I made this pasta for my toddler with food I had on hand, including canned chicken. She really loved it and I had enough to offer the pasta for lunch for four more meals. Dishes like this are great for introducing veggies in tasty way and offers an opportunity to add extra calories by adding extra oil, some butter, or using heavy cream in place of the milk. I liked ...
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This is my take on traditional Shepard's Pie. I use "backyard steak," my husband's term for venison, which can be hunted in the marsh behind my home. I also add in some Cajun seasonings and hot sauce. This meal is a great make ahead dish, a great way to introduce older babies to mixed foods, and it's a meal that includes all of the food groups! Cajun Shepard's Pie A cajun take ...
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Red beans and rice are a Cajun staple, specifically on Mondays. For me, getting fresh beans cooked on a week night took a lot of planning, and a lot of work! I have done the "boil and soak" method, I have used a slow cooker, and I have even tried cooking them for 5 straight hours. This method is by far the easiest, least time consuming (on my part), and ...
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My oldest sister taught me this recipe when I was a teenager. She was in nursing school and had a bunch of super easy weeknight meals that even a 15 year old could cook successfully. I remember she was on a budget, but she still made well rounded meals that we all enjoyed. She would serve this dish with some microwaved canned corn, buttered with salt and pepper. Lazy Lasagna A quick, ...
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I have been thinking about trying this method since the first time I saw it on TikTok, but I just couldn't reconcile with feta. We had a falling out when I was pregnant 12 years ago and I guess I just can't let go of a grudge. I have always loved Boursin, so when I saw this variation I was all in! I just happened to have tortellini in my ...
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This recipe was made around the fact that my toddler wanted a banana, took one bite, and then was "all done." So, what do you do with a 3 hour old, open banana? If you don't mind, you could just eat it, but I mind, I very much mind (ew). You could break it up and freeze it for smoothies, but I think three bags of bananas in one freezer ...
Read MoreThis recipe can be made as a side dish, as a dip, or a main meal for a baby or toddler. It's delicious topped with cheese and/or fresh onion and cilantro. My original version was made using leftover bacon grease as the oil, it created an extra layer of flavor and smokiness. Let me know what y'all think! Black Bean Dip 2 tbsp oil1 onion (rough chopped)1 bell pepper (rough ...
Read MoreThis is a bean free hummus, the cauliflower becomes the base of this delicious dip. Level it up with by adding some grated parmesan cheese to the mix! Roasted Cauliflower Hummus 1 head cauliflower (washed and roughly chopped)5 cloves garlic (peeled and smashed)1/4 cup tahini1/4 cup olive oil (extra virgin)2 tbsp lemon juice1 tsp salt1 tsp paprika Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with silpat, parchment paper, or ...
Read MoreSmoothies and I go way back. When I was a kid my dad would make Orange Julius (which may be a recipe I share in the future), an orangey-banana smoothie that we would have for dessert with popcorn. Then, as I go older, and became a card carrying member of diet culture and I would get my "smoothie" in a styrofoam cup. These concoctions were more powder than fruit, but ...
Read MoreI was immediately intrigued by the idea of an herby granola and made some the day I heard about it on the Today show. My initial thought was that it would work on the charcuterie board I was planning, just like on the show, but I wasn't sure how it would integrate into other meals and snacks. But, I have since used this granola in three distinct ways! Classic yogurt ...
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