Black Bean Chili

 

all in one pot, black bean chili {via simply happenstance}

:: Black Bean Chili ::

Can you believe that Halloween is this week? We are still waiting on costumes {delivery takes a bit longer now that we are living in the mountains}. It looks like we have a super girl, batman, a werewolf, and obi wan kenobi! Ha! An eclectic bunch, for sure!

I thought I’d share with you one of our favorite Halloween traditions…. chili! I don’t think we are alone in this one. I have lots of friends that make a big pot of warm chili for a quick and easy dinner on Halloween night! This recipe is one of my favorites, as it is loaded with healthy vegetables and hearty black beans. I also like that it’s hard to mess up. Measurements aren’t really a necessity {as long as you don’t go overboard with the optional hot peppers and spices}. Also, you can adjust the recipe as needed to suit your own taste… even adding in ground turkey or beef, if you’d like. The best part about this recipe is that it’s ALL IN ONE POT! That’s right! Way less clean up, my friends! With four kids… I am completely over the clean up process…. plus less time cleaning up, means more time enjoying your sweet littles! 

So, without further ado, here is the dream dish…. easy, healthy, and completely delish! [Read more…]

Creamy Corn Chowder

 

Creamy Corn Chowder {Simply Happenstance}

:: Creamy Corn Chowder ::

Have you ever had the corn chowder from Mimi’s Cafe? That soup was my inspiration behind this quick, easy, and flavorful autumn meal! {I actually haven’t been there in years… but I have fond memories of that warm, comforting dish!} This recipe is extremely easy using only a few ingredients. It can be made vegetarian, effortlessly, by omitting the bacon. It can also be made healthier by using milk in place of half & half, or heavy cream…. it’s your choice! I decided not to skimp on the creaminess… so I went with the heavy cream. {It was just one of those days!} The corn chowder turned out rich, creamy, and delicious friends! Paired with warm, crusty french bread… you have the perfect fall meal! I hope you enjoy!  [Read more…]

M&M Skillet Cookie

m&m skillet cookie

:: M&M Skillet Cookie ::

It’s fall and I am feeling inspired by all that I see.  Target really has a way of taking a hold of oneself with it’s lovely displays of Halloween and all its seasonal M&M’s.  I can’t help it….the kids want chocolate chip cookies, and I am thinking we need something new… something that I actually have to think a little bit about and use one of the many gadgets that I like to covet.  How many of you have this problem?  I love kitchen appliances, cake plates, pans, and coffee mugs….I can go on and on.  The problem is I buy them and then I sit and wait.  I wait to decide the best possible recipe I will create to use in that special addition to my kitchen.  So I am breaking out my Lodge cast iron and I am making it simple.  Two dishes to clean and I don’t have to roll out cookies, set them aside to cool, and repeat.  One pan and you get to slice your cookie out of it.  Genius and easy!  This M&M Skillet Cookie is simply inspired by BJ’s Restaurant.  When I first arrived at Long Beach State as a Freshman, BJ’s in Belmont Shore was a fun meet-up for food, friends, and family.  We would always end our meal with a Pizookie.  Since my kids have recently had their first try of one, I am making an at home version… and its not going to be in a small pan.  No rush to finish and we did top it with ice cream.  Yum! [Read more…]

Turkey Meatloaf with Spinach & Mozzarella

meatloaf

 :: Turkey Meatloaf with Spinach & Mozzarella ::

Looking for a healthy, easy weeknight meal? Look no further! This has been a family favorite for many years! One of my dear friends gave me this recipe when my oldest son was a toddler. We’ve been eating it ever since! This isn’t your traditional meatloaf. It’s healthier with the use of ground turkey instead of ground beef.  A layer of fresh spinach topped with shredded mozzarella {optional} is rolled up inside, keeping this dish flavorful and moist! This is one of those great meals that you can prepare earlier in the day and throw into the fridge until you are ready to cook. Also… there really is no need to measure. It just takes a pinch of this and a pinch of that to add flavor! [Read more…]

Crock Pot Spaghetti

 

:: Crock Pot Spaghetti ::

Welcome, Back to School!  That being said, things are about to get crazy around here… time to pull out the crock pot and make a little plan ahead Crock Pot Spaghetti for dinner.  Whew! With the kids in soccer, school, and therapy we have a busy Fall season.  Meal planning is something Sara and I are really trying to add into our weekly schedules.  It helps to run a smooth household, as well as, fewer trips to the grocery store.  This Crock Pot Spaghetti Recipe is one that I created based on my favorites… pasta, chicken sausage, and turkey meat.  These little gems from my neighbor’s backyard, inspired me to think of a sauce that, though canned {tomatoes}, can be full of flavor over a slow cooking process. [Read more…]

Blueberry Banana Coffeecake

 

:: Blueberry Banana Coffeecake ::

You already know that I’m a bit obsessed with warm, wholesome muffins. What you don’t know, is that I have the same obsession over coffeecake! For me… it started many, many years ago. I was fortunate to have a mom who let me explore the kitchen and come up with “concoctions,” as I liked to call them. I spent my Saturday mornings as a young child whipping up what I thought to be delicious creations with whatever I could get my hands on {baking soda, flour, vanilla extract, eggs, green food coloring — you get the idea!}. I would then try to feed my tasty “concoctions” to my family {they must have loved me!}. Luckily for them, by the age of seven, I started making coffeecake from scratch. Warm, comforting, sweet, buttery, cinnamon coffeecakes! Over the years, I’ve tried dozens of variations. Last week, I had bananas that were overly ripe and a carton of fresh blueberries to work with. After a little recipe research, I converted a standard banana bread recipe into this delectable, moist breakfast treat! Yum! [Read more…]