Coconut Pound Cake!

Good things come in small packages, right? You may think of a pound cake and picture a bundt pan sized cake. This wonderful small cake is baked in an 8″ loaf pan. It slices like a dream, has wonderful texture and flavor. My husband is a cake lover and this made him very happy. What a great dessert to bake for Thanksgiving or Christmas. If you have any leftover, it freezes great!

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Quick and Easy Marinara Sauce – OOTW!

Marinara Sauce Recipe – as well as link to the Meatball recipe – both are exquisite!

Out of this world (OOTW) – this is a quick recipe that will taste like was made by your Italian grandmother. This marinara is perfection by itself on piping hot pasta or served along with meatballs (recipe link for these as well). I was shocked how few ingredients there are and how it comes together in no time. Stunningly simply. What’s better than that?

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Roast those pumpkin seeds! #supereasy

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

As a kid the best part about Halloween, other than dressing up, was carving a pumpkin. Nowadays, the best part of Halloween are the pumpkin seeds. So full of flavor and like nothing you can buy in the store. My dad always roasted the seeds and they were a special treat. So don’t toss the guts of your pumpkin, it couldn’t be easier and is a fun tradition that has great health benefits!

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Meatballs and salad… oh. my. goodness!

I’ve had meatballs on my mind… A friend told me about a nearby restaurant that served their meatballs in a marinara sauce, and she would order that and a big salad to go. We tried it and it was delightful. We had it a few times and it was great. Then I ran across another meatball recipe (I appear to be addicted to recipes) and while reading the complexity of it, I thought back to my simple recipe. Quick and delicious. So I tried them in sauce with a big salad and a little bread to soak up the marinade. Whoa!

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Green Chicken Chili – Reminder of a good thing!

Green Chicken Chili | Recipe by Cooking Light

We had an extremely hot and humid summer here in Charleston, SC this year (as did much of the country). So after Tropical Storm Lee blew through the area we were left with nicer temps and less humidity. After avoiding the stove/oven for months on end, we’re putting it to good use while we can. Time for this (quick) Green Chicken Chili. It will quickly become a favorite. One night we have baked chicken (and bake extra) and then in the next day or so we make the Green Chicken Chili. Tasty!

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Turkey Tacos – QUICK, Fun & Oh So Good!

Sometimes we all get weary from trying to think up what to make for dinner. Something different, something fun – something quick! Well, this hits all those marks and then some and with a special ingredient it goes #overthetop These are so easy to prepare, if you have the toppings prepped you’ll be eating in no time! #winwin #ahealthysplurge

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Blueberry Cobbler Recipe {Updated!}

Who doesn’t love blueberry cobbler? This dessert is so fabulous (and full of antioxidants, right?!) – you can make it in one bowl (win win) and it makes the house smell fabulous! Another bonus is that you can use fresh or frozen fruit (I used all blueberries) – they were frozen, and with a few tips it can turn out beautifully. With tropical storm Idalia on its way – I had some nervous energy to burn off, so I thought I would perfect what I thought was a pretty perfect recipe. This is better! Quick too!

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Tuna Melt with Tomatoes – SO Delish!

You know how sometimes the simplest things in life are the tastiest? This is a good case in point of a “recipe” that can be suited to your tastebuds and a (to be hailed) combo of ingredients turns out the most lovely, quick, summertime “dinner” (or lunch). With only a quick pop under the broiler this is a great meal to make on those sticky hot days. One that can be assembled early on, thrown together and enjoyed beyond belief! #quickandeasytoo

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Salad with Grilled chicken, Goat Cheese, Cucumbers, PRO and Dill!

A cold, crunchy salad with fresh ingredients bursting with flavor and the delightful twang of the PRO (pickled red onions) – Could there be anything better on a very warm day? The first time I made this it was slim pickins’ with the peach slices as one of the peaches didn’t make it home from the store without turning a horrible color and croaking right in front of my eyes. $3.44 for 2 peaches. #wow This time the peach was perfection!

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Cilantro Lime Grilled Chicken Leftovers – Make a Salad!

Oh, this salad is so good – It’s topped with my marinated cilantro lime – grilled chicken. The flavor permeates every bit of the chicken resulting in nice flavor with every single bite. We grill extra and have it the next day or so. It’s good all by itself, thrown into a brown rice/black bean/guacamole/salsa bowl or as above…

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Caprese Salad – The Ultimate Refreshing Side!

A Caprese salad is a quick one to throw together and it tastes like a million dollars. It’s the perfect accompaniment to grilled chicken, steak, fish, vegetables… I remember the first time I had it long ago, I was in heaven at Carmine’s in New York City – I checked their menu and they make it differently than they used to. I’m sure the new salad is good but the regular version… WOW!

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Avocado Toast with Greens and a Sunny Side Up Egg!

I have always admired the creative ability really good chefs have. They can take a mundane meal and make it over the top, WOW! Have you had a meal somewhere special and were completely blown away by it? The taste, look, texture – everything about it was perfection. Now mine doesn’t look anywhere near the version of the Chef at The Swag – but I tried, and let me tell you, this is darn good! I made this three mornings in a row. It really is perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The first day took me a little longer, but after I had my swing down, it went much faster. Of course I had enough pans/dishes to have served Thanksgiving Dinner, but that’s another story…

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Storing Cilantro in the Refrigerator – the easy way!

Storing cilantro in the refrigerator so it will last!

Storing Cilantro in the refrigerator is no big deal, but if you want it to last – it becomes a deal. I love to use Cilantro in a marinade for grilled chicken (which is even tasty cold the next day!) – but I also love it in a brown rice bowl with homemade guacamole, black beans, homemade pico, a squeeze of lime and a sprinkle of pepper jack cheese. It’s also good in your breakfast wrap (corn tortilla, cooked egg, pepper jack, a spoonful of leftover black beans and a sprinkle of cilantro). #whoanellie!

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