Quinoa and Grape Salad with Toasted Almonds

Even though Valentine's day has come and gone, we're still continuing our love affair- with quinoa- which has continued for its third year.  The latest recipe result is one of our favorite salad combinations to date.  It's light and simple yet bursting with crunch and a medley of unique flavors. I even ate some cold leftovers for lunch today, and the salad was equally as tasty. So, why don’t you try it for yourself?  This dish is a welcomed alternative to the rice-based side dishes that can become very commonplace very quickly. And, … [Read more...]

Valentine’s Sweetheart Bark

  Sweetheart Bark is the ideal candy for anyone who has experienced the gamut of emotions on Valentine's Day. Maybe your most intense memories date all the way back to grade school when you exchanged those cheesy VDay cards in those makeshift paper bag mailboxes. Or, maybe it was a Valentine's Day you spent broken-hearted, alone, cursing the Hallmark holiday. Or, perhaps it was a Valentine's Day with your loved one, in a romantic place, sharing an unforgettable moment. Or, maybe your most meaningful Valentine's Day has been … [Read more...]

Beef Chili

  A recipe that has “easy” and “slow cooker” in its title should rise to the top of your list, epecially during the winter months when the wind chill is enough to make you crave any meal that requires basting or simmering all day long. Who doesn’t want something warm and hearty for dinner— with lots of leftovers? Beef Chili is a lay up for your dinner rotation because you don’t need to do much cooking at all. Simply sauté the beef in a skillet with the vegetables and let your slow cooker do the rest.   Over the next few hours in … [Read more...]

Super Bowl: Pulled Chicken Sliders

Hosting a Super Bowl viewing party should be easy. They’re unpretentious, casual parties where  (it might be the only time) you can serve a bevy of not so healthy appetizers–from Buffalo wings to cheese balls–relatively guilt-free. This party isn’t about cooking up the latest culinary trends on your best china. Rather, it’s a night overflowing with plain and simple portable dishes since it’s assumed that the television (not the food) is the focal point of the evening. Cooking a dish in a slow cooker for your Super Bowl party is wise way to go. … [Read more...]