You know that moment when you’re halfway through winter and your body just starts begging for something fresh, bright, and alive? Yeah, that’s where this Winter Salad with cabbage and Brussels sprouts comes in.

Winter Salad

I fell for Ina Garten’s winter slaw years ago (because of course I did. She makes slaw an event!), but I’ve since tweaked it into something that fits me a little better: this salad is punchy, colorful, crisp, and just chaotic enough to feel alive while surrounded by snow.

I can’t stop making this.

What makes this winter salad so brilliant, is that it doesn’t pretend to be summer. It’s a celebration of what’s actually in season, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and cranberries. The texture? Deliriously crunchy. The flavor? Sharp but balanced.

I figured I’d like this salad, but it turns out that I really, really LOVE this salad. I made it, tasted it, and proceeded to eat it for lunch alongside my infamous grilled cheese sandwich for the next 3 days. It’s so dang tasty.

What I love most about this recipe is that it lasts. You can make a giant bowl of it on Sunday and still be crunching happily on Wednesday. It actually gets better in the fridge because the flavors continue to develop.

It’s the salad equivalent of a long-term relationship. Yeah, it was great at the start. But, when you get to the point that you’re finishing each other’s sentences? That’s the drea

This easy 7 Ingredient Cheese Sauce for Broccoli recipe is the recipe that will help picky eaters like vegetables! It is so simple to make and one secret tip keeps the cheese sauce smooth and never clumpy! It goes wonderfully with freshly steamed broccoli for that classic side dish everyone loves.

Broccoli Recipes for Picky Eaters

Do you remember years and years ago on that Broccoli Salad post where I chatted about Cade surprising me by cooking a delicious steak dinner and how that was the first time I ate and enjoyed broccoli? Ever since posting about that broccoli he made me, I have received a crazy amount of emails asking for the recipe for his broccoli cheese sauce.

I feel really guilty about taking so long to write about it but Cade never measures so it took some time to figure out exactly what the recipe was. So, without any further babbling, here it is. From the man who didn’t even eat it that first night because it wasn’t healthy and he didn’t eat junk. (I’ve since cured him of that. You’re welcome.)

Ingredients for Cheese Sauce with Broccoli

This is a no roux cheese sauce meaning we aren’t using flour or butter. Here is everything you’ll need:

• Sharp Cheddar Cheese: The star of the sauce! Sharp cheddar will give the most bold cheesy flavor. Buy a block of cheese and grate it yourself for the best meltiness.
• Cornstarch: Toss the grated cheese in cornstarch to help thicken the cheese sauce as the cheese melts. Cornstarch also helps with the emulsion of the cheese and milk. Flour can also be used, but by using cornstarch, you keep the sauce gluten free.
• Evaporated Milk: Acts as the base for the creamy cheese sauce and doesn’t have the heaviness or high fat of cream. It has less water than regular milk which helps the sauce be extra creamy.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Adds flavor and hint of warmth.
• Ground Mustard: Adds flavor that enhances the flavor the cheese. Mustard is also a great emulsifier which helps keep the sauce smooth.
• Broccoli: Using fresh broccoli florets is preferred. Frozen broccoli ends up soggy and don’t hold up to the cheese sauce very well.

How to Make Homemade Cheese Sauce

1. Toss: Add the grated cheese and cornstarch to a large bowl and toss together. Let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.
2. Combine: Add all the ingredients for the sauce over medium-low heat and stir to combine. Whisk until the cheese is melting and it comes to a soft boil. Then whisk constantly for 2 minutes until slightly thickened.
3. Serve: Pour over cooked broccoli with fresh cracked pepper.

The secret for smooth chees

I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve gone out for lunch just because I was craving this salad. Inspired by my deep love for the simple house chop served at Harvest Pizza, it was way past time for me to figure out how to make their salad at home.

Crunchy greens, tangy pepperoncini, and hearty chickpeas are tossed with a sweet Italian dressing and then sprinkled with crumbles of creamy cheese to recreate Harvest’s House Chop Salad.

Sweet Italian Dressing

The base flavor for this salad is the sweet Italian dressing. It’s a smooth, sweet cousin to the zesty Italian dressing that is a staple in my kitchen. It’s bright, sweet, and tangy with lemon, Dijon, and garlic flavors in each bite and just a tiny hint of heat from the red pepper.

Salad Happiness

I’m thrilled to tell you that this salad is a spot-on match for the salad we enjoy so much at Harvest Pizza. And I’m able to make it every day at home now. It feels a bit like my salad-loving heart has found an early Christmas present.

What is a Chopped Salad?

The idea behind the popular chopped salads is that each bite will include a little bit of everything, with no need to cut anything further while eating. The key to a great chopped salad is to cut, slice, or chop every ingredient roughly the same size. The greens are usually cut to approxim

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Broccoli and Cauliflower with Bacon

This indulgent Creamy Garlic Parmesan Broccoli and Cauliflower with Bacon makes the most amazing side dish. It’s a one skillet recipe filled with tender cauliflower and vibrant broccoli simmering in a creamy garlic sauce topped off with gooey cheese and crispy bacon! I can’t wait for dinner!

Upgrade your vegetable game with this delicious and easy recipe for creamy garlic parmesan broccoli and cauliflower topped with crispy bacon. Perfect for an easy side dish or even as a meal on its own.

Ingredients for Creamy Garlic Parmesan Broccoli and Cauliflower

There is so much flavor and creaminess packed into this dish, it almost seems like you aren’t even eating vegetables! Haha! Not that eating vegetables is bad! I love vegetables! But load them up with bacon and garlic and all sorts of cheese and even my picky kiddos eat them! Here is everything you need:

• Bacon: I found thick bacon worked the best, but it adds a lot of grease so make sure you follow the recipe and remove some before adding the butter.
• Butter: I prefer unsalted so that I can control the saltiness a little more.
• Onions: Regular yellow onion is great.
• Broccoli and Cauliflower Florets: The stars of the dish!
• Garlic: adds flavor
• Kosher Salt: adds flavor
• Aleppo Pepper: Aleppo Pepper is a must on top. That tiny fleck of sweet heat takes this dish to a whole new level. It’s not spicy, but it adds that wonderful flavor like a spice would.
• Heavy Cream: adds all the rich creaminess to the sauce
• Lemon Juice: adds a pop of freshness that takes this dish to a new level
• Mozzarella Cheese and Parmesan Cheese: We tried other cheeses like monterey jack and cheddar but the flavor was off with the garlic.

How to Make Creamy Broccoli and Cauliflower

Let’s walk through each step of making this indulgent vegetables dish…

1. Cook: Fry the bacon until crispy in an oven safe pan over medium heat. Once cooked, remove the bacon from the pan to a plate lined with paper towels. Drain most of the bacon grease.
2. Preheat: start the broiler
3. Sauté: Melt the butter in the skillet and add the onions. Cook it until transparent stirring occasionally.
4. Add: Place the broccoli, cauliflower and garlic and season with salt and pepper and toss everything together. Cook until the broccoli is bright green and fork tender.
5. Simmer: Pour the cream in and then reduce the heat to medium low and let it summer until the sauce thickens.
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Easy Ground Beef Vegetable Soup

This Easy Ground Beef Vegetable Soup, or commonly called Hamburger Soup, is the perfect easy soup recipe for a busy day. Our 30 minute soup recipe is a flavorful ground beef based soup loaded with vegetables, lean ground beef, diced tomatoes and potatoes. It’s a one-pot dinner that makes it an easy cozy soup recipe!

Hamburger Soup is a quick and easy ground beef recipe, but don’t worry, as simple as it is to make, it’s still packed with flavor. And best of all, it hits 5 major wins:

1. It’s great made ahead of time
2. Totally budget friendly
3. A one pot meal
4. Reheats well, even better than day 1
5. AND freezes perfectly!

Mom’s Wisdom

One of the first things I learned when I got married was that my mom’s budget-food recipes she sent me off to college with were exactly what I needed as a busy newlywed as well. Easy beef vegetable soup is a filling and inexpensive recipe that makes life so much easier when you’re trying to get dinner on the table.

Mom taught me that homemade soups are super easy to throw together and they’re much tastier than store-bought canned soup, plus healthier too. I like to make a double batch so I can eat one and freeze one!

Ingredients for Ground Beef and Vegetable Soup

• Olive Oil: Used to sauté the onion, garlic, and veggies. It adds flavor and helps everything soften before the broth goes in.
• White Onion: Builds the savory flavor base for the soup. Onions add natural sweetness and depth.
• Ground Beef: The hearty protein that makes this soup filling and comforting. Browning it first adds rich flavor. We use 90/10.
• Garlic: Adds aromatic depth and classic savory notes that round out the broth.
• Carrots: Add sweetness, color, and texture while bringing natural balance to the savory beef.
• Celery: Contributes a mild, earthy flavor that pairs with onion and