Tender green beans, baby potatoes, smoky bacon, and sweet onions are perfectly combined in this irresistibly classic southern side dish.

Southern Green Beans

It goes without saying we are a meat and potatoes kind of family. Adventurous eaters with tastebuds that favor the southwest, but put a classic, filling meal on the table and my crew of boys are ready to dive in

I served these Southern Green Beans and Potatoes along with our favorite Crispy Oven Baked Chicken. It was the perfect pairing, because the chicken finished cooking just as the potatoes were tender. The meal was a hit with my whole family.

When my friend Melissa (of Melissa’s Southern Style Kitchen) told me she was writing a cookbook, I told her I wanted to be first on her list to review it. When I received my advance copy I couldn’t stop flipping through it and drooling over everything.

The cookbook, Melissa’s Southern Kitchen, was released a few years ago and you can find it here on Amazon or countless other retailers. I have loved cooking so many of the family recipes that she shared.

Whether you are looking for a full Sunday dinner or a casual weeknight supper, there is a recipe here for every occasion.

With recipes like Melissa’s unforgettable Buttermilk Fried Chicken, BLT Macaroni Salad, Pecan Praline Baked Brie, and so many others, I have had a lot of fun trying these recipes.

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I’m not exaggerating when I say this Peanut Butter Fudge is one of the best fudges I’ve ever tasted. Rich, creamy, over-the-top fudge that is so easy to make, you might laugh.

Creamy Peanut Butter Fudge

My brother tasted this creamy fudge at my house years ago and called us the very next night for the recipe. He couldn’t stop thinking about it and needed to make it right away.

I gave him the recipe and he couldn’t believe this was all there is to it. With just four ingredients, this is one of the best peanut butter fudge recipes I’ve ever tasted, and it is also beyond simple to make.

I’ve been making this fudge recipe now for over 10 years now and it’s a solid keeper. Without fail, everyone who tastes it requests the recipe immediately.

Recipe for Peanut Butter Fudge

I was so excited to find Alton Brown’s recipe for Peanut Butter Fudge almost ten years ago and it’s become a family and friend favorite over the years.

It is an awesome way to impress someone with a gift that takes just minutes to put together. I can’t think of anyone who likes peanut butter and wouldn’t be excited to receive a box full of this during the holidays.

Put this recipe on your Christmas treat list now and skip the baking! It’s perfect to snack on while you’re wrapping gifts or for enjoying next to a crackling fireplace with the ones you love.

Peanut Butter Fudge

With all the attention we give chocolate fudge, I think the goodness of peanut butter fudge gets overlooked.

Don’t get me wrong, I love all kinds of chocolate fudge from Chocolate Almond Fudge  to this Read more

Mini Cadbury Chocolates Pumpkin Cookies

Just when I thought our chewy pumpkin cookies couldn’t get any better, I had the thought to add chocolate! And not just any ol’ chocolate, Cadbury chocolate!

You know those perfect little candy coated chocolate eggs that flood the grocery stores at Easter time? They are addicting! Now you can find them in the fall in their harvest mix and at Christmas time. It was hard enough to control myself at Easter time with the mini eggs but now fall and Christmas too?!

To heck with! Indulge! Cadbury, I see you! And I’ll add you to my favorite pumpkin cookies! Drooling!

Ingredients for Cadbury Pumpkin Cookies

You’ll need a few ingredients outside of your standard cookie dry and wet ingredients for this cookie recipe…pumpkin puree, of course, pumpkin pie spice, maple syrup, and the Cadbury chocolate. Here is your full shopping list:

Cookies

• Butter – we will brown the butter first thing, love that nutty flavor
• Brown Sugar – because of the molasses, it actually works differently in baking. The flavor is warmer, yes, but more importantly it is slightly acidic so the cookies will be moist and chewy versus straight white sugar. That’s why in things like quick breads or pancakes you might see a little white sugar but rarely brown as we want a softer, fluffier texture
• Dark Brown Sugar – has more molasses than light brown sugar and helps weigh the cookie down keeping it dense
• Egg Yolk – including only the yolk allows the cookies to be chewy and not cake like
• Maple Syrup – real maple syrup is ideal, the flavor and color make these cookies heaven
• Vanilla – flavor
• Pumpkin Puree – be sure you get plain pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie filling
• Flour – just regular all purpose flour
• Baking Soda – leavening agent
• Baking Powder – leavening

Strawberry Banana Smoothie is simple, easy, and refreshing as a snack or even a meal all on its own. It’s delicious with only four ingredients!

Strawberry and Banana Smoothie

Do you ever shake your head and just laugh at how we all complicate things sometimes? I have found that happens quite often in the kitchen. Whether that is ingredients or appliances. Do we really need an oven, a toaster oven, and an air fryer?

Now I have gotten myself off on a tangent. Back to one of the simplest smoothies ever. Sometimes the simplest things we make surprise us by being some of the best. I was in the mood for a smoothie, however, I was out of many of my favorite add-ins.

I usually like to pack my smoothies with lots of nutritious goodness like greek yogurt, spinach, or kale. This turns many smoothies into an entire meal and not just a refreshing treat. This smoothie, though, is a light and delicious treat.

This pretty pink deliciousness was the result of wanting something fruity and refreshing but not too sweet. Frozen banana gives a smooth ice cream-like creaminess. Add the strawberries and milk and you have a milkshake texture and flavor.

I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious a few ingredients in the blender can taste. It is easy to adjust the consistency with a little extra milk if you want it thinner.

Strawberry Banana Smoothie Recipe

• milk
• banana
• strawberries
• honey 

Combine milk, banana, and berries in the blender. Puree until smooth. Taste and add honey for the desired level of sweetness.

Frozen berries may be substituted for fresh berries in this recipe. If you choose to use frozen berries, you may want to use a fresh banana instead of the frozen one listed in the rec

Ranch Melt in Your Mouth Baked Chicken Recipe

Buckle up and get ready for the best chicken recipe of your entire life! It is buttery, ranchy, and smoky with a crunchy panko topping. You’re going to be making this one over and over again!

Just 8 days before moving to a new city I decided to throw together a quick and easy chicken recipe for dinner that I honestly wasn’t even thinking about what I was doing. I was just trying to finish off things in the fridge, freezer and pantry as that’s always how I move- stop buying food and eat through as much as possible so I have less packing. 

Which means I created a killer chicken dinner recipe. 

UGH.

That’s always how it goes, when I’m not thinking and just playing in the kitchen the best recipes emerge. 

Thankfully I had enough thought after hearing Cade say for the 500th time that night, “THIS CHICKEN JUST MELTS IN MY MOUTH! It’s awesome!!!” to pause what I was doing and write it all down in my phone. 

This week I finally busted out the recipe and made magic happen again and I stand by this recipe until the end of time, it’s just that good! 

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