Recipes

One of a Kind Sweet Potato Casserole

November 18, 2016 By Sarah Roe 1 Comment

Let’s just be clear, this ain’t yo mama’s casserole. Several years ago (before I became much healthier), I went to a friends house for Thanksgiving. She proceeded to tell me all about her Sweet Potato Casserole. I had never had a sweet potatoes and I had no intention of having one that day either. It sounded too healthy to me of course, it’s not but it sounded that way.

Needless to say, I finally did take a bite. It was unreal. Hands down the best thing I have ever had at any Thanksgiving dinner. I got the recipe and I have been making it every single year ever since. It’s a huge hit, it’s my requested dish.

I’m telling you, this is flipping amazing. It’s not that healthy, let’s not kid ourselves but it’s flipping amazing and that has to count for something.

INGREDIENTS:

Filling:

3 cups cooked & mashed sweet potatoes (about 3 large potatoes)

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup melted butter

2 eggs (beaten)

1 tsp vanilla

1/3 cup milk

Topping:

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup flour

5 Tbs melted butter

1 cup chopped pecans

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

First, cut your sweet potatoes into chunks and place in boiling water to soften. While they are cooking, in a stand mixer, mix together the sugar, melted butter, beaten eggs, vanilla and milk.

Once the potatoes are softened, drain and add to the stand mixer and mix well until combined. Add mixture to an oven safe dish.

In a separate bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, melted butter and pecans.

Once well combined, add to the top of the sweet potato mixture and bake about 35 minutes.

I am going to apologize now and tell you I had to take all of these pictures with my iPhone. I won’t be making this again until after Thanksgiving and I wanted to get this published before Thanksgiving so, I had to downgrade a bit with the photography. But, this dish tastes amazing and will be a real crowd pleaser.

Enjoy!

Homemade Peppermint Marshmallows

November 10, 2016 By Sarah Roe 3 Comments

Hot chocolate is one of my favorite things. Favorite. Things. The second the temperature hits around 65 degrees, that’s cold enough for me to grab the hot chocolate in the mornings. Maybe it’s because I’m not a coffee person? Maybe it’s because I am just that much in love with chocolate? Who knows?

Either way, I’m all in when it comes to hot chocolate. The thing is, I don’t stop there, I always, ALWAYS add marshmallows. That’s where homemade marshmallows come in, they are easy to make believe it or not and insanely good especially when added to hot chocolate.

Ingredients:

1 cup confectioners sugar

1 cup cold water

2 cups white granulated sugar

1/2 cup light corn syrup

2 envelopes unflavored gelatin

2 teaspoons pure peppermint extract

red food coloring

Directions:

Coat a 9″ square baking pan with cooking spray and a small amount of confectioners sugar. Microwave 1/2 cup cold water, granulated sugar and light corn syrup for 8 minutes. Stir making sure sugar is fully dissolved. Microwave 2-3 minutes longer if necessary to dissolve sugar.

Lightly mix 1/2 cup water and 2 envelopes unflavored gelatin in a stand mixer. Let sit about 5 minutes. Slowly add sugar mixture to the gelatin beating (beginning on low and increasing to high) until mixture turns white and begins to peak (about 15 minutes), add in peppermint extract.

Then, add mixture to the pan. Add food color to the top of the marshmallow mixture, swirl with a toothpick. Cover with 1/3 cup confectioners sugar and refrigerate overnight.

Add remaining confectioners sugar to a bowl, cut and remove marshmallows from backing dish and coat all sides with confectioners sugar. Shake off the excess and serve in hot chocolate!

Score Big with Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Tacos #OEPGameDay

November 8, 2016 By Sarah Roe 2 Comments

Do you gather up the family for the big game? I have hosted quite a few game day events in my day and I’m always looking for fun, new recipes especially kid friendly recipes. There are 7 of us in this house and I am the only girl yep, that’s right, we have 5 boys! Let’s just say it can get a little noisy around here when the game is on.

Today, I am going to show you a new and easy recipe using Old El Paso, Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Tacos. The kids love this recipe and the adults do as well, it’s a crowd pleaser and the best part? It is incredibly easy to make.

First, hit Walmart. Grab your Old El Paso products, I used the Old El Paso Taco Shells and Taco Seasoning. I picked up Old El Paso refried beans as well for a side.

I am a big fan of healthy eating and cooking with fresh herbs and veggies too so, this recipe calls for a few produce items as well. The limes give these tacos a nice tangy flavor which really balances out the cilantro.

Cilantro can be a strong taste, use as much or as little as you like. For our kids, a little is better but the adults love the strong taste of cilantro.

Next, get the slow cooker ready and gather up your ingredients!

INGREDIENTS:

2 lbs chicken breasts (or strips to make shredding easier)

1 package taco seasoning

2 limes

3/4 cup cilantro

DIRECTIONS:

Personally, I like to use chicken strips, it makes it so much easier to shred after the cooking is finished. Place the chicken in the slow cooker and cover in taco seasoning. Add about half of the water required on the taco seasoning package then, squeeze the juice of two limes over the chicken. I like to mix this up well so the chicken is well coated.

Cook on high for 4 hours. Then, shred the chicken with a fork inside the slow cooker and add to your favorite Old El Paso taco shells. Top with favorites such as avocado, fresh tomatoes, shredded lettuce and a little more cilantro.

Want to take your game day recipes up a notch? Pick up your Old El Paso products here! Be sure to check out the video below:

Slow Cooker Pecan Honey Squash

November 1, 2016 By Sarah Roe 3 Comments

If there is one product I absolutely fell in love with while operating The Produce Gathering it was pecan soaked honey by Roark Acres. Oh. My. Goodness.

Immediately, I began to use it on all the things. If you do not have access to this awesomeness, I am truly sorry. My heart breaks. You can still make this recipe though, we’ll just have to improvise. First, pick up some acorn squash, it is in season right now so the price is great.

Next, let’s round up our ingredients.

INGREDIENTS:

Acorn squash

Pecans

Honey

A little bit of brown sugar

DIRECTIONS:

After you have your squash, cut in half with a sharp knife. These things are not easy to cut, they’re pretty hard. Then, simply scoop out the seeds.

Next, we’re going to fill the seed cavity with pecans and honey. The measurement here is totally up to you. Since I have pecan honey, I simply use one large spoonful. Just remember, honey liquifies in the heat so you don’t actually need much at all.

Next, sprinkle brown sugar on top of the squash. You can use as much or as little as you like, I love brown sugar so I’m all over this. Then, wrap tightly in foil and place in a slow cooker.

After you have the squash in the slow cooker, add a little bit of water at the bottom then cover the lid. I used right around 1/3 cups of water. Keep in the slow cooker for 3-4 hours on high. It might take closer to 4 hours for large squash. When they’re done, they will be very soft to the touch.

You can vary this up anyway you’d like, add in a little cinnamon too! Some people like to use butter with this personally, I do not use a lot of butter so I didn’t here but if that’s your thing, go for it.

Dinner Made Easy: 20 One Pot Meals

October 11, 2016 By Sarah Roe 1 Comment

Dinner in a hurry is something on the minds of many of us these days. One pot meals have become more and more popular allowing for a meal without all the mess. We rounded up 20 of our favorite one pot meals just for you today.

A Night Owl – One Pot Pizza Rigatoni

Fav Family Recipes – One Pot Jambalaya Pasta

Your Cup of Cake – One Pot Thai Peanut Pasta

Little Spice Jar – One Pot Greek Chicken and Rice Pilaf

Julie’s Eats and Treats – One Pot Bacon Chipotle Mac and Cheese

Dinner at the Zoo – One Pot Chicken with Cheddar Broccoli Rice

Bless This Mess Please – Healthy One Pot Quinoa Taco Casserole

Homecooking Memories – Frito Ole One Pot Dinner

Jo Cooks – One Pot Creamy Chicken Pot Pie Pasta

Life as a Strawberry – Udon and Zucchini Noodle Curry Bowls

Yellow Bliss Road – One Pan Spicy Lemon Chicken Pasta with Tomatoes

This Mama Loves – One Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta

How Sweet Eats – One Pot Mushroom and Swiss Chard Pasta

Lil Luna – One Pot Chicken and Stuffing Skillet

The Cozy Cook – One Pot Chicken and Dumplings

Wine and Glue – One Pot Southwestern Alfrredo Pasta

Julie’s Eats and Treats – One Pot Ham and Penne Skillet

Number 2 Pencil – One Pot Cajun Chicken and Sausage Alfredo

The Wholesome Dish – One Pot Wonder Stuffed Pepper Skillet

I Wash You Dry – One Skillet Sloppy Jo Cornbread Casserole

Almost any of these can be substituted to be made gluten free as well. It takes some time to get used to making substitutions but after a while it becomes second nature. Enjoy!