Quick Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Quick Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Can you BELIEVE that it’s already the beginning of MARCH? Where does time go? While it is still technically winter, this is a quick (and tasty) treat, perfect for when you need a little somethin-somethin!

Pineapple upside down cake can be such a fabulous treat. It doesn’t need to be a large, or time-intensive cake. This recipe has a shortcut that saves time and ingredients. Note… don’t skimp on the butter or it will not come out of the pan (as shown above). There isn’t a lot of butter to begin with, but, it seems I’m always trying to find ways to cut it back. This isn’t one of those recipes to cut an essential ingredient. #learnfrommymistake This couldn’t be easier!

My mom and dad used to make this cake when we were kids. Most of us have these ingredients in the pantry, so it’s a nice, quick cake – one layer – so not a cake that will be around for a week. It makes the house smell so good! Click HERE to print the recipe below. Remember, when placing the pineapple, the bottom becomes the top, because after baking you invert it (flip it over) while it’s still hot, that way it comes out of the cake pan easily. As I mentioned above, don’t try to save fat/calories by skimping on the measly 4 tablespoons of butter, the cake needs it for the brown sugar to stick. You’ll see areas of my cake that remained in the pan, hmmm. #dontdowhatidid

I used Trader Joe’s Buttermilk Pancake & Baking Mix (the type for pancakes, biscuits, etc.) – it doesn’t contain some of the ingredients that other brands do (unless their ingredients have changed). You can also place maraschino cherries, which makes it really pretty – also chopped nuts (pecans, I would guess). Change it up however you like.

✍️ Until next time… Happy March!

My Favorite Shrimp Recipes!

Med Pasta with Shrimp

We live in Charleston, SC where we’re very fortunate that we can buy good seafood. Freshest… always! I usually buy a pound or two and freeze in 1/2 pound portions (just pop in freezer bags) – perfect for two people. The recipe above is SO GOOD. The spinach pasta is essential – I tried it with regular pasta and it just wasn’t the same. Artichokes are full of fiber and add so much flavor, so I used an entire jar (small jar). I think the red pepper (and I’m not a pepper fan) is also pretty necessary. It adds such wonderful flavor, and red peppers are much sweeter than green peppers which are picked before they’re ripe (if left to ripen they would be red peppers as well). Feta… absolutely necessary – it adds the kick, and because it’s fairly up there sodium-wise I don’t add salt, only pepper. Read on for the our top five shrimp recipes… haven’t had some of them in a while, which is what spurred this post. If I can’t think of a recipe, I use the SEARCH feature on my website and enter an ingredient that I’ve got and see what comes up. It’s funny how you can forget about recipes after a while!

Continue reading “My Favorite Shrimp Recipes!”

Avocado Toast – So Good!

Quick and Easy…

Avocado Toast. Is it not like a slice of heaven? The creamy avocado, the drizzle of olive oil and whatever else you may add. It’s so delicious on a slice of toast – keeps you full for a while and is just delicious. You don’t need to pay $8 and up for something so quick and easy. This is a version similar to one I had in a restaurant.

Continue reading “Avocado Toast – So Good!”

How to roast veggies all together and what to make with it!

Roasted Veggies for the Week…

Roasted vegetables are the best. Roasting adds a sweetness that is undeniable. You will eat a lot more veggies without even trying, especially if they’re cooked one day and ready for the week. Read on to see what I made with some of these veggies (along with sautéed kale and walnuts). #outofthisworld It was also nice to have sides for the week, just heat and eat! Cauliflower, okra, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, red onions, golden beets, and broccoli!

Continue reading “How to roast veggies all together and what to make with it!”

Quick and Easy Fish Tacos! #WOW

Fish (Stick) Tacos #WOW – Version 2 with pickled red onion!

I receive emails from America’s Test Kitchen (ATK), which also includes Cooks Country (where this recipe originated). I LOVED the idea, changed some things to make it my own and tried a few versions. Both were fabulous. Turns out there ARE good fish sticks, I took their advice…

Continue reading “Quick and Easy Fish Tacos! #WOW”

A Lighter Lunch After the Holidays!

Do you need a lighter lunch after the holidays? This is it!

I can say, for the second year in a row, we didn’t eat a heavy meal, ha ha… but still, this is so refreshing it’s crave worthy. Using the freshest of ingredients, it comes together quickly and you will be delighted how good it is (and how long it keeps you satiated!) #winwin

Continue reading “A Lighter Lunch After the Holidays!”

The World’s Best Christmas Cookie Recipe!

Are you looking to make the most perfect Christmas cookie ever? One that can be decorated (or not) but the decorating is the highlight of making these delicious cookies. The combination of cookie and frosting are out of this world delicious. If you make them once, you’ll make them every year…. #forever

Continue reading “The World’s Best Christmas Cookie Recipe!”

Parmesan Chicken, Sauteed Spinach and Fresh Pasta with Olive Oil and Parm

Ina’s Parmesan Chicken, Sauteed Spinach and Fresh Pasta with Olive Oil and Parm

The other day I made Ina Garten’s Parmesan Chicken Salad, which is a such a treat! It’s a wonderful sautéed chicken breast (with bread crumbs and parmesan) atop a simple salad of baby greens with a quick lemon vinaigrette. It tastes so fresh and delicious. I had extra chicken, so I made extra for us to eat the next day. Oh My!

Continue reading “Parmesan Chicken, Sauteed Spinach and Fresh Pasta with Olive Oil and Parm”

Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken with Rice, Pineapple and Haricot Verts

Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken with Rice, Pineapple and Haricot Verts

This year, we chose to do a simple, tasty Thanksgiving dinner. Something that didn’t involve so much cleanup, prep and ingredients. There were just the two of us, so something different was in order. I cannot tell you how tasty this meal was. We thoroughly enjoyed every single bite. Next time…

Continue reading “Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken with Rice, Pineapple and Haricot Verts”

{Divine} Frozen Vegetable Soup Recipe via The Bittman Project

Frozen Vegetable Soup | Recipe via How to Cook Everything Fast, Completely Revised 2nd Edition by Mark Bittman

A while back, I subscribed to Mark Bittman’s newsletter (famous chef, know for making really good food pretty quickly). I’ve made this recipe a few different ways and I have to say, the possibilities are endless. You have no idea the amount of flavor that comes from veggies, this is an absolute delight, and a recipe that we will make forever. What better way to get your veggies in, right?

Continue reading “{Divine} Frozen Vegetable Soup Recipe via The Bittman Project”

Classic Pot Roast – Divine!

Classic Pot Roast – Perfect on a chilly day!

We don’t eat a lot of red meat. We go weeks without any and don’t think a thing about it. However, once the weather turns cool (oh, how I love these days!), the comforting smell of a pot roast in the oven sounds so good! It’s fairly quick to throw to together, and then you just let the oven work its magic! #youdontevenneedaknife #meltslikebutter

Continue reading “Classic Pot Roast – Divine!”

Pomegranate Feta Salad- Delicious and Festive!

Pomegranate Feta Salad – Out of this world!

Visually stunning. Absolutely delectable. Too easy for words. THIS salad will be on our menu quite often. Packed with good things (pomegranate seeds, lettuce, olive oil, onion, pecans) it is perfect as is for a light meal, or served with something grilled or roasted. It’s also perfect for the holidays!

Continue reading “Pomegranate Feta Salad- Delicious and Festive!”

Chicken Cutlets with Sun Dried Tomato Cream Sauce!

Chicken With Sun Dried Tomato Cream Sauce

Chicken Cutlets with Sun Dried Tomato Cream Sauce. It sounds (and more importantly, TASTES) indulgent. But this recipe came from a trusted source of healthy recipes, that not only taste good – they’re not over the top difficult to make. This recipes comes together fairly quickly and if made for two, makes another meal a few days later!

Continue reading “Chicken Cutlets with Sun Dried Tomato Cream Sauce!”

Scrumptious Soft Boiled Eggs!

Absolute Perfection!

We grew up eating soft boiled eggs as kids. They were always perfection on top good toast. Something warm with a mugful of hot cocoa before our long trek to school as tiny little kids, in the snow, with big snow boots on… haha… #itwasuphilltoo (KIDDING!) We did have quite a long walk for little kids (Grades 1-5), and we weren’t quite far enough away to stay for the hot lunches, so had to walk home for lunch, then walk back.

Continue reading “Scrumptious Soft Boiled Eggs!”

Making Applesauce – Easy & So Tasty!

Homemade Applesauce!

It’s fall Y’all! (I love saying that) – there are certain things that come to mind this time of year. The smell of apples and cinnamon are a few of my favorites. This quick and easy recipe will fill your home with fall aromas like you won’t believe – I made enough for several days – it makes for a nice (and healthy) dessert, a little something sweet after dinner.

Continue reading “Making Applesauce – Easy & So Tasty!”