Category: Recipe

  • Is the Always Pan Worth the Hype? (plus some favorite family recipes)

    Is the Always Pan Worth the Hype? (plus some favorite family recipes)

    Cooking is not my favorite thing in the world, but if a new workout outfit can motivate me to move, maybe a new pan could motivate me to cook?

    First impression? Ladies, let me tell you… this pan is a looker.

    ** Use code LINDSEY10 to get 10% off your order!**

    She’s pretty enough to leave out on your stove between meals, but I guarantee you won’t put her away even if you wanted to. The “hype” of the Always Pan is that it replaces 8 pieces of traditional cookware. You can braise, steam, sauté, boil etc… It is also made with non-toxic ceramic and is dishwasher safe. It comes with a stainless steal mesh basket for steaming/boiling and a wooden spatula with it’s own little nesting spot. It also has knobbed lid and a pour spout. With all of these bells and whistles, it’s just 3 pounds. What I’m trying to say is, I’ve found myself using the pan so much (as in, every meal) that I don’t even have time to put it away.

    And can we talk cleaning for a second? Maybe cleaning is why I don’t like cooking? Or cooking is why I don’t like cleaning? Either way, this pan is hands down the easiest pan to clean. Even after making eggs, you can pretty much just wipe it clean. In my 6 months of using this pan, I have never once had to soak it. Sorry not sorry to my husband who loves “soakers” so he can just get to it later. Hint: he never gets to it later, but I digress….

    This is a long way of saying that, the Always Pan is worth every penny and now my entire family uses the it and they all share my praise.

    I loved the pan so much I recently got the entire dinner bundle which includes the pan, 4 nesting bowls, 4 plates hand painted porcelain, and 4 hand-blown drinking glasses (that are stackable!). Hot Tip: If you have a wedding coming up, this bundle is the PERFECT gift!

    And while I use my Always Pan for eggs on the daily, I thought it would be fun if I shared some of my go-to weeknight recipes below. My family also chipped in and shared some of their favorite family recipes to make in the Always Pan.

    Sausage + Sweet Potato Rice Bowl

    Ingredients

    Olive oil

    Shallot or 1/4 onion chopped

    1 pound turkey sausage (loose or removed from casing) or ground turkey meat

    1 sweet potato diced

    Half can black beans

    1 cup broth

    1 cup rice (I use ready-made)

    1-2 cups fresh spinach

    Preheat oven to 400 and roast sweet potatoes in a little olive oil, salt and pepper until soft (about 15-20 minutes). Meanwhile, sauté shallot in olive oil, after a minute add sausage and cook completely through. Add rice, black beans, and broth and cook until heated. When sweet potatoes are cooked, add to mixture. Throw a cup or two of spinach on top and integrated it until wilted. Serve hot. (My kids like it with a little shredded cheese on top)

    “Green Noodles” – kid favorite

    1 pound fresh spinach linguini

    2 tablespoons butter

    2 table spoons olive oil

    3 cloves garlic

    salt to taste

    Parmesan cheese

    Fill Always Pan with water, and insert mesh basket. Cook pasta as directed (if fresh, usually 2-3 minutes). Lift basket and discard water. In the empty pan, melt butter and add olive oil. Sauté garlic until fragrant (watch that it doesn’t burn). Add the pasta back into the pan and mix. Add a pinch of salt and serve with Parmesan cheese.

    Sausage + Peppers

    Ingredients:

    1 round sweet/mild Italian sauage

    2 red peppers sliced

    1 red onion sliced

    1 can V8 or marinara (I like Rao’s)

    1 tbsp tomato paste (only if using V8)

    Instructions:

    Italian rolls and Parmesan Preheat oven to 350.

    Bake sausage in Always Pan with water covering the bottom of pan (about 20-30 minutes until mostly cooked). Flip sausage over half way.

    Heat olive oil in a large pot then saute peppers, onions, and mushrooms until softened.

    Remove sausage from oven and slice into bite size pieces.

    Add sausage to vegetable mixture and add one can of V8 juice (or marinara sauce).

    Add tomato paste (only if using V8 and desire a thicker sauce).

    Stir the mixture and saute untl sausage is fully cooked.

    Serve with Italian rolls or in a bowl with parmesan cheese.

    Bird’s Nest

    Ingredients:

    1 slice of bread

    1 egg

    1 tbsp butter

    salt/pepper

    Directions:

    Cut a hole in the center of the bread. Melt butter on Always Pan and coat both side of the bread with melted butter. Crack the egg into the hole of the bread and fry on both sides for a few minutes (flip half way). Egg should be a little runny in the middle. Season with salt and pepper!

    Homemade Meatballs

    Ok ok so this isn’t a family recipe… It’s Ina’s. But now that I’ve been cooking so much I feel like we are practically related, so just go with it.

    If you have any questions about the Always Pan (like which color to get 🤗) or the Dinner Bundle, I am happy to help! Remember to use code LINDSEY10 to save 10% off your order!

  • The S’more’s Dip-Holiday Style.

    The S’more’s Dip-Holiday Style.

    Oh the holidays. A time for spreading cheer, decking the halls, drinking egg nog and eating fruit cake. Wait, no, fruit cake? No way will my boys eat fruit cake. I don’t even think they will eat pie to be honest. You know kids (and even some adults) they want their favorite treats all year round. And one of our favorite desserts is the S’mores dip. So this season, we are taking our favorite sweet treat and making it Holiday(-ish)! The Holiday S’mores dip is easy to make, only 4 ingredients and a real crowd pleaser. Here’s what you will need and how to make it merry!

    Ingredients

    • One bag of chocolate chips
    • About 15-20 jumbo marshmallows cut in half, depending on size of oven-safe baking dish or skillet. If you don’t have jumbo, smaller ones will work as well!
    • Graham crackers for dipping
    • 1/4 cup butter for dish/skillet
    • Candy canes of choice

    Directions:

    Preheat oven to 450. Place skillet or basking dish in oven while it is preheating.

    Once heated, remove dish. Don’t forget your oven mitt!!

    Add tbsp butter to dish and swirl around to cover whole dish.

    Add chocolate chips. Make sure to cover the dish evenly.

    Top with jumbo marshmallow halves.

    Place back into oven and bake for 5-7 minutes. Keep an eye on the oven because the marshmallows toast pretty fast. Toast to your preference.

    Grab your potholder or oven mitts and remove dish and let it sit and cool for 5 -8 mins. Once cool, garnish the dip with some candy canes. You could even crush them up and sprinkle them on top!

    Serve and use graham crackers to dip. But be careful! This dip and your baking dish are hot. So remind the little ones.

    Enjoy!

  • Pesto Quinoa

    Pesto Quinoa

    Ok, my quinoa obsession is officially a thing. I’ve made risotto and turkey bowls and now I have moved on to Pesto Quinoa! The thing about quinoa is that it is such a great source of protein and fiber. It makes a great side dish or full on meal! By adding a summer staple like corn this dish gets a subtle sweet note against the garlicky pesto. Since corn is at the height of its season this is the perfect recipe to make now! Although I am already thinking of how I can add fall veggies into this dish as well. I recently made for a family meal and the amount of compliments I got was well beyond my expectations.

    Quinoa Pesto Ingredients:

    • 1 1/2 cup of quinoa
    • 2 ears of corn, shucked
    • 1/4 cup pine nuts
    • 1 cup of fresh pesto, homemade or store bought
    • salt and pepper, to taste
    • basil to garnish

    Recipe

    1. Cook quinoa according to package.
    2. Toast the pine nuts so they are lightly browned in a sauté pan or the oven. Watch carefully so they don’t burn.
    3. Mix the cooked quinoa with pesto, freshly cut corn and pine nuts.
    4. Add in a pinch of salt and pepper. Enjoy room temperature or cold.
    5. Can be served over a bed of lettuce for a light meal or make a great side dish to fish or chicken.

  • Grilled Peach Salad

    Grilled Peach Salad

    This recipe is way over due! Mostly because peach season is almost over, but also because this recipe is so delicious. Fruit and cheese happen to go together wonderfully – and the perfect addition to a grilled peach salad is a creamy burrata cheese. If you haven’t tried or heard of burrata it is similar to mozzarella, but even better! It has a soft and creamy inside that oozes with flavor. The sweet and smokiness of the peach, paired with the soft flavor of the burrata, dashed with a touch of vinegar makes this dish shine.

    • 3-4 Peaches cut into wedges
    • 1 red onion sliced into thick slices
    • Lettuce – recommend using a spring mix
    • Burrata Cheese
    • Olive Oil
    • Vinegar – balsamic or champagne
    • Salt/Pepper

    Recipe

    1. Fire up the grill to medium heat
    2. Slice the peaches into wedges and cover lightly with olive oil
    3. Slice the onion into 1/2″ slices and cover lightly with olive oil
    4. Place the peaches and onion into a grill basket – cook until they start to slightly carmelize
    5. Place lettuce a platter and break apart the burrata.
    6. Add the peach and onion
    7. Finish with a dash of olive oil, vinegar and salt/pepper to taste.
  • Gluten Free, Dairy Free Apple Crisp

    Gluten Free, Dairy Free Apple Crisp

    A few weeks ago I did a clean eating cleanse where I focused on eating real, whole foods and eliminated dairy. My sister did this with me and by day two we were really craving something sweet! She is always whipping up delicious baked goods and sent me this recipe to try. You guys, so freaking good! It’s gluten free, dairy free apple crisp. I’ve made this several times since and my kids also go nuts over it.

    There are a few ingredients you may not have that you will need to add to your pantry (coconut oil and coconut sugar) to name a few. Everything else you may already have! And just to clarify one thing about oats…. some are gluten-free and some are not.

    Gluten Free, Dairy Free Apple Crisp Ingredients:

    • 5 apples, peeled and sliced into 1 inch pieces
    • 1/4 cup water
    • cinnamon

    Topping:

    • 1/2 cup gluten free oats
    • 1/2 cup almond flour
    • 1/4 walnuts, chopped
    • 1/4 cup coconut sugar
    • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
    • 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
    • 1/4 tsp salt


    Put diced apples in casserole dish with water and cinnamon and mix together. In a bowl, combine all the topping ingredients and mix well. Sprinkle the mixtures over the apples. Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes. Enjoy!

  • Air Fryer Donuts

    Air Fryer Donuts

    Finally! My sister Liz broke out the air fryer. Because there is truly no better time to be testing out new kitchen equipment. The air fryer can be an overwhelming piece of equipment, but once you start using it the recipes are endless. And there is no easier recipe (and more delicious) than Air Fryer Donuts! These super flaky donuts come out piping hot, just like at a bakery. The kids love to customize their own with glaze and decorating with sprinkles.

    Ingredients

    • 16 oz refrigerated flaky biscuits (see can in picture)
    • coconut oil spray
    • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
    • 1 Tbsp butter
    • 1 tsp milk
    • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
    • sprinkles


    Recipe


    Remove the biscuits from the can and separate them. Use a 1-inch round biscuit cutter to cut the center out of each biscuit.
    Lightly spray each donut with the coconut oil spray.
    Preheat the air fryer to 330. Place two or three donuts in the air fryer in a single layer and you don’t want them to touch. Cook at 330 for 5 minutes. (Every air fryer is different so you may need to flip them over and cook for another 1-2 minutes on the other side. )
    While the donuts are cooking, make the glaze. Melt the butter in a small dish. Stir in the powdered sugar, milk and vanilla extract then mix until smooth.
    Once the donuts are done cooking, top with the glaze and sprinkles. Repeat the process with the rest of the biscuits and then do all the donuts holes together. Enjoy right away!

  • Delicious & Easy Turkey Burger

    Delicious & Easy Turkey Burger

    Ahhhh the sights, sounds and scents of summer are in the air. The flowers are in full bloom, the birds are chirping and the grill, well, the grill is grilling. More so now that ever to be honest. And recently I have been whipping up a really good turkey burger. It’s cheesy and juicy and has me wishing I tripled the recipe so there would enough for leftovers!! My kids have even said they like it better than a beef burger! Check out the recipe below and give it try. Your taste buds will thank me!

    Turkey Burger Recipe

    Ingredients

    • 1 lb lean ground turkey 93/7 (double all ingredients if making for more than 4 )
    • 1 large egg
    • salt & pepper to taste
    • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
    • 1/4 teaspoon of poultry seasoning
    • 1/4 cup of shredded cheese (optional)
    • 1 tablespoon cold milk
    • 4 slices cheddar or american cheese
    • Additional burger topping of choices: pickles, lettuce, tomato, onion, etc.
    • 4 burger buns (my crew likes potato buns)

    Instructions

    • Place ground turkey into a large bowl with egg, salt, pepper, poultry seasoning, parsley, shredded cheddar cheese and milk. Stir or hand mix to combine all ingredients {Mixture may seem a little wet or sticky, but once it starts cooking, they will hold its shape)
    • Divide meat into 4 patties. TIP– If patties are not firm enough, throw them in the freezer for about 10 minutes.
    • Preheat grill to medium-medium high heat.
    • Spray grill with non-stick spray
    • Place burgers on pre heated grill and grill 5-7 mins each side. Or until internal temperature is 165 degrees.
    • Once burgers are grilled to your liking, add cheese.
    • Remove burgers and place onto buns. Top with desired toppings and condiments and serve.
  • Quick & Easy Spinach Avocado Pasta Sauce

    Quick & Easy Spinach Avocado Pasta Sauce

    I think it’s safe to say that pasta & good sauce is one of the ultimate comfort foods. Sometimes it can be a little heavy on the stomach though, ya know?! I am always looking for ways to get in extra veggies and “good stuff” into my kids’ bodies without fighting about shoving broccoli down their throats. Christine just so happened to whip up this spinach avocado sauce in a pinch and poured it over Banza pasta. After getting a huge thumbs-up verdict from her husband, I think I now have to try it not only for myself but my kids.

    Spinach Avocado Sauce

    Ingredients

    • 1 avocado
    • 1/2 cup spinach
    • 1/4 olive oil
    • 1/4 nut milk (whatever your preference! Christine said she used coconut milk because that’s all she had)
    • 2 teaspoons dried basil
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 clove of garlic
    • Salt & pepper to taste
    • Optional: add in a little pecorino romano!

    Directions

    Combine ingredients in a food processor or blender until smooth. Pour over your favorite pasta & enjoy! Adding in your favorite protein to this dish would also be delicious.

    Side note: Do not heat this! Since there is avocado in this sauce it will turn brown if you heat. If serving over warm pasta it will heat up on it’s own!

  • Easy 3 Ingredient Cookies

    Easy 3 Ingredient Cookies

    If I told you you could have delicious cookies in just 15 minutes with only 3 ingredients, would you make them now or wait?! Christine whipped these up in a matter of no time for a delicious little treat. This recipe could also have so many substitutes so you could really make them to your liking. The really hard part, however, will be taste-testing all of your new cookies. It’s a tough job but someone’s gotta do it, and you seem like the best candidate 😜

    Easy 3 Ingredient Cookies

    Ingredients

    • 1 egg
    • 1/2 cup sugar (you could substitute coconut sugar for an easy 1-to-1 ratio swap, honey, maple syrup, etc.)
    • 1/2 cup peanut butter
    • Optional: add in chocolate chips, oats, raisins, etc.

    Mix ingredients together. Batter will be a little sticky but that’s okay! Put dollops of batter on to a greased cookie sheet.

    Bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes, a little more or a little less depending on your crunch factor! Let cookies cool completely before removing from cookie sheet. Enjoy!

  • Blueberry Snack Cake

    Blueberry Snack Cake

    Anyone else stress baking? While I am a self proclaimed “non-baker” my sister, Liz, is incredible at baking. She whipped up this delicious blueberry snack cake, because cake is no longer deemed appropriate just for special occasions. Eat it breakfast, eat it at lunch, or just grab a slice whenever. Let’s try to make this the new banana bread?

    Ingredients

    2 cups flour
    1 1/2 cups sugar
    1/2 cup cold butter, cubed
    1 tsp baking powder
    1 cup milk
    2 eggs, separate
    2 cups blueberries (fresh or frozen but do not thaw)

    Recipe

    In a food processor, add flour, sugar and butter and process until crumbly (or you can use a bowl and a pastry blender to break up the butter into the mixture so it is pea size crumbles). Save 3/4 cup in a bowl for the topping. Then mix in the baking powder, milk and egg yolks to the remaining flour/butter mixture. Beat the egg whites until soft peaks form and fold into the batter. Grease 9×13 pan with butter. Pour batter into pan and sprinkle with the blueberries and reserved topping. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes until edges are golden. Enjoy!