-
Easy Peasy Pie Crust
Do you make your own pie crust? Did you just look at me (thru the computer) like I am a crazy person? I know, I know, why make your own crust when you can buy it? Well, the short answer is…it is so much better and its easy!! It’s easy? YES!! You throw everything into a food processor and voila your done. I mean you still have to roll it out but pretty much it’s done. I love this because you don’t really have to worry about over working the dough and it has come out perfect each time I have made this version. Plus I am little crazy and anytime…
-
grilled BBQ chicken at it’s best…
Cooking on the grill is one of my most favorite things ever! Let me be clear…when The Hubby cooks on the grill it is one of my most favorite things…especially when it is this chicken!! Start it off right I start this BBQ chicken off with my most favorite marinade. I find it gives the chicken a lot of flavor and also helps to tenderize the chicken a little. If you do not have time to marinade, thats ok, just make sure to season it well. What cuts are best? With chicken there are so many options. You could grill chicken breasts, drumsticks, thighs to the whole leg quarter. Whatever…
-
The BEST Chicken Marinade
Marinades…oh let me tell you I love me a good marinade. They can be the make or break to a meal. What makes this the BEST marinade? First it is the combo of seasonings and fresh ingredients. There are your basics of salt & pepper, but then I also added in some paprika, cumin & chili powder for some extra flavor. Next comes some depth with Worcestershire sauce…this is my favorite ingredient to add that little extra something that will make you smile. Next comes the fresh ingredients…the fresh chopped onions, fresh parsley and fresh garlic. The combo alone with he olive oil is great, but wait there is something…
-
It’s time for a BBQ
As I have mentioned before we grill a lot around here. If it were up to me we would grill every meal in the summer, but I will settle for several in a week. For Friends and Family When The Hubby and I entertain the grill is normally on and many times you can find pork being grilled, (like this teriyaki version). Pork is perfect for grilling, it is quick and very versatile. It is always so fun to get everyone around the grill while enjoying a drink (or two) while enjoying the wonderful aroma only a grill can give. The Hubby and I also enjoy grilling for just the two…
-
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…
-
it’s a nacho weekend
I LOVE NACHOS! There you go, I admit it. They are one of my favorite items to order and make when I am craving tex-mex. Now a nacho is not just a nacho, there are tons of varieties of nachos you can have but this one is a favorite for sure. meat or NO meat? Now if you were to ask The Hubby he would say meat, and his choice would be seasoned ground beef. Honey (my mom) would say meat, and her choice would be beef fajita meat. My nephew is a no meat kinda toddler, and me…well I am up for any of the above. One of my…
-
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…
