Olga's Flavor Factory

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Summer Recipe Ideas

Need some recipe ideas for the summer? I am sharing so many recipes ideas, easy meal prep, kitchen tips and even what store bought items you can get to make cooking easier.

Cooking in the summer can be extra overwhelming because it's when your children are out of school, you still need to get things done and there are so many extra outings, travel and family adventures thrown into the mix. Summer is a whirlwind of fun and is so fast paced, and I'm here to help you provide balanced meals for your family and still have time to join in the fun.

With these tips, you'll have a thought out approach that will help you make cooking work around your life, not the other way around.

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Strawberry Spinach Salad

One of my favorite summer salads is this Strawberry Spinach salad with avocados, toasted almonds and a sweet and tart balsamic dressing. All the components go so well together.

Strawberry Spinach Salad with avocados, shallot and balsamic dressing.

In this strawberry spinach salad, the tender spinach leaves pair wonderfully with sweet strawberries, creamy avocado, thinly sliced shallot and crunchy, toasted almonds. There are so many different textures in this salad and they all comes together with a tangy and sweet dressing, made with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, garlic, lemon juice and Dijon mustard.

It's one of those salads that you can pair with so many entrees, like grilled chicken, or even add some chicken to the salad and make it an entree. I also like serving this salad with Cheesy Chicken meatballs and a side of perfectly fluffy long grain white rice. This salad also pairs really well with seafood, like this Baked Steelhead Trout. It's a great salad to serve for company, because it's so easy to make but is so unique and interesting.

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Panna Cotta with blueberries

Panna Cotta is a creamy, cool and refreshing gelatin dessert that is a perfect treat for the warmer months. Flavored with lemon zest and juicy blueberries, you can add lots of other berries or fruit, like pineapple. This no-bake dessert is so easy to make and it's so convenient that it can be made in advance.

Blueberry, Pineapple and Lemon Panna Cotta

This recipe for a creamy, cool and luscious dessert is the perfect way to showcase any kind of berry. It's very similar to a panda cotta in flavor and texture, but has a more firm texture, which makes it perfect to serve in a loaf style, since it won't completely fall apart when serving. The soft and tender pana cotta is best suited for individual or smaller servings.

Blueberries are one of my favorites, and paired with pineapple, it is a really great combination. The berries are sweet and juicy and the pineapple slightly tart, crisp and very tropical. The lemon zest and vanilla really bring the flavor of this gelatin dessert up several notches. I got the recipe from my sister in law, Natasha, about 8 years ago, and we've been enjoying it ever since. 

One of the best things about gelatin desserts is that there is no baking required, which makes it really quick to prepare and it is perfect to make in advance. I usually make this the day before I am planning to serve it, so keep this in mind for parties.

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Stuffed Mini Peppers

Stuffed mini peppers with ground meat, rice and vegetables are so cute and delicious. Baked in a creamy tomato sauce and served with sour cream, they are great served as an appetizer or entree.

Stuffed Mini Peppers

These cute stuffed mini peppers are simply delightful. Instead of making stuffed peppers using regular sized bell peppers, using the mini peppers makes a really nice appetizer or entree.

The meat and rice stuffing is so juicy and scrumptious, since they have the addition of some sautéed veggies. The peppers are baked in a creamy garlic tomato and herb sauce and then served with sour cream. Each delicious mouthful is encased in a bright mini pepper, cooked just until tender. These dainty peppers are so elegant and pretty, you can serve them at parties and holiday meals. They are very healthy for you too, with almost no fat in the recipe and full of vitamins and nutrients from all those veggies.

You can prep the peppers ahead of time, which makes this a really convenient recipe for company dinners or busy weeknights. The peppers also reheat and freeze really well, so you can cook them once and enjoy them for more than one meal.

I have several stuffed pepper recipes on my website, since we enjoy them so much in my family. The Beef and Rice Stuffed Peppers are made using regular sized bell peppers, or make the Instant Pot Stuffed Peppers, which makes the process much faster.

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Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies

Soft and tender banana chocolate chip cookies are a delicious way to use your brown bananas in one of the most iconic and classic cookies. The cookies have a lovely cakey texture, a mild banana flavor and gooey melted chocolate chips in each bite.

Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate chip cookies bring up warm memories for many people. They are simple, homey and full of deep flavor. A wonderful variation to chocolate chip cookies is to add some bananas. If you have a few extra brown bananas, put them to good use. Once you try these, you may have to buy bananas specifically for these cookies because they are so good.

The addition of bananas gives the cookies a wonderful banana flavor and adds sweetness to the batter, which means you don't have to add too much sugar. I really like that these cookies aren't too sweet. I love the soft, cakey texture of these cookies with melted chocolate chips sprinkled in. Pack these into lunchboxes, take them along on a picnic, or on a road trip. They are perfect to snack on throughout the day.

We really enjoy banana desserts in our family, like Banana Cream Cheesecake, which is my personal favorite, Banana Muffins are so simple and are so nice with coffee or milk and a simple but unique banana recipe is my Banana Coffeecake. One of my boys' favorite breakfast that doesn't have any flour or sugar are Banana Egg Pancakes, so these chocolate chip cookies are another way to enjoy bananas.

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Cooking on Family Vacations

Do you do any cooking on family vacations? Here are some great menu ideas, helpful things to bring along, tips to make it easier and, of course, how you can still have plenty of time to relax.

Cooking on vacation can seem like an oxymoron. Is it even possible to relax even when you're still taking care of young children, cooking meals and cleaning? I'm sure many of you have heard the expression that as a parent, vacations with your children is not necessarily a "vacation", it's more like a "relocation". There's definitely some truth to that.

In this post and video, I am sharing some things that my family and I have found really helpful to make the best of cooking on vacations, have a good time doing it, still find time to relax as well as share some things to bring and as always, I'll give you menu ideas too.

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Stuffed Chicken Thighs

Stuffed chicken thighs are so satisfying and delicious. The chicken is so juicy on the inside but golden and crisp on the outside and filled with a cheesy rice stuffing. This is a wonderful dinner option for company and can even be made in advance.

Stuffed Chicken Thighs With Rice

Stuffed Chicken Thighs are a great idea, especially paired with a savory rice filling. Chicken and rice are a very common combination, such as a whole Butterflied Roast Chicken with Rice Stuffing, or a simple Chicken Rice Pilaf. Why not assemble it into something unique that has a beautiful presentation and is perfect to serve for company dinners? Since chicken thighs will not dry out as they roast like chicken breasts and are also the perfect size, they are a great option to serve it with stuffing, baking long enough to allow the flavors to meld into a creamy goodness and the chicken skin to get crisp and beautifully golden.

Chicken thigh meat is so juicy and tender, it's the perfect option to make these individual bundles filled with rice.  The rice is already flavorful with all the sautéed aromatic veggies - onion, celery, carrot and garlic, but as it bakes inside the chicken, it soaks up the flavors of the roasting chicken as well. There's also some cheese in the rice, so it becomes really creamy as it bakes.

This recipe has been a family favorite for more than a decade and we make them for many holidays and special occasions as well as regular family dinners. It's such a great example that a handful of simple ingredients can be served in an elegant way.

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Homemade Chicken Broth

Homemade chicken broth is so rich, flavorful and very simple to make. It's very nourishing, comforting and delicious. You only need a few simple ingredients, there's endless ways to use broth in varieties of recipes and it's so budget friendly too.

Homemade Chicken Broth in jars

I call homemade chicken broth "liquid gold" in my kitchen. It's so much more flavorful than anything you can buy at the store. You can adjust how much salt you use and the flavor by adding a variety of vegetables that you like. Plus, it has all wholesome ingredients, none of the weird stuff that you can't even pronounce or recognize on the ingredients list of the store bought broth. Most store bought chicken broths have only a slight whiff of chicken in the broth. With homemade broth, you will have so much chicken in the broth, which will make it really concentrated and comforting.

Chicken broth is the base of so many of my recipes, so I have some chicken broth on hand at all times. It freezes really well, so make a giant batch of broth and keep it stored in my freezer. Every few months I replenish my supplies. It really is one of the best foundations for my "flavor factory".        

There are endless ways that you can use chicken broth and it will make a big difference in the flavor of the meal that you're cooking when you use delicious homemade broth. I also have amazing recipes for both Vegetable Broth and Beef Broth too.

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Teriyaki Chicken Kabobs

These Chicken Kebabs are marinated in a homemade teriyaki sauce that makes them incredibly juicy and flavorful. With the addition of pineapple, bell peppers and red onion, they are so vibrantly beautiful and have so many delicious flavor combinations that are perfect for summer grilling.

Teriyaki Chicken Kabobs grilled with pineapple, peppers and red onion.

The homemade teriyaki sauce on the chicken kabobs is incredible with the fresh juicy pineapple and vegetables. This recipe is the perfect main course for summer grilling. It combines fresh flavors, vibrantly colorful ingredients and the convenience of kabobs. Not only are these kabobs so pretty and elegant, they are great for both easy family dinners and large get togethers. All the ingredients are ideal for the grill - chicken, pineapple, peppers and red onion. I think the combination of sweet and savory is lovely.

The homemade teriyaki sauce takes about 10 minutes to put together and it is the secret to making this recipe really stand out. The sauce not only marinates the chicken, but it is also brushed on at the end of grilling to make it extra saucy. The sweet, savory and saucy chicken with the juicy and crisp pineapple, bell peppers and red onion are a match made in heaven.

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Banana Egg Pancakes

Tender Banana Egg Pancakes made with only three ingredients, no added flour or sugar, they are so easy to make and are a hit with kids.

Banana Egg Pancakes

These Banana Pancakes are a favorite breakfast request from my boys. They are quick to make, made with just bananas, eggs and a little bit of baking powder and are really delicious and tender. The bananas provide more than enough sweetness that you don't need any additional sugar and the eggs bind them together. I think they give a hint of French toast - they have that sweet, custardy egg flavor.

Of course, since they don't have any flour or flour alternatives, they are not thick or fluffy, like traditional pancakes, but they have a charm of their own and my boys actually like them better. These pancakes are thin and delicate, very tender and sweet. If you like French toast and banana desserts, you will enjoy these. They are a great breakfast option.

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Ranch Potato Salad

This Ranch potato salad is so flavorful, creamy and the homemade Ranch dressing makes the flavors really stand out. Made with potatoes, hard boiled eggs, celery, pickles, roasted pepper and lots of fresh herbs, it has both creamy and crunchy textures and is vibrant and colorful too .

Potato Salads are perfect for summertime picnics and barbecues. Another big plus is that you can make the entire thing in advance. However, sometimes the classic potato salad recipe can be a bit bland and boring. I turned up the flavor dial on this potato salad giving it tons of different flavors, textures and a homemade Ranch dressing to bring it all together. 

Ranch is one of the most popular salad dressings for so people and it’s especially awesome when it’s homemade. The flavors are so much brighter, fresher and more delicious. The creamy and zesty Ranch dressing with buttermilk, fresh herbs and a hint of garlic coats the potatoes and makes all the flavors really pop. 

With the addition of hard boiled eggs, pickles, roasted peppers, celery to the potatoes, there is such a great variety of flavors and textures. The celery and pickles add some crunch and the roasted peppers and hard boiled eggs complement all the ingredients so well. 

It's a perfect salad to bring to your next potluck or to serve with tender BBQ ribs, juicy and satisfying homemade burgers, and of course, I can't forget grilled chicken.

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Instant Pot Chicken Wings

Chicken wings prepared in the Instant Pot are a great weeknight dinner. Cooking them in the Instant Pot takes just a few minutes, the meat remains really juicy and plump and crisping them up in the oven at the end gives them a golden and crunchy exterior.

Chicken wings are great as an appetizer, of course, but I really like serving them for dinner too. They are so easy to prepare, are super versatile, so you can smother them in lots of different sauces or keep them crisp and flavorful by leaving the sauce out.

Cooking them in the Instant Pot is one of my favorite methods because they only take 5 minutes to cook through and then just 15 minutes to crisp up in the oven. You'll have dinner on the table in about half an hour. They are really moist and tender on the inside, crunchy and saucy on the outside.

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How To Cook Long Grain White Rice

This simple method for cooking long grain white rice that is fluffy and tender works perfectly every time. Rice is a foundational recipe - not only do we serve rice as a simple side dish for so many different meals, but it is also added to many recipes as well. This way of cooking rice will give you reliable results.

Cooked rice is supposed to be fluffy, light and each grain distinct. It's such a simple task, yet why does it so often turn out mushy and over or undercooked? There are a few small secrets that will help make perfect rice a possibility every time. I learned this method from Alton Brown and since then don't cook rice any other way.

Rice should be one of the basic recipes that every home cook knows how to make really well. It's so easy to make it on the stovetop and takes less than 15 minutes from start to finish. Whether you serve it plain with stir fries, sauces and burrito bowls or add some additional ingredients to give your rice more flavor, using this method is the first step to all these variations. It is simple, fool proof and perfect. You don't need a rice cooker anymore, my friend.

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Chocolate Shortbread Bars

These chocolate shortbread bars are so tender and chocolatey. The creamy ricotta filling pairs really well with the sandy chocolate cookie crust and topping.

Chocolate Shortbread Bars with a creamy ricotta filling

For those of you who like brownies, you are going to love these chocolate shortbread bars. They really remind me of brownies because they have that rich chocolate flavor and are cut into bars just like brownies. The creamy ricotta filling makes them even more delicious.

The sweet cheesy center is sandwiched in between the buttery and sandy chocolate crust and topping. It's a very unique twist on brownies and cheesecake combined. The bars are tender and delicate, but sturdy enough to hold up a generous amount of filling. I purposely created this recipe to not be overwhelmingly sweet and heavy, instead going for a lighter feel, so you can enjoy more, without feeling heavy and getting a sugar rush.

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Life in Tampa Bay Florida

My family and I have lived in Tampa Bay, Florida for more than a decade. We share our favorite places to visit, what we enjoy about life in Florida and answer your questions about the heat, humidity, alligators, hurricanes and more.

Even though this website is dedicated to food and home life, one of the top questions I get regularly is about our life in Florida. I love showing you a glimpse of our beautiful Sunshine state in my pictures, videos and social media, so I'm happy to give you more details here.

My husband moved to Florida with his family in 2004. After we got married in 2006, I moved here too and we have lived here ever since. We love the weather (most of the time!), the sunshine, the tropical views all around us and so much more.

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Banana Cream Cheesecake

This banana cream cheesecake is so decadent and beautiful. The tender cheesecake is topped with a smooth and velvety banana Bavarian cream, fresh bananas and billowy whipped cream. It's such a refreshing dessert that can be made in advance.

Banana Cream Cheesecake, vanilla wafer crust cheesecake topped with Bavarian cream, fresh bananas and whipped cream.

The first time I tried Banana Cream Cheesecake was at the Cheesecake Factory many years ago on a date with my husband. I loved it so much that it's the only cheesecake I order when we go there ever since. The Bavarian cream on top of the cheesecake is what makes it so unique, creamy and extra decadent. Its cloud like texture goes so well with the smooth cheesecake.

The buttery vanilla wafer crust and the smooth cheesecake makes this my go-to cheesecake recipe for any flavor variation. Topped with fresh bananas and fluffy whipped cream, every layer complements each other. Since this cheesecake needs to be refrigerated, it is really refreshing and worthy of a special occasion.

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Cheesy Egg Muffins

These Cheesy Egg Muffins are so tender and such a satisfying breakfast. The eggs and cottage cheese mixture combined with all sorts of delicious breakfast ingredients are baked in a muffin pan to make individual portions. These egg muffins are great for meal prepping for the week and freeze really well too.

Cheesy Egg Muffins

I discovered this recipe more than a decade ago and have been making different versions of it for my family ever since. These egg muffins are cheesy, tender and are kind of like individual omelets with an endless possibility of fillings, such as sausage, ham, bacon, mushrooms, spinach, tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, broccoli, etc. Today I am sharing two options - Ham and Bacon for one meaty and hearty variation and a vegetarian version with onions, mushrooms and spinach.

Instead of baking these in individual portions, you can bake the egg mixture in a casserole dish. It makes for the most amazingly delicious and beautiful Breakfast Casserole. Serve these for brunch or overnight guests. It's so easy to put together but looks really spectacular and is always a big hit.

They are also great as leftovers and freeze really well too. Make a big batch, store it in your refrigerator and just reheat in the mornings.

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Potato Waffles

Use your waffle maker to make Potato Waffles. They taste very similar to potato pancakes or latkes but are thicker and have a crisp, golden crust that the waffle maker creates.

Potato Waffles made from raw potatoes and served with sour cream.

The waffle maker is an excellent tool to not only make delicious sweet waffles that are more of a dessert, like Belgian waffles, but can be used for delicious savory meals too, like these incredible Potato Waffles. I like appliances that have multiple uses, so using the waffle maker for more than one application is a big plus in my book. If it's going to take up space in my kitchen, it'd better do more than one thing:).

I've used the waffle maker to make both sweet and savory waffles, as well as grilled cheese sandwiches and "paninis" and when I used it to cook up crispy potato pancakes, I knew this would be one of my favorite alternative uses for the waffle maker.

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The Best Food To Share With New Parents or Those Recovering After a Hospitalization

Do you have any friends who recently had a baby or were hospitalized? One of the best ways you can support them is by giving them the gift of food. There is nothing like a delicious meal or a basket of muffins that will say "Congratulations" or "Get Well Soon" in a very tangible and appreciated way.


I've been hospitalized so many times, I lost count a long time ago. When you've had more than ten surgeries, you kind of stop counting after a while:). I've also had 3 c-sections, so I think you can trust my advice on this subject.

If someone in your family or community had a baby or was hospitalized, recovery can be difficult and a long process. No matter how quickly or slowly people recover, it's always disruptive to their usual daily lives, whether this was expected or not. This can be a very emotional, exhausting and stressful time for people, sometimes completely devastating and traumatic, other times so exciting and joyous. In any case, food is always a necessary part of this season of change and transition, and is usually the last thing on their minds. You can make it so much easier for them by putting in a little effort and either making some homemade food to share or bringing them some take out or groceries.

If you're not sure what to bring, I've got lots of great ideas for you.

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Weekly Meal Prep Spring 2021

Spending just a few hours one day a week will save you so much time the rest of the week when you meal prep some ingredients or cook a few recipes to have on hand. In this video, I am sharing a weekly menu and showing you what I meal prep as well as how I put it all together the following week.

I'm always so excited to share meal prep ideas because it helps me so much and I want to make your life easier too. I always say that even if you don't prep for a whole week's worth of meals, it's worth it to prep even a few things, such as chopping up or slicing extra vegetables for another meal while you are already working with them. I also highly recommend meal prepping for particularly busy weeks, holidays or company dinners.

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Cooking For Company Tips

Hospitality can be very stressful and intimidating, but it doesn't have to be. In this video and blog post, I am sharing practical tips that help me feel prepared and organized when hosting a meal in our home, so both my family and our guests can have a good time. I walk you through the menu and walk you through preparing in advance, putting it all together when our guests arrive, serving the meal and even washing the dishes at the end. I hope these tips help you feel more confident in having people in your home.

Inviting people into our home is one of the most intimate ways to connect and get to know each other better. My husband and I love having people in our home, but I'll be the first to admit that even though I've been doing it for years and feel pretty comfortable with it, it still comes with its stresses and challenges.

This is a video that I originally filmed for my course, Real Life Meal Planning and I'm excited to share it with you today. Come along with me as I get ready for company! My brother and his family came over for dinner one Saturday and while I'm preparing all the food and our home, I share some tips that help me be more organized and help everything flow more smoothly. I hope that with the tips shared in this video, it will help you feel more confident and make cooking for company less daunting and approachable.

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Broiled Steak - How to Cook Steak in the Oven

A broiled steak is the perfect method to cooking a steak in the oven if you don't want to use a grill. The steaks are charred and crisp on the outside and still juicy on the inside. Don't miss the delicious flavored butter to serve with the steak.

A perfectly cooked steak can be intimidating to do at home, but it's actually quite easy if you know a few simple tips. If you have a grill, that makes it much easier; that's the most common way that steaks are cooked. If you're looking for a great grilled steak recipe, I've got just the one for you.

Why would you want to cook a steak in the oven?

#1 Maybe you don't have a grill or it's the middle of winter, your grill is buried in snow and you want to stay in the cozy and warm house instead of trekking out into the cold. I tried this recipe during the years when my husband and I lived in apartments and didn't have access to a good grill.

#2. You don't need any fancy equipment - most people have a baking sheet and wire rack.

#3. Cooking a steak in the oven keeps splatters in the oven and not on you, all around the stove, the walls, the counters and the floors. I love getting a good sear on food using a great skillet, but washing the floors is a must after, even if you use a splatter guard.

After seeing a recipe in The Complete Cook's Country TV Show Cookbook, I was intrigued, even though I was a little bit skeptical too. Broiling steaks? It sounded like an interesting idea. I was ready to try anything to solve the smoky house problem and spraying myself with tiny little oil droplets while I stood next to the stove flipping the steaks.

Yes, folks, this is a wonderful method. If you don't have the convenience of a grill in your backyard or an exhaust fan that works properly, try this out. Charred and crisp on the outside, juicy on the inside, you only need to know a few secrets to be able to pull it off.

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Ricotta Pancakes

Ricotta Pancakes are so tender, light and fluffy. This breakfast is so great when you want something special but they are really easy to make.

Ricotta Pancakes

These pancakes are like a combination of pancakes and Russian Sirniki (farmer's cheese pancakes). The ricotta gives these pancakes a creamy texture and the whipped egg whites give it a lift and prevent them from being dense. These melt-in-your-mouth little cakes are a great way to celebrate the weekend.

There are so many wonderful options to serve them, simply with maple syrup, fresh fruit, berries or jam, but you can also make a sour cream sauce by combining sour cream, vanilla extract and powdered sugar. Another option is to blend up some fresh berries or fruit with sugar for a really refreshing sauce.

Lemon pairs so well with ricotta pancakes, simply by adding some lemon zest and a bit of juice to the batter. You can even serve it with some lemon curd - that would be delicious. (I'll include instructions for making Lemon Ricotta Pancakes below.)

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Healthy Broccoli Cheddar Soup With Vegetables

This version of the beloved Broccoli Cheddar soup is lightened up and packed with vegetables. It's so creamy and rich in flavor but is healthy and delicious.

A bowl of healthy broccoli, vegetable and cheese soup.


Broccoli cheddar soup is so comforting and each spoonful is creamy and rich. I love the flavor combination of broccoli with cheddar cheese. This recipe is a lightened up version of the classic favorite. Even though this recipe is a skinnier version, the only thing missing are a lot of the calories, the flavor is still incredibly delicious and the soup is delightfully creamy too.

The addition of all the other vegetables in this soup makes the flavor so much more concentrated and also makes it more dimensional. This creamy, velvety soup is just as comforting and hearty, while leaving you feeling light and healthy after finishing the bowl.

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Instant Pot Potatoes and Sausage Dinner With Pepper and Onion

This simple and comforting Instant Pot dinner made with potatoes, sausage, peppers and onion comes together so quickly and is a wonderful all in one meal.

These potatoes remind me so much of Braised Potatoes that I often make with chicken or pork, but using sausage makes it so much easier and faster. The potatoes soak up the flavors of the smoky sausage and the aromatic onions, garlic and bell peppers. The dry and fresh herbs give it both hearty and fresh flavors.

It cooks so quickly in the Instant Pot and doesn't take a lot of prep work either. The leftovers reheat really well too, so I usually make a big batch so we can enjoy it two nights in a row.

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Baked Chicken and Rice Burritos

Chicken, Mushroom and Rice Burritos-1-24

Baked Burritos filled with a creamy chicken, rice and mushroom filling absolutely incredible. The edges crisp up as they bake and are cheesy, comforting and taste so healthy and filling. Serve them with avocado and tomato salsa or pico de gallo, to make this even more delicious. 

Sometimes, you accidentally create a recipe that is such a winner with your family, you can't believe it yourself. I wasn't expecting anything spectacular when I put together the ingredients for this dish, since I was only thinking that this would be a great staple to put into my meal rotation. This was more a practical recipe creation than a creative lighting bolt moment. When I took it out of the oven and took the first bite, I was so excited at the flavors and textures that greeted my mouth, but I was even more thrilled when I saw my family's reaction when I served it to them. Needless to say, I hope you guys enjoy these Chicken, Rice and Mushroom Burritos as much as we did:).

Chicken and rice are such common leftovers at my house and I figured that incorporating them into a completely different meal would be a cool way to give them new life. Adding lots of extra flavor with simple pantry ingredients was exactly the way to go, so I used onion, celery, garlic and fresh mushrooms. If you don't like mushrooms, you can easily skip them.

You know what's even better about these Burritos? You can make them ahead of time and even freeze them. I know, it just keeps getting better and better! The burritos bake up with a lovely cheesy topping, but still have some crisp edges all around. The filling is so creamy and flavorful and completely versatile. You can add all kinds of other ingredients depending on what you have in your house or what you're craving on the day that you're making them - bell pepper, corn, beans, tomatoes, olives, broccoli - the possibilities are endless. Instead of the chicken, you can use shredded pork, shredded beef or even ground meat. I served these burritos with Pico de Gallo, sliced avocados and sour cream.

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Strawberry Mousse

This Strawberry Mousse is a creamy, billowy and fluffy dessert, that’s a refreshing and luscious treat. It's so easy to make, can be made in advance and would be the perfect end to a romantic meal.

Strawberry Mousse - creamy, fluffy mousse with fresh strawberries and cream.

Each spoonful of this Strawberry Mousse is so luxurious and refreshing. It's really easy to prepare, and looks so stunning and elegant too. The fresh strawberry flavor is accentuated in several ways - blended into the mousse as well as garnished on top and on the bottom of the mousse.

We love serving this dessert in the summer, since it's cold and refreshing. Not having to turn on the oven during the hot summer days is a big plus too.

In Florida, strawberry season is in the winter as well, so we take full advantage of that and make sure to make it in February too, so it's perfect timing to make for Valentine's day too.

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Shrimp and Vegetable Pasta

Sweet and juicy shrimp sautéed with an assortment of colorful vegetables - shallots, celery, bell peppers, zucchini and tomatoes, all served with pasta and coated in a garlic and white wine sauce.

At home date nights where you start out by cooking the dinner together are so much fun! I highly recommend making this Shrimp and Vegetable Pasta Dinner. Once you prep all the ingredients, it comes together quickly and looks spectacular too.

The shrimp is plump and sweet and pairs really well with the assortment of vegetables, marrying together with all their different flavors and textures. The long thin strands of angel hair pasta are perfect for this recipe and the garlic and white wine sauce is really tasty, but light too, not heavy at all. The combination of the golden and juicy shrimp with the sautéed vegetables and the fresh tomatoes and parsley is really wonderful.

Besides the pasta, everything else is cooked all in one skillet, so that's another wonderful aspect of this recipe - less dishes to wash later.

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Kitchen Tour

Welcome to my kitchen! Come on in and I'll walk you through the kitchen and share how I organize it and maximize the space so that it serves our family well.

The kitchen has always been the heart of any home that I've been part of, no matter how humble or grand. Since cooking is a big part of my life - I've been sharing recipes online since 2012, of course the kitchen is where I spend the majority of my time.

Today I am going to walk you through my kitchen, sharing some of my favorite things about it and why it works so well for our family. Watch the video where I open all the cupboards and drawers and show you how I use this space.

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Minestrone Soup

Minestrone soup is hearty, comforting and packed with vegetables. My version is made with onion, carrots, celery garlic, potatoes, cabbage, beans, tomatoes and then topped with fresh herbs and Parmesan cheese.

Bowl of Minestrone soup

Soup holds a very special place in my heart. It's soothing, comforting and can either be a first course or a complete meal. Minestrone soup is an Italian classic, and if you search for the recipe, you'll be blown by how many variations there are of this simple soup.

This soup is hearty, robust, rustic and would go perfectly with a crusty chunk of bread. It's also full of nutrients and is very healthy. When I first tried it, I was reminded of Russian Shchi, cabbage soup.

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Instant Pot Steel Cut Oatmeal

Oatmeal is a simple and nutritious breakfast. Steel cut oats take 30-40 minutes to cook on the stovetop, but take a fraction of that time in the Instant Pot. The oatmeal is so creamy and has a really wonderful texture. It reheat really well too, so I love making a big batch when I'm meal prepping for the week and it only takes a few minutes to reheat on the stovetop.

Steel Cut Oatmeal made in the Instant Pot topped with fresh berries, blueberries and strawberries

A bowl of creamy and warm oatmeal is a perfect breakfast that is both healthy, nutritious and comforting too. I love the nutty and grainy texture of steel cut oats but they take so long to cook on the stovetop that I rarely make them that way.

In the Instant Pot, they take 13 minutes to cook and it's a hand off way to prepare them. That means I can add all the ingredients in, turn it on and go get myself and my children ready for the day and not have to worry that the milk will run over (what a mess!) or the oatmeal will burn.

I also really appreciate the steel cut oatmeal reheats beautifully. I can make a big batch, store it in my refrigerator and it only takes a few minutes to reheat on the stove.

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Fruit Salad That Stays Fresh For Days

A delicious fruit salad that stays fresh for days is almost unheard of, but this one works so well. Not only does it tastes delicious and full of tropical flavors - oranges, peaches, nectarines, mangos, apples and bananas, but you can prepare a large bowl and enjoy it all week long.

Fruit salad is perfect for breakfast or as a dessert or snack any time of day. This is one of my favorite combination - oranges, nectarines, mangos, apples and bananas. The flavors marry with each other perfectly and the textures complement each other perfectly too - soft, crunchy and in between.

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Butterflied Roast Chicken With Rice Stuffing

This Butterflied Roast Chicken has a crisp and golden skin, juicy meat and the rice stuffing cooks right along with the chicken. It is a perfect recipe to make for the holidays or any special occasion, since it has a stunning presentation, it can be prepped in advance and the main course and side dish are all cooked at the same time.

Butterflied Roast Chicken With Rice Stuffing-1-8

A stuffed bird sounds like a great idea, right? I know, it holds the charm of a one dish meal, with your protein and starch cooking at the same time. However, I completely agree with Alton Brown that stuffing is evil:). (His show of Romancing the Bird is one of the most popular videos and recipes on the Food Network.).

Here are some problems with stuffing a bird.

#1. In order for the stuffing to get cooked through completely, you need to cook it MUCH longer than the actual bird, so you end up with chewy, dry and rubbery meat.

#2. The amount of stuffing that fits inside the bird is a measly amount, so you either have to make more stuffing on the side, or else half of your family/guests will be left very sad because there wasn't enough stuffing for everybody.

With this recipe, not only does the chicken cook faster and gets a much more evenly crisp, golden skin, but you also get the lovely addition of a delicious rice stuffing to go with it, without any of the above mentioned problems.

Since the bird simply rests on top of the stuffing, you can get a lot more stuffing than if you were stuffing it inside the cavity.  Most importantly, since the rice is directly spread out on the baking sheet and gets a lot of the oven's heat instead of being protected and shielded all around by the bird, the stuffing is cooked through completely just as soon as the chicken is done roasting.

So what do we end up with? A moist, juicy chicken with golden, crisp skin and scrumptious rice stuffing, all cooked much faster than the traditional roast bird. I'll take it!

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Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies

Soft sugar cookies that are perfect to be used with your cookie cutters, no matter what the holiday or occasion. These cookies are tender and soft but keep their shape so well as they bake. The tangy sour cream icing pairs nicely with the buttery cookies. This recipe gives you and your kids the chance to become artists.

Soft Cut Out Sugar Cookies

I've been on the hunt for the perfect soft cut-out sugar cookie recipe ever since my boys were old enough to hold cookie cutters in their chubby little hands. There's something so special about baking these cookies together – it's the kind of fun, messy activity that makes great memories. After years of experimenting and testing (we're talking more than five!), I'm thrilled to finally share this recipe with you.

Over the years, I turned my kitchen into a cookie lab, testing countless variations to find the right balance. With such a simple recipe, there's no room for error – it has to be just right. I wanted these cookies to hold their shape perfectly, without spreading or puffing up too much, and, of course, to be soft and tender, staying that way for days! (Is that too much to ask for?) The icing went through its own round of testing too, making sure it complemented the cookies just right. I'm so excited for you to give this recipe a try!

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Pecan Tassies

Pecan Tassies are cute and delicious pecan pies - but better! The buttery and flaky dough for these individual little pastries is filled with crunchy pecans and a gooey brown sugar filling.

Pecan Tassies-12

Every  year for Christmas, we have a family tradition of baking all kinds of baked goodies. We spend days with flour, sugar and eggs, forming cookies and pastries that will fill pretty plates. 

Pecan tassies have always been at the top of the list. The mini pies are so cute and taste amazing. I really like the combination of the tender crust with the gooey, nutty and somewhat  crunchy filling. 

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How to Make Gravy Without Turkey Drippings

Silky, creamy and smooth, this turkey gravy is so flavorful without using the turkey drippings from a whole turkey. Roasting turkey wings along with other vegetables creates the traditional flavor for the holidays in such an easy way.

How to make gravy without turkey drippings. An easy way to get the traditional flavors into gravy without roasting a whole turkey.

Even if you're not roasting a whole turkey, you can make the most delicious, flavorful turkey gravy by roasting turkey wings with vegetables and using those drippings to make the gravy. The other plus to using this method is that you can make the gravy in advance and just reheat on the day that you'll be serving it. Turkey wings are available in most stores year round, so they are accessible and give you an easy way to make gravy.

As the turkey wings are roasting, the juices drip down into the vegetables, which also get soft and caramelized as they bake. The chicken broth keeps the vegetables from scorching and catch all the turkey drippings as they roast. The liquid becomes packed with flavor, which will be used to make the turkey gravy.

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Lemon, Garlic and Herb Roasted Turkey Breast

A roasted boneless turkey breast is juicy and tender, with lemon, garlic and herbs flavoring it all the way through.

Lemon, Garlic and Herb Roasted Turkey Breast

This roasted turkey breast is such a wonderful recipe to enjoy for the holidays, but is also a wonderful way to enjoy turkey all year long too, and much simpler to prepare.

There are several reasons why you should prepare a turkey breast. First of all, if you prefer the white meat to the dark. Second of all, if you have a small gathering for Thanksgiving or another dinner when you don't want to make a 15-pound bird. And lastly, if you have a really large gathering and having more meat would be a good idea, but you don't want to make 2 birds. Roasting a turkey breast is much easier and takes less time than roasting a whole turkey.

I used a lemon, garlic and herb butter to rub all over the turkey to give it lots of flavor. The butter seeped into the turkey as it roasted and made it really juicy. Even the leftover turkey is really tender and packed with flavor. The lemon, garlic, and the assortment of fresh herbs really penetrated into all of the meat, since I marinated it overnight and the flavors complement each other really well. I would suggest making this for any other holiday when you're having company and any day of the week for your family, not just on Thanksgiving. 

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How To Use and Clean Stainless Steel Skillets and Cookware

Stainless steel cookware can be a bit intimidating to use and to clean. Here you will find tips on the best ways to use stainless steel and how to clean it so it stays in the best condition for many years.

This is NOT a sponsored post or video. I bought all the products featured at my own expense and am not working with any brands. Some of the links in the post may be affiliate links.

Why Would You Want to Have Stainless Steel Cookware?

Stainless steel cookware is very durable and will last you a lifetime. I have owned my cookware for more than 8 years and I am really happy with it. Stainless steel is also much healthier to use than nonstick cookware, which has a lot of research showing that the coatings are not good for our health. Stainless steel is great for getting a great sear on food and then can create an absolutely delicious sauce to go along with it.

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Belarusian Potato Babka

This hearty Belarusian potato babka is made from grated potatoes, flavored with bacon bits or salt pork and sautéed onions. It's usually baked into a type of casserole until it's golden on top and creamy and fluffy in the center.

Belarusian Pototo Babka, a potato casserole or potato cake made with grated raw potatoes, sautéed bacon and onions. It's golden and crisp on the outside and tender and fluffy on the inside, served with sour cream.

I love recipes that feature my Belarusian roots, like this Potato Babka. I can still remember watching my both my grandmothers make potato babka and climbing up on the chair behind the kitchen table to enjoy this potato goodness. Every time I make Babka, it brings back so many warm memories. I have come to find out that my husband, also with strong Belarusian roots, grew up eating this too.

Potato Babka is very similar in taste to Potato Pancakes, but cooked in a different way. The potatoes are creamy on the inside and crunchy on the outside. Using raw grated potatoes makes the texture so unique. Just like potato pancakes, it is delicious served with sour cream.

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Pumpkin Carrot Muffins

Tender and moist Pumpkin Carrot Muffins with apples, walnuts and a sandy crumb topping, they are perfect for breakfast or dessert.

Pumpkin Carrot Cake Muffins

Pumpkin Carrot Muffins are perfect to make in the autumn and fall months when pumpkin puree is in season. These muffins are soft and tender, but also very moist, even several days after baking them.

I created this recipe to be a combination of pumpkin muffins with a twist on morning glory muffins. They are a combination of so many ingredients that are in season in the glorious autumn months. The addition of the grated carrots, grated apple, applesauce and walnuts definitely gives them more texture and crunch. The buttery crumb topping pairs really well with the muffins and gives them an iconic "bakery" touch.

You can also add some chocolate chips, raisins or other dry fruits, grated coconut flakes and use any kind of nuts instead of the walnuts to customize these muffins to your taste.

They are so simple to prepare, no mixer required, and I love how soft they stay even a few days after baking them.

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