Welcome to the weekend, friends! It’s been a nonstop week in the kitchen over here and it’s been fun. I can hardly wait to share all of these new recipes with you. I’m getting excited about the comfort foods, holiday sides, soups, breads, and Christmas treats too!
ON THE BLOG this week: Caramelized almonds are a deliciously nutty and easy salad topping with a hint of sweetness and tons of crunch.
Sweet bites of oranges are tossed with crisp lettuce and parsley and then topped with caramelized almonds to create this refreshing parsley salad. Sound weird? Don’t knock this ‘till you’ve tried it. It’s been one of my personal favorites for years now.
This Cauliflower Gratin with a sprinkling of cheese, a light cream sauce, and a crispy buttery bread crumb topping is so so good, I keep dreaming about making it again. (I’ve made it three times already!)
Chocolate Chip Blondies have the awesome texture of a brownie and are loaded with chocolate chips and pecans. They have become a favorite treat.
Crisp tortillas filled with tender bites of steak and plenty of melting cheese create this easy-as-can-be Steak Quesadilla.
Pumpkin Mousse is creamy, fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth perfection and it is my family’s favorite pumpkin dessert. Every year, when I make it, another die-hard pumpkin-hater falls prey to its awesomeness.
Thinly sliced flank steak in a garlicky ginger sauce makes for a delicious weeknight steak and pepper stir fry. I love how easy stir fry dinners can be and they get bonus points for making a small amount of meat go a long way.
Cheese, bacon, and potatoes add up to side dish perfection. Make extra because these bacon roasted potatoes will go fast!
What I’m CRAVING: This Crispy Sesame Chicken by Savory Experiments caught my eye yesterday and it looks so good! There aren’t many things I like more than a restaurant-quality dish I can make at home!
My FAVORITE THINGS this week are these leggings. I absolutely love them. I’ve had the first pair I bought for about 6 months now. They wash great and if “buttery soft” is actually a thing, this is it. I’ve never had workout leggings that wash so well. They’re nice enough to wear for more than a workout and the super high waist is fantastic. I just ordered a couple of longer pairs to wear this winter.
What I’m LISTENING to: Neal McCoy’s greatest hits. This music never fails to make me grin – from “Their Playing Our Song” to “Wink,” I found myself singing along with all of it this week.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
Wishing you a beautiful week full of little things that make you smile!
Mary
