New Year, New Side

 Which part of your daily dinner do you struggle with the most when planning? Main dishes are usually pretty quick to think of for me, and then the sides are sometimes where I stumble. Certain meals will always have the same sides included (If we're having spaghetti, a salad and bread are sure bets) but other times I want to switch things up. Find new side dishes to keep the menu plan fresh and new. 

So when I find a way to take an old favorite veggie and serve it in a new, tasty, and in this case, super cheesy way, I score major wife/mom points! 

We are big cauliflower fans, but I will fully admit I'm not very creative with it. If it's fresh, it's usually on a veggie tray. And if it served alongside our dinner time meal, it's a bag of frozen that has been steamed, with a little butter on it. I know, boring. But this recipe changes all that! 

Perfect with pork, chicken, or steak, this dish is super versatile. You could even double the recipe and make it a meat free main dish! 

Let's talk about the cheese for a second. I am the queen of pre-shredded bagged cheeses. I use them in almost all of my cooking. But this time I took the extra few minutes to shred my own; and it makes a huge difference! When you shred your own block of cheese, it melts more evenly, and has richer flavor. In no way am I dissing the convenience of the other, and will certainly continue to use it, but for certain dishes, it is definitely worth the extra effort! 

Since the beginning of the new year, I have been in new recipe recipe mode, and this is most definitely one of the favorites I've made. All three boys raved about it and have already requested it again! If you decide to switch up your next menu plan, and include this ooey,gooey veggie, I hope yours love it just as much!

 Cheesy Baked Cauliflower

2 large heads cauliflower, cut into florets

8 oz. block extra sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded

1/2 c. heavy cream

1 c. grated Parmesan/Romano cheese

1 tsp. dried thyme

5 TBS butter, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp. dried parsley

Salt and Pepper

Preheat oven to 400. In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook cauliflower for 8 minutes until just tender. Drain well. In a large greased casserole dish, place half of the cauliflower. Sprinkle with 1/2 tsp. thyme, salt and pepper. Pour half the cream over. Dot with half the butter. Add half the garlic. Add half the Parmesan and white cheddar cheeses. Repeat layers.  Sprinkle with dried parsley. Cook for 30 minutes or until brown and bubbly. Allow to sit 5-7 minutes before serving.

 

Shared at Weekend Potluck
 

This Could Be Meat Free Monday

So many people are doing the whole "theme" meals every day of the week. Meat Free Monday, Taco Thursday, Pizza Friday...just to name a few. And if that works in your family, I say go for it. 

For me, while meal planning is a must, those certain constraints on days don't work. Sometimes our meal plans end up with a few of them here and there, but it isn't something I set out to do. For us, having the same theme on certain nights is almost like getting into a rut, and believe me, I find myself in enough food ruts on my own without planning them on purpose. But like I said, if it is something that works in your life, I am all for it. 

So today for a lot of you is Meat Free Monday, and I am here with something new and yummy that you could use. As long as you change one tiny thing. Swap out one can of soup. That's it. Do that and you are home! And maybe if you aren't all about following the rules exactly, that one little can of chicken soup would be okay...be a rebel! Rules were meant to be broken!

Either way, or whatever day of the week you decide to make this, you are getting a tasty casserole that is hearty and filling too. Perfect after a long day when you just want to sit down, eat and warm up because oh, by the way, it is still freezing outside. 

I hear from so many fans they would love to meal plan, but don't know where to start. If you fall into that group, maybe these theme days would be an easy way for you to begin. At least if you have a category to work with, you can come up with ideas easier. Meat Free Monday it is.

Creamy Vegetable Noodle Casserole

1 lb. egg noodles, cooked and drained

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 can cream of broccoli soup

1 1/2 c. milk

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided

12 oz. frozen California blend vegetables, thawed

12 oz. frozen corn, thawed

2 tsp. garlic powder

2 TBS dried parsley

Salt and Pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350. Grease 9x13 baking dish. In a large bowl combine soups and milk. Add in rest of ingredients, reserving 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Stir well to combine. Transfer to baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes, or until heated through. 

 

Christmas at Grandma's {A Gooseberry Patch Review & Giveaway}

Oh, Christmas time at grandma's. My childhood is filled with so many memories of such special times in the snowy hills of Pennsylvania at both of my grandmas' houses I can't even begin to tell you how much they mean to me. Waking up on Christmas morning while it was still dark to see what Santa had left under the tree, going to Christmas Eve church, all the smells of my favorite treats, family gathered around...seriously, I tear up just thinking about it. To me, those holidays of years gone by will always be some of my favorite ones.

And now, my good friends at Gooseberry Patch have made an entire book out of the idea of Christmas at Grandma's. For many of us, there are some Christmas time dishes that nobody will ever make as good as grandma. No matter how many times we try, or how close we come, we will never be able to recreate exactly how they taste when grandma made them.

This book is a fantastic collection of all sorts of delicious things to enjoy this holiday season. From main dishes, to sides, to of course the sweets, each page is more delectable than the last.

When I first saw this recipe it reminded me of my Grammy's broccoli salad, which was always on our Christmas Eve menu, so I immediately got a warm fuzzy feeling thinking about it. I love the addition of cauliflower to this one, not to mention it is so pretty on a plate, filled with holiday colors.

Whatever you are planning to serve this holiday, this would be a fantastic side dish alongside it. Plus, if you have to make something and travel with it, this would hold up very nicely. With the dressing not being very "wet", the veggies stay nice and crisp even after sitting for some time.


If you have wonderful memories of Christmases gone by at your grandma's house like me, I hope you feel as blessed as I do. Or maybe now you are the grandma, and you want to make sure you are making those memories for the little ones to hold on to for years to come!

Oh, and you can win a copy of Christmas at Grandma's too! Just scroll down to see how to enter!

Festive Broccoli & Cauliflower Salad

 1 medium head cauliflower, finely chopped

2 medium broccoli crowns, finely chopped

1 red bell pepper, finely chopped

1 (3.5 oz.) bag dried cranberries

1 (2.5 oz.) bag real bacon bits

1/2 c. plus 1 TBS mayo

1/2 c. white sugar

1 TBS ranch dressing mix

Salt and Pepper to taste 

In a large bowl combine broccoli, cauliflower, red pepper, cranberries and bacon bits. Toss to combine. In a separate bowl whisk together mayo, sugar and ranch dressing mix. Add to vegetables. Stir to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Chill 1-2 hours before serving. Stir before serving.

*** GIVEAWAY ***

To Enter: Leave me a comment telling me your favorite Christmas time dish that Grandma made best! Be sure to leave an email address so I can find you!

Open to US Residents 18 and over

Contest Ends: December 10, 2015 

Shared at Weekend Potluck

Winter Time Salad

During the winter months, when the snow is falling, the temps are frigid and the days are almost as dark as the night, not only do I miss the warmth of summer, but the foods of summer. The fresh fruits and veggies we get from our garden or fro a roadside stand. The bright colors and perfect flavor they get from the sunny days and rainy nights. My taste buds begin to long for a nice fresh salad, but all the things I love to put into one aren't always readily available in middle of January. So, what's a girl to do?

Well, what about if we take a few veggies that we can find, even in the winter months here in Indiana, and add some extra nutrients, extra flavor and extra texture by incorporating a whole grain! I love the "bite" a perfectly cooked grain can add to a salad. It really gives your teeth something to sink into to, making the mixture even more hearty and filling.

Plus, if you are trying to eat better in 2015, adding whole grains to your diet is a simple and economical way to do it! Let's face it, sometimes eating healthier, isn't very easy on the wallet, but with only a cup of barley, this recipe makes a ton and can feed you for days!

I chose the veggies listed for one simple reason, I had them on hand. But add what you love. I really wish I would have had some cucumber in the crisper drawer that day, because it would have been perfect with this.

Make it for a side dish with a sandwich supper. Pack it in your lunch for work. Any way you serve it up, it's easy, yummy and absolutely doable in these cold winter months when fresh isn't at our fingertips. 

Veggie Barley Salad

1 1/4 c. chicken broth

3/4 c. water

1 c. quick cooking barley

1/2 c. olive oil and vinegar salad dressing

2 tsp. dried chopped chives

1 TBS dried parsley

1 yellow pepper, finely chopped

1 c. chopped cauliflower

1/4 c. sliced black olives

15 cherry tomatoes, quartered

1/3 c. sliced almonds, reserve a few for garnish

Salt and Pepper to taste

Shared on The Country Cook Jan. 23. 2015

Early Winter

After that nasty polar vortex last winter, I kinda hoped Mother Nature would have pity on us and give us an easy one this year. Well, it's not even officially winter yet, and she has rared her ugly head and made her presence known! Yep, a week before Thanksgiving, and our temps plummeted into the single digits with negative wind chills, making for a cold, blustery week. 

Now, I am trying hard not to complain too much because we all watched while Old Man Winter dumped some seventy, yes that's 7-0, inches of snow on Buffalo, burying them in the white stuff, and stranding people on highways for hours. I can't even imagine!

Oh, and I have to give you the other piece of this freezing puzzle. See, our housing addition is currently under major road construction, giving us all new streets. And while it's going to be really nice when they are done (estimated time, next JULY!!) right now, it's a huge pain. We have no driveway, only half a street in and out, and get the privilege of parking at least a block away, sometimes more. I'm not kidding when I say with the cold weather, and this headache, it got to a point when I was just mad every time I had to leave the house. It was a huge hassle, and I would have much rather sat inside, warm and cozy; but life doesn't work that way, and at some point, I had to put on my big girl pants (and coat, gloves, scarf, boots...) and venture out. 

So, what's a girl to do when winter comes early, her toes are frozen and her car is what seems like half a mile away? Make soup of course!! What better way to warm up, comfort the soul and feed my icicles of a family??!! 

This one is gonna become a favorite, kids. You are going to keep coming back to this simple, delicious recipe over and over during the cold months ahead. Creamy, full of veggies, so yummy...it's what winter was made for!

I'm hoping we get a small break until winter officially arrives in December. But I'm not holding my breath. I'm also hoping to actually be able to park in my driveway soon. But again, I'm not holding my breath. Either way, I'm going to eat soup, and try to look at the bright side...spring is only 116 days until Spring! 

Easy Vegetable Chowder From Taste of Home

1 medium onion, finely chopped

1 (12 oz.) bag frozen broccoli and cauliflower

1 (12 oz.) bag frozen mixed veggies

3/4 c. butter

1/2 c. flour

4 c. chicken broth

2 c. milk

2 c. half and half

1 tsp. dried oregano

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

Salt and Pepper to taste

In a large Dutch oven, saute onion in butter until soft. Add flour; stir to combine. Gradually add broth. Bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes until thickened. Stir in milk, cream, oregano, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Add veggies. Cook gently over a low heat until heated through, about 15 minutes. 

 

Disclaimer: As a Field Editor for Taste of Home, I share this recipe for my own use. I am not a paid employee. 

For The Meat Free Fans

We are meat lovin' people. I have never tried to hide that fact. In fact, we wear it as a badge of honor, as we cut into our juicy steaks, pork chops and roasts. I have said it before, and will again, as much as we love our vegetables, there is just not way we could ever give up meat entirely. But I also realize more and more people are doing just that, and making it a true lifestyle change in their life, so today I've got something just for them, or for your parents out there trying to get one more veggie into the kids.

If your kids fight you tooth and nail every time you say "you have to eat your vegetables", I feel for you. I can't say I know how you feel, because as most of you know, my son has never met a vegetable he doesn't like, but I truly do have empathy for those parents who are in the constant struggle. I have a lot of moms ask me how they can entice their kids with meals that include veggies; and I have to be honest with them. When in doubt, pair them with something they already love, or in dire times....hide 'em! And this meal accomplishes both of those in one dish!

Pasta and cheese. What kid is going to turn that down? And if they happened to have some broccoli and cauliflower mixed in...even better! My family did not miss the meat one bit. In fact, when he first saw it my husband asked if there was chicken in it. (So if your kids ask the same, feel free to tell a little white lie, if it makes dinner time easier!) There is so much ooey gooey cheese, it's hard to even think about the veggies you are eating. But if you're a veggie lover, like us, you too will enjoy every single bite.

I know many who are taking the meat free option, and I respect it 100%. And with the love affair I have with veggies, at times it even sounds appealing. But then a juicy tender medium rare steak waves at me from the grill and I'm once again reminded of how much we enjoy it. But if you are looking for more meat free options, or simply trying to incorporate more veggies into your kids' diets, this meal will satisfy all!

Cheesy Veggie Pasta Bake Featured on SpacesQuarterly.com

3 c. frozen chopped broccoli, thawed

2 c. frozen cauliflower, thawed and cut into small pieces

1 (10 3/4 oz.) can cream of mushroom soup, undiluted

12 oz. egg noodles, cooked and drained

1 c. sour cream

2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 c. shredded Parmesan cheese

1 tsp. onion powder

Salt and Pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350. In a large bowl combine broccoli, cauliflower, soup, noodles, sour cream, onion powder, salt, pepper and ½ c. mozzarella. Pour into a greased 9×13 baking pan. Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan. Bake, uncovered, 30 minutes or until bubbly.

Shared on The Country Cook Sept. 20, 2013

Pasta at Very Good Recipes

Side Dish or Lunch

When the thermometer starts to creep up on 90, I don't know about you, but we start eating lighter and lighter. We still want to be full and satisfied, but huge plates of hot food don't even sound appetizing. So I love finding dishes that can fill us up but still be refreshing enough they aren't heavy and "brick like" in our stomachs.

Pasta salads are one of those things I don't think you can ever have too many versions of. There are a thousand different ways to make them, and everyone has their preferences. Some like them creamy, some say hold the mayo. Some like lots of veggies. Some want meat added in. However you create your favorite one, I think there is always room to adapt and change to make it just a little bit different every time.

Now, most of the time I am 100% a creamy pasta salad lover. I want my pasta salad dressed with mayo, sour cream, or both! But I am smart enough to know these don't always work well on hot, sunny days, and that's when a oil based dressing needs to become the star. I also love the fact that when I make a huge bowl of a pasta salad as a side dish for supper, most of the time I have enough left for lunch the next day. They only taste better after they sit! In fact, this one is so good, you might want to make a batch of it specifically for lunches all week, leaving it to "soak" in the flavor in the fridge.

When I created this, I knew 2 things. I wanted to include artichoke hearts because we love them and I hadn't cooked with them in a while, and I wanted a non mayo dressing. The veggies I used were simply what sounded good at the time, but this would work fantastic with the bounty I know some of you are getting fresh from the garden. In fact, the next time I make it I want to include some of our cherry tomatoes, and add in hearts of palm...another favorite of ours!

Side dish or lunch, a good pasta salad is a favorite summer time treat of many. Add in lots of veggies and a flavorful dressing, it truly is a party in a bowl!

Artichoke Pasta Salad

1 lb. raditore pasta, or other short pasta

1 (14 oz.) can artichoke hearts in water, chopped

3 mini sweet peppers, 1 each orange, red and yellow, finely chopped

3/4 c. broccoli florets, chopped

3/4 c. cauliflower, chopped

1 TBS Italian seasoning, plus extra for garnish

1 small bottle Italian dressing

Cook pasta according to package directions. Rinse with cool water and drain well. Set aside. In a large bowl combine artichoke hearts, peppers, broccoli and cauliflower. Mix well. Add pasta. Toss to combine. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning. Pour dressing over. Stir gently, but very well to combine. Chill until serving, at least 2 hours. Garnish with extra seasoning.

*NOTE* If you can't find the mini sweet peppers, 1 large bell pepper in any of the colors would work great too.

Shared on Lady Behind The Curtain July 10, 2013
Shared on The Country Cook July 12, 2013