Good food doesn't need to be so complicated!
Welcome to the December Recipe Round-Up! This months round-up brings you those warm and cozy holiday-themed recipes and dessert recipes for fun holiday baking! Our bloggers are sharing their favorite holiday inspired recipes with you, including breakfast, side dishes, main dishes and ((of course)) dessert…because what would December be without a little over indulgence?! Come check out what we are bringing you this month!. Plus we have another amazing GIVEAWAY that you don’t want to miss!!…
Thank you to Smithfield Prime Fresh Pork for sponsoring this post! As always, all thoughts & opinions are my own.
As the days get colder and the nights grow longer my taste buds change.My mind and body are craving some serious comfort foods. Soups, stews, meat – stick to your bones kinda food.
This isn’t out of the ordinary. It’s a primitive instinct for those that face long, cold winters. Our bodies want fats and protein to keep us strong and healthy and during the winter months. Although these days our diets keep us quite prepared for cold weather, this wasn’t always the case. Once upon a time, our ancestors had to face winter without the “basics” we have. Their food would be scarce during winter months, triggering them to bulk up to survive the brutal cold.
It’s amazing, after so much time and change, that us cold weather dwellers still have the same instincts.
I surely embrace it.
My Dutch oven gets impressive usage year around – but it’s serious time to shine is during the fall and winter months. Braised meats, soups, stews, goulash – that’s what we’re cooking up.
I’ve already proclaimed my love for pork, more than once, on this blog. It’s my favorite meat – so flavorful, so juicy, so versatile. Each cut is wonderfully distinctive in flavor & texture, and Smithfield Prime Fresh Pork has always been my go-to!
Smithfield Prime is a superior, quality line of all-natural fresh pork with enhanced color and marbling. You can be confident that you’ll be serving an impressive & delicious meal with tender & juicy pork when cooking with Smithfield.
Smithfield Prime Fresh Pork is available in a wide variety of fresh cuts, including tenderloins, back ribs, spareribs, boneless and bone-in chops, butts and roasts. These cuts can be cooked whole or just as easily be sliced or cubed for faster cooking – which is key during the busy holiday season!
When you start with a high-quality protein, you don’t need to do too much to have a restaurant-quality meal, and this Pork Paprikash is a perfect example of simple pork perfection. The most work involved here is some cutting & dicing. Everything gets browned & sautéed and simmered until tender.
Feel free to change this up to your tastes too. I love mushrooms – so I add them to just about everything. If you don’t share my shroom love, skip them. Add a few more bell peppers, hot peppers, extra onions – whatever you like.
I usually serve this over buttered egg noodles. I’ll cook up some spaetzle when I’m feeling extra loving or ambitious. Potatoes are always great base too!
Cheers to the winter!
Thanks for stopping by!
Amanda ♥
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Smithfield Prime Fresh Pork.
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Food Lion for IZEA Worldwide. All opinions are 100% mine.
Today I’m introducing you to my pack of pups & Companion pet products at Food Lion. Oh – and a giveaway!!! Read on and enter for you chance to win 1 of 2 – $50 Gift Cards from Food Lion!
We have quite a few mouths to feed in this family. Although there is only four of us humans – we have three dogs and too many chickens to mention.
We have three large dogs, and I often have an orphan pup who I foster until they find their forever home. That’s a lot of dog food and a whole lot of dog treats.
Feeding my pack gets expensive. My oldest boy has some dietary restrictions – so his food costs add up real quickly. I’m always on the search for an affordable & high quality food for my other pups. Oh, and dog treats. My good boys need all the treats!
I was recently introduced to Companion pet products at Food Lion. Companion is Food Lion’s line of high-quality pet products – it’s the new face of the original Home 360 Pet brand. You’ll find all you need for the furry or feathered friends in your life with Companion products. There’s food, toys, treats, and accessories for your cat, dog and domestic or wild birds.
Companion pet products have the same nutrition and ingredients compared to National Brands, but at the lowest price in the category. You can grab it while doing the rest of your shopping at Food Lion!
As always, all of Food Lion’s private brand items have a double your money back guarantee. There’s absolutely no reason not to try Companion Pet Products! You can learn more here.
Let me formally introduce you to my boys! This mama has got to brag a little ♥
This is Clutch – he’s an 11 year old American Bulldog. He was a rescue, found 10 years ago living in a car at a junkyard in Philly.
This guy made us fall in love with him quickly – and the breed. He’s a great family dog, a total snuggle love bug – but a diligent watchdog. When he was younger he played hard and rested harder. These days he’s in retirement mode and spends most of his day moving from couch to bed or harassing our UPS guy from the front door.
Next up is my Dozer. He’s also an American Bulldog. We got him as a puppy when my youngest daughter was about 1 – 1/2 years old. The two of them have been growing up together and the past 3 – 1/2 years have been a riot! So much fun! Dozer is over 80 pounds – but seriously thinks he’s still a 10 pound pup. Dozer is a very high energy dog – we had to get another dog to keep up with him!
Last, but not least, is Tank. We adopted him two years ago during a local “Clear the Shelter” event. This bighead mushface is a total mutt – some American Bulldog, some Pitbull, maybe some English Bulldog – who knows!?! He’s a big drooly lovebug who makes our family and pack complete.
A few words about the “Bully Breed” in general. These dogs have gotten a bad reputation over the years due to mistreatment by their humans. These dogs are born without a mean bone in their body. They yearn to be a part of the family, to love, to serve and protect.
When people visit my home they always comment on how well behaved our dogs are and how well they listen. It’s called love & training.
These big boys eat A LOT. I’m thankful to find food & treats that are nutritious, doggie delicious and affordable!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
-Amanda-
For More Information about Food Lion’s Private Brand labels click here
*You MUST be a resident of Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia or West Virginia to enter*
Welcome to the November Recipe Round-Up! This months round-up brings you Thanksgiving and Fall themed recipes with pumpkin recipes galore! Our bloggers are sharing their favorite Thanksgiving inspired recipes with you, including breakfast, side dishes, main dishes and ((of course)) dessert…because what’s Thanksgiving without some pumpkin pie?! Come check out what we are bringing you this month!. Plus we have another amazing GIVEAWAY that you don’t want to miss!!…
This post was sponsored by JSL Foods. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Mealtime doesn’t always need to be over complicated. Part of juggling a never ending busy life is is learning how to efficiently feed yourself & your loved ones without slaving over the stove for hours or ordering takeout.
Quinoa, rice & noodles fill the majority of our dinner time menus. These meals come together quickly, keep everyone happy and the options are endless.
I recently tried JSL Foods Fortune Ramen & Soba Buckwheat noodles. LOVE!!! I ate them plain. I ate them with chicken and veggies. I ate them with garlic chili paste. Each way I tried them – they were delicious.
The Ramen noodles are in a Pork Bone Based Miso Soup. The noodles have great texture & bite to them and the soup is loaded with flavor. They’re welcoming any ingredient you’d like to toss in! This is not that (yuck) styrofoam cup of dried noodles in a salt bath – this ramen is the real deal.
Precooked, all you need to do is heat them up. Throw them in the microwave, a saucepan or skillet and let your imagination run wild.
A friend of mine from Japan used to joke to me that ramen was to Japanese as casseroles were to Americans. It could be an occasion to clear the leftovers out of the fridge and create a unique, hearty and tasty meal.
That was my simple inspiration for this ramen bowl.
Staring in my fridge I saw tofu, salted pork belly & mushrooms that needed to get used up.
I heated up the seasoning packet and water, threw in a handful of mushrooms, diced tofu and a few fresh quail eggs. Five minutes later I removed the quail eggs, dropped in the noodles, cooked for a minute and dinner was ready. I added the cooked quail eggs and sprinkled some browned pork belly over it all for some crunch. Yum!
Quick, simple and so delicious. Fortune Noodles make a great meal anytime & anyway you want to make them!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
-Amanda-
Welcome to the October Recipe Round-Up! This months round-up brings you Halloween themed recipes with fun desserts and easy dinners for the family. Our bloggers are sharing their favorite Halloween-ish recipes with you, including breakfast, side dishes and snacks, main dishes and ((of course)) dessert…lots of desserts and treats for that sweet tooth! Come check out what we are bringing you this month!. Plus we have another amazing GIVEAWAY that you don’t want to miss!!…
There are four favorite condiments in my home. Ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise and chipotle hot sauce. Pretty typical for most Americans.
Everyone loves the mayo. Admittedly, it’s not the healthiest option in the world of condiments. Store bought stuff often contains soybean oil as the first ingredient. You know we can do better than that.
Homemade mayo and aioli have been all the rage for the past couple years. For good reason – made fresh, they taste so rich, so real – so much better. There’s one problem here, though. Raw eggs.
Raw chicken eggs are a recipe for disaster – it’s called salmonella. I hear nonstop ramblings about how organic, fresh, free-range eggs are safe and recommended. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again & again – no one should be eating raw chicken eggs. I have fresh, organic, free-range eggs from birds I’ve hatched as babies. These eggs are available to me daily. They’re so fresh, they’re still warm. As a responsible chicken owner, I would not suggest anyone eat eggs raw – nor will I do so myself.
So here’s where the wonders of quail eggs come in. These mini egg laying birds and their eggs are completely void of salmonella. Their eggs have an increased amount of lysozyme and they hold a body temperature higher than that of chickens. Some people consider it a waste to eat these eggs anyway but raw.
This mayonnaise whips up pretty effortlessly with just a few hands on ingredients. I use my food processor, but a blender would work just as well. The only note I have to add is to make sure you slowly drizzle the other half of the oil in while mixing. Dump it in too quickly and you’ll end up with blobby, oily yuckiness.
I make this mayo with half olive oil & half avocado oil. Canola oil works great too. Use whatever oil you prefer. You can also add herbs, spices, various flavored vinegars – whatever your mayo loving heart desires.
Hope you enjoy! Thanks for stopping by!
Amanda ♥
Welcome to the September Recipe Round-Up! This months round-up brings you back-to-school themed recipes with fun desserts and easy dinners for the family. Our bloggers are sharing their favorite recipes with you, including breakfast, side dishes and snacks, main dishes and ((of course)) dessert. Come check out what we are bringing you this month! Plus we have another amazing GIVEAWAY that you don’t want to miss!!…
Welcome to the August Recipe Round-Up! This months round-up brings you Summer-time recipes for a backyard barbecue perfect for those hot August days! Our bloggers are sharing their favorite recipes with you, including breakfast, side dishes and snacks, main dishes and ((of course)) dessert. Come check out what we are bringing you this month! Plus we have another amazing GIVEAWAY that you don’t want to miss!!…
Welcome to the July Recipe Round-Up! This months round-up brings you recipes for a backyard barbecue, with a sprinkling of patriotic inspired recipes perfect for celebrating the 4th of July! Our bloggers are sharing their favorite recipes with you, including breakfast, side dishes and snacks, main dishes and ((of course)) dessert. Come check out what we are bringing you this month! Plus we have another amazing GIVEAWAY that you don’t want to miss!!…