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recipes

How to Make Sweet Potato Casserole: Best Thanksgiving Recipes

by Deborah Cruz 2021/11/17

Of all the Thanksgiving Recipes I use my Sweet Potato Casserole is the one I’m asked for the most often. As Thanksgiving recipes go, this one is a favorite in our house. It’s based on the sweet potato casserole recipe made famous by the Grandview Lodge in North Carolina. We don’t spend every Thanksgiving in the Smokies but that doesn’t mean I can’t give my family that delicious home-cooked taste they’ve come to love. Below is the easy recipe for how to make sweet potato casserole recipe that has become synonymous with autumn in our house.

As far as Thanksgiving recipes go, this is the one must have ( aside from my Thanksgiving turkey recipe) that our family always wants me to bake. It also happens to be one of the side dish casseroles that people will ask me to bring to their assorted holiday functions. It is truly that good. I’ve even had family tell me that they would forgo the mashed potato recipes and Thanksgiving gravy for this sweet potato casserole. It’s truly a Thanksgiving recipe favorite that your family will be asking for for years to come.

This is a bit of a Thanksgiving recipe secret so shhhh! It’s simple and delicious and people will think you were working in a hot kitchen all day. If you’re like me, you can even put it all together the night before ( to reduce the amount of kitchen time on Thanksgiving Day) and then just pop it in the oven for the last 45 minutes of your turkey baking time.

Best Thanksgiving Recipes: Sweet Potato Casserole

Ingredients – How to make Sweet Potato Casserole

3 cups sweet potatoes, baked and mashed
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup margarine or butter, melted
1 cup sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup milk

Ingredients – Topping

1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup butter
1 cup chopped pecans

In a large mixing bowl, beat together the first 6 ingredients.

Pour into a lightly greased 9 x 13-inch or two 9 x 9-inch baking pans.

In a food processor fitted with a steel knife, combine ingredients for topping until crumbly or use a pastry blender to cut butter into brown sugar and flour until crumbly.

Mix in the chopped pecans.

Sprinkle topping mixture over the sweet potatoes.

At this point, the dish can be refrigerated (covered).

Photo: Pinch of Yum

Bake uncovered in a preheated 350-degree oven for 45 to 50 minutes until browned and bubbly.

Let cool slightly before serving.

Enjoy with your other favorite Thanksgiving Recipes. This sweet potato casserole recipe will surely be a Thanksgiving recipe that you will come back to year after year.

Thanksgiving Recipes are the best. What’s your favorite Thanksgiving side dish?

2021/11/17 11 comments

Food

Delicious Farmer’s Market Sandwich Recipes for the Whole Family

by Deborah Cruz 2021/04/30

written by Deborah Cruz

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Spring is here. We’re a month out from the end of the longest virtual school year ever. The girls and I have all been working hard to make it off this struggle bus of pandemic living. We’re in full survival mode and right now, survival means adding something to look forward to each and every day, even if that just means something as simple as a facial mask or some new recipes.

Jump to Recipe

We should have never left the house for spring break. What should have been a welcome reprieve from our pandemic isolation ended up with us catching a severe case of senioritis. If you know, you know. Think the last 2 months of pregnancy…get out. The worst part is that I have to be the adult and encourage my girls to just hang in there, it’s “almost over” when all I want to do is quit. Talk about mom faking it until we make it.

Disclosure: This is a compensated post in partnership with S.Rosen’s Baking Company. But all opinions and love of grilled cheese are my own.

To break up the monotony, I’ve been trying to get us safely out of the house more often. With the nice weather, that means more trips to outdoor venues, even if it’s just walking around the neighborhood pathways or the local Farmer’s market. But in doing so, that means not just fresh air but tiny, new adventures. Baby step adventures in travel, exploration and food and that feels just the littlest bit “normal” and I am here for it. Life feels new, fresh and exciting right now (just because it feels like normalcy may be possible again in the near future) and it hasn’t felt that way in a long time. I feel hopeful.

Delicious Farmer's Market Sandwich Recipes for the Whole Family, grilled cheese

Since we’re spending more time at the local Farmer’s market anyway, why not try some new recipes Farmer’s Market Inspired Grilled Cheeses?

Springtime is here and we’re craving something fresh. While all those fresh veggies can be absolutely delicious, they may not be everyone’s favorite food at the table. Though growing up, my mom’s grilled cheese was my favorite thing to eat. In fact, I couldn’t eat anything else during the first 6 months of my 1st pregnancy. Thankfully, my mom was happy to oblige and I’m happy to oblige my girls when they ask for my grilled cheese sandwiches.

But what about those fresh veggies you just bought at the Farmer’s market? Enter a unique mashup of grilled cheese and fresh veggies. These modular recipes bring together everyone’s favorite comfort food, grilled cheese with garden fresh veggies in easy to modify recipes. You can easily and quickly leave out select ingredients and customize each sandwich as needed for certain family members. Though we’d suggest NOT leaving out the bread and cheese – that could be a bit difficult.

Farmer’s Market Inspired Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipes

Fresh Asparagus and Spring Pesto Grilled Cheese

Ever feel like poor asparagus only gets used one way? Thrown on the grill and that’s about it, but we think this springtime veg is far more versatile than that! The key is cutting it up into bite size pieces to make this grilled cheese a fun, seasonal creation.

Print Recipe

Servings 1

Equipment

Skillet
Panini Maker

Ingredients

For the Spring Pesto:

2 Tbsp Toasted pine nuts
1/4 Cup Olive oil
6 Tbsp Grated parmesan
1/2 Tsp Roasted garlic
1 oz Fresh Chives

Per Sandwich

2-3 Stalks Asparagus ends snapped off and sliced into 1 inch pieces
2 Slices Havarti cheese
1 Slice Prosciutto torn into bite size pieces
Mayo to your liking
2 Slices S.Rosen’s Farmer’s Market White Bread

Instructions

Prepare the pesto (this can be done the day before). Combine the pesto ingredients in a blender. Pulse until you reach the desired consistency.
Sauté asparagus pieces for 3 minutes on high heat, until you see it begin to brown. Take off heat and transfer to a separate bowl, stirring in 1-2 Tbsp. of the pesto (depending on how strong you want it).
Heat skillet or panini maker to medium (we really like cast iron for this if it’s available, but if not, use a non-stick pan).
Assemble the sandwich: one slice of Havarti, top with the prosciutto, then the pesto coated asparagus, and more slices of cheese. Top with the second slice of bread after spreading a thin layer of mayo on it. If you’re making multiple grilled cheeses, assemble them all before you start griddling.
Place the sandwich mayo side down in the skillet. Spread mayo on the bread slice now facing up and cook 3 minutes, or until bread is toasty brown. Turn and repeat. Your stove top and pan may require slightly different cooking times.

For the sweet and savory Farmer’s market sandwich lover

Fresh Arugula and Local Jam Grilled Cheese

Maybe one of the most fun items to pick up at the farmers market is local jam, and with family favorite cheese Muenster, this combination creates a tasty and easy-to-make grilled cheese. The arugula adds a nice peppery counter balance to the jam and makes this a more sophisticated sandwich for adults. As for the jam, we recommend the following flavors: blueberry, blackberry and apricot, but we encourage you to try your favorites!

Print Recipe

Servings 1

Equipment

Skillet
Or Panini Maker

Ingredients

Per Sandwich

High quality jam of your choice
3 Slices Muenster cheese
Arugula Handful
Mayo to your liking
2 Slices S.Rosen’s Farmer’s Market White Bread

Instructions

Heat skillet to medium (we really like cast iron for this if it’s available, but if not use a non-stick pan)
Assemble the sandwich: One and a half slices of Muenster (rip the half slice into pieces and spread around the slice), spread jam over cheese, and add a handful of arugula. Top with the second slice of bread.
Spread a thin layer of mayo on this slice. If you’re making multiple grilled cheeses, first assemble them all before you start griddling.
Place the sandwich mayo side down in the skillet. Spread mayo on the bread slice now facing up and cook 3 minutes, or until bread is toasty brown. Turn and repeat. Your stove top and pan may require slightly different cooking times.

Farmer’s Market Sandwich that will fill you up

Chard, Apple and Bacon Grilled Cheese with Red Pepper Sauce

Chard always feels like that vegetable you should eat, but exactly how seems to be an issue. The answer is a grilled cheese! We also realize that chard might be a tough sell for some members of the family, but if you omit the chard, the resulting bacon and apple is still a classic grilled cheese combo.

Print Recipe

Equipment

Skillet
Or Panini Maker

Ingredients

For the Red Pepper Sauce:

4 oz. Jarred roasted red pepper
2 oz. Toasted slivered almonds
4 oz. Tomatoes (we used fire roasted from a can to keep it easy)
1 Tsp Paprika
2 Tbsp Parsley
1 Tsp Roasted garlic

For the Chard

1 Bunch Chard (rainbow or swiss)
2 Tbsp Apple cider vinegar
1 Tsp Salt
1/2 Tbsp Neutral oil such as canola

For the Sandwich

2 Slices Bacon cooked until crisp
3 Slices Gouda cheese
1/4 Apple thinly sliced

Instructions

Prepare the red pepper sauce (this can be done the day before). Combine the ingredients in a blender. Pulse until you reach the desired consistency.
Prepare the chard in a medium sauce pan with a lid. Heat pan to medium and add oil. Once heated, add chard by the handful. It will cook down A LOT. Stir the chard, apple cider vinegar, and salt. Cook for 6-7 minutes. Take off heat and set aside.
Heat skillet to medium (we really like cast iron for this if it’s available, but if not use a non-stick pan).
Assemble the sandwich: one slice of Gouda first, top with bacon, then the apple, two spoonfuls of sautéed chard, and finally, more sliced of cheese. Top with the second slice of bread. Spread a thin layer of mayo on this slice. If you’re making multiple sandwiches, assemble them all before you start griddling.
Place the sandwich mayo side down in the skillet. Spread mayo on the bread slice now facing up and cook three minutes, or until bread is toasty brown. Turn and repeat. Your stove top and pan may require slightly cook times.
Serve with red pepper sauce for dunking.

Just remember, life might feel a little weird and different right now but you can still do some things that are “normal” like a picnic in the backyard with the people who live in the house with you or just take a delicious sandwich to the deck and eat by yourself, if you’ve had too much “together time” this pandemic. Either way, what’s your favorite fresh, Farmer’s Market sandwich recipe?

2021/04/30 0 comment

Food

Easy and Delicious Roasted Orange and Lemon Chicken Recipe

by Deborah Cruz 2019/04/17

written by Deborah Cruz

I’ve been cooking dinner at home a lot lately in an effort to get healthy and save money. I’d say those are pretty good reasons for eating at home. It gives me a weird mom satisfaction knowing how much my family loves my cooking. These are people who enjoy food and are not afraid to tell you if it’s not up to par. When foodies are silent at the dinner table save for the sound of lips smacking, it feels like an accomplishment. My roasted orange and lemon chicken recipe shuts them right up and I love it.

I like to make meals that are as free from preservatives as possible. The more natural, the better. Farm to table, no additives or hormones is our jam. We’re Midwesterners so we do love our comfort foods that remind us of growing up and well, if there are leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch, even better. I want all of that but healthier. Comforting without the guilt. Know what I mean?

Currently, my family’s favorite meal that I’ve been cooking is a simple, but delicious, roasted orange and lemon chicken with baked rosemary potatoes and steamed asparagus. I’m going on the record and humble brag that it’s scrumptious and almost obscene how easy it is to prepare. It’s practically idiot proof. I’m pretty sure I could teach my middle schoolers how to make this roasted orange and lemon chicken recipe and it turn out just as awesome as when I make it. It’s that easy. If you’ve seen my Thanksgiving how to roast a turkey recipe, you already know how easy it is.

roasted orange and lemon chicken recipe, lemon chicken, chicken recipe, Easter recipe

I’m going to be honest with you, Easter is right around the corner and I’m not a huge fan of the traditional ham dinner so I’m going to make this roasted orange and lemon chicken recipe. Who says we have to do things the traditional way? Create your own traditions. Eat what you want. You’re cooking.

Easy and Delicious Roasted Orange and Lemon Chicken Recipe

Roasted Orange and Lemon Chicken Recipe

Easy to make ad deliciously moist roasted orange and lemon chicken recipe.

Print Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 3

Resting Time 15

Total Time 3 10

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4 people

Ingredients

5-6 lb Whole Chicken
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
1 stick Unsalted butter
Olive Oil as needed, enough to cover chicken.
1 Orange
1 Lemon
Garlic Powder to taste

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
Remove the innards from the cavity of the chicken.
Put chicken in a roasting pan.
Gently wedge your fingers between the skin and meat and slightly loosen.
Place pats of butter inside the loosened area between skin and chicken meat.
Slice the lemon and orange into slices.
Place slices into the empty chicken cavity.
Cover the chicken with olive oil and massage the oil into the skin. This helps to lock in the juices while cooking.
Generously season the chicken with salt and pepper.
After that, lightly sprinkle with garlic powder.
Lastly, let sit for a couple minutes while you melt remainder of stick of butter.
Massage melted butter onto the exterior of the chicken.
Cover completely.
Generously season with salt and pepper.
Bake uncovered for 15 minutes in preheated oven, to lock in juices.
Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F.
Cover loosely with aluminum foil.
Bake for about 30 minutes per lb.
Remove from heat, and baste with melted margarine and drippings about every 45 minutes.
Cook to a minimum internal temperature of 180 degrees F (82 degrees C).
When done, cover with aluminum foil, and allow to rest 30 minutes before serving.

Keyword Roasted orange and lemon chicken recipe, lemon chicken, chicken recipe

I’m thinking of pairing my Easter orange and lemon chicken recipe with garlic potatoes, glazed carrots, fresh rolls, fresh cut fruit and deviled eggs. Sounds like the perfect dinner to me. What’s your favorite Sunday dinner recipe?

2019/04/17 0 comment

Food Weight Loss

Simple, Easy and Delicious Healthy Buffalo Chicken Pizza Recipe

by Deborah Cruz 2019/03/06

written by Deborah Cruz

Want to eat all the food that tastes good but still want to be healthy? Want to look great in your bathing suit this summer but still want to eat chicken wings? That’s the quandary, right? We all want to look good and be healthy but we simultaneously want to eat whatever we want to eat, whenever we want to eat. This is possible if you’re a teenager but if you are over 25, 30 and certainly 40-years-old, you know that concessions have to be made.

Things like moderation, taste, salt intake, sugar intake, cholesterol points all need to be weighed. Do you know that saying, “A moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips”? Well, sometimes you have to stop and ask yourself is that basket of French fries something you are willing to sacrifice your bathing suit body for?

READ ALSO: Delicious Avocado Toast Recipe

Now, I’ve lived in this world long enough to know that, yes, sometimes they are. Sometimes you just want to eat the French fries and that’s ok but you have to be willing to do the exercise. I think everything is fine to eat in moderation and I don’t believe in artificial sugars and preservatives. My family is foodies. We love traveling the planet and trying new foods and meeting new people. We are all about experiences and while I may not care so much about forever on my hips, I do care about missing adventures because I’m unhealthy or worse, dead.

It’s taken me years to realize that eating healthy doesn’t have to mean eating boring. It just means swapping out a few ingredients, cooking more and moving more. Nobody wants to be the person at the party watching everyone else eat and drink. And who likes to chew on celery while everyone else is snacking on buffalo wings at the tailgate party? It’s embarrassing and you feel singled out for trying to be healthy; you feel punished. I don’t like feeling on the outside. This is why I am taking some of our favorite recipes and making healthier versions.

Needless to say, my family doesn’t get to eat chicken wings or buffalo pizza as often as they’d like to.

That’s why I created a simple, easy and delicious healthy Buffalo Chicken Pizza recipe.

Simple, Delicious and Healthy Buffalo Chicken Pizza Recipe

If you love pizza and you want to be healthy and not feel deprived, this simple, delicious and healthy buffalo chicken pizza recipe is perfect for the entire family.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Total Time 40

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Ingredients

1 Chicken Breast boiled and shredded or you can buy pre-cooked chicken breast chunks. We prefer to cook and shred our own but if you are in a hurry, pre-cooked works.
1 Refrigerated Pizza Dough Wewalka Classic Pizza Crust is our choice
4-6 ounces Part Skim Milk Mozzarella Again, you can use more or less, depending on your personal taste.
1/2 cup Mild Buffalo Wing Sauce You can use medium or hot and add as much as you like. I use mild because I dine with children every day of the week.

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
Unroll the packaged refrigerated pizza dough on its parchment paper. I usually use a large cookie sheet for this, as it is a rectangular crust.
Spread your wing sauce across the pizza crust dough, going almost to the ends but not quite. The reason for this is that when the buffalo chicken wing sauce heats up it thins out and gets runny. By not going to the ends, you can prevent the sauce from running over the edges and ending up on the bottom of your pizza and transferring to your hands and clothes when you eat.
Top the sauce with the shredded chicken, dispersing evenly throughout.
Top with mozzarella cheese, using as much or as little as you like.
Bake pizza for 20-30 minutes, until cheese is a stringy and golden brown.
When it is done, pull it out of the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes so that you don't burn your mouth when you bite into.

Keyword buffalo chicken, buffalo wings, pizza

simple, easy and delicious healthy Buffalo Chicken Pizza recipe, buffalo chicken pizza, buffalo pizza, healthy pizza, buffalo chicken pizza recipe

What’s your favorite recipe hack to make those delicious dishes we all love so much more healthy?

2019/03/06 0 comment

Chocolate Chip Banana Nut bread recipe, banana nut bread, bread recipes, easy recipes, desserts, snacks, easy homemade recipes

Food

Delicious and Easy Chocolate Chip Banana Nut Bread Recipe

by Deborah Cruz 2019/02/01

written by Deborah Cruz

There are some recipes that are so simple and so delicious that you practically want to punch yourself in the face for not making them more often. That’s how easy and obscenely delicious this chocolate chip banana nut bread is. It’s so basic that I can almost guarantee that you will have all the ingredients in your fridge.RIGHT.NOW.

We just survived the polar vortex in the longest month of the year here in the Midwest. I don’t know how the heck January can be eleventy billion days long but it was. I am sure of it. I was just whining to the Big Guy about how I was missing my mom. He looked at me and said, it’s been 4 weeks, not 4 years! What? Only 4 weeks? Maybe it’s been because of the holidays and the snow days but it really feels like January was so long this year. I’m just going to go ahead and call it; January is its own year.

But no fear. Snow days, winter breaks and polar vortex be damned, this chocolate chip banana nut bread paired with a cup of hot cocoa ( champurrado if you’re really feeling decadent) is just what we all need to warm up from the inside out. Nothing says happiness like a mouthful of warm deliciousness. Welp never thought I’d use that line on a bunch of moms in reference to chocolate chip banana nut bread but this is the one instance that statement might actually be true.

Now, back to this delicious and easy chocolate chip banana nut bread.

I know you’re thinking to yourself, banana nut bread is not that impressive. It’s just…BREAD! Only it’s not. It’s fresh bread that takes less than an hour to make from scratch and it is delicious. Bonus, the kids can help. Actually, it’s so easy, they could make it themselves.

I made it Wednesday when the entire of the Midwest was on polar vortex 2019 lockdown. We were all in the house and we needed a snack, so thanks to 4 very ripe bananas and a look-see around out pantry and voila, baked deliciousness. The entire loaf was gone by the end of the night.

Chocolate Chip Banana Nut bread recipe, banana nut bread, bread recipes, easy recipes, desserts, snacks, easy homemade recipes

Chocolate Chip Banana Nut Bread Recipe

Deborah Cruz

Easy and Delicious Chocolate Chip Banana Nut Bread Recipe

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 50

Resting Time 15

Total Time 1

Servings 8 slices

Ingredients

4 Medium Ripe Bananas the riper the sweeter
3/4 cup Sugar
1 EGG
2 tsp Vanilla
1/4 cup Vegetable Oile
1 1/2 cups All-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
1 tbsp Ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp Salt
1 cup Chocolate chips
1 cup Walnuts

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F
Mash the bananas until smooth with a fork.
Whisk in the sugar, egg, vanilla, and vegetable oil.
In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
Fold the dry mixture into the wet and mix just until batter forms. Don't overwork or it will become mushy.
Gently fold in the chocolate chips and walnuts.
Pour the batter into the prepared baking loaf. Bake for 45-55 minutes.
Bake at 350°F for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let cool. Serve warm.

Keyword banana nut bread

I hope you love this easy and delicious chocolate chip banana walnut bread recipe as much as my family did.

What’s your favorite snow day recipe?

2019/02/01 0 comment

recipe, Mexican food, easy recipes, chicken tacos with avocado cream sauce, elote casserole, Hass avocados, type 2 diabetes

Food Latina

Easy Recipe for Chicken Tacos with Avocado Cream Sauce

by Deborah Cruz 2019/01/29

written by Deborah Cruz

This recipe for chicken tacos with avocado cream sauce is part of a sponsored campaign with DiMe Media and Hass Avocado Board. However, all opinions expressed are my own.

Did you know that in the United States, Latinos are twice as likely as non-Latino people to develop type 2 diabetes? That’s a scary statistic that I’ve been acutely aware of for a very long time. I lost someone very important to me, my favorite Great Uncle, to type 2 diabetes when I was 15-years-old and it was horrible. The worst part is that it could have been prevented with a few simple changes in his diet and a little education about eating healthy.

Cardiometabolic abnormalities, a cluster of risk factors for both cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes such as abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and triglycerides and high blood glucose levels are higher in the Latino population overall than among non-Hispanic whites.

We can help prevent ourselves from developing type 2 diabetes. One of the most important and effective things we can do to lower our risk for type 2 diabetes is to eat well to maintain a healthy weight. This can be done in many ways and one of the easier ways is to take some of our favorite Latino recipes and reconfigure them to be healthier.

One of our favorite recipes in my house is beef tacos. We love tacos. We can eat them every day of the week. Literally. We could eat anything in a tortilla but tortillas are not the best things for us to eat, especially since our favorite is flour tortillas filled with sour cream, cheese and ground beef. But with a few simple tweaks we can make tacos less hazardous to our health.

Here is my recipe for Chicken Tacos with Avocado Cream Sauce:

Ingredients

Tortillas (or you can go the healthier route and eat as a bowl on a bed of lettuce)

Olive Oil

Taco Meat

3 Chicken Breasts

1 Garlic Clove, diced

3 lemons juiced

1 onion, diced

Salt/ Pepper to taste

Directions:

Boil the 3 chicken breasts for 45 minutes to an hour.
Shred chicken.
Heat a frying pan on medium heat until water sizzles when splashed on pan.
Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil.
Add onion and garlic to hot oil, sauté until golden brown.
Add shredded chicken, stirring thoroughly until slightly golden.
Add lemon from three lemons.
Salt and pepper to taste.
When thoroughly heated, turn heat down and start working on Avocado cream sauce.

Avocado Cream Sauce

Ingredients

2 Hass avocados
1 lemon, juiced
1 large clove garlic, pasted or grated
A small handful fresh cilantro leaves, optional
About 1/3 cup light sour cream

Directions
Place the Hass avocados in a food processor. Add the lemon juice, garlic, cilantro, if desired, and sour cream and process until very smooth and mayo-like in consistency.

Avocados are virtually the only fruit that contains monounsaturated fat, and they are sodium, cholesterol and trans-fat free. How can something that tastes so good be so good for you?

Toppings

Salsa

Shredded Quesadilla Cheese

Refried beans with Sazon seasoning

Tomato, diced

Shredded Lettuce

Next, heat your tortillas up on a comal (ten seconds, flip, five seconds, flip, five more seconds and then remove) or in the microwave, 35 seconds for a pack of ten. I’ll be honest they taste better heated up on the comal (griddle) and if you want to go healthier eat on a bed of lettuce.

Then spread your warm refried beans with Sazon seasoning (about 1 tablespoon), next add your quesadilla cheese (about ½ a teaspoon), top with sautéed chicken breasts.

Top your chicken tacos with avocado cream sauce, salsa and diced tomatoes. For extra crunch, shredded lettuce will do the job.

If you really want an authentic meal, make elote casserole or Mexican rice (recipe coming soon) to accompany the meal.

Enjoy this easy recipe for chicken tacos and avocado cream sauce with your family knowing you are serving them a meal that you made with love and is good for them.

For more information about type 2 diabetes visit saboreaunohoy.com/aguacatesydiabetes. Share your favorite avocado recipe and follow the #SaboreaUnoHoy 10-day photo challenge for a chance to win prizes.

My favorite recipe for Hass Avocados is Chicken tacos with avocado cream sauce, what’s yours?

2019/01/29 3 comments

air fryer, air fryer recipes, best air fryer, how does an air fryer work

Food Health Tech

What the Air Fryer is and Why Every Mom Needs One

by Deborah Cruz 2019/01/17

written by Deborah Cruz

Are you looking for a way to improve your health? Was one of your New Year’s resolutions a new you? Want to lose weight but don’t want to give up some of your favorite foods? Ever considered buying an air fryer? Then wonder to yourself, how does an air fryer work? What’s the best air fryer? Looking for all the best air fryer recipes? Well, you are not alone sister.

I’d been on the fence about getting one for a long time. I had no idea how it worked or which one was the best? BTW, how the heck do you fry with air? Is that even possible? More importantly, why would you want to? What kind of witchery is an air fryer?

Then one day on a complete impulse buy between drop off and pick up at ballet, I found myself looking squarely in the direction of an air fryer and something compelled me to buy the dang thing. With no idea what to do with it and absolutely void of any Pinterest research on air fryer recipes, I did it. I bought the damn thing.

In my gut, I assumed it would end up in the back cabinet with all my other expensive cooking impulse buys; the pasta maker, the ice cream makers and the panini press keeping the Belgian waffle maker company. But, we all know how much I love French fries. For me the worst part about fried foods (aside from the health risks) is the guilt so why not go the healthy route, especially if the air fryer recipes make the food tastes as good as their fried counterpart and, as hard to believe as it is, they do!

An air fryer is a game changer! For most of my adult life I’ve been teetering between baking everything and totally chucking my diet and eating all the McDonald’s French fries. But then we got the air fryer and we’ve made things like French fries, onion rings, fish fillets, chicken tenders and French toast sticks and it tastes great, crispy and has that crunch that I’ve been missing in my life all these years. Hard to believe, right?

Why Invest in an Air Fryer?

Well, you know the difference between frozen waffles and homemade ones or a cold cut sandwich and one on the panini press? That’s the difference. Who would believe that such a subtle difference can have such a flavorful impact? Who’d think that something as simple as a golden brown crunch can make all the difference?

Compared with deep-frying, air frying significantly reduces calorie intake. It can help reduce caloric intake by up to 70-80 percent.

Air fryers are time-efficient. You can actually bake a chicken breast faster in an air fryer than you can in the oven. Just imagine crispy fried chicken without all the grease. If you have picky eaters, you can make crispy veggies as snacks.

One perk for me, because I hate the smell of fried foods in my house, air frying eliminates that odor.

Just because you are not using oil, you can still burn your food. The air fryer heats up really fast and it’s easy to burn yourself and char your food, so pay attention to time, as charred food is carcinogenic.

Bonus: Easy Clean Up

How does an Air Fryer work?

It uses hot-air circulation. The air fryer cooks your ingredients from all angles- with no oil needed. Compared to deep-frying, using an air fryer can reduce the amount of fat, calories and potentially harmful compounds in your food

Air Fryer Sriracha-Honey Chicken Wings via Karenskitchenstories.com

Best Air Fryer Recipes?

Any foods that are good when fried like potatoes and chicken cook amazingly in the air fryer. Sweet potato fries are a favorite of ours. Also, fish and chips come out lovely and delicious in the air fryer.

Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp and Apricot Sauce

Avocado Fries

Copy Cat Chik Fil A Sandwich

Mexican Street Corn/ Elote

Air Fryer Donuts

Air Fryer Sriracha-Honey Chicken Wings

Air Fryer Fried Nashville Chicken

Easy Air Fryer Crispy French Fries

The possibilities are endless. Are you considering buying one now? Understand how the air fryer works? Have you tried a few of the best AF recipes out there?

I’m addicted to our Air Fryer and everything I can make with it.

I’m doing this new year, new me thing slowly. This is one of my favorite things to help make healthier foods crispier. This is NOT a paid campaign. I am just really addicted to my air fryer and moms of little kids or kids on the go who need snacks after school, chicken tenders, sweet potato fries, even crispy Brussels sprouts, and grilled cheese sandwiches can be made deliciously and with less fat in a matter of minutes.

I’m looking for new things to cook in my air fryer. What’s your favorite air fryer recipe? Please share a link in the comments.

2019/01/17 6 comments

Food Pets

Homemade Peanut Butter and Banana Dog Treats Recipe

by Deborah Cruz 2019/01/11

written by Deborah Cruz

Today, A Dog’s Way Home is opening in theaters everywhere and to celebrate, the girls and I are making our Lola some homemade peanut butter and banana dog treats. Or as my Mother-in-law calls them, cookies.

Only, this time instead of the dog treats being some kind of preservative filled meat by-product treat, it will really be a cookie. In fact, it will have some of Lola’s favorite things in it. Our dog is crazy for peanut butter and bananas, the only thing that could make it better in her eyes is if I could sneak some chicken, bacon and watermelon in it.

Lola, dog, pets, dog mom, homemade dog treats, peanut butter and banana dog treats, homemade dog treats, peanut butter and banana dog treats recipe, easy dog treat recipe, A Dog's Way Home

Lola’s peanut butter and banana dog treats are going to be homemade goodness. Honestly, I think I might have a hard time keeping the girls out of these dog treats because om gong to infuse them with cbd since I red at Pet Life Today that it has many benefits for them.

You all know I am in the middle of KonMari-ing my house so I don’t have lots of time to spend on baking projects. Also, did I mention that our dishwasher bit the dust this week? Oh my, it did and I’ve realized that all of those dish nights I had as a child have made me truly hate hand washing dishes. So obviously, I am trying to dirty the least amount of dishes possible but Lola is a great pup and she deserves a yummy, homemade treat. Doesn’t your pup?

This is s very simple and easy recipe. Easy enough to let the kids help and you only need to dirty one bowl, a mixing utensil and one cookie sheet. Easy Peasy. Even the littlest kids can help.

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Lola’s Peanut Butter and Banana Dog Treats Recipe

Lola's Peanut Butter and Banana Dog Treats Recipe

Deborah Cruz

Easy, delicious homemade dog treat for your furry friend. Lola's Peanut Butter and Banana Dog Treat Recipe. So easy to make even the kids can help.

Print Recipe

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 40

Total Time 45

Course Dessert

Cuisine dog treat, vegetarian

Servings 15

Ingredients

2 cups wheat flour
1/2 cup oatmeal
2 eggs
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup banana mashed
1/2 tsp salt

Instructions

Whisk together the flour, eggs, oatmeal, peanut butter, salt, and banana in a bowl.
Add water as needed to help make the dough workable, but the dough should be dry and stiff.
Roll the dough into a 1/2-inch-thick roll. Use your favorite cookie cutter to cut out shapes.
Bake in preheated oven until crisp and golden brown, about 40 minutes.

Keyword Dog treat recipe

READ ALSO: A Puppy Saves Christmas

We’d love to hear if your dog loved these dog treats as much as our Lola! #LolaApproved!

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If you give Lola’s Peanut Butter and Banana Dog Treats Recipe a try, let us know in the comments.

2019/01/11 4 comments

Avocado Toast Recipe, avocado recipes, how to make avocado toast, avocado recipe

Food Health Latina

Simple, Easy and Delicious Avocado Toast Recipe

by Deborah Cruz 2019/01/10

written by Deborah Cruz

Have you been wondering how to make avocado toast but just don’t know where to start? A healthy avocado toast recipe is super easy to make and we live in a time where avocado recipes are everywhere. It’s the new “wonder food” plus it makes the perfect breakfast ( especially if you add an egg) or really the perfect anytime meal or snack.

For many, the idea of avocado toast is a fairly new one but not for me. I’ve been eating avocados since I could chew. I’m not even sure I needed teeth because they are so smooth and creamy. I’ve been feeding my own daughters avocado since they were allowed to eat solids. Avocados are healthy and delicious, why wouldn’t I?

READ ALSO: Elote Casserole Recipe

If we’re being honest, my family grows avocados in Mexico. We had to, we eat too many of them not to grow our own. Of course, that doesn’t help me at all here in the Midwest but it gives me something to look forward to when I take my family to visit the place I spent my summers as a child.

Avocado toast has become my new addiction.

It’s healthy, simple, and delicious. The best part of all, it’s super easy to make and ready in like 3 minutes minutes. I’m pretty sure that it takes me longer to eat it than it does to make it. This avocado toast recipe is so simple and easy that it’s hardly a recipe at all. But sometimes the simplest pleasures are overlooked and I didn’t want you to miss out on how to make avocado toast.

This avocado toast recipe isn’t one of those fancy, complicated avocado recipes. Some things are just better simple, like butter tortillas. Butter + a warm flour tortilla = crazy delicious.

This avocado recipe is simple but the possibilities are endless. You can make it into avocado toast or if you’re trying to keep it more keto-friendly, eat it straight out of the bowl. If you want to serve it without the bread to guests, you can present it on a crisp, clean piece of iceberg lettuce.

READ ALSO: Chicken Enchilada Recipe

Sometimes zest up our avocado toast and top it with jalapeños, siracha, tomatoes, bacon, beans, spinach, salsa macho or pretty much anything your avocado toast loving heart desires.

To begin, toast your bread. I like mine nice and golden. You can use any kind of toast or sliced bread you have but I like to use hearty whole grain or sourdough toast.

Next, mash an avocado in a small bowl with a fork. Add cilantro, lime, diced tomato and salt + pepper. Then, spread the creamy, smooth mixture on the toasted slice of bread. For me, 1 whole avocado makes 2 pieces of toast. Sprinkle with pepper flakes, if you like, and serve!

If you want a little extra protein, top the avocado with an egg cooked any way you like. We like it over easy and runny but sunny side up, scrambled, poached or sliced hard-boiled works too.

Simple, Easy and Delicious Avocado Toast Recipe

Deborah Cruz

If you love avocado recipes and want a simple, easy and delicious avocado toast recipe this is the one you want. Even a child can make it. I know because my girls make it. And it only takes 5 minutes with vegetarian ingredients. It's a healthy, delicious and amazing avocado toast recipe.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Course Appetizer, Breakfast, Snack

Cuisine Mexican, vegetarian

Servings 1

Ingredients

1 medium avocado peeled with seed removed
1/2 small tomato
1/4 wedge lime
1 tbsp cilantro to taste
olive oil drizzle
1-2 slices whole grain ( or whatever you prefer) bread toasted
salt and pepper to taste
1-2 eggs (optional) cooked to preference

Instructions

1. Toast 2 slices of whole grain bread ( or whatever kind you prefer) in a toaster until golden brown and crispy.
2. In a small bowl mash the avocado then combine cilantro, lime, tomato and salt + pepper to taste. Spread half of the mixture on each slice of toast. Drizzle with olive oil. Optional, top with fried, scrambled, or poached egg if desired.
3. Serve with love!
4. Enjoy.

2019/01/10 4 comments

red, white, blueberry, trifle, fourth of july, dessert, recipe, Wayfair

Food Lifestyle

Fourth of July Recipe: Red, White and Blueberry Trifle

by Deborah Cruz 2017/06/30

written by Deborah Cruz

Can you believe that the Fourth of July is right around the corner? When I think of the Fourth of July a few things come to mind; family, friends, the beach, a barbecue, fireworks, the red, white and blue of our American flag and a good dessert recipe like the red, white and blueberry trifle.

The Fourth of July is a day to celebrate all the freedoms that we have to pursue happiness and this beautiful country made up of so many diverse cultures and people all in search of the same thing, freedom from persecution. It really is a great country based on equal rights for all human beings.

Every year, our neighborhood has a huge block party that concludes with a huge fireworks display over our golf course. It’s something we look forward to every year and, in truth, it was a huge part of why we bought our home in this community. It’s part of our American dream.

Family and friends come over to celebrate the 4th of July because who can’t use more friends who feel like family? There’s always great food, good conversation and lots of love and laughter and no Fourth of July celebration would be complete without as much red, white and blue as possible.

Enter our favorite Fourth of July dessert recipe the red, white and blueberry trifle.

The red, white and blueberry trifle is super simple to make and very refreshing to eat. And I don’t know about you but when I’m enjoying my favorite people in the sunshine, drinking sangria, I want something light, refreshing and delicious that screams, “Summer” and that is exactly what the red, white and blueberry trifle does. Plus, it is pretty to look at on your Fourth of July tablescape.

Ingredients for the red, white and blueberry trifle ultimate Fourth of July dessert recipe

• Pound cake (11.5 oz), sliced (you can buy from the bakery or just get a frozen Sarah Lee. I promise it will all taste delicious.)
• 1 Box (6-serving size) vanilla instant pudding and pie filling mix
• 1-Teaspoon vanilla
• 2-Cups whole milk
• ½ Cup sour cream
• 1 Cup of homemade whipped cream or 8 oz. of thawed Cool Whip
• 1 lb. fresh strawberries with the stems removed, sliced
• 1 pint (2 cups) fresh blueberries

Directions to make the red, white and blueberry Fourth of July dessert recipe

1. In a medium bowl, beat pudding mix, vanilla, milk and sour cream with electric mixer on medium speed until soft pudding forms. Cover; refrigerate.

red, white, blueberry, trifle, fourth of july, dessert, recipe, Wayfair
2. In a trifle bowl or large clear bowl, arrange 1 layer of sliced cake to cover the entire bottom of the bowl. Top with a layer of pudding, then a layer of whipped topping, and then a layer of strawberries. Repeat all layers except use blueberries. Continue with layers until bowl is full.

red, white, blueberry, trifle, fourth of july, dessert, recipe, Wayfair
3. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate until ready to serve.
The thing about this recipe is that not only is it simple and delicious, it’s beautiful and easy. You can host the perfect Fourth of July party and almost everything you need is on sale during the Wayfair Fourth of July Sale. Your guests will be asking you for the recipe, guaranteed because they will love it so much.

red, white, blueberry, trifle, fourth of july, dessert, recipe, Wayfair

What is your favorite Fourth of July recipe that you make every year? Have you ever made the red, white and blueberry trifle or something similar?

Please feel free to share links to your favorite Fourth of July recipes in the comments below. I’d love to check them out.

red, white, blueberry, trifle, fourth of july, dessert, recipe, Wayfair

Disclosure: This post was written as part of a sponsored campaign between Wayfair and myself. However, all opinions expressed in this post about the Fourth of July and the dessert recipe for the red, white and blueberry trifle are my own.

2017/06/30 0 comment

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