Mini Pretzel Bites

We made these soft pretzel bites during our Disney Week, and they turned out great! Something about soft pretzels reminds me of summer days. Ever wanted to make your own at home? Read on my friends!

Banana Bread

JK loves bananas but never ends up being able to eat the whole bunch before it goes bad. As a result, we have a whole slew of black bananas in our freezer--making this sweet breakfast bread an easy treat any day! 

Grandpa's Lefsa

My grandpa was extremely proud of his Norwegian heritage, and I spent many childhood days snacking on lefsa at my grandparent's table. (For all of you who didn't have a grandfather from Fargo, North Dakota, lefsa is a type of Norwegian flatbread or tortilla.)

Fresh Applesauce

Homemade applesauce is the perfect fall snack, and cooking up a batch makes your home smell deliciously warm. So grab a great big pot because making fresh applesauce is much easier than you'd think!

Blackened Chili-Rubbed Salmon

We have been eating a lot of delicious salmon curtesy of my mom and Jon's Alaskan trip and superior fishing skills. I still have the favorite recipe I brought back from my trip, but this one is a wonderful alternative way to cook that perfect pink fish.

Rustic Bread

No need for a bread pan with this one. It just comes out in a perfectly rustic round loaf (actually it makes 2-4 loaves*), and is surprisingly soft despite it’s hearty appearance. Perfect for french toast, a panini, or just bread and butter. Added bonus: no kneading!

Making Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Tired of spending a pretty penny for sun-dried tomatoes at the store, JK suggested we make them ourselves. What do you know? It actually worked!

Cinnamon Rolls

Warning: This is one of those recipes. You know the kind that tells you to knead the dough until it "feels right" and refuses to specify the exact amount of each ingredient? So, I just want to apologize up front.

BUT, I will try my very best to estimate (roughly) the amounts, and you will be happy to know that the recipe for the dough is very nicely laid out in a previous post and can be used to make beignets as well!

Beignets

If you've ever seen Disney's Princess & The Frog or celebrated Mardi Gras with all the traditional New Orleans' treats, then you'll know exactly what a beignet is. For those of you who are still unaware--it's like a sugary powdered donut square. (Craving one yet?) Well, beignets don't have to just be for once a year on Mardi Gras or when you happen to be in the Big Easy, you can easily make them right at home!

And the best part is, this recipe is 2 for the price of 1! It makes a BOATLOAD of dough, so you are easily able to make a giant batch of beignets with half and save the other half for a dozen homemade cinnamon rolls. Let's get baking!

Classic Pound Cake

There is something decadent about a pound cake. It gets its name from the pound of each of the ingredients used. With this easy recipe you’ll produce a perfect pair each time!

Pudding Pie

For picky pie eaters everywhere *ahem* my stepdad, Jon. :) 

Chicken Fingers with Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce

Who isn't always in the mood for some delish chicken fingers? This was definitely my go-to on every menu between the ages of 4 and 14. And now it's back--but in a super easy (and much healthier) version you can make at home in about a 30 minutes!

And even Jk likes this honey mustard sauce (and he doesn't like anything mustard!).

(JK's) Cheese & Potato Soup

Jk diligently set to work making this one cold evening, and the result was incredible! (Because he made  it all himself the first time we ever ate it is why I am forever naming it "his".) Never have you tasted a soup with so much flavor, and if you're looking to add a little kick to traditional potato soup--this is it.

Shepherd's Pie

Have you ever tasted Shepherd’s Pie? It’s AWESOME--and the perfect dish for a cold night. I like to serve this out of mugs, it seems to taste so much better :)

Homemade Granola

JK loves yogurt and granola in the mornings. And as an afternoon snack. And as a midnight treat. Granola is delicious on ice cream, with fruit or as cereal, and whichever which way is your very favorite, it's extra sweet to know how easy it is to make at home.

Chocolate Frog Muffins

When I first made these double chocolate muffins, I chopped up an authentic chocolate frog for the chocolate chunks. Now they are forever one of our Harry Potter foods. :)

Warm Walnut Muffins with Chocolate Chips

Today was a muffin-making day. Thanks to my beloved, P, we invested* in two muffin tins, so I had double the fun. The first one was this little lovely with chocolate chips and walnuts.

Peppered Turkey Wraps with Apricot Spread

These amazing wraps taste like they’re from a corner bistro and the flavor of the soft apricot and goat cheese spread is to die for. It's perfect for a picnic lunch or a quick bite before an afternoon wedding (which is precisely what Jk, Paige, Graham and I did before my cousin's wedding :) and it felt fabulous to eat while all dressed-up!).

Waffles

We didn't register for a waffle iron just because... Waffles are amazing and super easy to make huge amounts of. Did you know you can freeze fresh waffles and then pop them in the toaster whenever you want one? Well, now you do. :) Grab the syrup and heat up the iron!

Chicken Cutlets with Almond Butter

A tasty and rich twist on a chicken dish that is good enough for a special occasion and easy enough for every day. We got this awesome recipe from Paige. :)