• Grill the weekend away…

    What are your plans this weekend?  Are you taking a little time away?  Hanging out with friends and family?  Are you grilling?  In my house we will be grilling for sure…and who knows what else. Whats on the grill? Are you doing burgers (like these sliders)?   How about those fries I posted yesterday?  Maybe some BBQ chicken or fish?  The possibilities are really endless, including the beginning of a delicious dessert like these grilled pineapples. This last week The Hubby branched out a bit and threw some veggies and sausage links on the grill…and it was AMAZING!! Sausage? The Hubby and I love Costco.  We get everything from meat…

  • The more spicy… the more better

    Are you a sauce person?  I am a HUGE sauce person.    I like sauces on everything from pasta to  dessert, but with fries is a must. Sauce, why? Ok, I understand that not everyone is a fan of sauce with their fries, but I urge you to just try it. There is just something so yummy about a creamy sauce paired with a crispy fry (like these grilled ones).  It just that makes the experience so much better. Spicing things up For fries I like a spicy sauce.  You could use jalapeño peppers, green chilies or black pepper but for this time around I used sriracha.  Lately I have become…

  • Fries without any frying…

    yep…you read that right.  I give you fries all done with any frying, even better they are primarily done on the grill. Fries any way, anytime… I love potatoes any way you give them to me, but I really, really love fries.  I mean is there anything better then a hot batch of fast food fries?  Maybe the non-fast food version…but still fries. I am that girl that will actually crave them, and The Hubby is that amazing guy who will actually go get them when I want them…he is so awesome. As much as I love fries I am not picky about the variety of fry…I love the original version and…

  • potatoes without the oven…YES I promise

    I just can’t stand turning on the oven in the summer.  It is just too hot here in Texas.  I mean the heat index today was like 110 degrees or something crazy like that.  Thank you Jesus that I work inside!! Even though it is summer… Even though it is summer The Hubby still wants his meat and potato dinners.  I am a fan of meat and potatoes, but it is so hot outside.  Can you hear the whine in my voice?  Yes, I am whining.  Since it is so hot outside I just can’t stand turning on my oven, especially to bake a potato…so it is time for the…

  • Sweet & Spicy = AMAZNG BBQ Sauce

    I have a secret dream.  One that I have never told anyone…EVER!  I dream of winning a BBQ sauce competition. Really? Yes, for reals.  I have a recurring dream (or maybe its a nightmare) that I win a BBQ sauce competition at the Houston Rodeo.  After having that dream for so long, I now have a desire to make BBQ sauce.  I know it sounds weird…and let’s be honest I am a little different, but any chance I get to make my own BBQ sauce I jump on it. Fancy or Simple? Well I have done both.   A simple BBQ Sauce and a Peach BBQ sauce (that would be the…

  • couscous like never before

    A coucous salad is a must have for me in the summer.  Anytime I go to a restaurant that has a couscous side dish option it is always at the top of my list, only behind mac-n-cheese. Why Couscous? First, couscous is little pasta balls.  They have a delicious texture and can mixed with a variety of flavors making it a perfect ingredient for almost anything. Couscous is also delicious warm or cold.  I served this salad warm the first night and then ate it cold for lunch the next 2 days and it was DELICIOUS either way!! Veggies AGAIN? Yesterday I posted a new favorite grilled recipe…Grilled Veggies.  Now…

  • Grilled Vegetables like never before

    We love to grill here in the sparkles n sprouts house.  As I am sure you have seen we grill everything from burgers, to pork to fish….but these grilled veggies are a new favorite. Grilled Vegetables, Really? OK, I know what your asking.  Veggies are really a favorite?  YES, these veggies are loaded with so much flavor they are a new favorite for sure. Not only are they loaded with flavor but they are also not so bad for you either.  It doesn’t get much better than that. Loaded with flavor, Really? Yes!  That is the short answer…these veggies are loaded with TONS & TONS of flavor. So where does…

  • creamy, cheesy goodness

    I cannot even begin to tell you how much I LOVE a creamy mac-n-cheese.   I am not a picky mac-n-cheese eater.  I will throw down the blue box or a homemade pot of cheese and noodles anytime, anywhere and be so HAPPY! Noodles, noodles and more noodles… Now there are a ton of noodles you can choose from for your mac-n-cheese.  You can use the traditional macaroni, or a corkscrew noodle like fusilli, or a even a penne.  I typically use a short cut pasta, I just feel it makes for a better cheese to noodle ratio, but use a long pasta if you would like. As much as…

  • honey butter corny, corn, corn

    It is summer and that means it is time for CORN! It doesn’t matter how… I don’t know about your family but my family eats corn anyway we can. We love boiled corn, corn on the corn, kernel corn, creamed corn and of course popcorn…but my favorite is grilled corn for sure. Grilling makes it even better… Grilling corn on its own, without anything special is amazing…but when you add in some honey butter it becomes even better.  I also love how easy grilling corn is.  You can throw it on when you put your protein on and it will be done in no time, and you don’t have to heat…

  • cheesy campfire goodness

    Grilling has been about all The Hubby and I have been doing lately.  Summer is here and I don’t know about you but heating the house up wth my oven is not so fun…so out to the grill (or campfire) we go. Grilling more than just meat Grilling is not just for the main portion of your meal, it can also be for your sides.  Some of my favorite grilled sides are veggies, especially onions and peppers but tonight we wanted to do something a little different.   The Hubby and I decided to grill some potatoes in a pan to make a delicious potato and cheese casserole.  This cheesy…