All American Chili

This is my mother’s “secret” chili recipe, and I think it is hands-down the best chili I have ever eaten. Feel privileged, my friends, that I am sharing it with you.
6 oz. hot Italian turkey sausage
2 cups chopped onions
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 jalapeno pepper, chopped (optional)
1 lb. ground sirloin
2 T. chili powder
2 T. brown sugar
1 [...]

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Felafel

I have never made felafel before, but I love it. A few nights ago my friend Lindsay, who used to live in Egypt and therefore knows good, authentic, felafel, made a batch and graciously shared it with us. It was sooooooo yummy. F. is going through a weird 4-year-old thing where he doesn’t [...]

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Walnut Cake with Praline Frosting

My mother sent me this cake recipe from Cooking Light. She said it is the easiest and best tasting cake she has ever made! Sounds like my kind of recipe.
This easy sheet cake is rich enough for adults to enjoy after dinner with coffee, yet just sweet enough to be a treat for children, [...]

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Penne with Pumpkin Cream Sauce

Ok, so maybe the heavy cream isn’t the healthiest option. But all things in moderation, right? This recipe is seriously easy, really tasty, and a nice diversion from our standard pasta recipes. Next time I think I will add toasted walnuts . . .
1 pound penne pasta
2T butter
1 onion, chopped
salt & pepper
1 15-oz. can [...]

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Couscous Salad with Tuna

I made this for lunch today, and it was super yummy. It was plenty for all 4 of us for lunch, with an extra serving left over. I’m definitely going to make this again to pack for school lunches.
1/2 cup uncooked couscous
1/2 cup boiling water
1 can tuna, drained
handful of olives, finely chopped
handful of cherry tomatoes, [...]

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7 Simple Family Meals. Single-mom chef Gillian Clark’s best recipes for busy families.

7 Simple Family Meals. Single-mom chef Gillian Clark’s best recipes for busy families..
I can’t wait to try out the Portobello Reuben!

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Creamless Creamy Tomato Soup

This recipe comes from the September-October issue of Cooks Magazine. I LOVE cream of tomato soup, but I’ve never tried to make it myself (beyond Campbell’s anyway.) This recipe just sounded too good to pass up though. Toss in a couple of grilled cheese sandwiches, and you have a perfect fall meal – and even [...]

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Skirt Steak

My mother sent me another recipe this morning. I can’t even remember the last time I ate steak, much less tried to cook it, but this sounds really good. Perhaps we can put the kids to bed early one night and R. and I can have steak for dinner . . .
“Here’s something I tried [...]

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Dangerous Chocolate Cake in a Mug!

My mother-in-law sent me this recipe in one of those email forwards that make the rounds of the internet. Chocolate cake in a mug? In 5 minutes? Seriously? You know I had to try this. The verdict: seriously YUM. I am in so much trouble . . .
1 coffee mug
4 Tbsp. cake flour (plain, [...]

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Chicken Club Salad

This is my father’s favorite summer meal. Raymond’s too. Easy to see why – this salad is bursting with clean summer flavor and gets even better after a day or 2 in the fridge. Summer is pretty much over now, but I think this salad will be perfect for our post-baptism brunch tomorrow.
2-3 chicken breasts
1 [...]

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