stuffing*

Ok people, STOP what you are doing and pay attention! Because I am about the share with you one of the greatest side dishes known to man. Remember when I told you that I was going to share with you my stuffing recipe here? Well, I'm not going to. Because my stuffing that I created was absolutely nothing compared to the amazingness that I am going to introduce you to now. This stuffing has been served by the amazing Executive Team at my works' Christmas party for two years running, and it is honestly my very favorite part of the whole event! So much so that I ate it for breakfast the next day. Judge me. I don't even care :).

Growing up I was obsessed with my Grandma White's Thanksgiving stuffing. It really is the bees knees. I LOVE dry stuffing - which hers was dry, and honestly couldn't have cared less about "wetter" stuffing. Even Stove Top stuffing is too wet for me. Well, this stuffing that I am sharing with you today is not dry and normally wouldn't be my "type". Yes, I now have a "type" of food I guess. Anyway, this stuffing was out of my comfort zone, but when this stuffing was presented to me I dug in and tried to be open-minded. It blew me away! The flavors and spices and BUTTER - oh my goodness gracious. It is pure stuffing heaven. 

Stuffing
from Glen Zaugg (master stuffing-maker)

basmati rice*

I have just started my very first Pinterest DIY project! I am making little yarn pom pom "flowers" that I am going to glue to wooden sticks and put them in a cute vase! I have finished making my pom poms and just need to go and buy some sticks and a vase. They are going to be super cute! Here is the project on Pinterest:

*picture and tutorial courtesy of Ivey Handcrafted*

Only my "flowers" are cream, light brown, dark brown and maroon. Oh, I am so excited! I will post my very own picture when I am finished! I am also excited that I decided on this project, because in order to complete it I had to buy my very own hot glue gun! Imagine the things that I can make now. The possibilities are endless!

I really liked this recipe for basmati rice! It worked perfectly to go with my slow cooker chicken tikka masala. It will definitely be my go-to rice recipe from here on out!

Basmati Rice
from Epicurious

black bean, avocado, cucumber & tomato salad*

What better way to celebrate summer than with yet another yummy summer salad! This is another one that is perfect for picnics, family reunions, or any other fun adventure you are planning outside. It does not have any mayo or other ingredients that can spoil if in the hot weather for a long time. However, your avocados may get browner faster, but I promise it will be slicked up long before they get to that point!

Black Bean, Avocado, Cucumber & Tomato Salad
from Gina's Skinny Taste

Ingredients:

1 seedless cucumber, peeled and diced
2 medium ripe tomatoes, diced
2 hass avocados, diced
15.5 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
2 tbsp red onion, minced
2 tbsp cilantro, minced
2 limes, juice of
salt and fresh pepper

Directions:
Combine all the ingredients and season with salt and pepper to taste. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve. Makes 5 cups.

Easy as that! Enjoy!

-alyssa*

sweet potato casserole*

Never ever in all my life have I liked sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes with marshmallows or sweet potatoes in the form of fries - it didn't matter. There is nothing out there that I have tried that involved a sweet potato that I was even slightly a fan of. Until now. This sweet potato casserole is OUTSTANDING! Not even amazing. It is SO STINKIN GOOD! Even though I really only liked it as long as I had a bite with both sweet potatoes and the topping, this is still a huge breakthrough. Sarah calls these "crunchy potatoes" and has been devouring them for years. Jealous.

Sweet Potato Casserole
from Diana Rattray

herbed spaghetti squash*

I have big news. I have successfully made Bisquick pancakes 2 times in a ROW! I don't know what my problem is, but for some reason I have the hardest time making pancakes. Even just from the mix. I am telling you right now, those directions are misleading. You need much more water than it states. I refuse to accept responsibility for my inability to add enough water to pancake mix ratio. Not my fault. This is no operator error. I plan on calling Bisquick myself tomorrow and telling them the REAL ingredient measurements. I will let you know how it goes.

We had this spaghetti squash for dinner tonight. The students were so excited when they thought it was pasta, then had a very confused look when they found out it was squash. But most of them took it! Great sign!!! This is the first time I have had spaghetti squash, and I LOVED it. I am a huge squash fan and find myself craving it from time to time. I can now add spaghetti squash to my list! I love the fresh herbs in this recipe and the butter brings out a nutty and salty deliciousness to the dish. Mmmmm...

orzo & vegetable confetti salad*

This salad is so fresh and the perfect salad for summer! It would be perfect for a family reunion or picnic, and you don't have to worry about keeping it ice cold because there isn't any mayo or other ingredients that do not do well in the sweltering heat.

fiesta chicken pasta salad*

Happy 4th of July everyone! I am absolutely convinced that holidays are just no fun unless you have kids. Even the 4th of July. Landon and I contemplated buying fireworks, but then came to the conclusion that it really didn't sound that fun. However, I am sure if we had a little one that I would buy them for sure because we would just love the see the awe on their face as the fireworks did their thing.

Instead we are sitting here watching True Grit. If there are two kinds of movies I don't like it is Sci-Fi and westerns. I am not a big fan of most action movies either, but never ever have I wanted to watch a Sci-Fi or western. And yet here I am...which is why I am blogging :). Landon is sure lucky I love him! Anyway, the point of this story is that someday holidays, like the 4th of July, will be more exciting if and when we decide to have kids. Now don't get it twisted, we are not planning on having kids until I am 30. This is no exaggeration. I simply don't have the time, and I refuse to have my child be raised in a day care. That is a subject all it's own, so let's get to this yummy pasta salad!

I found this recipe yesterday on BettyCrocker.com. Gotta love that Betty Crocker! I wanted something yummy to make for our 4th of July dinner, and decided this sounded amazing! Before I get to the recipe though, I have a confession to make. Last night I wanted to make a big cookie for Landon and I to enjoy, and started in on the ingredients. I then realized that I didn't have a single egg. I decided to give up and finish making it the next day, because where it was Sunday all of the nearby grocery stores are closed and I did not want to drive all the way to Wal Mart. Then, I had a revelation. I bet my renter downstairs had an egg! She's been out of town all week, plus I have to do my laundry down there every Sunday anyway. Yes - I did. I raided her fridge and stole an egg. I really do feel awful about it. First thing this morning I ran to the store to buy some ingredients for this pasta salad, and also bought some eggs. The second I came home I ran downstairs and replaced the stolen egg. Good as new. I still feel guilty...but I figure had she been home and I asked her for an egg she would have without a doubt let me borrow one with the promise of an egg in return. That was how I have lived with myself thus far. So, thanks Effie for the egg!

Fiesta Chicken Pasta Salad
from Betty Crocker

1

  package Betty Crocker® Suddenly Salad® classic pasta salad mix

1/3 

cup sour cream

3 

tablespoons water

1/2 

teaspoon chili powder

1 

cup cherry tomato halves

1/2

  cup julienne strips green bell pepper (I left these out)

2

  green onions, chopped

1

  cup cubed cooked chicken or roast beef

Tortilla chips

1/2

  cup shredded Cheddar cheese (2 ounces)

Old El Paso® salsa (any variety) 

  

Empty pasta mix into 3-quart saucepan 2/3 full of boiling water. Gently boil about 12 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Drain pasta; rinse in cold water. Shake to drain.

Stir together Seasoning mix, sour cream, water and chili powder in large bowl.

Stir in pasta-vegetable mixture, tomatoes, bell pepper and onion. Stir in chicken.

Line serving plate with tortilla chips. Mound salad onto chips; sprinkle with Cheddar cheese. Serve with salsa. Refrigerate any remaining salad.

Makes 4 servings 

This salad is very good! It has a little tang to it and is very flavorful. The next time I make it I think I am going to add some Cholula so that it has a little spice. It is really a meal all its own, but it went very well with our BBQ hamburgers, potato chips and a warm brownie with vanilla ice cream for dessert! Happy 4th of July!

-alyssa*

loaded mashed potato casserole*

Today was a great day. The sun actually came out, I had to turn my air conditioner on in the car, and I bought my first mini muffin tin. I am throwing my little sister a baby shower at the end of May and I have got some great ideas, which include some mini cupcakes (key lime and cookies & cream), nutella cream chocolate tarts, and chocolate lollipops (my sister's request). She is due on June 26th and she is having a little boy. I am so excited to be an aunt! Well, I am already an aunt but this will be my first niece/nephew on my side of the family!

Today was also a great day because I spent much time looking through food blogs. I think I have a food blog addiction. I was looking for a new dessert recipe to make for work. Then I came home and searched through food blogs for the perfect mini cupcakes for Shea's baby shower. If you have any fun food blogs that you like to look at, please share them with me! I am always looking for great food blogs to browse in my spare time :).

So when the boys were out building onto our deck this weekend, I made this yummy casserole to go with my chicken pillows. This stuff is pretty tasty. If you liked loaded baked potatoes, you will love this! It's so creamy, cheesy, and best of all bacony!

Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole
Source: slightly adapted from Wendy and Gooseberry Patch and as seen on The Girl Who Ate Everything

5 1/2 cups mashed potatoes (around 6-7 large baking potatoes)
1/2 cup milk
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
2 teaspoons dried parsley
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
8 slices bacon crispy cooked and crumbled

Preheat oven 350 degrees.

Peel, quarter, and boil potatoes for 15-20 minutes or until soft. Drain potatoes and and beat with a mixer until smooth. Add milk, cream cheese, sour cream, parsley, garlic salt, and nutmeg. Beat at a medium-high speed until nice and creamy. Add salt to taste keeping in mind that the cheese and bacon will add a little salt later.

Spoon into a 9x13 baking dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Top with cheddar cheese and bacon. Cover and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until cheese melts.

Serves 12 people.

-alyssa*