Grilled Green Beans

 Fresh green beans and onions take on a whole new flavor profile when grilled!

Just a Good Old Fashioned Whisky Sour

This cocktail brings back memories of my first drink in a real bar. I wanted to be grown-up and sophisticated (I was 18 years old, legal drinking age back then) so I decided to ask the bartender to make me a whisky sour. It was the late 70's, and this drink was very popular back then.

Autumn Moonshine

I love to create cocktails that fit the season! This one hits all the marks of Fall with the flavors of pumpkin, cinnamon, apple, orange and maple! Topping it off with a little beer just gives it some fizz with a casual flair!

Bruschetta Chicken

This is a nice light, fresh meal that is easy to prepare! I love the chilled bruschetta topping on the warm grilled chicken cutlet with the melted mozzarella on top. I know I'll also be using this bruschetta recipe on toasted slices of Italian bread!

Old Fashioned Classic Italian Meatballs - Family Recipe

Sound the trumpets because I'm finally posting my 'go to' recipe for meatballs! This is an old family recipe that goes back 3 generations! So please read this entire post carefully! No skimming or you will miss all my 'meatball making wisdom' that I'm going to bestow on to you...*smiles*

Global Grub DIY Cooking Kit - Chicken Tikka Masala

You may remember my first time cooking with Global Grub when I tried their Jerk Chicken with Coconut Rice. and their Red Chili Tamales.

Super Easy Asian Yellow Rice

Going out to eat at Chinese restaurants is one of my favorite things to do! I know I can always find something delicious on the menu! When I can't go out, I love to try those same menu items at home.

Pot Roast with a Dijon Cream Sauce

 This is a recipe that I saw floating around Facebook. What caught my eye about this pot roast recipe was the cream sauce. I've never made a pot roast with a cream sauce, but I loved that idea. 

Slow Cooker Mexican Beef Stew

On those rare days when I just don't feel like hovering over lots of pots and pans on the stove, I will automatically get out my slow cooker! It's my way of getting a scrumptious meal prepared with very little effort!

Bloody Fingers - Halloween Food

 Around this time of year I always start looking for new creepy Halloween foods to make for my two girls. My kids still get a kick out of this stuff, even though they're in their 20's.  I try to surprise them with something different every year! Well these Bloody Fingers got a big smile and a  thumbs up this year! Ha ha...get it...'thumbs up'? 

Pumpkin Pie Dip

I love all things pumpkin flavored such as cookies, smoothies, latte's, muffins and now dip! I think this is a genius idea! It's so quick to make...no cooking required! Just mix all the ingredients together and chill until ready to serve! Then dig in to this heavenly creamy pumpkin dessert with your favorite cookies or crackers. I used graham crackers at first. Then I tried this dip with unsalted saltine crackers. Both were very good, but I think I liked the unsalted crackers better because the graham crackers were a little too sweet with this dip.

I found my new favorite pumpkin creation on a food blog called...

Pumpkin Pie Spice Blend

If there's one thing I've learned while on my recipe journey, it's that you can make (from scratch) just about any ingredient you'll need for recipes! I never thought to make my own spice mixtures until chatting with so many experienced home cooks on various cooking websites! Why spend $7 for a bottle of a spice mixture if you have the individual spices already in your kitchen cabinet? You just need to find out what spices are in the blend you need and mix up a batch for the recipe you'll be using. Google is great for that info! That's where I researched what I would need to make this pumpkin pie spice blend.

Sauteed Chicken in a White Wine Cream Sauce over Linguini

 Don't let the title fool you! It sounds fancy schmancy but it's so easy to make!

Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings

 I came upon this super easy recipe many years ago on a cooking site called GroupRecipes. The recipe was posted by one of my favorite cooks on that site named Frankieanne. She helped me to realize how easy it is to make big fluffy dumplings!

Mexican Steak Soup

As the weather gets cooler I start to crave soups and stews! But I get bored with the usual soup recipes, so I decided to change things up a bit and make a steak version of my favorite Chicken Tortilla Soup recipe. This worked out just how I wanted! I love the tender pieces of stew meat soaking in the cumin/chili flavored beef broth along with the crunchy whole baby corn, black beans, onions, garlic and salsa! Topping it with the shredded cheddar cheese is a must! This soup has tons of Mexican flair! You'll really feel like you went south of the border for this meal!

Hearts of Fire Sparkling Cocktails

Lately I've been loving the taste of Fireball Cinnamon Whisky because of its sweet and strong 'hot cinnamon' flavor. I was first introduced to this liquor when a cocktail waitress suggested I try a concoction that she said tastes like an 'apple pie in a glass'. That drink consisted of apple beer and the cinnamon whisky. The waitress was so right. I was in love with that drink at first sip. From then on, I made sure to always have apple beer and cinnamon whisky in my home for when that 'apple pie cocktail' urge hits me!

Fast forward a few months...

Flip Flop Sandwiches!

These are just so easy to make and so darn cute! My family thought it was very creative. I made these using sliced turkey breast, American cheese and mustard. And some where made with ham and cheese. The green straps and orange colored embellishments are sliced green onions and carrots. The flip flop shape is created easily by using a cookie cutter. I never realized there are so many different kinds of cookie cutter shapes! I think you can find just about any shape you'll need here at Karen's Cookies. That's where I bought my flip flop cookie cutter for only $1.99 plus shipping.

Bacon Grilled Cheese Roll Ups - Baked

This is for all the grilled cheese lovers out there! Another fun way to make a classic grilled cheese sandwich, but with an added bonus of crispy bacon! I think this would also be great served as horderves at parties! Now, I know that grilled cheese sandwiches are usually 'grilled', hence the name, but...

Where's the Crust Pizza?

I know this looks like your average homemade pizza, but don't let that fool you! The ingredients that make up this crust are the complete opposite of traditional pizza dough, but it totally works! I don't know how...cooking is very scientific sometimes, I know! In this crust is...

Greek Burgers!

Or Gyro Burgers...or Greek Gyro Burgers! I wasn't sure what to name this delicious creation! How I came up with this one was to just take my favorite Greek Gyro Recipe and tweak it into a burger version!

Cabbage Casserole

This is an easy and delicious recipe that I found on one of my favorite recipe sites called 'All Free Casserole Recipes'. You can find just about any recipe you can think of on that food site.

Meatball Hero on a Stick

This is such a fun idea! Also, delicious of course! Oh, and very easy to make because the meatballs are skewered onto the sticks while raw! So everything is baked in about 15 minutes! 

Venezuelan Hot Dogs

 

I recently had the pleasure of doing a cooking episode

on the Better Show with Chef George Duran. I was asked to make my recipe for

Hot Dog Onions and George made some Big Smokey Burgers!

3 Ingredient Oatmeal Cookies

This is the kind of recipe that keeps me hooked on recipes because it's such a gem! I love finding these simple tasty recipes! These cookies are perfect, quick, easy, delicious, healthy and guilt free! Not to mention that they are soft, bite sized little cuties...Only about an inch and a half in diameter! So fun to just pop into your mouth! Goes so well with a glass of cold milk or a cup of hot coffee/tea.

Crispy Oven Roasted Parmesan Potatoes Over Chicken

 

Are you drooling yet? Don't you just want to take a fork and grab a piece? You may remember a very similar recipe from **this** post that I showed you last week. Well, I took that recipe one step further and turned it from a potato side dish to a main course. How, you ask?

Crispy Oven Roasted Parmesan Potatoes

The title of this recipe made me so hungry as soon as I read it! Then when I saw the description I knew I had to try it..."Crispy on the outside & soft inside." That's my kind of potato side dish! I found this recipe **here**

Grilled Shrimp Greek Pitas

I love quick, easy, delicious grill recipes! Especially when there's no messy grill to clean! This recipe is made using Reynold's® foil packets. I did have a messy grill that I had to clean before I grilled my shrimp because I didn't clean it the last time I used it...ooopsy! Check out this tip on how to easily clean your grill using only a ball of Reynold's® foil. I tried it and it worked great! No more grungy grill brushes for me. Look at my nice clean grill...

**CLICK PHOTO TO SEE EASY TIP ON HOW TO CLEAN YOUR GRILL**

Seared Pork Chops with Onion Cream Sauce

I hope you're not tired of seeing all these different pork recipes I've been posting lately! I can't help it...I just love pork chops! And I also love creamy recipes! Plus this recipe was so easy! It's a win, win all around!

Baked Eggplant and Tomato Stacks

 

I decided to give this a try because I had an extra eggplant leftover from a previous recipe. This reminds me of a lighter and fresher version of eggplant parmesan. Much quicker to make and a whole lot healthier because it doesn't contain breadcrumbs and tons of cheese.

Cheesy Taco Burger - Only 3 Ingredients!

I know right now is grilling season, but this burger is one you will crave all year round! Especially if you're a taco fan like I am! This burger truly tastes like a beef taco! And it contains only 3 ingredients! Delicious AND easy! You can't get better than that!

Peach Salsa Pork Roast

When I think of fruit with pork I usually think of apples. Especially because of that famous episode from The Brady Bunch show where Peter finds out Mrs. Brady is serving 'Pork chops and applesauce'  for dinner. Oh how I loved that show!

Greek Gyros

I love seasoned meat that is roasted(or grilled), juicy and sliced thin. Then when you add a creamy, tangy, feta cheese dressing and some fresh chopped veggies like onions, lettuce and tomatoes...well, I'm in heaven! Neatly wrap it in some soft flatbread and you have the perfect gyro!

Creamy Mexican Chicken Pasta

This delicious and easy slow cooker recipe is one I've been making for a few years. I found this recipe on a food blog called Chef Mommy. I serve this creamy, cheesy creation over pasta, but it is just as yummy served over rice as Chef Mommy does!

Pork Chops Italiano

I'm always looking for new ways to make pork chops! Here are a few I've tried recently...

Smoky Spicy Turkey Burger with Caramelized Onions and Spicy Sweet Mayo

 

I'm loving my new non stick grill pan! It sizzles from edge to edge even though the pan is way bigger than the burner on my glass top stove.

Chinese Casserole

This is such a good idea for a casserole. I never think of Chinese food when I think of casseroles, but this works perfectly!

Honey Lemon Glazed Oven Roasted Chicken

Your mouth should be watering just from reading the title! This recipe was so delicious in so many ways! Not only did I savor ever bite of the chicken, but the onions were pretty amazing too! Tender and sweet from basting in the glaze. Just add some potatoes or a green veggie and dinner is done with just a few ingredients!

Corned Beef Hash Served with Fried Eggs

I had lots of leftover Glazed Corned Beef & Cabbage so I decided instead of making my soup recipe, I would try something I've always wanted to try...corned beef hash! I love 'home fries' or 'hashbrowns' that I sometimes order at my local diner for breakfast! And I've seen lots of recipes floating around the Internet for corned beef hash. So it just seemed like the perfect time to try it myself! I wasn't sure I could get the potatoes to brown-up as nicely as I like them to be...but it was quite easy, as you can see in my photo above! I thought since the potatoes were boiled and very soft that they would just turn to mush! It was a nice surprise to see how easily they browned and stayed firm!

2 Ingredient Biscuits

 

I am once again amazed at how simple and delicious a 2 ingredient recipe can be! I recently tried a 2 Ingredient Pizza Dough and was very impressed with the delicious results. So when I came across another similar recipe for biscuits, it was a no-brainer that I would try this also! These biscuits were so light and fluffy with just a hint of cherry sweetness. Perfect served warm with a little butter and a cup of coffee or tea.

2 Ingredient Pizza Dough

Yes, I know it sounds crazy! That's why I had to try it! I saw this recipe floating around the internet recently and was intrigued. Then when I saw that one of my favorite food bloggers, The Slow Roasted Italian, tried this creation, I knew I had to also! I'm a full blooded Italian from New York, so I'm very picky about my pizza! New York has the best pizza in the world. My Grandma and Mom also made the best pizza in the world! So my pizza standards are extremely high!

Relished Recipe Kits at 50% Discount = Less than $5 Per Serving!

Look closely at these 3 yummy meals below! I am so excited to show my readers these recipe kits from Relished Foods.com (now know as Home Chef). These three meals were all included in one shipment that was sent right to my door in a cooler box. As you can see in my photos below, the kits included EVERY SINGLE ingredient needed to make each meal! You DO NOT need to shop for anything. You don't even need to measure any of the ingredients! They are all in pre-measured packages! All you need is salt, pepper and sometimes a few teaspoons of cooking oil, to create these fabulously delicious gourmet dishes. The taste is  truly '5 Star' restaurant quality because they supply fresh, top notch ingredients. And each recipe is created by Relished's own professionally trained restaurant Chef! They also send  glossy, easy to follow, full size, recipe cards with each meal kit.

Turkey Burger with Homemade Pickled Onions and Sweet Potato Fries
Click on photo to enlarge

Wedge Salad with Bacon, Walnuts and Homemade Gorgonzola Dressing
Click on photo to enlarge

Sambal Glazed Salmon with Roasted Baby Bok Choy and Wasabi Whipped Potatoes
Click on photo to enlarge

You can tweak the recipes to suit your tastes. For instance, in the Salmon kit pictured above, I omitted the wasabi from my mashed potatoes but included it for my hubby! He raved about them! He actually raved about all 3 meals! And for the turkey burgers I decided to butter and toast the pretzel buns! Yes, PRETZEL BUNS!!! I love pretzel buns! My kids (20 & 23 years old) wanted a taste of the turkey burgers...they loved it also. And it was their first time eating turkey burgers. My kids are usually VERY picky eaters but they really wanted to taste everything! I think the gorgeous presentation piqued their interest. I can't even take credit for that because the recipe cards tell you how each dish should be assembled. I was able to easily prepare these 3 scrumptious meals without much thought. What I love about these kits besides the taste is not having to shop for each ingredient and not having to measure each ingredient! It's like have a sous chef with me in my kitchen. I just wish a clean-up person would have been included in these kits! Oh well, a girl can dream, can't she? You really feel like a highly skilled Chef while preparing these meals!

 

 50% discount to my readers until the end of March.

Use coupon code 'LillianCooks' at checkout. 

Price per serving is less than $5 with this discount!

 

The people at Relished (Home Chef) really thought of everything! I just placed an order for the first week of March...I'm hooked already! And they are offering my readers a 50% discount on your first order placed from now until the end of March 2014. Just use coupon code 'LillianCooks' at checkout. That means you get 3 complete meal kits for less than $5 per serving. That's less than the price of a fast food take-out meal! Take a look at my order for the first week of  March **here**. And it only cost me $29.85. I don't understand how they can offer such a low price! Shhhh...don't tell them I said that! They sell out quick so order fast! I can't wait to get my next shipment! They will set up delivery on a day that is convenient for you! But you don't need to be home for delivery because the items stay cold for hours in the cooler box. Just place the items in the fridge when you get home.

 

I highly recommend that you take advantage of this discount and give Relished Foods (Home Chef) a try! Then come back here and thank me later! **smiles**

 

Chat with the friendly people of Relished Foods(Home Chef) and see what other menus they offer! Click on the sites below to find them on...

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Disclosure: I was not paid to promote Relished Foods(Home Chef). I was given their product for review purposes only. I received no other compensation. The above food photos and opinions are my own. I will always only write about products that I truly love and want to share with my readers.

Red Beans and Rice

This is a very popular dish in Puerto Rico, Cuba and Jamaica. Smoked pork sautéed with onions, red bell peppers and garlic in a smoky seasoned broth with red beans. Served over cooked white rice. A hearty meal that I serve with some crusty bread to soak up the smoky broth...yum! I've been making this for many years. Always a favorite in my house!

Red Velvet Whoopie Pies and Cookbook Giveaway

Am I the only person on earth that never had a homemade whoopie pie? I've had the store bought kind with the chocolate coated cookie and marshmallow filling. Not a fan of those, so I never thought to try any others! Well, I'm now in love with the homemade variety! It is so much better than those marshmallow ones! It actually can't even compare!

Easy Lasagna Soup

These few simple ingredients are all you need to make this quick, easy, delicious, hearty, satisfying, Italian style, soup! Did I forget any descriptive words?

Orzo Veggie Bake

 

I've been eating way too much meat lately, so I started hunting for recipes that only contained vegetables. Well, in this case, vegetables and pasta. I knew that I also wanted an easy recipe. This was all of those things! I love that I didn't need to pre-cook the pasta. I was able to make this main dish using only a large oven safe nonstick skillet and a baking sheet to roast the veggies.