though.  I am also a HUGE fan so when I was at one of my favorite  cooking store (Sur La Table) and saw these cookie stamps I knew it was time to make these shortbread sugar cookies.  Since I was going to be using a new technique I decided to use a new recipe. I have…

  • Chicken Spaghetti…from scratch!!

    Chicken spaghetti has been a favorite of mine for many, many years.  Ever since one of my oldest friends, Bonnie, made it for me.  Back then we used canned everything (including canned chicken) and processed anything we could find, and it was SOOOOO good. Remaking a favorite As much as I love this classic I decided Iw anted to remake it…all from scratch. OK I know from scratch can sound kinda scary but don’t worry this from scratch recipe is super easy.  To add in a ton of flavor and a little color I start with red, orange or yellow bell peppers.  Most of the time I will use 1…

  • not your momma’s chicken soup

    The high today in the Houston Area is 84.  I cannot believe it as I sit here and write it, it is going to be in the mid 80’s in February.  Gotta love Texas weather. Even though it is starting to warm up a little The Hubby and I are still is soup mode and this soup definately hits the spot. Not your mama’s chicken soup Don’t get me wrong I am all about my mama’s chicken soup.  It is delicious, but sometimes I like to change it up a bit and this Chicken Fajita Soup is one of my favorites. This soup brings together all my favorites from traditional…

  • some quinoa dinner fun

    OK…now I know that not everyone is a fan of quinoa.  The Hubby is not a fan at all, but it is healthy so therefore I keep trying. Quinoa? Why? There are so many reasons why but just a few are (according to this article)….  Quinoa is one of the best protein rich foods we can eat…I mean that protein rich foods are always a good idea. Quinoa has a ton of fiber…like almost twice as much as other grains.  Who doesn’t need fiber?  Everyone needs fiber…so quinoa is a great option. Quinoa contains iron…iron is always a positive thing to consume. There are so many other reasons as well…it…

  • a flourless cake like no other…

    Spring is coming and it is time to start thinking about fun desserts and this Flourless Chocolate Cake is a must make!! No Flour Needed I have always been a big fan of flourless chocolate cakes, anytime it is on a menu I will order it (unless there is something caramel) but I have never made one at home.  With Spring coming it is the perfect time to make this super decadent treat.   Now I know there are more traditional desserts for Spring like carrot cake,  cupcakes, or maybe a fruit option, but for me it is all about chocolate (with a little kick). Amping it up a bit One of my favorite additions…

  • restaurant style at home

    Do you have a favorite bean? Are you a big fan of pinto beans?  Navy beans?  Lima beans? Green beans?  Me, I am a HUGE fan of black beans.  Honestly I would eat black beans everyday if given the opportunity, and now I can fix them at home just like my favorite Mexican food place. Wait…Maybe I will eat them everyday now. as good as I have had Being from Texas I have had my fair share of really great Mexican food and especially some great black beans.  Every chance I get I oder them with my enchiladas, tacos or burritos.  I judge a restaurant by how good (or not) their…