When I told my kids we were having sweet potato fries at dinner, I got two polar opposite responses. My son was ecstatic at the prospect of eating sweet potatoes again since he always devours the sweet potato and marshmallow casserole I cook for Thanksgiving. My daughter wasn't at all interested. Although she sampled the same beloved casserole, its consistency reminded her too much of "baby food." Because of these differing opinions (and the fact that I refuse to be a short order cook) I have to calculate my approaches. My … [Read more...]
Quinoa and Grape Salad with Toasted Almonds
Even though Valentine's day has come and gone, we're still continuing our love affair- with quinoa- which has continued for its third year. The latest recipe result is one of our favorite salad combinations to date. It's light and simple yet bursting with crunch and a medley of unique flavors. I even ate some cold leftovers for lunch today, and the salad was equally as tasty. So, why don’t you try it for yourself? This dish is a welcomed alternative to the rice-based side dishes that can become very commonplace very quickly. And, … [Read more...]
Beef Chili
A recipe that has “easy” and “slow cooker” in its title should rise to the top of your list, epecially during the winter months when the wind chill is enough to make you crave any meal that requires basting or simmering all day long. Who doesn’t want something warm and hearty for dinner— with lots of leftovers? Beef Chili is a lay up for your dinner rotation because you don’t need to do much cooking at all. Simply sauté the beef in a skillet with the vegetables and let your slow cooker do the rest. Over the next few hours in … [Read more...]