Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken and Veggie Kabobs

What better way to get your veggies and protein than kabobs? You've got easy portions that you can divide up between lunch and dinner and you only need 1 pan to do the cooking job for you. I don't have a grill so I have to use my boiler. Personally I prefer to do veggie kabobs and chicken kabobs so the cooking process is even for what I'm making. I prefer my veggies to be a little crisp when I eat them and cooking them separate from the chicken ensures this for me. For these kabobs I used my Pineapple Teriyaki Sauce. It was my first time making and using this teriyaki sauce and it was delicious. It marinated the chicken perfectly and gave the veggies an extra flavor kick. I have a feeling I'll be serving this up on a regular basis over the summer!

Three Cheese Stuffed Zucchini

This past week was a busy one for me. Most nights I had evening plans so I didn't want to make a lot of meals that would be sitting in my fridge. Instead of making my Zucchini Sausage Bake I decided to make a smaller, more compact version of it. These three cheese stuffed zucchini were perfect for a quick dinner and a delicious lunch. I paired it with a light salad and fresh fruit for dessert. It was light yet very filling and extremely satisfying. This recipe is for 1 zucchini and I had 1/2 of the zucchini as a serving. Just adjust the ingredients as needed to make multiple servings. 

Pineapple Teriyaki Sauce

Marinades and sauces are great way to enhance and develop flavors of a dish. I typically use a simple oil, lemon juice based marinade with varying fresh herbs, and a dash of mustard. I'll marinade my protein and use the remaining liquid as a sauce for continue flavoring of my dish. This week I decided to try something different and make my own teriyaki sauce. I've never been a big fan of bottled versions and I was surprised at how easy it was to make my own teriyaki sauce. I added the pineapple for some sweetness without having to add too much sugar to the sauce. It will be great to play around with different dishes to use this with. First up will be pineapple teriyaki chicken kabobs! Check back for the recipe. 

Thai Peanut Green Papaya and Vegetable Salad

Over the weekend I went to unique Thai restaurant where you just show up and dinner is served. There was no menu and no options of what you get to eat and the meal was amazing! It was just what I wanted in Thai flavors with a few surprises as well. One of my favorite dishes was a spicy green papaya salad with a peanut dressing. It's only been a few days since I had this but I haven't been able to stop thinking about it- a true sign of a great dish! Tonight I decided to try my hand and make my own version. It's not a traditional Thai green papaya salad but it gave me the flavors I was looking for. This would be a great picnic side dish or simply add some shredded chicken or steamed shrimp and you have a great lunch or dinner. Don't be afraid of the length of the ingredient list, this is a pretty quick recipe to make. 

Roasted Tomato 'BLT' Cristini

I joined a Duck Pin bowling league in the beginning of Spring with some friends and with such a fun sports league we enjoy bringing different snacks to enjoy.This week I decided to bring my Roasted Tomato 'BLT' Cristini. It's a personal creation of mine based on a sandwich I had a few years ago at a small coffee shop. This little item is great as a cristini but can be turned into a flat bread or sandwich just as easily. I've been wanting to try to flat bread version but I kept with my tried and true recipe since I was going to be traveling with this snack and it would be served room temperature. I think the flat bread will be better hot. I've made this appetizer for several different holidays and parties and everyone has always enjoyed the different flavors it melds together. The roasted tomatoes are my favorite party and I'd eat them on everything! Even if you're not a tomato fan, you may still enjoy these. The flavor and texture are completely different and you'll benefit from trying them!

Spicy Orange Chicken with Broccoli

After a busy week I don't always want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen making my dinner. There are nights where I get home starving and need to eat right away and this orange chicken was an easy and fast meal packed with flavor. It's a tweaked version of my Orange Ginger Beef and Broccoli with a spicier kick.  It's also a great dish to make for company if you want to be able to enjoy the company you have. Clean up is really easy and this cooks up in mere minutes. Pair this with your favorite rice and you're got a dinner anyone will enjoy. 

Parmesan and Rosemary Sweet Potato Fries

Out of all the foods I love my all-time favorite food is French fries! There is something decadently addictive about the hot, steamy, crispy, crunchy, salty side dish that I can't get enough of. I could eat them everyday and when I need some food comfort, they are what I gravitate towards 9 times out of 10. These sweet potato fires are an elevated treat that I like to make when I'm craving a salty snack that  is delicious and healthy!

Lemon Rosemary Pork with Cherry Mustard Sauce

Last week I was out of town with my family visiting my grandmother for Easter. She lives in Southport, NC, which is the perfect small town with cute restaurants that depend on good food if they want to stay in business. One of the nights we ate at a small bistro style restaurant with dishes ranging from Asian to Italian cuisine. I was sold on a grilled pork tenderloin with a cherry mustard compote. It reminded me the sauteed pork chops in a cherry gravy that I used to make- my first "unique" recipe that I found while in college. I had pretty high hopes for the dish and it didn't disappoint. The mouthwatering  tangy essence of the compote and the succulent flavor of the pork made this meal my favorite of the trip. Now that I'm back home I decided to take the dish I loved and create my version of it. It was a perfect Sunday night meal and would be really nice for a dinner party. I'll be storing this gem for the next time I have friends over!

Roasted Vegetable Salad with Balsamic Shrimp

This salad is my take on the roasted veggie salad that a certain California pizza chain makes. It's my favorite dish on the menu and since I don't eat there often I decided to do my own take of this hearty and satisfying salad. I first made this as a side salad for some friends my sister and I made dinner for after they had a baby. It went perfectly with the down home meatloaf, mashed potatoes and green beans we served. It was so good that I made it today for lunch with sauteed shrimp and since I personally love a lot of different flavors in salads, the heap of roasted veggies made this my idea of dish heaven. I dressed the greens in a simple Dijon balsamic vinaigrette to add the note of brightness that complements the deep flavor of the vegetables. This is looking to be my new signature salad.