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Do you ever come across one of those recipes that you just know you have to make, like, immediately?? Well, these Philly Cheese Steak Stuffed Peppers from Peace, Love, & Low Carb were one of those for me! I mean, seriously, stuffing all the yummy flavors of a Philly Cheese Steak into a pepper is genius. And I had to try it. Continue Reading >>
Happy Mother's Day to all Mom's out there! In honor of this special day, I decided to ask my very special Mom to pick her top 10 sweet treats from The Kitchen is My Playground to share with all of you. Well, you see that the title of this post is "Mom's 16 Sweet Treat Favorites," right? That's because Mom couldn't pick just 10! Nope. She
Okay, these Barbecue Roasted Mixed Nuts ROCK! I absolutely love barbecue potato chips. I mean, like could totally lick the inside of the chip bag kind of love ... but as I say in random fact #11 on my {About Me} page, I can't be left alone with a bag of chips. It's detrimental ... to both me and the chips. Well, I've discovered with these Barbecue Roasted Mixed Nuts,
It's almost strawberry season in my neck of the woods! And I. Can't. Wait. I absolutely love fresh-from-the-field strawberries, eating most of them 'straight-up.' Just a quick little rinse ... and then a big ol' bite into the sweet, juicy goodness. Yes, my favorite way to enjoy strawberries. But sometimes I do want to jazz my strawberries up just a bit. L
Oh, baby, with all the jalapenos flying around in these dishes, it's gettin' hot in here! There is never a shortage of jalapeno peppers in our house ... they're a staple ... like, as much as flour, sugar, and milk it seems. Though I have to admit, I didn't really realize how much of my cooking is Mexican-and-spicy-flavors inspired until I pulled together this Cinco de Mayo
Want a KitchenAid Mixer? Well, it's your lucky day! 'Cause you could win one right here on The Kitchen is My Playground! Yup, I've teamed up with a group of awesome bloggers to give away a KitchenAid Mixer in honor of Mother's Day. And let me just tell you, my KitchenAid Mixer made whipping up this easy Hershey's Chocolate Syrup Cake even easier.
Thank you to Concord Foods for sponsoring this post. My husband recently asked me to make him stuffed peppers. Hmmmm, I have to admit I wasn't thrilled with this request. See, I've never really been a stuffed peppers fan ... you know, the typical green bell pepper stuffed with rice-mixed-with-something and smothered with tomato sauce? ... it's just not my thing. So
Do you love casseroles? Got a favorite? Well, then it's your lucky day! 'Cause you can share that favorite casserole with Shedd's Spread Country Crock on their Facebook page to enter the Country Crock Stars contest. By simply clicking this link, sharing a photo of you with your favorite casserole, and sharing in about 100 words how you demonstrate creativity and r
I have a friend who absolutely loves chocolate-covered cherries. I mean, I do too. They're one of my favorites. But my love totally pales in comparison to hers. Well, 'said' friend came over recently, along with a few of our other friends, for a The Kitchen is My Playground tasting party. What's that, you say? A tasting party?? Continue Reading >>
Ever get tired of your same-ol’-same-ol’ lunch? As a 1st grade teacher, I sure do. I mean, I pack my lunch every day for 180+ days during the school year. Packing lunch … every day, every day, every day. And now thanks to Hidden Valley, I have four new low fat spreads to help shake up my lunch routine! ... there's Country Herb Ranch, Oven Roa
So, I've recently started doing Zumba. Yup. And I don't really like to exercise, so that's a big deal. Seriously, it's totally amazing for me. 'Cause exercise is truly just not my thing. But, alas, sometimes we just need to do things that are good for us, like it or not. So I took the plunge into Zumba, and much to my surprise, I actually even like i
I have become enamored with the simplicity of this no-bake pie method ... the simplicity of simply melting some chocolate and stirring it into some Cool Whip. Can a great tasting pie truly be that easy? Oh, yes. Yes, it can. I found that out in the classic No-Bake Hershey's Chocolate Bar Pie I posted about just a little bit ago. Once I had whipped up that no-bake chocolate bar
Not too long ago, I professed my love for salsas when I posted my recipe for easy Restaurant-Style Salsa. It's an undying love, for sure. Well, now I bring you my all-time absolute favorite salsa. Ever. Like, if salsas could be our friends, this one would be my BFF. Continue Reading >>
Got ham? Sure, I bet many of us still have some leftover Easter ham in the frig, ... or have popped some in the freezer. Well, this Ham & Cheese Lasagna is my absolute favorite way to enjoy our leftover Easter ham ... Continue Reading >>
Happy day after Easter and April Fool's Day and Spring Break day {at least for me}, all in the same day everyone! Mark and I just got back from spending Easter weekend 'home' with our families. We had a very nice and relaxing weekend ... Mark got to spend time doing two of the things he loves best - working with our bees and working with his tractor. I got to do two of the
Want to make pie but thinking it's too hard? Or too time consuming? Or too messy? Well, then you haven't met this pie yet. And you won't believe a pie this good can be this easy. Continue Reading >>
I have a bit of an obsession with granola ... like these chai, mocha, peanut butter, and honey-vanilla varieties. I just love to snack on its crunchiness. But you know, sometimes you want a soft-and-chewy granola treat. A chocolatey peanut buttery soft-and-chewy granola treat. Like these Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Granola Bites. Oh, yes ... these granola bites hit the spot.
I am a total sucker for chips and salsa. Of all kinds. Plain ol' regular salsa, fresh pico de gallo (or simply 'pico,' as we call it), fruit salsas like peach-pineapple or mango, and even blueberry salsa. Yes, blueberry salsa. In fact, eating chips and salsa is my total downfall when eating out at a Mexican restaurant. I can easily steer myself to the healthier menu
"You got yogurt in my peanut butter! ... You got peanut butter in my yogurt!" And just like the famous combination of peanut butter and chocolate from Reese's, the pairing really works. Now, as a little aside, remember that little Reese's commercial bit ... Continue Reading >>
Chocolate makes me happy. Triple chocolate makes me even happier. Put triple chocolate in cookie form? ... I'm in cookie heaven. And including a little whole-grain oats makes them healthy, right? Okay, so maybe not so much with that last part ... Continue Reading >>
New England Boiled Dinner ... corned beef, cabbage, carrots, onions, potatoes, and turnip all simmered together until tender ... oh, how I had forgotten how much I love you! I grew up on this stuff. But until last weekend, I had never made it myself. And, seriously, it had been about twenty years since I'd had it last. {Am I seriously old enough to say it's been twenty ye
It's that time of year! Yes, the time of year when rascally little leprechauns make their appearances in all the craziest of places. And last year ... we had one turn up in my 1st grade classroom! Can you believe it? He turned over the chairs in our classroom. Threw little shamrocks all over everything. Left us silly notes on the whiteboard. Dropped his hat one day ... and
Oh, I have a very exciting post today! You know why? Well, because I'm sharing a very easy, very yummy recipe featuring two wonderful products from Concord Foods. But that's not all. It's also because one of you gets to try these wonderful products, too! That's right. Compliments of Concord Foods, I get to give away a sampler pack of their guacamole and salsa season
I have a friend who absolutely loves Nutella. Well, don't many of us? I mean, I sure do. But she loves it so much that any time I make something with Nutella, or even mention the word for that matter, she gushes "Oh, I could bathe in Nutella!" So, how about ... Continue Reading >>
My husband doesn't like 'regular' soups ... they've got to be thick and chunky for him. Me? It doesn't matter ... thick or thin ... as long as it tastes good. But I do have to admit, I have a weakness for creamy, hearty chowder. And I especially have a weakness for New England style clam chowder. So, with creamy, chunky goodness, I'm happy to say this Slow
I'm not a picky eater. Well, except for just a few things. Like fish. And black olives. And caraway seeds. And peanut butter. Yes, I'm extremely picky when it comes to peanut butter. I like it best straight-up on a spoon, just scooped out of the jar. Just plain, slathered on a piece of bread? Okay. On toast or an English muffin? ... Continue Reading >>
This summer I had the opportunity to indulge in the best quiche I've ever had. Ever. Seriously. This quiche is not just good quiche. It's a food and flavor experience. And just where did I have the good fortune to discover this amazing quiche? ... at the Mountain Laurel Creek Inn & Spa in Dahlonega, Georgia ... Mountains. Peacefulness. Fantastic spoil-us-silly
The Kitchen is My Playground turned 2 this week! I can hardly believe it. Last year on the 1st bloggiversary, I shared the story of how The Kitchen is My Playground came to be. This year, in addition to bringing you these totally decadent dark chocolate Raspberry Truffle Brownies ... 'cause a celebration calls for total decadence, right? ... I decided to share some of the c
Have you seen the plethora of pudding cookies and cake mix cookies all over the blogosphere? They're everywhere! In all kinds of flavors and combinations. So, with all this inspiration out-and-about, can you believe I'd never made cake mix or pudding cookies? Until now. After seeing version after version after version of these cookies, the other night I decided I needed to giv
Mmmmmm, calzones. They're like little personal-sized pizza pillows. And for me, they hold beautiful memories from growing up. A few times a year, Mom and I would go on an all-day shopping trip. I'd save, and save, and save my babysitting money so I'd have a nice little pot of money to spend on whatever clothes struck my fancy. Back in those days I was quite the little
Whew! This Chipotle Sweet Potato Chowder is one that was tough to 'get right!' But I was determined. And persistence paid off. The moment I came across this recipe in a magazine, I was intrigued. I had never thought of including sweet potatoes in a chowder, let alone making them the star of the show. Naturally, I had to give it a try. But ... it wasn't love at fi
It's almost Valentine's Day! So, have you made some sweet treats for your sweetie yet? I've whipped up these totally adorable Chocolate Valentine Kiss Cookies. Aren't they cute? But I have a confession to make ... Continue Reading >>
It's Playground Round-Up time! ... where I highlight treats from the blog related to a particular theme or ingredient. So, what's this Round-Up's theme you ask? Party foods! 'Cause isn't there a big football game coming up or something? Yeh. I think maybe there is. And we all know we love to enjoy our party foods with our football. So h
Shoooooo! Cold weather has finally hit down here in the South. And I. Don't. Like it. Okay, now I know I really don't have anything even remotely close to being okay to complain about. 'Cause, truly, temperatures in the 20s and 30s are not actually cold. I grew up in Vermont. I do understand what true cold is. But now ... Continue Reading >>
This year for Christmas Eve dessert, Mom decided we would have a 'pie bar.' Each of us ladies in the family was to bring a pie. How fun is that?? I had the. hardest. time. deciding what pie I was going to bring. I just couldn't pick from all the amazing pie ideas around! Finally ... and I do mean finally, after about two weeks of staring at my pile of pie recipes ... C
Ya know ... sometimes the simplest things are the best things. Like sleeping in on a Saturday morning. A leisurely breakfast. A few minutes sitting in the sunshine. These are some of life's simple pleasures for me. Oh, and let's not forget this super-easy, super-tasty, 4-ingredient Hot Onion Souffle Dip! Yep, for just 4 ingredients ... Continue Reading >>
Before we get to this Sweet Potato Hummus (mmmm hmmmm, you read that right .... Sweet Potato Hummus), I have a funny story from my classroom to share. One of my little 1st graders absolutely cracked me up this week with what he said ... Continue Reading >>
What is it about classic no-bake cookies that make me love them so much? They certainly don't look good ... I mean, they're like little chocolate plops {okay ~ maybe we shouldn't go there}. But boy, they sure do taste good. And can I just say? ... When you add Nutella ... Continue Reading >>
Do you have delicious main dishes in your 'food arsenal' that you just seem to forget about sometimes? Well, this Easy Baked Chicken Cacciatore is one of those for me. I was thumbing through my family cookbook the other night ... and ... there this recipe was! Just staring me in the face saying, ... Continue Reading >>
Before we get into this yummy Mocha Granola, I'd like to put first things first and say ... happy new year, everybody! I hope that 2013 brings you a year full of health and happiness. And now, can I just tell you how much of this granola I make every week? A triple batch. That's about 15 cups. 15 cups! That's a lot of granola. Why do I make so much, you a
Whew! Don't know about you, but I ate way too much sugar over the holidays. I'm definitely feeling the need for some veggie-ness in my life right about now. Enter ... our newest favorite salad green - kale. Mark loves kale so much I swear I could make him a huge kale salad every day without him getting tired of it. And I love the way kale is more 'sturdy' than
Well, the Christmas season has come and gone. I spent some wonderful time with my family, relaxed, and ate waaaaaaayyy too much. Now it's time to turn an eye toward healthier eating to make up for all that sugar I ate during the holidays! It's also time to turn an eye toward the favorite posts of 2012 on The Kitchen is My Playground. I have so much fun going back through the
"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go. Take a look in the five-and-ten, glistening once again, with candy canes and silver lanes a-glow." Oh, yes! ... It's almost Christmas! My baking is done. The presents are all wrapped (finally!). My last-minute grocery purchases are complete. And now ... it's time to simply enjoy the fun and
This post is in honor and support of the victims of Sandy Hook. Bloggers unite on this day in support of the Newtown, Connecticut community after the tragic elementary school shooting one week ago, 12/14/12. There's probably not a soul on the planet who hasn't heard of the horrific shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School one week ago today. And, like many, I want
I love it when I have an event to bake for, 'cause it gives me an excuse to try out new recipes. I had been itching to try out this German Chocolate Cracker Candy for a while ... so when it came time for our December after-school teacher get-together, I whipped this recipe out of my files to give it a go. But, things didn't go quite as planned for this one ... and I had
I've been a bit obsessed with peppermint over the past couple of weeks. I'm really not sure why, but I've been drawn to recipes with peppermint this Christmas season. So imagine my disappointment when today I tried out four new recipes with peppermint ... four ... and wasn't happy with a single one of them. Not a one. Major bummer-in-the-kitchen day.
Mmmmmmmm ... gingerbread. It's one of my absolute favorite Christmas traditions. I make gingerbread cookies every year. And though we don't do it every year, our family has lots of fun with gingerbread houses, too. So when I had the opportunity to participate in the 'Twist Up Tradition with Blueberries!' recipe challenge, sponsored by the U.S. Highbush Blueber
I've decided to start a new 'thing' on The Kitchen is My Playground ... the Playground Round-Up, where I'll periodically highlight treats from the blog related to a particular theme or ingredient. I figured what better way to kick off the Playground Round-Up than with a focus on Christmas cookie tray sweet treats! (Oh, and I use the term 'cookie tray&
Mmmmmmmmmm ... ooey-gooey Caramel-Walnut Squares. They're one of my family's absolute, absolute favorites. And want to know what's extra special about this batch? They were baked up for a great cause - Cookies for Kids' Cancer! Cookies for Kids' Cancer is an organization dedicated to raising funds for pediatric cancer research. A very worthy cause in my book.
Before we get into just how absolutely scrumptious this layered Mocha Fudge Pie is, I'd like to share a couple of really exciting 'technical' changes here at The Kitchen is My Playground. Did you notice? Did you notice?? No? Well, then please allow me to share! First ... I'm very excited to share that I've created a photo recipe index. Yup ...
