Butternut Squash & Black Bean Enchiladas

HAPPY NEW YEEEEEARRRRR!!! :) It's 2016, and things are looking good! How do you guys herald the new year? Do you make copious resolutions to do better/be better/change things? Are you first in line at the gym to work off all those holiday pounds? Or, like me, do you start cooking? (I hope the answer is yes!)

I stopped making new year's resolutions long ago. I figured that if I have to wait until a new year arrives in order to make changes in my life, I'm probably not all that ready to change. You know? But that's just me. I wish you all the success this new year. :)

Elote: Mexican Street Corn

GUYS. Oh. My. Goodness. We are in JULY!! What the heck happened to JUNE? And where have I been for the past MONTH? And why have I neglected my BLOG?

There are good answers to all these questions, I promise. Here's the biggie: I totaled my car on May 31st...I hit a deer on my way home from church. The (pregnant) deer died...along with my beloved car...and thus began the circus of insurance claims, insurance settlements, Carfax searches, used car queries, test drives, pre-purchase inspections, and rental cars...the WORKS! THAT'S what happened to June. That's where I've been for the past month. And that's why my poor blog has sat, untouched, since May 21. I'm very sorry...but thanks for understanding!

Turkey Stuffed Avocado Tacos

Hi, friends! It's nearly the end of May! This year is seriously flying away. Wow. North Texas has gotten some pretty crazy weather lately, too! Tornadoes and flooding and earthquakes, oh my!

But that doesn't stop spring flavors from entering my kitchen. These stuffed avocado tacos made my day! I saw the recipe and fell in love immediately. The original uses ground beef, but I figured I could make a leaner recipe using healthy turkey!

Shredded Pork Sliders with Fresh Mango Slaw

As I mentioned in my last post, I had a recent kitchen victory! Let me tell you the background story. In the past, I've attempted to make pork carnitas in my slow cooker, with ZERO success. Ugh. When I've tried, I always follow the directions EXACTLY, and it would smell so wonderful after eight hours in the crock pot. I'd rush into the kitchen and grab my forks, ready to shred some tender, juicy pork, and.....it was never what the recipe promised. Though always tasty, it would be chewy and sometimes tough...always disappointing.

 I have no idea what went wrong each time--whether I didn't get the right cut of meat, whether I didn't trim enough fat or didn't add enough liquid for the meat to soak up...in any case, my pork attempts always left me with dashed hopes and feeling like a kitchen failure, ha! I took it really personally, but I learned something new each time.

Roasted Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tostadas with Avocado Lime Crema

Hello, friends! Oh my gosh, it is GORGEOUS outside today! My windows are open and letting the sun in...the wind is blowing and it's warm, but not too warm. It's the perfect day for a picnic or a bike ride or something lovely, spent with pleasant people. (Yet, here I am, behind my computer, blogging. Eh...such is life).

I'm late posting this recipe--I made it a few weeks ago and haven't had time to write it out or edit the photos. I reached a point today of deciding that it doesn't have to be *perfect* in order for me to share, so I'm going to share it anyway!

Crunchy Tilapia Tacos with Red Cabbage Slaw and Fresh Pineapple Salsa

Hi, friends! I hope you're well and enjoying the not-icy weather these days. So here's the deal: I love tacos. I especially love fish tacos. Mmm. A good fish taco just makes the foodie in me so happy!

Sweet and Spicy Asian Salmon with Strawberry-Pineapple Salsa

As promised, I'm back again with the second recipe of the day! I couldn't be happier :) I really love salmon, guys. I find it flavorful, tasty, and it contains all those wonderful, heart-loving omega-3s!

I also love pairing salmon with fruit; particularly a bright, cheery salsa like the one I made today! It has fresh strawberries, fresh pineapple, a little bell pepper, and some cilantro. YUM. While we're on the topic of pineapple, it occurs to me that I rarely purchase fresh pineapple, and there's not really a good reason for it. I LOVE pineapple! I hereby resolve to make it a more permanent part of my kitchen staples :)

Turkey Tamale Pie

Hi, friends! Are you in need of a way to use some of your Thanksgiving turkey leftovers? Look no further! The answer lies here, in this Turkey Tamale Pie! :)

So, like many of my great ideas, I stumbled upon this recipe completely by accident. When I was growing up, my mom used to make a really comforting, delicious Turkey Pie (which I now know to be "turkey pot pie")--and I've never made it as an adult. She's given me the recipe, but I was searching for other versions just to see what was out there.

Asian Glazed Sesame Salmon with Asparagus and Brown Rice

Hello! And to say it ad nauseum as if you haven't already heard it a thousand times, "May the fourth be with you!" (Sorry. I wouldn't do it otherwise...but...*shrug*) Today's post will be short and sweet, for everyone's benefit.

Shrimp, Black Bean, and Bell Pepper Tostadas

Today has been a very relaxed, "do as little as possible" kind of day. I love that about Sundays :) I extended my "do as little as possible" to my lunch plans as well--I wanted something easy, quick, healthy, and tasty.

As such, I am very thankful for foods like pre-cooked shrimp, canned black beans, and corn tortillas--they made my life so much easier today! This tostada topping would also make a wonderful filling for tacos, so keep that in mind if searching for variations.

Strawberry Mango Salsa with Baked Salmon

It's late summer now, and I am SO EXCITED because that means one thing: fall is coming!!! The way I see it: if you don't like fall, you're wrong. Fall is the best time of the year, ever. Period. I mean, come on--in addition to fall attire (boots, scarves, sweaters--hooray!), the weather is fabulous for football, bonfires...and fall FOOD?!! Oh, don't even get me started. Ugh, I can't wait! :)

In the meantime, though, I'm not trying to hate on summer, because summer definitely comes with so many AMAZING, fresh, wonderful flavors, like those showcased in the delightful salsa I made today! Mango, strawberries, cilantro, red onion, and lime juice = Strawberry Mango Salsa. Seriously, that's it. No salt, no pepper (unless you want to add it), and you have a bowlful of summer! Mmm.

Korean Beef Bowl

It's been two weeks since I last posted, but it feels like forever! Work has been incredibly busy with all of the new student orientations, and by the time I get home, all I want to do is SLEEP--the kitchen can wait! I'm loving my job, though, so I'm thrilled! :)

It felt so good to be back in there today, though, and cooking with some savory, delicious flavors! This Korean beef bowl is actually a "cheater" recipe; a twist on a Korean dish called bulgogi. Bulgogi is traditionally made with marinated seared steak.  This ground beef version is much faster, extremely delicious, and very inexpensive to make!

Healthy Red Bean & Avocado Tostadas with Creamy Cilantro Sauce

So I've been making a lot of delicious sweet treats lately, and I really felt the need for a change of pace toward a healthier dish. These tostadas fit the bill perfectly! Everything in them contains heart-healthy whole grains, filling protein, and good-for-you flavors!

Restaurant Style Salsa with Baked Lime Tortilla Chips

Yesterday was cinco de Mayo, and I didn't get to celebrate! You see, I threw an enormous party for my Dad's 60th birthday on Saturday. The party was wonderful--we had a huge turnout and everyone had a great time. Party planning is hard work, though, and THIS one completely wore me out, so I didn't do a THING yesterday. As such, I'm having my celebration a day late-- I doubt you mind : )

I proudly present to you: Restaurant Style Salsa with Baked Lime Tortilla Chips... all together now, "Mmmmm!" You know how I feel about easy, tasty recipes--they are my FAVORITE. This is one such recipe--I hope you love it!