Sweet Silly Sara: recipe

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Classic Beef Bourguignon

Give a classic dish like beef bourguignon a yummy twist for a family pleasing dinner. This recipe tastes fancy, but is actually quite easy to make. The most difficult part of making this time tested dish at home is having the patience to wait for a few hours while your house fills with the most mouthwatering aromas!

While this dish was inspired by Julia Child's, I have made a few simple changes to make the recipe work with what I had on hand. My family loved the results and I believe your family will too. With tender chunks of beef and the most saucy gravy, this dish offers stick to your ribs comfort food with each bite.

While I didn't use pearl onions as Julia Child would have, I thought the cherry tomatoes were a perfect change and it allowed me to put some of the produce I had in my fridge to work without having to buy anything special for the dish. With grocery prices being so high, it is great to have recipes you can adapt to what you already have at home.

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 ounces bacon, coarsely chopped

1 pound of beef or even ham

1 carrot

1 white onion

3 garlic cloves

1 pinch coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

3/4 tablespoon flour

7 cherry tomatoes

2 cups red wine

2 cups beef or vegetable broth

1 tablespoon tomato paste

2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped (separate)

1 bay leaves

1/3 pound fresh mushrooms

1 tablespoons butter.

1. Cut the bacon into large pieces. In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan, fry the bacon in 1/2 tablespoon olive oil for about 3 minutes, until crisp and browned. Place the bacon on a serving platter.

2. Blot the beef with a paper towel. Cut into large pieces Fry the beef in the bacon fat over high heat on all sides. Send the beef to the bacon.

3. Melt the butter in a frying pan. Add chopped garlic clove and mushrooms cut in half. Saute until golden. Set the mushrooms aside.

4. Place sliced carrots and chopped onion in the pan until transparent. Add 1-2 cloves of chopped garlic and cook for another minute. At this point, if you have a lot of fat, the excess fat can be drained . We add a little fat. Return the bacon and meat to the pot.

5. Season with 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt and a pinch of ground pepper. Add the cherry tomatoes, chiles, cherry tomatoes, bay leaf, parsley, and flour. Pour in the wine and enough broth to cover the meat. Cover with a lid and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 1.5-2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the meat begins to fall apart. Add the prepared mushrooms 5 minutes before the end of cooking. Turn off the heat and leave the dish on the stove for 15 minutes to allow all the flavors to blend.

Tips:

If the gravy is a bit runny, dilute flour in water and add it at the end of cooking the stew. If it is thick, dilute it with wine.

The dish becomes tastier on the second and third day. Take this into account when planning your menu

Dry spices and spicy ingredients can be varied.

Serve Beef Bourguignon with fresh bread, potatoes, mashed potatoes, rice or noodles.

Enjoy!

Find more great recipes here:

Foolproof Biscuits

Maple Brown Sugar Cookies

Homemade Coleslaw Dressing

Peanut Butter Chicken and Noodles

Instant Pot Creamy Garlic Lemon Pasta

Instant Pot Creamy Lemon Parmesan Pasta: A Weeknight Dream

Craving a restaurant-worthy meal but short on time? This Instant Pot Creamy Lemon Parmesan Pasta is your new weeknight savior. It's bursting with bright lemon flavor, rich parmesan cheese, and a silky smooth sauce, all cooked in under 10 minutes!

This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. The Instant Pot does all the hard work, while you're free to whip up a salad, prep some garlic bread, or simply relax with a glass of wine. Plus, it's a crowd-pleaser that's sure to satisfy everyone at the table.

What You'll Love About This Recipe:

Fast and Easy: This dish comes together in under 10 minutes, thanks to the magic of the Instant Pot.
Packed with Flavor: The combination of tangy lemon and nutty parmesan cheese creates a flavor profile that's both bright and satisfying.
Creamy and Dreamy: The sauce is rich and creamy, coating every strand of pasta perfectly.
Customizable: Feel free to add protein like cooked chicken or shrimp, or throw in some veggies like broccoli or asparagus for a more well-rounded meal.

Ready to Get Cooking?

Head over to your kitchen and grab your Instant Pot. The full recipe with ingredient list and instructions awaits! In the meantime, here are some extra tips to ensure your Creamy Lemon Parmesan Pasta turns out perfectly:

Use High-Quality Parmesan: Freshly grated parmesan cheese will make a world of difference in the taste of your sauce.
Don't Overcook the Pasta: The Instant Pot cooks pasta quickly, so be mindful of the cooking time. You want the pasta to be al dente, with a slight bite.
Garnish with Fresh Herbs: A sprinkle of fresh parsley or basil adds a pop of color and freshness to the finished dish.

Ingredients:

8 oz of spaghetti noodles

1 ½ c of chicken broth

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1 shallot, sliced thin

1 cup of parmesan cheese, shredded or shaved

1 cup of half and half

1 lemon

1 teaspoon of butter or olive oil

1 tablespoon of butter

Directions:

Turn the instant pot to saute.

When it is hot, add 1 teaspoon of butter or olive oil and shallot and saute for 2 minutes.

Add the minced garlic and turn the instant pot off. Allow to rest for one minute.

Add chicken broth.

Add juice from half of the lemon.

Stir to deglaze.

Add the spaghetti noodles. You can break them in half, or even thirds if desired.

Use a spoon to push the noodles into the broth, but don’t stir.

You want the noodles submerged.

Add a tablespoon of butter to the top of the noodles.

Replace the lid and seal.

Use the manual setting and cook for 5 minutes.

It should take 10 minutes or so until the instant pot reaches pressure.

When the timer alerts, use the quick release valve.

Open the instant pot and add half and half and parmesan cheese.

Stir.

Place the lid on the instant pot and allow the food to rest for about 4 to 5 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken and the cheese to melt.

Squeeze the juice from the remaining half of the lemon onto the pasta.

Toss and serve.

Allow leftovers to cool, then store in an airtight container.

So ditch the takeout menus and whip up this Instant Pot Creamy Lemon Parmesan Pasta instead. It's a delicious, easy, and satisfying meal that the whole family will love.

Find more favorite recipes here:

Creamy Garlic Mushroom Pasta

Banana Rice Pudding

Garlic Butter Glazed Carrots

Hearty Family Breakfast Recipes

Hearty Breakfast Recipes to Fuel Your Family

Mornings can be a whirlwind, especially with hungry little ones (or not-so-little ones) begging for breakfast. But between the school lunches to pack and the day's errands to run, who has time for elaborate meals? Fear not, busy families! This post offers a collection of hearty breakfast recipes that are both delicious and easy to prepare.

Packed with protein and whole grains, these meals will keep your crew satisfied well past morning. Even better, many of them can be prepped ahead of time, making those chaotic mornings a breeze.

So, ditch the sugary cereals and greasy pastries. Let's dive into some wholesome breakfasts that will set your family up for a winning day!

In this post, you'll find recipes for:

Wholesome and Delicious Takes on Classics: We've got a tasty take on pancakes, a protein-packed spin on baked eggs, and a veggie-loaded strata that's perfect for sneaking in some extra greens.
Something a Little Different: Want to shake up your breakfast routine? We've got a flavorful burger recipe that is perfect for the first meal of the day.

Be sure to click thru the links below to view the full recipe. You are going to want to save a few of these to your family breakfast board.

Sausage and Potato Breakfast Bake by Primavera Kitchen

Lemon Blueberry Dutch Baby by Scarlati Family

Baked Omelet by Bitz n Giggles

Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole by Delicious Table

Sausage and Pepper Breakfast Strata by The Delicious Spoon

Chorizo Breakfast Hash by Spend with Pennies

Breakfast Burgers by We Are Not Martha

Strawberry and Cream Stuffed French Toast by Amanda’s Cookin’

Hash Brown Egg Cups by The Feathered Nester

Egg and Bacon Tacos by Modern Honey

Fried Chicken and Waffles with Jalapeno Butter by Scratch Market

Cottage Cheese Pancakes by Cinnamon and Kale

Brunch Pizza by A Grateful Meal

Bacon Feta and Egg Strata by Served From Scratch

Breakfast Enchiladas by Little Spice Jar

Breakfast Pizza by The Country Cook

Italian Sub Brunch Casserole by The Salty Marshmallow

Spinach and Salmon Quiche by Cooking Gorgeous

No matter your taste or time constraints, there's a perfect hearty breakfast recipe waiting for you and your family!

Bonus Tip: Get the whole family involved in the kitchen! Kids can help measure ingredients, stir batters, and even set the table. This not only teaches them valuable life skills but can also make breakfast time more enjoyable for everyone.

With these recipes and a little planning, you can conquer those mornings and send your family off to tackle the day with happy (and full!) bellies.

Find more great breakfast recipes here:

Overnight Oat Recipes

Cocoa Puff French Toast

Homemade Pancake Mix

Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings

There's nothing quite like a comforting bowl of chicken and dumplings on a chilly day. But who has the time to slave over a hot stove? This crock pot version is here to save the day (and your energy)!

This recipe is not only easy but also endlessly customizable. In the mood for something a little heartier? Throw in some frozen vegetables along with the chicken. Craving a bit more herbaceous flavor? Add some fresh thyme or rosemary to the pot.

Here's what you'll need:

Ingredients

½ onion, diced 2-3 chicken breasts 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon pepper 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp Italian seasoning 1 can cream of chicken soup 2 (14 oz) cans chicken broth 1 can instant biscuits 1 (16 oz) bag of frozen peas and carrots

Directions

Add onion, chicken breasts, salt, pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasonings, chicken broth and cream of chicken soup to the crockpot.

Cook on HIGH for 4 hours. Using a fork, shred the chicken by moving your fork around in a circular motion. Add frozen peas and carrots and stir.

Chop biscuits up and layer across the top.

Cook on HIGH another 2 hours. Serve warm and enjoy.

Notes If you over cook during the second half, the biscuits can begin to brown or burn against the side of the crock pot.

All crock pots/slower cookers do not heat the same. If at the 4 hour mark you need to add more liquid, do so, to avoid burning later.

Here are some tips for perfecting your crock pot chicken and dumplings:

Don't overcrowd the crock pot. This can lead to uneven cooking.
Shred the chicken before adding the dumplings. This will ensure the dumplings cook through without getting mushy.
Use a spoon to distribute the biscuits evenly in the pot. This will help them all cook through at the same time.

This recipe is a little different from my cracker barrel copycat chicken and dumplings. I wonder which you will prefer? I can't make a decision. I love them both!

Find more of my favorite chicken recipes here:

Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad

Cracker Crumb Chicken Nuggets

Chocolate Espresso Cookies

Deepen Your Chocolate Fix with Espresso Cookies!

Calling all chocoholics and coffee lovers! This recipe for Chocolate Espresso Cookies is the perfect meeting of your two favorite indulgences. The rich, dark chocolate pairs beautifully with the subtle kick of espresso, creating a delightful flavor combination that's both sophisticated and satisfying.

These cookies are easy to whip up, requiring just a few bowls and common pantry staples. They're chewy on the inside and crisp on the outside, offering a textural contrast that's impossible to resist. Plus, with a touch of espresso powder in the dough, these cookies will give you a little afternoon pick-me-up alongside that decadent chocolate flavor.

Here's what you'll need:

1 cup of melted butter

½ cup of dark cocoa powder

1 cup of granulated sugar

2 tablespoons of pure maple syrup

1 egg

1 teaspoon of vanilla

1 tablespoon of instant espresso powder

1 ½ cup of all purpose flour

1 teaspoons of baking soda

A pinch of salt

For rolling:

½ c sugar and 1 teaspoon of espresso powder

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Add cocoa and maple syrup to melted butter.

Mix until well blended.

Add 1 cup of sugar, vanilla, and egg to the mixing bowl, and beat for 1 minute.

Add flour, baking soda , espresso powder and salt.

Stir until all ingredients are well blended.

Using a cookie scoop, form balls of dough.

Drop them one at a time into the espresso and sugar mix.

Roll each ball around until completely coated with sugar.

Place the dough balls 3” apart on the prepared cookie sheet and bake for 11 minutes.

Allow to cool for 5 minutes before removing from the cookie sheet.

Tips for Success:

Don't overmix! Overmixing can lead to tough cookies. Once the dry ingredients are incorporated, stop mixing.
Chill the dough (optional): Chilling the dough for 30 minutes to an hour can help the cookies spread less and create chewier centers.
Play with the chocolate: Feel free to experiment with different types of chocolate, such as dark, milk, or white chocolate chips, or even chopped nuts.

The reward? A batch of irresistible Chocolate Espresso Cookies that are perfect for enjoying with a cup of coffee or tea, sharing with friends, or indulging in all by yourself.