So we know there are a million recipes for cranberry sauce out there, but this one is special because it’s the ONE dish I do not have to make for Thanksgiving dinner! A few years ago, Kevin asked if he could help with anything and of course I said “YES”. That is when Kevin’s Brandied Cranberry Sauce was created and I was able to check cranberry off my holiday prep list forever. Ingredients Fresh cranberries: A superfood filled with nutrients and antioxidents, cranberries are one of the only commercially grown fruits native to the US. If you’re going to pick a fruit to accompany your Thanksgiving dinner, this is it.…
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Honey’d Brussels with Pancetta, Pecans, and Cranberries
This side dish of honey’d brussels with pancetta, pecans, and cranberries was created to add some pizazz to your Thanksgiving table. The sweet and the tangy are right up my alley and, quite honetsly, work well with the heaviness that the turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes with gravy bring to the meal. It would also make a great side dish to serve with roast chicken, a cooked ham, or even prime rib dinners. The Ingredients Brussel sprouts are very healthy. So this side dish is not only impressive on taste, it is packed with Vitamins C & K (good for bones), antioxidents, and fiber. Being in the cruciferous family, they…
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Roasted Cherry Tomato Jam
August is tomato season here in my little corner of Northern California. When the tomatoes come on, they do so all at once and it forces me to find different uses and recipes to create so we can enjoy them for the short 6-8 week time they are available. Roasted Cherry Tomato Jam is a family favorite! My Tomato Jam is a wonderful accompaniment for many dishes. My favorite way to enjoy it is over fresh Burrata cheese with crackers as shown in the photo. If you’re not familiar with Burrata cheese, think soft, creamy, stringy cheese curd with a firm mozzarella shell. It’s like a mozzarella water balloon filled…
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Maple Pecan Scones
This post contains affiliate links where I earn a small commission if you purchase through my website. This income helps me provide great content so I appreciate your thoughtfulness and purchase. If you don’t know by now, I am all about anything semi-homemade. When I found Sticky Finger’s Bakeries Original Scone Mix, I knew it was heaven sent. Here’s a mix you literally just add water to and get a simple scone, perfect for any occasion. Add any ingredients you like and you’ll have a personal creation that makes you feel like a Master Baker. My Maple Pecan Scones have the warmth of cinnamon, the sweet of maple syrup, and…
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Simple Semi-Homemade Lemon Scones
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here. Scones are my weakness. Give me a warm scone and a creamy espresso drink, and I am one happy girl. I don’t care to take the time to measure and weigh out baking dough. I’ve found a scone mix that gives me the ease and simplicity I long for with the taste and texture of a scone I dream about. Sticky Fingers Bakeries Original Scone Mix is the base I use to create my simple and semi-homemade lemon scones. I love to entertain, and I love providing tasty options for my family and guests to munch on. Sticky Fingers Bakeries Scone…
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Bacon Wrapped Shrimp with Pesto Aioli
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here. Bacon-wrapped Shrimp with Pesto Aioli is a 5-ingredient appetizer that goes way back in my recipe archives and is resurrecting itself with a Whole30 spin! Not on Whole30? No problem, substitute products you know and love. I hope you enjoy this simple, yet impressive, Whole30 quick and easy 5 ingredient appetizer. I use large-sized shrimp labeled as 16-20. This label indicates there are 16-20 shrimp allocated per pound. If the shrimp do not already come cleaned, remove the shell leaving the tail on and clean the shrimp by deveining it. For a video on how best to do that, click here.…
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Simple Whole30 Cucumber & Lox Bites
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here. You cannot go wrong with these simple Whole30 Cucumber and Lox Bites. The five healthy ingredients are quick and easy to work with, making this recipe an appetizer that hits all the marks. Besides the fresh, creamy, salty, and crunchy bite you get, it’s healthy, does not require much skill, and it sure looks classy when presented to guests. Being dairy & sugar-free is a big bonus. For Whole30 and Paleo diets, I used Kitehill chive flavored almond milk cream cheese. I also found smoked salmon at Trader Joes without sugar in its ingredient list. Not on Whole30 or follow a Paleo…
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Staying Organized When Hosting Thanksgiving
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here. The holidays are stressful enough when you consider the social side of family and friends gathering, but throw in being the host and that’s a completely different scenario. Whether hosting or a guest, here are some tips on how to stay organized during the days and weeks leading up to Thanksgiving day. First let me start by saying, it has taken me YEARS to get this organized. There were many Thanksgivings where I felt like I had epic failures. I’ve botched gravy, burnt dinner rolls, and I even forgot a whole side dish in the extra refrigerator located in the…
