Special thanks to Sprouts Farmers Market for sponsoring this Chicken Sausage and Pumpkin Pasta Bake recipe and the opportunity for one lucky winner to receive a $25 gift card to Sprouts! It's officially pumpkin season folks! Yes, even though it's still hitting the triple digits here in Northern California the nights are a bit chillier and pretty soon the A/C will be turned off for quite a few months. Pumpkin flavored everything is literally everywhere, even here in my kitchen. My lovely friends … [Read more...]
Savory Chicken Noodle Soup
I will be the first person to exclaim from the rooftops and shout from the streets how much I love Fall. I love the crisp air, the beautiful colors of the leaves as they begin to drop from trees. I love the earth tone colors of Fall and the layered clothing. I love gloves and coats and boots. I love what it means to me in the kitchen, making more stews, soups and comfort foods. I also love that the holidays are coming up and everything that entails to our own little (big) family. However, … [Read more...]
Vegetarian Italian Sausage with Tri-Color Rotini {GIVEAWAY}
Disclosure: I received complimentary products from Valley Fig Growers in exchange for this post and giveaway. As always all opinions are my own. About six months ago my 14 year old daughter, RiRi, decided on changing her eating habits by becoming a vegetarian. Since then I've had the challenge of creating meals for her either by adapting whatever I'm making for the family and making a smaller serving for her with an alternative, or I make something vegetarian friendly for the whole family. I … [Read more...]
10 Pasta Recipes with a Twist!
Disclosure: My "10 Pasta Recipes with a Twist" recipe collection is part of a sponsored opportunity by Foodie.com. I personally selected each recipe to be added to the collection. As always, all opinions are my own.Mmmm, pasta. I just love cooking with pasta. Whether it's served on the side, or as a part of a meatless meal, or even an easy one pot meal - sometimes pasta just hits the spot. You know who else loves pasta? Kids! I know mine do. When I first started getting into cooking, most of … [Read more...]
Tortellini Pesto Pasta Salad with Sun Dried Tomatoes
Earlier this month I attended a webcast with that led by olive oil expert, Dr. Luisito Cercaci. We compared six different types and flavors of Pompeian Olive Oils and learned the differences between them. Prior to this tasting session, I hadn't realized how different each oil could be. Once you are actually tasting them and comparing the color as well as the flavor to one another, you can really see which types stand out to you the most and what they would be paired with in the most … [Read more...]
Fourth of July Recipe Ideas!
Okay, let's just get it over with.I've recently discovered that I'm a bad food blogger.I happen to follow some pretty wonderful food bloggers and they have themed posts for each and every holiday prepared well over two weeks in advance. Their food is gorgeous and I always think to myself, "Man, I need to do that!"Problem is, I'm so busy! D-Man started Pre-Kindergarten last week, I'm still having pain from my tooth issues, and my husbands schedule is always SO sporadic (and crazy busy!). Add to … [Read more...]
Kicked-Up Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich with Spicy Mayonnaise
This past weekend was one of the hottest of the summer, so far. According to my weather app, temperatures will be nearing 110 degrees this week, just in time for the 4th of July holiday! Most people like to barbecue for the holiday, but with temperatures like that we just have to find some alternatives. Who wants to stand in the fiery heat over an open flame for hours? Not I, and definitely not my husband! So when I found out Save Mart Supermarket was having my favorite sale going on with their … [Read more...]
Homemade Traditional Lasagna
Lasagna always reminds me of one thing. My Aunt. When I was a kid, every Halloween we would go to my Aunt's house and go trick or treating. During that time, she'd be making her delicious lasagna so after our night of trick-or-treating we would come back and have a delicious plate of lasagna. I don't think I had anyone else's until many years later, and hers is the basis that I compare any to.Now, I know it's well past Halloween, but this is definitely the season for cuddle weather and comfort … [Read more...]
Turkey Noodle Soup
As far back as I can remember, I can recall my parents using the leftover turkey to make a turkey soup each year after Thanksgiving. I never got a recipe or anything from them, but it just seemed like the customary thing to do, and I've continued the tradition with my own family. Through the years I just sort of created my own technique and recipe, so if there's a faster or easier way to do any of this, by all means be my guest! After all those heavy Thanksgiving dishes, this soup seems like … [Read more...]
Creamy Beef Stroganoff over Buttery Egg Noodles
When I was a youngster both my parents worked full time.Since they were so busy, many nights we had quick weeknight meals of the boxed variety. One of my favorites for years and years was Beef Stroganoff. I loved the meat flavors with the egg noodles, and that creamy gravy. Although it was out of a box, it was one of the meals I always looked forward to.A few weeks back I had bought some boneless top sirloin roast steak and I've already posted one recipe that I made them with, this is the other. … [Read more...]
