Welcome to the weekend, my friends! It’s been a long (and delicious!) week of cooking and photographing new recipes to share with you. As a result, our fridge is packed full of awesome leftovers and I have no plans at all to cook for at least the next day or two. 

There are a whole lot of new ice cream recipes in the works too and that means our freezer is jam-packed too. (Rough life, right?) I’ve been sharing a new ice cream recipe every Friday for a couple of months now and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. Ice cream is just plain fun to make.

ON THE BLOGS this week:  Kick off the weekend with a stack of fluffy strawberry banana pancakes. They are great all by themselves, snacked on out of hand, but they get even better with a bit of butter and syrup on top.

This simple mushroom spaghetti sauce trumps anything you can buy in jars or cans at the grocery store. After just a few minutes of hands-on effort, you’ll be free to walk away while this sauce simmers on its own, making your house smell fantastic in the process.

The spaghetti sauce works well as a vegetarian or vegan meal when made without ground beef. For a low-carb variation, or simply because it’s delicious this way too, scoop the sauce over a bowl of roasted broccoli or sauteed cabbage ribbons.

When I first saw a recipe for microwave lemon curd, I will admit that I was skeptical. I adore lemon curd, but I am such a slacker about making it. Having tried this method now, I may never make lemon curd on the stove again. 

Fluffy, creamy, sweet and tangy lemon dip served with fresh berries, graham crackers, or shortbread cookies is a light summery dessert that is perfect for sharing with friends.

Shrimp and sausage fried rice has officially been added to the list of our favorite dinners. This easy recipe is a “two thumbs up,” kid-approved, hearty-as-can-be skillet meal; perfect for a quick and easy weeknight dinner! 

With a bright berry flavor, a stunning red color, and a smooth velvety texture, homemade strawberry sauce beats anything you can buy at the store.

Strawberry cheesecake ice cream is a sweet and tangy combination of smooth, creamy cheesecake ice cream and fresh strawberry swirls.

Let’s get this out of

Welcome to the weekend, my friends! I’m a wee bit weather obsessed right now. I can’t get enough of the warm sunshine this week. I’ve been trying to get outside, even if it’s just for a short walk, every day.

We have chilly rainy days on the way next week and I’m looking forward to them. I love cozy sweater days and I don’t think we’re going to have many more of them this spring.

ON THE BLOGS this week: These easy, skillet-fried pork chops with balsamic and dijon are an awesome weeknight meal that comes together in under 20 minutes. I serve them with Rosemary Roasted Potatoes and Oven Roasted Asparagus and there is hardly a bite left over at the end of the meal.

Zucchini, mushrooms, and sausage are tossed with penne in a spicy sauce for an easy dinner win in this simple skillet meal.

Strawberries Romanoff is just about the most delicious thing I’ve made lately. My friend Lynne was here a few weeks ago when I made this to photograph it and we may have eaten the full recipe on our own. I probably shouldn’t admit these things, but yeah, we did that.

Holy, jaw-drop-level, almost unbelievably delicious recipe. I stood at the stove pretty much inhaling this Broccoli Mushroom Casserole after the first taste. (Yeah, I see what I just wrote, but it really is that good!) I started with just a bite of broccoli and then a mushroom. But then, well, I needed to taste the rice too, right?

Have you tasted a Flourless Chocolate Cake? If so, you’ll likely never forget that first bite. Unassuming in appearance and almost ridiculously easy to make, this cake is a fantastic decadent treat. Also, if there is one thing you need to know how to make from scratch, I vote that you know how to make whipped cream. Consider it a life skill.

Lemon Ice Cream is creamy rich ice cream with an unexpected and completely fresh brightness from the lemon. If you still aren’t convinced that you need to try this, my oldest son chose this ice cream over chocolate ice cream two nights in a row and he’s declared it to be one of the best ice creams we’ve ever made.

What I’m CRAVING: It’s almost embarrassing how often we buy frozen chicken taquitos from Costco. (If you haven’t tried them, they’re made with flour tortillas and they’re

Welcome to the weekend, my friends! Ohio teased us with some wonderfully warm days earlier this week but then sent a bunch of rain and chilly weather our way. Regardless of the temperatures at the moment, spring is definitely on the way. The trees on our property are flowering, there are sunshiny daffodils in the yard, and the sun continues to shine through the clouds.

Our Easter traditions are pretty laid back. We’ll be at church tomorrow morning, followed by dinner at home, and then, if I’m lucky, there is likely to be either a walk or a long walk in my future. I’ll happily take either option!

ON THE BLOGS this week: Do you like green chile chicken enchiladas? Do you like chicken pot pie? Do flaky buttery cheesy biscuits make you grin? If so, this Spicy Chicken Pot Pie Casserole is going to make you very happy.

Creamy slow cooker ham potato soup with soft chunks of buttery potatoes and salty-sweet ham is perfect with a salad or just some crusty bread.

Korean ground beef is the kind of dish that both beginning and experienced cooks need in their life. The meal comes together in minutes and is full of fantastic flavors. It is easier to make than ordering take-out, saves you money, and tastes better too!

Creamy, rich, chocolatey Nutella Ice Cream with a melt-in-your-mouth swirl of Nutella mixed throughout is a dreamy way to satisfy your sweet tooth this summer – or this fall, or winter, or pretty much any time of year, if you’re me.

Crunchy, tangy, sweet pepper cabbage slaw is a welcome variation on classic creamy coleslaw recipes. Last year, a reader emailed me this recipe for pepper cabbage (thanks, Amy!) and I’ve had it on my must-try list ever since. I finally had a chance to make it last week and it was a hit.

Sweet peas, salty bacon, and sharp cheddar cheese coated in a creamy, tangy dressing add up to an easy, tasty summer side dish. This bacon pea salad is a timeless favorite that is a great addition to any meal.

Ground beef fried rice is both savory and slightly sweet with a subtle touch of heat. Best of all, this is a dinner anyone can make in under 20 minutes!

If you could put sunshine and sugar in a jar, I am convinced it would taste just like this strawberry compote. If you have access to perfectly sweet and ripe Florida strawberries right now, you need to make this asap. And if you’re still waiting for strawberries to come into their season where you are, put this on your list to make this summer.

Speaking of strawberries, yo

Welcome to the weekend, my friends! We are in Louisiana this weekend and headed to a crawfish boil this afternoon. That’s a first for me and I’m pretty excited to see how it’s done.

We’re planning to spend a couple of hours in New Orleans tomorrow morning before heading home – basically long enough to walk a bit in Jackson Square and get coffee and beignets at Cafe Du Monde. (That whole work-school-life thing is making this a quick trip.) Shoot me a note if there’s something I truly shouldn’t miss in the area.

ON THE BLOGS this week: This spice and herb crusted pork roast is packed with flavor and a surprising kick from the peppers and the salt. Pork sirloin roast makes a delicious dinner any night of the week.

Our friend Tony’s Slow Cooker Baked Beans are chock-full of bacon and beef, sweetened with molasses and then simmered until thick and sweet. When I tell you that people go crazy over these beans, I’m not exaggerating. 

Crunchy yet chewy; sweet and smokey, I feel like goldilocks when I eat this cauliflower broccoli salad because it has just the right amount of everything. If you’re anything like me, you’ll find yourself making and eating this salad on repeat!

If you’re a fan of the strawberries and cream combination, a sweet steaming bowl of strawberries and cream oatmeal is quite possibly the epitome of breakfast comfort food.

Tender peas, sweet carrots, and savory bits of celery and onions in a creamy, rich beef gravy baked inside a buttery crust make for a fantastic ground beef pot pie.

Crispy, ever so tender, and scrumptious air fryer smashed Brussels sprouts with balsamic glaze are impossible to pass up. I dare you to eat just one.

Flaky tuna, crunchy bits of red onion, and bell peppers tossed with freshly cooked pasta in a creamy, tangy dressing make for a colorful (and oh so very tasty!) Tuna Pasta Salad.

No-bake cookies have met their match with these no bake chocolate peanut butter bars. It doesn’t get much easier than just stirring everything together and pouring it into a pan.

Dark chocolate ice cream delivers just the right amount of sweetness, it’s the perfect treat for chocolate lovers who enjoy a bittersweet twist.

What I’m CRAVING: Have you heard of a

Welcome to the weekend, my friends! I spent a few days this week cooking and photographing recipes with Lynne and as always, we had a great time of it. We laughed until we cried, stayed up way too late, and ate a lot of great food.

I’m sitting by our front window this morning with my cup of coffee, looking out at the fog, and listening to the birds singing outside. The weather is supposed to be in the 60s today too, and there is no rain in the forecast. Could spring actually be on its way at last??

ON THE BLOG this week: If you’ve been reading this blog for any length of time, you likely know that we eat a lot of chicken. I’ve shared over 150 chicken recipes already and there isn’t an end in sight. These juicy, oven baked chicken thighs turn out exactly right every time we make them and they get made at least once a month.

Light and slightly tangy creamy pasta salad, with just enough dressing to coat the noodles and vegetables, this is one heck of an awesome summer pasta salad. (And it’s a perfect match for those chicken thighs any night of the week.)

Light, crispy, and flaky air fryer Brussels sprouts chips are delightfully snackable and surprisingly satisfying. These chips are the snack you never knew you were missing! 

Are you getting tired of pot pie recipes? I hope not, because I can’t get enough of them lately. Straight from the oven, this biscuit-topped chicken pot pie casserole is downright mouthwatering with its piping hot filling of tender chicken and vegetables, topped with flaky, golden-brown biscuits.

My youngest son requested this cauliflower dish again this week. With a sprinkling of cheese, a light cream sauce, and a crispy buttery bread crumb topping, I will happily be making it this weekend.

With just 3 ingredients and about 2 minutes of effort, you can make this salty, sweet, completely irresistible peanut butter ice cream topping. I’m willing to bet that you’ll find yourself pouring it over everything.

Does anyone not have this cookie recipe from their grandmother? Oats, peanut butter, chocolate chips, M&Ms, and a drop of maple syrup all combine to make my grandmother’s Monster Cookies.

Once you’ve made the peanut butter sauce and stashed a stack of cookies away, you need to churn a batch of Monster Cookie Ice Cream. Swirled with chunks of peanut butter and loaded with cookies, this is the