Easy Side Dishes For All Year Baking

Sweet Potato Appetizer – Sweet Potato Crisps with Slaw Recipe

November 18, 2019 By Melissa 4 Comments
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Sweet Potato Crisps with Slaw are the easiest most flavorful sweet potato appetizer ever and they are also a total crowd favorite.

Ok, I have a confession to make. I was not a huge fan of sweet potatoes. There I said it! Sure they were great on Thanksgiving and I have a couple of tried and true recipes that are made with sweet potatoes (and gosh I love those recipes), but outside of that, they were not my favorite. Needless to say, I never explored the option of using them as an appetizer. These sweet potato bites make a perfect Thanksgiving appetizer. [Read more…]

Easy Healthy Salsa Recipe

July 12, 2018 By Melissa 13 Comments
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Looking for an easy healthy salsa recipe? Here is my favorite. It is so so easy to make but tastes incredible. The fresh flavors blend together so well. You can use this salsa as a dip with chips but it is also fantastic on tacos or an other Mexican inspired meal. You are going to love this so much that you will never want to buy store bought salsa again. It really can’t compare. [Read more…]

Make Ahead Sausage Egg & Cheese Muffins Recipe

May 15, 2017 By Melissa 14 Comments
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I am always on the hunt for ways to make mornings easier and these make-ahead sausage egg muffins are an easy way to get a lo-carb breakfast quickly.

Getting breakfast on the table quickly can be a challenge. This recipe for make ahead sausage egg cheese muffins will make your mornings so easy. You just prepare the sausage egg cheese muffins ahead of time and freeze them. When you are ready to eat them, all you have to do is pop them in the microwave. It is so easy even your kids can prepare them!

Here are a few pictures of the recipe in process. Full recipe is below.

Fill the cups about ¾ of the way full with the hash browns.

Take half of the shredded cheese and sprinkle in the bottom of the cups. Repeat with half of the sausage crumble.Whisk the eggs together and fill the cups until almost full. Top with the second half of cheese and sausage.

Print Recipe

Make Ahead Sausage Egg & Cheese Muffins Recipe

This easy Make Ahead Sausage Egg & Cheese Muffins Recipe will make your mornings a breeze!

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time40 mins

Total Time50 mins

Course: Breakfast

Servings: 12

Author: Melissa

Ingredients

4 cups shredded hash browns thawed
4 tablespoons butter melted
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
8 eggs
1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
½ pound sausage cooked and crumbled

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400˚.
In a large bowl combine the hash browns, butter, salt and pepper.
Spray a muffin tin with cooking spray. Fill the cups about ¾ of the way full with the hash browns.
Press with your fingers to mold the hash browns to the cups all the way to the top. Try to make the sides the same thickness all the way around for even cooking. Make sure there are hash browns on the bottom of the cup.
Bake 20-25 minutes, or until they are starting to brown. Let cool slightly.
Reduce oven to 350˚.
Take half of the shredded cheese and sprinkle in the bottom of the cups.
Repeat with half of the sausage crumble.
Whisk the eggs together and fill the cups until almost full.
Top with the second half of cheese and sausage.
Bake until eggs are set, 20-25 minutes.
To freeze: Let cool for two hours, then place muffins in a ziploc gallon bag until you're ready to enjoy. Microwave for a few minutes before serving for breakfast.

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Easy Slow Cooker Garlic Mashed Potatoes Recipe

October 24, 2016 By Melissa 4 Comments
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Mashed potatoes are a yummy addition to any meal but they can take some time to prepare. That is why I love this easy slow cooker mashed potatoes recipe.

This recipe requires just a few simple ingredients. The full printable recipe and ingredients are below.

Combine the potatoes, broth, milk, and roasted garlic in the crock pot. Stir to mix.

Using a potato masher, begin mashing the potatoes. (Or if you prefer, use a hand mixer to make the potatoes smoother.)
Serve while still hot.

Print Recipe

Easy Slow Cooker Garlic Mashed Potatoes Recipe

Author: Melissa

Ingredients

1 TBSP roasted garlic
1 tsp olive oil
pinch salt & pepper
4 large potatoes peeled and chopped
1 C chicken broth
1 C whole milk
2 oz cream cheese room temp
1/4 C unsalted butter room temp

Instructions

Spray the crock pot with nonstick spray.
Combine the potatoes, broth, milk, and roasted garlic in the crock pot. Stir to mix.
Cook on high for 3-4 hours. Check on the potatoes after two hours to see if they are easy to pierce with a fork .
Add the cream cheese, butter, and pinch of salt & pepper.
Stir well to blend all of the ingredients.
Using a potato masher, begin mashing the potatoes. (Or if you prefer, use a hand mixer to make the potatoes smoother.)
Serve while still hot.

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Easy Spicy Pico de Gallo Guacamole Recipe

September 7, 2016 By Melissa Leave a Comment
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I love any type of guacamole but this Spicy Pico de Gallo Guacamole really sets the bar high. It is very easy to make and is made of fresh flavorful ingredients. Plus anything with bacon has to be good right?!? This recipe requires just some simple chopping and mixing which even the most basic cook can handle. However, since it is made with fresh ingredients the flavors are amazing and your friends might even think you slaved in the kitchen. This recipe can be made ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for up to 2 days.

You may enjoy some of our other Mexican Inspired Recipes. If you are having a party, many of these recipes would be a great addition.

Fresh Healthy Salsa Recipe

Crock Pot Tostada Recipe

Chicken Soft Tacos Recipe

Fish Tacos Recipe

Mini Taco Bowl Recipe

Spicy Pico de Gallo Guacamole Recipe

Print Recipe

Spicy Pico de Gallo Guacamole Recipe

Prep Time10 mins

Total Time10 mins

Servings: 2 -4

Author: Melissa

Ingredients

2 Avocados
1 Tomato sliced into small cubes
5 Bacon strips
½ Red onion finely chopped
2 Garlic cloves minced
½ Jalapeño pepper chopped
¼ Cup parsley leaves
½ Cup corn
2 Tbsp lime juice
2 Tsps hot sauce
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Chop the bacon strips and transfer to a saucepan over medium-low heat.
Cook until crispy and set aside.
Slice the avocados and place in a medium bowl.
Mash the avocados.
Add the tomatoes, onion, garlic, jalapeño pepper, corn, bacon, salt, and pepper.
Mix the ingredients until they are well combined.
Season with the lime juice and hot sauce.
Garnish with the parsley leaves.
Serve and enjoy.
Tips
Make it ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Veggie Recipe – Green Beans with Lemon Nutmeg Dressing

July 15, 2014 By Melissa 1 Comment
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Today’s garden veggie is green beans. I absolutely love green beans. These are amazing from the garden and farmer’s market and you can grab great fresh green beans at the grocery store now when they are in season. Green beans are easy to make and you can really taste the flavor up a notch with a homemade dressing.

Check out this Fresh Green Bean Recipe with Lemon Nutmeg Dressing. It is so easy and looks so yummy too. Sometimes just adding a few little ingredients can take your vegetables from good to great. This recipe can even be used with frozen green beans.

Click here for the full Fresh Green Bean Recipe

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Veggie Recipes – Grilled Kale with Bacon

July 11, 2014 By Melissa Leave a Comment
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Here is the second installment of the “Using the Garden Veggies” series. Sometimes it is hard coming up with recipes and meals for all these veggies. Over the next few months, I will be sharing ways to use garden veggies in new and fun ways! Along with over a dozen other blogs we are going to be sharing great new recipes and tips on using your fresh garden vegetables.

The veggie for today is kale. I know is is healthy and good for you. I made kale chips awhile back but they were not good. Not sure if I made them wrong or we are just not a kale family. That is why I was excited to see this Grilled Bacon and Kale recipe featured today. Everything is better with bacon right?

Be sure to head over and check out the Grilled Bacon and Kale recipe here. So do you like kale? Any tips on making kale chips?

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Veggie Recipes – Bacon and Mushroom Sautéed Spinach Recipe

July 8, 2014 By Melissa Leave a Comment
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One of my tips in how to save 50% off on your groceries in under an hour a week article is to meal plan around items in your stockpile. If you have a garden, you will want to make sure that your are planning meals around the vegetables in your garden. If you don’t have a garden, produce in season is still usually cheaper plus you could even check out a farmers’s market.

Sometimes it is hard coming up with recipes and meals for all these veggies. Over the next few months, I will be sharing ways to use garden veggies in new and fun ways! Along with over a dozen other blogs we are going to be sharing great new recipes and tips on using your fresh garden vegetables.

The veggie for today is spinach. It is a pretty easy plant to grow and is a nutrient powerhouse!

Check out this yummy recipe for Bacon and Mushroom Fresh Sautéed Spinach over on A Frugal Chick’s blog. If that doesn’t make you crave spinach I don’t know what will.

Each Tuesday and Friday through August 22 we will be highlighting a new veggie recipe. So be sure to sign up for our free email newsletter letter below so you will get all the recipes and be prepared to make delicious recipes out of all the summer vegetables!

Easy Homemade Coleslaw Recipe

June 5, 2014 By Melissa
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Easy Homemade Coleslaw Recipe

There is just something about homemade coleslaw that is wonderful at a picnic or cookout. Making coleslaw vs buying a pre-made doesn’t have to be hard. Plus you control the ingredients and freshness. I promise once you use this easy homemade coleslaw recipe you will be hooked.

You only need a few ingredients to make this coleslaw and it takes just a few simple steps.

homemadecoleslawmix

homemadecoleslaw

Print Recipe

Easy Homemade Coleslaw Recipe

Ingredients

5 cup Shredded Cabbage green, red or both
1 cup Julienned Carrots
1/4 - 1/2 cup thinly sliced Green Onions
4 tbsp Mayonnaise
1/2 tbsp Mustard
Pepper to taste

Instructions

Cut off cabbage (leaving the core) and slice on mandolin slicer.
Julienne carrots.
If you want to make this recipe even more quickly you can buy the cabbage and carrots already shredded.
Mix vegetables in a large bowl.
Add remaining ingredients and mix well.
Serve right away.

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15 Easy to Make Side Dishes – Recipes and Instructions

October 16, 2013 By Melissa 1 Comment
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Looking for new easy to make side dish recipes? Here are a bunch of great side dish recipes that move beyond the ordinary. Some are even slow cooker recipes. I love when I can get the slow cooker or crock pot to do some of the work for me. Check out all these amazing side dish recipes and use them when you plan your meals. Click here for more meal planning tips and meal planning printable organizers too! [Read more…]

Bake Your Own Artisan Bread in Just Five Minutes a Day

August 31, 2013 By Heidi 8 Comments
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Have you ever found yourself in the bakery section of the grocery store, trying to decide between the $2 French bread and the $5 artisan bread? I love the taste of the $5 bread with the fancy Italian name, but really the $2 bread is the one that is in my budget to serve with my family’s dinner that night. Even if we only had the fancy bread one night a week, that’s $20 out of our monthly grocery budget, just on bread. What if I told you that you could easily make artisan bread for less than $1 a loaf? [Read more…]