Hearty Spaghetti Sauce

This is a variation on my mom's sauce. This sauce is really hearty and has a lot of flavor. The best thing is it's super easy, quick to throw together and easy to double for a crowd. It's not totally from scratch, but could be adapted by subbing fresh tomatoes, tomato paste and extra seasonings for the canned sauce. Ingredients: 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil Approx. 1 cup Baby Bella … Read More

Monster Cookies

One of my former co-workers made these for my going away party/shower when I left there, right before I got married (I moved cities). They were so amazing. I couldn't stop eating them! I begged her for the recipe and she obliged. These cookies have a little bit of everything in them making them the perfect cookie-all your favorites in one yummy bite! Monster Cookies Source: My friend … Read More

Rave: Cabana Restaurant in Nashville

This past weekend Adam & I spent the night in Nashville. I used to work and live there, but it was when we were engaged and he was living in a different city, so I didn't stay there on the weekends. Because I went home a lot, I didn't get to experience a lot of the non-chain dining establishments that Nashville has to offer. So, I went out searching thenest.com and yelp.com to find … Read More

Mock Chili’s Salsa

I was so excited when I got this great recipe for Chili's salsa from my friend a few months ago. It is so good and tastes so much like the salsa at Chili's, which I love so much. It has a great balance of flavor and a nice little kick to it. Just a warning though-you may become addicted. We serve this with baked tostitos, which also makes it a nice healthy snack. Ingredients 1 Large can … Read More

Shredded Chicken Tacos & Black Beans

I have a slight addiction to Moe’s burritos, but they are so fattening, so one day I decided to create my own version at home to be healthier. It was so delicious! The flavors in the chicken are a perfect balance of moisture and flavor. I served them at a Sunday School Social once and everyone was asking for the recipe, so I thought I would share it. I begans by using the Mojo marinade that … Read More

Great Grandmother’s Squash Casserole

I can remember my mom making this dish in the summertime growing up with fresh squash from a friend's garden. (We got them from friends because my mom is just now getting a green thumb-no offense mom!) It has such a summery feel and a savory flavor. I thought it would go perfectly with the cobb burgers I made this past weekend, and it did! It's super fresh and has that buttery golden crunch … Read More

Rave: Fiber One

I'm sure all of you are fully aware of the Fiber One Bars. They are so amazing! My favorite is the Oats & Chocolate. It tastes like dessert, without the guilt! Love it! My new favorites though, are their cereals. They are really tasty, and of course have lots of nutritional value. I even had the caramel delight for dessert the other night. It tastes similar to Cinnamon Toast Crunch or … Read More

Dinner Divas: Cobb Burgers

I recently joined a cooking group called dinner divas, with some girls from the what's cooking message boards on thenest.com. I love it because you have your choice of four meals and have an entire month to try and cook one or all of them. I wanted to try the chicken cobb burgers, but couldn't find ground chicken anywhere, so I just made regular bleu cheese burgers. Adam & I had tried … Read More

Honey Lime Shrimp

I have been on such an asian food kick lately. It probably has something to do with my Olympics obsession. I am glued to it every night until the wee hours of the morning! Anyway, I had some shrimp that I thawed out to make shrimp scampi, but I was so in the mood for more thai food. Using the left over ingredients from my Thai food, I concocted this marinade. We ate them with the leftover … Read More

Carribean Fruit Punch

Adam & I went on our honeymoon two years ago to St. John at the Caneel Bay Resort. It was so amazing! It was the perfect carribean location...no shoes, no shirt, no problems, as Kenny Chesney would say (he does have a home there!). Cool ocean breeze, crystal clear blue water, food of royalty, and not a care in the world. Everywhere on the resort they served this amazing fruit punch (well, … Read More