Chocolate Chip Cookies

I recently joined my husband in a quest to find the best chocolate chip cookie recipe using my trusted favorite, this one and this one. We had differing opinions on which was best but agreed that they were all quite tasty. Here is my recipe; enjoy!

Steak & Feta Rounds

They sell these at our local grocery store but we decided we could make them ourselves and save a little money. They require very little time to make and are delicious with fresh, steamed vegetables and homemade rolls. For the rolls above, I used the dinner rolls recipe out of the red and white Better Homes and Gardens cookbook; a must have!

BBQ Chicken Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

This salad is easy to make and full of flavor. If you're making this for a large group, combine all ingredients prior to serving. However, if you plan on having leftovers, you might want to make individual salads so that the spinach does not wilt.

Happy cooking!

Hummus & Pita Chips

If you've never had hummus before, I'd encourage you to give it a try. You can whip it up in a heartbeat and pairing it with whole-grain pita chips is a great snack for your ticker! In most grocery stores, the tahini is in the peanut butter aisle. If you have sections with ethnic food, you may also find it among the Indian cuisine.

Making the pita chips is a snap, but make sure to keep an eye on them as they can burn easily.

Happy snacking!

Cilantro Chicken Rice Bowls

Last night I dreamt that I presented this recipe on Oprah, only to have her friend, Gayle, taste it and absolutely HATE it! Gayle may not have an appetite for this dish, but my husband loves these rice bowls and requests them at least weekly. The prep is not difficult, but it does take some time so plan ahead.


To save time, you can use store bought mango salsa, but I think homemade tastes better and is far less expensive.
If you're familiar with Cafe Rio, this dressing recipe is not unlike their house dressing. Try it on your salads!
Happy cooking!

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Is it cold in your neck of the woods? This soup is the perfect dish to warm up with and the best part is that it is incredibly simple and fast to make! If you are in the mood, you could also top with some chopped green onions.

Happy cooking!

Chicken Puffs with Rice and Roasted Carrots

These Chicken Puffs are a breeze to make. You can even put together extra, throw in the freezer and pop in the oven on another day!


For the sides, I cooked up a pot of rice and roasted some baby carrots. I prefer my rice a little on the sticky side and if you do too, I recommend substituting chicken broth for the water. Also, be sure to stay away from minute rice as it just doesn't seem to cook as well. To roast the carrots, simply place on a baking sheet, toss with olive oil and sprinkle with plenty of salt and pepper. Next, throw them in the oven at 400 degrees for 15 minutes.

Bon appetit!