Creamy Caprese Rice Casserole

Don't you just love when you have a recipe that can be a favorite week in/week out? One you keep making and loving?
For me it’s the Creamy Caprese Cauliflower Casserole.
There's something about that dish that I found quite special. It has a rich, comfort-food feel that you would never expect from a dish made with cauliflower and tomatoes.
It's easy and delicious. Plus it makes great leftovers — not to mention everyone I have served it to has gone crazy for it.
So I thought it was time to make another caprese themed casserole.
Enters the Creamy Caprese Rice Casserole.

(Vegan) Creamy Chipotle Spaghetti

Okay seriously people, I can barely stand how delicious this is. It’s going to knock your socks off, roll them into a little ball, and return them to your sock drawer.
But it won’t blow your budget or your time, because you can make this in 15 minutes or less.
You in?
I love easy, quick, and delicious recipes that free up time for other things.
Having quick recipes you can get on the table in a snap is so helpful to anyone trying to juggle too many balls in the air. Which is pretty much everyone on earth nowadays. We are all so busy.

Easy Crock-Pot Bourbon Chicken

You know a recipe is a total winner when you make it year after year, you still love it like the first time, and you never get bored of it.
So you might ask why am I posting this Easy Crock-Pot Bourbon Chicken only today?
It’s a valid question. And the answer is: I don’t know.
Plus it’s like I’m under some legal obligation to share all of my recipes with you.
And say I invite you over for dinner and when it is time to eat I serve you chickpea tikka masala, lemon garlic chicken zoodles or cauliflower grilled cheese. You’ll be probably like “Uhm okay is that it? I know these recipes already…”
Which is precisely the reason why I need to keep some recipes secret.
Mmmkay?

Creamy Baked Ziti with Broccoli and Provolone

Most of my understanding of the category of baked pasta is that it falls in the category of dump casserole.
Basically just combine all the ingredients, dump them into a casserole dish, and let the oven do the rest. Also known as the ultimate unfussy comfort food.
Italian-American baked pasta classics include: Chicken-Spaghetti Casserole, Baked Ziti with Meatballs or Chicken Tetrazzini. Then there’s lasagna, which is just a more refined version of baked pasta.

Spanish Chicken with Chorizo and Potatoes

I’ve been thinking a lot recently about what it means to cook when you’re pressed for time.
I, for one, always had the luxury of time.
Even with a job, a blog, and at least two hours a day dedicated to training, the sum of my evening tasks is still only to make whatever I felt like making for dinner. And it doesn’t really matter if dinner is done at 9 p.m. or even 10 p.m. instead of say 7:30 p.m since I don’t have other mouths to feed (e.g., children) — except for the occasional friend or family member.

One-Pot Spaghetti with Kale and Cherry Tomatoes

So, kale is good for us. We all know this.
It also tastes great. And there are many ways to prepare it: gratins, casseroles, salads, chips, pesto, smoothies, baked, with quinoa, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.
In fact, I’m unwaveringly certain that the last thing this blog — let alone the internet — needs is another kale recipe.
But I can’t help it.
I made myself some fantastic spaghetti with kale last weekend and I couldn’t not share it.
It would be just rude to keep it from you. Because you and I have no cooking secrets and it should always be that way.

Mississippi Roast

Happy New Year guys!
I know, I know, we are well into the new year but I took a week off to recharge so I haven’t had the chance to wish you a Happy New Year yet.
I hope y’all started the new year with a bang.
Mine has been very chilled out so far. Ski, delicious food, good friends, good books, and no alarm clock. I recharged my batteries and it was incredible.
Now I’m back and it feels awesome. I’m so open to all that 2017 is going to bring.
Like the Counting Crows sang: maybe this year will be better than the last.
I have plenty of exciting recipes I can’t wait to share with you guys.
Starting with this Mississippi Roast.

(Vegan) Crock-Pot Thai Red Curry Lentils

Guys, I have a brand new crock-pot.
I found it under the Christmas tree, all wrapped by Santa Claus. How awesome is that?
But let’s start from the beginning.
About a month ago my old crock-pot died an unnatural death (I won’t tell you how though).
Since that day I felt lost and alone.
You see, I use my crock-pot many many times a week. I make a bunch of things with it: chicken tikka masala, pulled pork, roasted red pepper sauce, bolognese sauce, just to name a few.
I consider it one of the best inventions ever. I can't fathom going through a winter without a crock-pot.
So imagine how I was feeling. Mike without slow cooker -> disaster.

New Year's Eve Beef Chili

What’s your ideal New Year’s Eve?
Mine is eating a delicious dinner with a group of friends at home.
Forget expensive venue tickets and long lines for food and drink. And don’t even get me started on New Year’s Eve in Times Square. I never go to Times Square unless I have guests.
To be honest, New Year’s Eve in Times Square is my own personal nightmare. Shoulder to shoulder masses, screaming drunks, and — worst of all — having to pee with no chance of getting to a bathroom just to watch the ball drop? No.Thank.You.
Partying at home with friends is definitely how I like to roll.
Cheaper, easier, and definitely safer than being out on the town.

(Easy) One-Pot Turmeric Chicken and Rice

There’s no doubt that one-pot meals are the best, easiest weeknight dinner solution, ever.
We can go even as far as saying that they’re almost a miracle when you need to cook but just don’t have the time or energy to do it.
Don’t feel like cooking? But look — it’s dinner in one pot!
Don’t feel like creating a pile of dishes? But it’s just one pot! (And a spoon, a plate, a fork, and knife but shhh, I don’t want to scare you off.)
Have a lot of friends coming over?
No more picking main, planning sides and veggies, running the stove, oven, and microwave at the same time. One pot and you’ve got a full-blown meal.
Everyone arriving at different times?
Don’t worry, one-pot meals are very forgiving of tardiness.