Mushroom Parmesan Risotto

Welcome to the ultimate delicious, cozy, creamy, customizable side dish. Risotto! I made this a few weeks back with our favorite Slow Cooker Short Ribs and it was the perfect compliment. The richness of it works great with anything saucy ( it holds the flavors from sauce ah-mazingly) OR is great paired with fresh vegetables to make it feel lighter. The awesome thing about risotto in general is it’s not complicated and can really be made with any type of vegetable or additions you want. Also, it immediately makes the meal feel like a splurge because of it’s creaminess and cheesiness. Some of my favorite risotto’s feature asparagus, zucchini or pancetta. But this particular version […]

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Lazy Sunday Sweet Potato Hash

We’ve been really lazy on 2018’s weekends so far, especially when it comes to weekend breakfast’s/lunch/brunch meals and getting out of bed early. I mean it’s hard to be motivated when every morning it’s usually somewhere between 5 and 20 degrees, making doing things outside or get started with your day a little harder.  That being said, this hash is the perfect lazy, eat brunch around 2 pm on a cold winter day, type of meal. Not to mention it’s made of all good thing’s- veggies, sweet potato’s and chicken sausage, letting you stick to those healthy eating resolutions and feel spoiled. I will say, we did better than usual this morning and went on a […]

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Elvis Banana Bread

Warning: This banana bread is not for the faint of heart. It has peanut butter, chocolate, and caramelized bacon bits. It’s straight up over the top delicious and funky ( as Guy Fietti would say). And again… there’s bacon.  Nuff said.  If that’s not enough for you, here are some testimonials from my colleagues who were my guinea pig taste testers. “You had me at peanut butter.” “The flavors all work really well together and none overpower the whole thing” and my personal favorite: “THIS IS BALLER.” Overview: This is a luxurious & different take on banana bread. For you baking purists out there it may not be your thing. BUT for those of you who are a tad adventurous and like a […]

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Shakshuka

Shakshuka is a flavorful north African baked egg dish with sautéed peppers, tomatoes and spices, topped with poached eggs and herbs. It’s one of those dishes that sounds fancy and complicated but is actually very simple and delicious. It’s the perfect dish for a cozy fall dinner or a savory brunch with friends. Plus, it has the added bonus of being a healthy vegetarian option with tons of flavor. Meatless Monday anyone? This particular version does include chorizo though because… well it’s delicious. Simple Ingredients, Tons of Flavor The first time I had this dish at a restaurant, I was convinced it must have hundreds of spices I had never heard of. After realizing my […]

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Apple “Crack” Crisp

Fall is in full swing and one of the best parts of the season is anything and everything apple!  Well, pumpkin too but that’s another post. Enter the best apple crisp I’ve ever had, made or been in the presence of. Hence the name ” crack” crisp.  I know I sound like I’m over selling it but Adam’s exact words were ” this is the best apple crisp I’ve ever eaten.” As a very picky crisp eater- I’m taking his word for it. The key- fresh apples! Wanting to take advantage of the beautiful crisp weather in Charlottesville this weekend, Adam, pup and I headed up to Carters Mountain to pick some apples and stuff […]

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Baked Chicken Parmesan

This recipe has become a weeknight staple for Adam & I! It’s simple, warm & comforting and can be made to be a little lighter for a “skinny” version or more luxurious aka carbs & extra cheese. The recipe came from Skinny Taste, one of my favorite blogs for healthier ideas and then was added to by yours truly. We eat a lot of chicken because it’s simple, cheap to be honest and can be made a million different ways.  This is a nice version to make the rotation of chicken & veggie dishes a tad more exciting. Plus- a simple delicious version of broccoli on the side helps add to it. I’ve been reminded […]

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