Top 5 Recipes of 2013

HI everyone! Hope you had an amazing holiday with your family and friends. I did! I got some awesome foodie gifts ( ground red pepper from the Basque region of France, Bacon Crack ( yes, and it is amazing) and a Ninja! Can you believe 2013 is almost over? I got to do so many amazing things this year. I traveled to Washington DC and California. I went on so many foodie adventures I can't count them. I am super excited to see what 2014 holds for me. Before the year ends I wanted to share with you my top five recipes of 2013. I'm excited to report all of them are healthy recipes! Try some of these recipes in your new year. Many of them were my favorites too so you won't be disappointed. 

Saying Goodbye

Sorry I haven't been around for a week guys. My grandma had not been doing very well the last couple weeks. We made the decision to move her to hospice where she could be comfortable and not be hooked up to a ton of beeping machines. I am sad to say she died last Friday. This insane for me to even comprehend. First, let me start off by saying how selfish I am. I have had this woman in my life for the last 28 years of my life so it is hard for me to even think about her not being here. I know many people never get to meet their grandparents so I know how lucky I am to have known her. 

Confetti Quinoa Salad

Happy Monday Everyone! Hope everyone has been busy decorating for the holidays! I know we have. As first time homeowners it is really exciting to buy decorations for the house! Our tree is up and ready. I am even almost done with my Christmas shopping! My husband and I started buying presents all year round so we don't go crazy at Christmas time. I highly recommend it! I had to share this photo of Meatball because it was just too precious. 

Turducken: A What inside a Whaaaaaaaaaat?

Hopefully you are all recovered from Thanksgiving. I know I am! Now that we are all out of our turkey comas I wanted to talk to you about the mind blowing bird we ate at Thanksgiving. First off, I was under the impression everyone knew what a turducken was. Clearly, I was wrong. I had my sister calling this masterpiece a Tur-DUNKIN all day. For those of you that don't know what a tur-duck-en is let me explain. A turducken is a turkey ( tur) stuffed with a duck(duck) and a chicken(en!) Before you ponder this brain teaser let me tell you how amazing it is. 

Thanksgiving Recap: Tips from Hosting my First Thanksgiving

I was wondering when I was going to be an official grown up and host my own holiday. My husband and I were thrilled when we were asked to host Thanksgiving in our new home this year!Since I am writing this after Thanksgiving you know we did survive and I can't wait to tell you about what we made and some tips I learned from my first Thanksgiving. 

Pesto Shrimp Flatbreads

So happy to be back from a four day business trip to California! Cross country trips take me so long to recover! Some highlights from my whirlwind trip.. In & Out Burger (OMG!!) and amazing sushi. Gosh I wish I stayed longer, but I need to prep the house for Thanksgiving!I've been trying new recipes for the last month to tweak what I will be making. Still planning your menu? How about yummy appetizers? Pesto Shrimp flatbreads are so yummy and super simple to make!

Ricotta & Cherry Tomato Bruschetta

Looking for some super simple appetizers for Thanksgiving that leave you plenty of time to watch football with the rest of your family? Look no further. I am always looking for easy apps that I can either make in advance or that are so simple it gives me lots of time to socialize and not slave over the stove.

Outside the Kitchen: The Wharf Pub

Confession: I may still be in a food coma from Saturday after visiting The Wharf Pub in Newport, RI. And I can say for sure it will not be my last lunch there!The Wharf Pub is a super cozy  pub with a couple of bars and lots of beers to sample. We went for the restaurant week menu, but I happened to check out the regular menu also. Wowza! A whole section for different variations of tater tots? Sign me up!

What's in Your Shopping Cart?

When I read this article from the Huffington Post I knew I had to share it with you. So many Americans are uninformed as to where their food comes from, reading nutritional labels and understanding nutrition. Here are some highlights from the article.

Pumpkin Peanut Butter Pupsicles

If you know me, you know my obsession with my pug Meatball. My husband and I pretty much take her everywhere we go and if you take a look at my instagram it is basically pictures of her and food. That is probably why I named my dog after a food. If you love your dog as much as I do you know feeding them yummy and healthy treats is super important than make these treats! With the recent stories of dog treats from China being recalled you can never be too vigilant about knowing where your dogs treats come from. I always buy treats made in the USA, but why buy treats when you can make them yourself!

A Blogaversary & The Newport Food Truck Festival

Holy Crap! I have been blogging for 3 years! It in no way feels like I have been telling all of you amazing followers my food adventures for this long. 

In addition to being able to share my love of food with all of you for three years, I also get to go to awesome food conferences, cool restaurant openings and awesome events like the Newport Food Truck Festival! 

Pumpkin Cheesecake with Gingersnap Crust

And the pumpkin recipes continue into November! This is actually my second attempt at cheesecake. The first results were amazing so I was expecting no less with this pumpkin cheesecake. I was originally going to make a swirl but.... I can be honest here right? I FU&^%D it up. Whatever. So I layered it and it actually came out really great! And if you have never made a gingersnap crust before. DO IT. It gives the cheesecake such a great flavor. 

Stovetop Mac & Cheese

I know. I have a mac & cheese obsession. I admit it. I have at least done ten mac & cheese recipes on the blog it has its own category on my recipes page! Speaking of mac & cheese is that I prefer it pre-baking. I like it super creamy like just off the stove top. If you are with me then this recipe is for you. And yes, if you like baking mac and cheese with bread crumbs you can do that too!

Creamy Green Veggie Enchilladas

OMG! Hello my new favorite Mexican dish. I have a love/hate relationship with Mexican food. They are usually full of cheese, giant tortillas and are usually fried. Great while you are eating it, after however you have a burrito that weighs five pounds in your belly. How about instead you make the Mexican food at home, control the ingredients and make them however low in fat you prefer. Well, look no further for a banging recipe. 

Pumpkin Spiced Nuts

Ahhhhh Fall. Ahhhhh pumpkin. I love it all. I love when I find out making recipes at home is much cheaper than buying them at the grocery store. For some reason nuts are always so expensive when you purchase them in the grocery. I swear you pay $5 for a canister and they are gone in a day! Other pluses about DIYing your own recipes are you get to control the ingredients ( no preservatives or additives you can't pronounce) and you can make different flavors... like... I don't know... PUMPKIN SPICE! Yep, get excited. 

Pumpkin Streusel Bread

May I start by saying... what bread with a rich streusel topping is not amazing?True. Second, true to my first statement, this bread is amazing. First, it has that amazing fall flavor with pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice. Secondly, you should be thrilled this recipe makes two full loaves of bread because one will go quickly.

Sweet & Spicy Potatoes and a Fitness Milestone!

Does it make sense that now that summer is over I am working out more than ever? You think I would have gotten myself in check four months ago to look uber fit in a bikini, but those months came and went. Don't get me wrong, I am still kickboxing 3-4 times a week,but I needed another goal in mind. Running. My entire 28 years I have spent HATING running. As a child with asthma, I always thought running for me just wasn't possible. I get all wheezy,my lungs burn, I am gasping for air after two minutes of running. I am no runner. I'm lucky I can even do cardio. WRONG. I gave myself a goal of running a 5k. Not a lofty goal, just to run 3.5 miles and not die.

Taste Trekker's Food Tourism Conference

I am still feeling so amazing after the Taste Trekker's Food Tourism Conference in my little state Rhode Island! Did I mention they sent us home with the most amazing gift bags? I couldn't have gone to this event without the help of I Heart Rhody! Haven't checked out here blog? Click here! 

Skillet S'mores

Not ready for summer to end? Like s'mores but not the hassle of setting up a fire,getting sticks and roasting marshmallows.then I have the easiest and most delicious dessert for you.  Has this happened to you before.... 

You and your honey are laying on the couch after dinner wishing for something sweet. I thought about making s'mores brownies but honestly it was 8pm and I was too lazy. I played dessert roulette on Pinterest and voila! Skillet S'mores. As far as my husband was concerned I was the best wife ever. Score!this is perfect for football games, quick snack for the kids or a dessert for when company comes over unexpectedly. The fact that you literally pour in chocolate chips, pour in marshmallows and bake had me sold. So go ahead... Keep summer alive in your house!! 

Skillet S'mores

 Serves 2 

Ingredients:

1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

2 handfuls of marshmallows ( mini or regular)

1 sleeve of graham crackers for dipping

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450F.

2. In a cast iron skillet ( I used a small one) add chocolate chips first then marshmallows on top. Cover with foil. 

3. Bake for 5 minutes then uncover for marshmallows to toast for 2-3 more minutes. 

4. Serve with gram crackers!! 

"Southern Style" Sweet Tea Lemonade

Oh hello my new favorite drink.This drink is a complete game changer for those ( like myself) who LOVE having parties at their homes. It is so easy to put together and it is such a hit! I am a sucker for sweet tea vodka. Anyone ever try it? It is literally vodka that just happens to taste exactly like iced tea. Yeah... I know.. it's dangerous. This drink combines this golden elixer with lemonade ( yup I know it's been done) and then topped off with fresh mint and Southern Comfort. That's right. Pop this mixture in a mason jar and you will be singing sweet home Alabama in no time.

Lighten Up! Bacon Mac & Cheese

Mac and cheese makes me happy. I don't know what makes me happier. The cheesy sauce, the little shells, the crunchy topping. <sigh....>Cut to a mac and cheese that you don't have to feel THAT guilty about eating, and has no less flavor than the full fat version.If I am going to eat healthier versions of the food I love then it needs to taste good! Welp, this recipe fits the bill.  I only used three strips of center cut bacon ( crumbled) which is actually not that fatty. Buuuuut you can always add something healthier like broccoli!

Rhode Island Seafood Fest!

Oh my husband the Joker. Meatball made it to the fest too!

Can I just say how much I love my little state? Yes, I know. You all probably love your states too and who says mine is better than yours, but I happen to really feel strongly that Rhode Island is the best state around. Travel & Leisure happened to name it the #1 Foodie City so clearly I am not alone. So there. ( Insert me sticking my tongue out at all non-RI residents.

So I am writing this post all about my amazing day at the Rhode Island Seafood Festival  today! What an amazing event. I have actually been wanting to go to this event for the last couple of years but have always been busy the weekend of. Imagine by excitement when I got the chance to go today!

Very Berry Muffins

It is so great to start baking again. With the move, unpacking and traveling I have not baked in forever! Let me start by saying, these muffins are freakin amazing. They are way more healthy than regular muffins. Do you know some muffins can have up to 1000 calories in them? The size portions of muffins are insane these days. So why not make them at home where you can control the ingredients,portion size and time stopping in the morning at your favorite coffee drive through.

Roasted Corn, Bacon & Goat Cheese Salad

Yes, it is labor day, but I refuse to think summer is ending. Tomatoes are still so delicious this time of year and especially corn in the Northeast!So I will still be eating delicious salads like this one.  Sometimes a regular ole lettuce salad will just not do!I like this salad because it is so simple, has limited ingredients and has such bold flavors!Plus you can practically serve it with anything.

Guest Post: 5 Ways to Achieve More Kitchen Space

Kitchen space is a tough game to win; no matter how well we think we're doing, we all find we're in need of more space in the kitchen once dinner preparations start.  Here is a guest post from Jillian that will show you  5 ways in which you can beat the odds against your kitchen and free up some much valued space.