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Showing posts with label dinner. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dinner. Show all posts

Monday, November 17, 2014

Beer Braised Brisket over Polenta with Onion Jam


Note, this post is sponsored by Fiji Water-Perfection Takes Time, but all thoughts, opinions, and content are my own!

Beer Braised Brisket over Polenta with Onion Jam | The Sweets Life
We are a family that is always on the go. A free weeknight is rare, a weekend, even rarer. I'm usually thinking two steps ahead and rushing full speed to get there. As I result, I tend to opt for quick and easy meals. Unfortunately, as much as I strive for efficiency, too often I fall into the trap of taking shortcuts and rushing through life. When I purposefully take a step back, slow down, and, cliche as it sounds, enjoy the ride, I witness a bit of perfection that would otherwise never come to fruition. I've noticed this in parenthood, in my marriage, and, yes, in my food. There's something particularly satisfying about a meal that you planned and then took time perfecting, far more satisfying than a rushed and distracted thirty minutes. 
Pin ItBeer Braised Brisket over Polenta with Onion Jam | The Sweets Life
The fact of the matter is, sometimes the best things in life take a little extra time.... waiting for homemade ice cream to churn and then freeze is ultimately more rewarding than anything you can eat out of a carton, Fiji Water, yes, you know the fancy water I'm talking about, tastes particularly fresh because it is tapped at the source after its journey from cloud to aquifer, and that ten year old friendship that's been cultivated over years is always going to mean more than the new acquaintance down the street. The same can be said about this beer-braised brisket served over cheesy polenta.
Beer Braised Brisket over Polenta with Onion Jam | The Sweets Life

It's a two day process, beginning with a four hour cook in the oven, an overnight rest to soak up flavor, and a final reheat of the tender meat. The finished product melts in your mouth; the creamy polenta sops up all of the juices left behind and the caramelized onion jam takes the entire dish up a notch. This recipe is a labor of love, and one that deservedly tastes as such! Learn this lesson alongside of me; when you slow down enough to savor something, even at the expense of your supposedly valuable time, you gain perspective, patience, and, dare I say it, perfection!

For the recipe, and many other 'Perfection Takes Time' Recipes, head over to Fiji Water!

Friday, November 14, 2014

Scrambled Grains with Mushrooms


Scrambled Grains with Mushrooms | The Sweets Life
Scrambled Grains with Mushrooms 

I hint at our work lives on this blog from time to time, so long-time readers may recall that for years Ryan and I worked for the same company (and carpooled to work!). He changed jobs a few months ago and while I really miss being chauffeured to and from work each day, this job is a much better fit for him and it's exciting to see him doing something he loves so much. We're no longer coming and going at the same time and there are times that he has a later meeting and doesn't make it home for that crucial "mom's trying to get dinner on the table and Brecken needs to be occupied" period. As long as Brecken isn't hungry or tired this is no big deal, she's more than happy to sit at my feet and play (she prefers tupperware and spice bottles over actual toys, go figure). There are days, however, when she just wants to be held and because I'm a sucker for baby cuddles, especially after a long day at work, I'm more than happy to acquiesce. 
Pin ItScrambled Grains with Mushrooms | The Sweets Life

Because I only have two arms, baby cuddling and making dinner is an impossible feat, which is why I'm forever grateful for my Ergo. For the record, this isn't a sponsored post or anything, I just really love my ergo. Depending on her mood (and how she napped that day!), Brecken either loves to burrow in and have some cozy quiet time or she's interested in every move I make, arms flailing trying to "help" me stir or saute or plate. Either way I'm happy for the time together, but I prefer simple meals without a ton of work because even with Brecken tucked away in the Ergo, cooking is automatically more complicated. This scrambled grains meal was on the menu on one such night and making it while wearing her was doable (meaning if you're doing this sans child, it's even easier!). This dish is very similar to one of my all-time favorites, Quinoa Fried Rice. I used mushrooms (pre-sliced, a lifesaver) and kale, but much like the Quinoa Fried Rice, you can use whatever vegetables you have on hand. You can also swap any grains for the quinoa. This is a great weeknight meal options--it's fast and healthy, and got the Brecken (and Ryan and Natalie!) stamp of approval!

Four Years Ago: Recipe Rewind and Shrimp Fajitas
Five Years Ago: Candy Sushi and Asian Meatballs

Friday, November 7, 2014

Pesto Mushroom JalapeƱo Pizza

Pesto Mushroom JalapeƱo Pizza | The Sweets Life
Pesto Mushroom JalapeƱo Pizza 
My favorite way to vacation is by renting a house vs. staying in a hotel. We've done that for a lot of our travels over the past few years, renting places in D.C., Arizona, and Charleston, to name a few, and now that we have Brecken, renting a house is absolutely the better option. We like being able to put Brecken in a separate room and not worrying about disturbing her if we stay up later. We also like more SPACE because goodness knows between all the stuff babies need and my terrible propensity to overpack. Most of all, we like having amenities like a washer and dryer and a kitchen! Much as I love exploring new restaurants on vacation, it's nice to be able to prepare some meals or stay in for easy breakfasts or lunches. On our most recent trip to Orlando for my cousin's wedding, my entire family rented a beautiful house with laundry facilities, bedrooms for all (no easy feat now that there are 8 of us plus 2 babies!), and a POOL. It also had a kitchen that we took advantage of, but on our last evening there we were tired from rocking the dance floor at the wedding and splashing around with the babies in the pool, and we opted to order in pizza.
Pin ItPesto Mushroom JalapeƱo Pizza | The Sweets Life
I've heard of Mellow Mushroom, but this was my first introduction to the pizza chain and we were impressed by the inventive topping combinations and the right balance of toppings to crust / sauce / cheese (in my book more toppings is always better!). Of the three we tried, the Magical Mystery Tour was my favorite. The best part of that pizza was the heat from the jalapenos and I knew the next pizza I made at home would include the spicy pepper! My version is slightly different, I swapped havarti for the feta and mozzarella, simply because that was what I had on hand (although my sister and I decided this was even better than the original!) and completely forgot about the spinach (I'll add next time!), but even without the green veggie I'm willing to bet my version was decidedly healthier and undoubtedly tastier! This homemade pizza is about as easy as it gets, if you buy premade pesto and use presliced mushrooms, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner. And you can't beat eating pizza in the middle of the week that tastes like vacation!
Pesto Mushroom JalapeƱo Pizza | The Sweets Life
One Year Ago: Linguine with Brussels Sprouts, Cranberries, and Caramelized Onions
Two Years Ago: Spicy Panfried Chickpeas with Lemon, Thyme, and Shallots and Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Cauliflower Bisque with Avocado
Three Years Ago: Whole Wheat Pumpkin Waffles and M&M Cookie Bars
Four Years Ago: Butternut Squash and Kale Minestrone and Pumpkin Spice Roasted Chickpeas

Monday, November 3, 2014

Ravioli with Pumpkin Yogurt Sauce


Ravioli with Pumpkin Yogurt Sauce | The Sweets Life
Ravioli with Pumpkin Yogurt Sauce 
If there was an awards ceremony for the season, Fall 2014 in St. Louis would undoubtedly win. We have had the best fall weather...brisk mornings but warm afternoons, and colors that rival what you would find on the east coast. I'm usually not as gung-ho about fall as most people in the area are, mostly because it precedes the season that shall not be named, but this year I've been completely smitten.
Pin ItRavioli with Pumpkin Yogurt Sauce | The Sweets Life
While you won't find me running through the Starbucks drive-thru for a pumpkin spice latte each week, I will celebrate in my kitchen, beginning with this fall-inspired ravioli recipe. As you know, I'm all about quick and easy recipes lately and this five ingredient recipe fits in the bill. We've been eating a lot of Noosa Yoghurt lately, so when I randomly got an email from them asking me to create a recipe with one of their yogurts, I didn't have to think twice before saying yes. My personal favorites include the coconut and tart cherry flavors, but in celebration of fall you can find pumpkin at Target and it is to die for! Even if they hadn't reached out to me, I likely would've been talking up this flavor in one of my Odds & Ends post because it might be my favorite flavor of yogurt ever! 
Ravioli with Pumpkin Yogurt Sauce | The Sweets Life
Because their pumpkin yogurt isn't too sweet, I knew it would work well in a savory recipe and after being wowed by some pumpkin ravioli at a restaurant recently, I was determined to give it a try. My goal was to keep things simple and let the flavor of the yogurt shine through. All I did was add a little nutmeg and some pasta cooking water to create a sauce that coated the cooked pasta. Topped with fresh thyme and toasted pecans, this dinner had all three of us (yes, even 9-month old Brecken!) singing its praises! If you're looking to celebrate this glorious fall we've had, this is the way to do it!

One Year Ago: Maine 2013
Two Years Ago: Brown Butter Pumpkin Cake with Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting
Three Years Ago: Blues City Deli (Best of 2011) and Butternut Squash, Ricotta, and Sage Crostini
Four Years Ago: Roasted Eggplant and Peppers Tart with Chickpea Crust
Five Years Ago: Chocolate Chip Coconut Pumpkin Bars and Spinach Artichoke Frittata 

Friday, October 24, 2014

Turkey Pumpkin Chili



Turkey Pumpkin Chili | The Sweets Life
Turkey Pumpkin Chili 

When cans of pumpkin fill up the grocery store shelves this time of year, I can't seem to leave the store without at least a few cans in my cart. I don't have the pantry space to "stock up" on any item, meaning I pretty much always shop according to my meal plan. The exception is pumpkin, and this couldn't have been more apparent when I recently looked in the cabinet and counted at least four cans of pumpkin taking up space! Truth be told, I'd rather take up precious real estate than be without any pumpkin when the urge to cook or bake strikes. This chili took care of two of my cans (which I promptly replaced!), and ranks high on the list of my favorite recipes I've made this season. 
Pin ItTurkey Pumpkin Chili | The Sweets Life
Starting with a Whole Foods recipe, I doubled it (because extra chili is never a bad thing!), added a few ingredients, and found myself with a giant pot of comforting (and healthy) chili on the stovetop one Sunday. We ate it, and shared with friends, for a few days and still had enough left over to freeze and pull out for packed lunches a few weeks later. This chili is hearty but not heavy, and pumpkin haters need not worry, the vegetable essentially melts into the rest of the chili, adding nutritional value, but the flavor is completely undetectable. This will be a staple in our kitchen for the next few months, meaning I'm going to need to buy even more pumpkin to have on hand...I'm not complaining!
Turkey Pumpkin Chili | The Sweets Life
One Year Ago: Chicken Salad with Avocado Dressing
Two Years Ago: Pumpkin Spice Granola and Spicy Asian Chicken with Brussels Sprouts
Three Years Ago: Pumpkin Roll and Pepperoni Polenta Pizza
Four Years Ago: Amaretto Chunk Cookies and Pumpkin Cheesecake Dip
Five Years Ago: Tropical Bran Bread

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage, Spinach, and Tomatoes


Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage, Spinach, and Tomatoes | The Sweets Life
Skillet Gnocchi with Sausage, Spinach, and Tomatoes
Pre-kid weekends looked a little bit different than our weekends do now. We used to sleep as late as we wanted (which, truth be told, was never past 8 am), often headed out to run together, and then spent our days doing whatever it is that we wanted. For me, that usually involved spending multiple hours in the kitchen, often taking advantage of the extra time I had and preparing more labor-intensive meals that I'd normally pass on during the week. Nowadays we're up earlier, which is actually something we love...and don't hate me, but we are sometimes up before Brecken on the weekends!, we try to coordinate workouts around naptimes, and I'm soaking up every spare minute with Brecken after missing her all work week long. Occasionally I'll strive to make a more complex recipe, but most of the time the "30 minute weeknight recipes" are showing up on our travel on the weekends too.
Pin ItSkillet Gnocchi with Sausage, Spinach, and Tomatoes | The Sweets Life
This particular skillet gnocchi dish was hastily prepared on a Sunday night, in between a trip to the playground and a miniature concert in the living room with Brecken's electronic piano. I added spinach to the original recipe to get some greens in and turn this into a one-dish meal. There are a ton of flavors of sausage and chicken sausage out there so you can easily use your favorite; I believe the ones I used for this were sundried tomato and basil flavored. Note that while the recipe serves 4, since it was the only thing we ate that night there was only a tiny bit left for lunchtime leftovers...but maybe we're just pigs!

One Year Ago: Mexican Calzones
Two Years Ago: Banana Oatmeal Cookies with Candied Ginger & Chocolate Chips
Three Years Ago: Connecticut & NYC 
Four Years Ago: SautĆ©ed Cabbage, Apples, and Zucchini
Five Years Ago: White Chocolate Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Lighter Chicken Pot Pie


Lighter Chicken Pot Pie | The Sweets Life
Lighter Chicken Pot Pie 

Shortcuts are necessary. Of course I wish I had the time to make homemade bread or my own hummus each week, but the reality is I have to take some shortcuts. There are weeks where I can find a few extra hours to go the extra mile in the kitchen, but when I can't, I'm turning to meals like this one!
Pin ItLighter Chicken Pot Pie | The Sweets Life
I took Martha Stewart's more complicated recipe and introduced a few shortcuts, such as a bag of frozen vegetables and cooked and shredded chicken I already had on hand. I omitted onion (was trying to avoid any chopping!) and added a teaspoon of kickin' chicken seasoning to jazz up the flavor (which worked tremendously well!). These changes saved me at least 20 minutes which may not seem like much, but it's amazing what else I can get done in those 20 minutes!
Lighter Chicken Pot Pie | The Sweets Life
As it turned out, I ended up freezing this and cooking it a few weeks later. It help up remarkably well and is going on my list of freezer meals to make during my next marathon freezer-cooking session with friends. My only comment is that phyllo doesn't reheat well in the microwave; we didn't mind eating it the second night a little soggy, but you may want to plan to share with friends or divide into smaller portions if you know you'll have leftovers!

One Year Ago: Apple Butter Baked Oatmeal
Two Years Ago: Bogart's Smokehouse and Shredded Vegetable Detox Salad 
Three Years Ago: Broccoli Apple Salad and Zucchini Pumpkin Cranberry Bread
Four Years Ago: Pomegranate Banana Bread and October Special Egg Sandwich
Five Years Ago: Pork Chops with SautĆ©ed Apples and Best Ever Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Monday, September 29, 2014

Chicken Chopped Salad with Avocado Dressing



Chicken Chopped Salad with Avocado Dressing | The Sweets Life
Chicken Chopped Salad with Avocado Dressing 
Now that we're bidding September adieu, my guess is that people are starting to crave warmer, comfort-style foods. I'm right there with you, but I'm not completely ready to stop making salads (although I'll definitely be making more fall-inspired salads, like this one).
Pin ItChicken Chopped Salad with Avocado Dressing | The Sweets Life
Before you completely swear off salads in favor of soups and stews, give this one a try! It comes together in about 20 minutes, perfect for a weeknight. Keep it vegetarian by omitting the chicken or skip the pita chips and stick it in a pita pocket instead. Our favorite part was definitely the avocado dressing and we used the leftover dressing on side salads the next few nights. It kept well for 3 or 4 days!
Chicken Chopped Salad with Avocado Dressing | The Sweets Life
Looking for another chopped salad with an equally awesome avocado dressing? Try my Southwestern Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing!

One Year Ago: Meskerem Ethiopian Restaurant
Two Years Ago: Two Days in California Wine Country and Herbed Sundried Tomato Tapenade
Three Years Ago: Eggplant and Mushroom Veggie Balls and French Onion Soup
Four Years Ago: Basil Parmesan Crackers and POM Banana Blueberry Popsicles
Five Years Ago: Chocolate Marshmallow Bars and Tortilla Pinwheels

Friday, September 19, 2014

Kale Waldorf Salad

Kale Waldorf Salad | The Sweets Life
Kale Waldorf Salad 
When I menu plan for the week ahead, I always try to incorporate a fair amount of variety into dinner each night. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge proponent of leftovers and they appear on our table at least once or twice a week. However, on the nights I’m cooking, I try to mix up the cuisine / genre, protein source, and even the texture or temperature of a dish (unless it’s January and then I’m okay eating soup every night for a week!).
Pin ItKale Waldorf Salad | The Sweets Life

Usually at least once a week I plan for a lighter entrĆ©e, typically in the form of a giant salad. We have a few of our favorites that we return to again and again (like this grilled vegetable salad, this sweet potato, kale, apple salad, and this shredded vegetable detox salad), but I’m always on the lookout for new ones to add to the list. This kale waldorf salad, from Whole Foods, is unique in that it relies on pureed walnuts and apple in the dressing instead of oil. I was skeptical, but didn’t miss the oil one bit, especially since you’re still getting healthy fats from the nuts. I did add a bit of water to thin the dressing to my liking, but I liked how the dressing clung to the kale leaves, softening the salad and helping to bulk up your usual kale salad. Because kale is so hardy, this is a great make-ahead salad…the leftovers I took for my lunch the next day weren’t soggy or unappetizing in the slightest! Next time you’re looking for a salad to round out your meal plan (just add some crusty bread to finish it off), give this one a try.
Kale Waldorf Salad | The Sweets Life

One Year Ago: Grilled Salmon with Avocado Tomato Salsa

Two Years Ago: Mixed Berries with Mascarpone Limoncello Cream and Kale Salad with Garlic Vinaigrette
Three Years Ago: Cake Batter Rice Krispy Treats and Sweet Potato Chorizo Empanadas with Avocado Cream
Four Years Ago: Chocolate Fudge Drops and Creamy Vegetable and Edamame Risotto
Five Years Ago: German Chocolate Cookies

Monday, September 8, 2014

Spicy Pasta with Zucchini and Leeks


Spicy Pasta with Zucchini and Leeks 

I’m sure many of you, like me, have a handful of grocery staples. You buy whatever you need for your meal plan or maybe grab a few impulse purchases each week, but more often than not you have your basics that are always in your cart. For us this includes Greek yogurt, kale, bananas, and zucchini. Okay, and chocolate chips.
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I like always having zucchini on hand because it’s easy to slice and eat with hummus, we absolutely love zucchini bread (with chocolate chips of course), and it’s a versatile vegetable that can be added to just about any meal. Take this pasta, for instance. Pasta often gets a bad reputation, especially in today’s age of “fear the carb” and “avoid gluten like the plague”, but this dish is fairly healthy and not oozing with cream or cheese. It only takes a few basic ingredients that you likely have on hand (especially if zucchini is one of your staples!) and you aren’t going to have to slave away in the kitchen for hours to get dinner on the table!

Friday, September 5, 2014

Breakfast Quesadillas [with Scrambled Eggs and Vegetables]


Breakfast Quesadillas | The Sweets Life
Breakfast Quesadillas 
It's inevitable. Every time I make enchiladas, I end up with a few spare tortillas, taking up space in my cheese drawer. Sometimes I get my act together and turn them into cinnamon sugar chips to eat with fruit salsa, but more often than not they sit untouched and forgotten, until I make enchiladas, buying another pack of tortillas, and guiltily tossing the old ones. Forgotten tortillas, no more! Instead turn that handful of spares into breakfast quesadillas. We eat them for brunch or dinner, with whatever other spare ingredients we can scrounge up. The premise is simple: make a batch of scrambled eggs, with as many or as little mix-ins as you'd like, then sandwich the eggs between two tortillas with a hefty sprinkle of cheese and you have yourself breakfast quesadillas!
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Breakfast Quesadillas | The Sweets Life
The combination I've made most recently, and what you'll find here today, has a bit of a Mexican flair, with bell peppers and spinach, spiced with cumin and chile powder. We prefer them with sour cream and an avocado tomato salsa, but you're free to make these your own. We've thrown in black beans, bacon, even leftover brats! The key is to add cheese on both sides of the quesadilla (under and on top of the egg mixture) to give it some sticking power when you cut into triangles! We might call them breakfast quesadillas, but they're a favorite for lunch or dinner in our house too. Don't ever let those spare tortillas get lost in the fridge again.
Breakfast Quesadillas | The Sweets Life
 In other news, I have to give a shout-out to my mom today on her 50th birthday! The first time I made these was actually with her, so it’s appropriate that they’re posted on her birthday, especially since cooking together is one of my favorite ways to spend time with her! Love you mom!

One Year Ago: JalapeƱo Lime Slaw
Five Years Ago: Greek Salad

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Roast Beef with Roasted Tomatoes Sandwiches


Roast Beef with Roasted Tomatoes Sandwiches | The Sweets Life
Roast Beef with Roasted Tomatoes Sandwiches

A few days ago marked five years on the calendar since I began this blog. Five years! A lot has changed in those 1,825 days, both in my own life and also in the blogging world. I’ve struggled a lot with whether it was finally time to say au revoir to my tiny piece of the food blog world. I’m not ever going to be the most talented or most popular and I’m 100% okay with that. I’m certainly not blogging to become rich or famous. I genuinely love this hobby of mine but there’s no doubt that it’s a lot of work and quite frankly, I’m much more interested in devoting any free time toward Brecken and Ryan.

All that being said, I’m not quite ready to give up on the blog yet. I still love The Sweets Life for all the reasons I’ve always loved it. It’s a fantastic creative outlet, completely different from my daytime job. It forces me to try new things in the kitchen and gets me excited about cooking. It connects me to other food lovers—whether complete strangers or my own family and friends. There’s still nothing better than hearing from someone who has tried a blog recipe and loved it as much as I did!
Pin ItRoast Beef with Roasted Tomatoes Sandwiches | The Sweets Life
Will I keep blogging forever? Nope. But will I keep blogging for now? Yes! I’m still going to stick with recipes Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, with my Odds & Ends post on Saturday. The key for me is to keep this a hobby and not a stressor—if finding time in my evenings and weekends to work on the blog continues to feel impossible I may cut back more. My problem lately isn’t the cooking—I’m still doing a fair amount of it—it’s the photographing and posting and the time that requires.

I can’t quit yet, however, because I’m still eating too many good things that, quite simply, must be shared! These sandwiches, while completely simple and ordinary sounding, fall into that category. What’s so special about sandwiches for dinner? Nothing. That is, until you roast your tomatoes and mix some horseradish and sour cream together, and suddenly you have a semi-fancy (but still fast and easy!) sandwich for dinner. Wins all around!
















One Year Ago: Citrus Marinated Chicken Thighs 
Two Years Ago: Buttermilk Pancakes with Mascarpone, Berries, and Granola
Three Years Ago: Grilled Salmon with Tomato Peach Salsa and World Peace Cookies
Four Years Ago: The Fountain on Locust
Five Years Ago: Raisin Bran Muffins

Monday, September 1, 2014

Breakfast for Dinner: 14 Favorites

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Check out Breakfast for Dinner: 14 Favorites
by Natalie McLaury at Foodie.com
It's Labor Day, which means I'm not laboring and hopefully you aren't either! We've spent the weekend celebrating birthdays (Ryan's and my mom's) in Chicago and are making the trek back to St. Louis today. Like I do every time I return from vacation, I'll be spending part of the time in the car planning our menu for the week. I'm keeping things simple with a few freezer meals, a few nights of planned leftovers, and one of my favorites--breakfast for dinner!
Huevos Rancheros Wraps

I think of waffles whenever I think of breakfast for dinner, I think because that's what we grew up with, but in truth, we eat eggs for dinner more than any other breakfast food. That being said, it's time to expand our breakfast for dinner repertoire, because nothing sounds more comforting than breakfast mac n cheese or a breakfast hamburger...admittedly both more on the "dinner" end of the spectrum but with breakfast-like elements nonetheless.
Sourdough Pancakes

Might I recommend you incorporate breakfast into your dinner this week somehow? I've created a slideshow of some of my favorites...some from the blog, like Pesto Quiche with Oatmeal Crust and Lemon Cornmeal Waffles with Berry Compote, and others, like the aforementioned mac n cheese and burgers that I'm eager to try! Check out my entire collection on Foodie, here.

Note--This post was created and sponsored as part of my partnership with Foodie by Mode Media.