5 Ingredient Butter Roasted Tomato Sauce

My Italian husband is, understandably, quite picky about sauce. But it's led to a hunt for the creation of his version of sauce perfection. I know one of his chief complaints about my sauces in the past has been that they weren't thick enough, so when I saw this method for roasting tomato sauce to achieve that thick texture as if it had simmered for hours on the stove but actually was just in the oven for a bit, I knew I needed to try it!

And the results were YUM. This is actually my favorite sauce that I've made, thus far. It's admittedly still not quite Michael's perfection but he did really like it and oh my word the texture is dreamy and the flavor is just the perfect amount of garlic and richness. A total must-try!

Cheesy Chicken & Onion Skillet

Soooo I'm a pretty picky eater. Which means I tend to have a set number of dinner recipes that I like and make regularly, which means I oftentimes get tired of them/burnt out. So when I find a new entree to make that I like it is like a GOSH DARNED MIRACLE! And this recipe is one such miracle.

The inspiration for this recipe came from some cheese and onion chicken dishes I've seen on a couple restaurant menus, and that I've even ordered on occasion. But they never really knocked my socks off. So I thought about what could make them better. I decided flattened, breaded, chicken would be tasty. And sauteed onions that are just shy of caramelized would probably be pretty delicious. And a thick and creamy and rich cheesy cream sauce...yeah. That also seemed wise.

And it was. It so was!

Another beautiful part of this recipe is you make everything in one large skillet--first you cook the onions (then set them aside), then the chicken (which you also then set aside), and finally you make the sauce (which is made all the more delicious because it is partially flavored by the onions and chicken that cooked in there before). Then you add back in the onions and chicken. And serve it with mashed potatoes, over noodles, or rice, or just with some veggies or whatever. It's your life. Eat rich deliciousness however you want. I'm just saying that I loved it. And can't wait to make it again. And I think you should try it. Cuz it's tasty. And you'll like it.

Mkay?

Roast Garlic Gravy

Hiii everyone! I'm back!! Didja miss me? I missed you! I have to say, though, I had THE BEST time! It was so wonderful to see my brother and spend so much time with him. We also got to check out San Antonio-which is an awesome city and I cannot recommend the River Walk down there enough! So beautiful and so many amazing restaurants! We did a lot of fun stuff, and I'll talk more about it on Saturday, but yeah the best part was definitely my baby brother. It was so hard to leave him and know I won't see him for another 6ish months (after he's done with his tech training for his intel job in the airforce). But at least I can send him care packages now! I know he misses his sissy's food lol.

I would put roasted garlic in everything if I could. So I obviously jumped at the chance to put it in gravy!

Now...I get that gravy season is sorta technically over. But like...is it? Is it ever really over. 

I think not. But...yeah you might not be making turkey and might not have drippings. I certainly didn't when I made this. Sooo I've included a way to make this both with and without drippings. Huzzah!

This gravy is rich and creamy and has a delicious mellow garlic flavor and seriously takes any mashed potato recipe over the top. A must make, in my humble opinion.

Creamy Herb Chicken Skillet

I'm always up for a new chicken recipe! Are you? I hope so because if not...well...you're probably only here for desserts and don't worry, I've got one of those coming to you on Wednesday.

So really we're all winners.

This dish was really delicious-the chicken is juicy and flavorful and the sauce is creamy and cheesy and...herb-y...? Herb-y isn't a word...herbaceous? I don't know if that really applies to this...oh whatever, you guys get the idea! It's a creamy sauce that is made with boursin (one of my fave kinds of cheese), yummy shallots, and garlic (of course)-and you make it in the same skillet you cooked the chicken so all of that goodness is up in there, too. I sent Michael some in his lunch and he texted me an enthusiastic "This chicken is so good! What's in the sauce?" and then after I told him he proceeded to make a pun about the Lady of Shalott that went over my head and then he had to explain it.

After all these years...there is still mystery. Keepin' the magic alive, folks.

Especially the magic of delectable chicken dishes.

Raw Sugar Salted Caramel Sauce-Guest Post at Golden Barrel

By now we should all be aware of how enamored I am with salted caramel. So when it came time for me to have some more fun with Golden Barrel products for another blog post, I decided to use their raw sugar for an unprocessed, delicious twist on my fave caramel sauce recipe.

You might be wondering--oh, is caramel sauce hard to make? The answer is: NO! It's actually pretty quick and easy, so long as you use a deep enough pot to cook it so it doesn't spatter and burn you. And you may also be wondering--does raw sugar make the caramel sauce difficult, because of the larger sugar crystals? Answer: NOPE again! Still easy!

Really I mean...just look at that amber caramel perfection. It is so delicious. And makes your house smell fantastic. And makes you want to eat it with a spoon or maybe develop some recipes with it...? Hmmm...I suppose we'll have to wait and see :P

Now, enough jibber jabber, do you want to make this caramel sauce??

Head to the Golden Barrel blog to get the caramelicious recipe!

Easy Balsamic Vinaigrette

I have been dying to make my own salad dressing and I finally did it!

And it's healthy! And delicious! And makes you want to eat salad!

As it turns out it's super easy to make a vinaigrette that is tailored to your own tastes. You just need a particular ratio of oil to vinegar/balsamic and then season however you prefer! When I made this dressing I didn't actually need to season it as I had bottles of flavored/infused olive oil and balsamic that I received in the gift exchange with Michael's family. (His cousin lives in Pennsylvania and there's a store there-called the Lavendar Rabbit-where he bought the oils and balsamics. I happen to love salad with apples and garlic-y kind of flavors and, luckily, there was a bottle of Parmesan Garlic Rosemary olive oil and a Red Apple Balsamic! Yum! In the future, since my delicious flavored options are now gone, I'm sure I'll be using some garlic powder and things of that nature to spice it up.

So, like I was saying...easy. You just whisk together the ingredients and then pour it into whatever bottle you wish to serve/store the dressing in. And-as long as you don't add any perishable items (such as Parmesan cheese)-you can even store it at room temperature for a month or so. The oil and vinegar will separate so you just need to shake well before drizzling over your favorite salad. Making healthy eating delicious!

Freezer Strawberry Jam for #StrawberryWeek

For once I just shut my mouth and followed directions. I made my mom's recipe. 

Which is the Sure-Jell (pectin) recipe. 

And you know what? It rocks!

I guess some things shouldn't be fiddled with.

My poor mom. Sometimes I'm a bit too hard on her. When she told my brother that we were going to make this jam he scoffed at her, saying, "Kayle probably won't want to make your jam, she'll want to make her own!"

Because I'm a snobby meanie pants.

But this time that was not going to happen! I trusted in my family and their time-honored tradition of making this recipe, and it was totally the right choice.

Mom and I made this jam together, as a team. So I'm pretty sure we put some magical mother-daughter bonding love in there. Which is probably why it tastes so amazing. Plus all the sugar. Yeah. It's probably both.

Michael took one bite of a piece of toast loaded up with this jam and he said, "THIS is what strawberry jam should taste like!"

Recipe could not be simpler. You just mash some gorgeous strawberries, add in some sugar, cook a little pectin, mix mix mix, let sit, then freeze! DONE. Super easy. My mom made like a triple batch so we ended up with a ton of jam! It got given to aunts, uncles, grandma, etc. So we spread the love via spreading the strawberry jam!

This was the first strawberry recipe I made and now it is my final post for #StrawberryWeek-how perfect! Ending it the way it began.

Mmmmm mmmm mmm.

Skinny Alfredo

THIS IS IT. The big one you guys!

I have dabbled with a couple different, healthier, homemade alfredo recipes. And I liked them.

But....I LOVE this recipe.

It's so simple to throw together--no weird ingredients, I pretty much always have everything I need for this recipe in my kitchen. It only takes like...10 minutes to make. No lie. AND...this is the big one...MICHAEL APPROVED! He never likes my alfredo recipes, he says they're never creamy enough! But this one he approved of (ok...he would've liked it better with white noodles and no zucchini, BUT he liked the sauce!)

I am completely obsessed and in love with everything to do with this recipe. It is so full of flavor, perfectly creamy, and you can use it on whatever kind of noodles you want. I chose to use whole wheat fettuccine or linguine, and also some zucchini noodles--I'm including instructions on how to make those in the recipe but you can completely do your own thing if you want. I just need to trick myself into eating those veggies whenever I can!

Aren't you guys proud of me?

Yeah, me too. And I'll be proud of you WHEN you go and make this. It'll only take like 10-15 minutes sooo...I'll just be waiting here.

go on. I'll see you soon.

Homemade Ranch Dressing

I'm such an annoying lady sometimes. I know it. I just can't leave poor Michael in peace. All he wants is to eat his pizza rolls and spaghetti-o's, and I can't stop trying to take food he likes and make it from scratch.

But liiike....a girl's gotta try, right?

I really don't give the boy enough credit. He actually eats, probably, healthier than me. He's much better about eating his veggies. And he's a total champ at eating salads. Sometimes...when at a restaurant...he'll even order one...AS HIS MEAL *gasp* I can't even fathom that. A salad...for a meal? Does not compute in Kayle's brain.

Anyway, since we tend to have little side salads fairly frequently around our lil home, I was really excited about the idea of tackling a homemade ranch dressing recipe for Michael (I don't mind ranch but I'm more of an Italian/oil based dressing gal myself).

and I did.

Was it a success?

Sort of. Maybe. 

On the first attempt of making this recipe, it was entirely too garlicky for Michael's tastes (so I've adjusted the garlic/scallion amounts below) and seemed to be missing something. I researched ranch dressing a bit and determined we needed dill. So I added that and it definitely helped. So Michael kind of likes it. But not as much as storebought. BUT I haven't attempted it with less garlic yet. I'll keep ya posted on that.

Anyway, all that said...

I like garlic.

I actually like this dressing better than the kind you buy. And you don't have to stress about what you're putting on your salad and whether or not that's negating any healthiness you're getting (which...if you're me...is the entire reason you're eating the green things in the first place). You should def. give it a shot, and maybe customize it a bit to your taste! PLUS hey it's a new year, and I'm sure many of us have resolutions for healthiness or some such, am I right?

What sort of storebought recipes do you want to/like to try to recreate/replace with homemade?

Toasted Ricotta Gnocchi with Parmesan Truffle Cream Sauce

All of my Italian ancestors are probably so proud of me right now: I've finally made homemade pasta- gnocchi, specifically (by myself!--as opposed to helping my grandma)! AND I made the up the sauce recipe all by myself, just using the knowledge I've gained from the last couple years and tasting along the way. I feel all authentic and skilled 'n' stuff. And you wanna know a secret? This recipe is SO. EASY!

Plus I got ridiculously giddy over the fact that when cooking the gnocchi, you know it's done when it floats to the top. How cool is that?! I told everyone. And giggled. Yepp.

The inspiration for this recipe came from a dish I tried at this great restaurant in the city, Jane. As soon as I saw they had toasted ricotta gnocchi in a white truffle cream sauce, I obviously had to order it. And it was PHENOMENAL...for like...3 bites. Then it was overwhelming. And like REALLY rich and filling. So, it took me awhile to finish it. It made me not super into the idea of ordering it again.

BUT, then I got some daRosario truffle oil to try. And I knew I needed to make my own, new, and improved (in my humble opinion) gnocchi with a truffle sauce.

Now let's break down what we have here:

A super simple,super easy recipe for luscious and pillowy, melt in your mouth, ricotta gnocchi. 

That you then toast, which brings in such a delicious, buttery, toasted flavor.

A rich (but not TOO rich) sauce made with...wait for it...FAT FREE EVAPORATED MILK (not cream-so it's not going to be quite as detrimental to some of our pre-wedding semi-diet-y type things), freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and, of course, truffle oil. To taste. So it can be as flavorful or as subtle as you want! 

(and ya know...you can also just make the gnocchi and just put whatever sauce you like on em. It's cool. Whatever floats your boat.)

I'm like....super excited about this one you guys. You're gonna LOVE THIS!

Salted Caramel Sauce

I don't even know who I am anymore. 

I don't like caramel. I don't hate it but it's like eh...

or so I thought.

Turns out I freaking love caramel--salted caramel specifically, and especially if it is THIS salted caramel sauce. Where all other caramel seemed blah and so-so, this caramel is an explosion of heavenly rich and buttery and CARAMELIZED flavor! It's like...I never really had caramel before. We're starting over, caramel and I, turning over a new leaf and beginning a bigger. better, more amazing relationship.

I was definitely intimidated by the idea of making homemade caramel sauce, but was pleasantly surprised by what an easy time I had making this recipe! For one thing--this is the simplest recipe for caramel I've ever seen in terms of ingredients (gotta love a short ingredient list full of real things...like sugar...cream...butter), and really, once you're in it you just need to stay by the caramel on the stove and don't leave it and don't look away from it. Just follow the directions and be attentive, and make sure you already have all your ingredients ready. And use a saucepan that is deep enough that it doesn't splatter and burn you. Those are pretty much the rules of thumb and you should be good (that said um...I may have just gotten lucky...and everyone says this is really tricky so if at first you don't succeed, don't be discouraged! Just keep on trying! Get back on that caramel horse!) It's totally worth any and all effort. I meant to take step by step photos for you guys but....well...I was nervous to stray from the stove. If I ever get the courage and take those photos I will put them on here, I swear!

Also, side note: in these photos the sauce looks pretty thin, and it was--it was still pretty fresh. It will definitely thicken up as it cools (especially if/when you refrigerate it) so do not be worried about that at all. I worried about it at first, I was all "Uh...what did I do wrong?" and then a day later I was like "Yay! I did nothing wrong!"

I've used this salted caramel sauce in tons of things already (which you will be seeing on here) and I cannot wait to use it in more stuff (that I had previously always dismissed because uh...I didn't like caramel...supposedly?)! Honestly though, guys, I have to tell you...

I just ate this stuff with a spoon/my finger. Because...holy cannoli it is good. And addictive. And just like...when you taste it...you make a sound. You know the kind of sound I mean. Like just...mmmm so good! You know how I feel about the addition of salt with the sweet and this is the perfect marriage of those flavors. HOWEVER-if you're a crazy person (jk no judgsies here) and don't want the salt up in your caramel, go ahead and omit it. But you shouldn't. You should use the salt. Preferably something awesome like fleur de sel that is delicate and dissolves instantly. Because then you just have smooth smooth caramel and sweet sweet, almost burnt, just PERFECT flavor.

You know you want it.

Butter Cream Chicken

Yepp. That's right. Happy Monday everyone,

I have another chicken recipe for you!

I feel that it's been established, I'm a big fan of butter. It's delicious. When I was a kid, I would literally take a finger-full of butter (ok...margarine...but...close enough) and eat it. I would drown my mashed potatoes in it. I would cover my pancakes in it. Even though my self control and...let's say palate...have matured, I still love anything that tastes buttery. Enter this chicken. It's coated in nothing but delicious, buttery, Ritz crackers. Then, you pan fry it. Then, you make the most amazing buttery cream sauce. Which I had a ton of leftover, btw, but this sauce tastes delicious on lots of different kinds of chicken and other stuff (I put it on my butter baked chicken as well). Put together, the chicken and sauce create a moist (sorry I know everyone hates that word), buttery, extremely flavorful entree. So yummy.

White Chicken Enchiladas with Scallion Sauce

Here it is! The main event!

The actual main course of Michael's birthday dinner.

He wanted Mexican and he wanted something I would eat too--so I found a enchilada recipe that had all ingredients that I liked, except for the sauce. 

The sauce had green chiles in it. I don't do chiles. 

Don't hate me but...I replaced them with scallions! So...it's like not authentic at all. 

But...I liked it! Michael liked it! 

It was quite tasty and is a winner if you've got a picky eater in your household (like me *hangs head in shame*).

It's also pretty easy. And not too unhealthy either (I maaay have used Greek yogurt in the sauce instead of sour cream...). Give it a try, K? For me? :D

Chicken in Basil Cream Sauce

Guess whaaaat?

That's right.

Another chicken recipe.

I love you, please don't leave me! (although I'm sure Jen is still happy about this :P)

I'm picky! 

But I need some variety! 

So...just be prepared for lots more chicken recipes in your future. 

This recipe is actually more about the sauce than the chicken, so...that's better, right?

The chicken is tasty and juicy, and the basil cream sauce really is unique--Michael was a big fan. He wanted to try putting it on other stuff, too. I adapted the recipe slightly to lower the fat content, by replacing the heavy whipping cream, originally called for, with fat free evaporated milk. It worked perfectly, and tasted awesome!

((ALSO THE WINNER OF THE SLIMKICKER CONTEST/CROCK-POT GIVEAWAY HAS BEEN POSTED! CLICK HERE TO SEE IF YOU WON!))

Chicken in Basil Cream Sauce

Adapted from The Girl Who Ate Everything

Alfredo Parmigiano Sauce

Today is National Fettuccine Alfredo Day!

Admittedly, this recipe is only for the sauce. You can really use any noodles. As you can see, I used Penne. Because I had it. But, you know, if you have some fettuccine laying around, make this sauce and celebrate this holiday!

Or, you know, this is also a perfect Valentine's Day dinner idea...just sayin'.

Anyway, I LOVE this sauce-I'm weird about Alfredo sauces, some I love, others I hate. I've found I'm really not a fan of very heavy Alfredo sauces, I like it when they're a little lighter. This sauce is exactly right for me--its' most prominent flavor is the Parmesan cheese (or, if we're gonna get all Italian, the Parmigiano cheese), which I LOVE. It's health-ier, and not super heavy.

All that said, I should probably admit: this is not Michael's favorite. It's not "creamy" enough to him. He likes it (especially fresh) but it is not his ideal. So, this is really a matter of preference. After you try this, you'll have to tell me--on Alfredo are you Team Kayle (lovin' this recipe) or Michael (more into a heavier, creamier sauce)? I'm looking forward to a debate that shall rival Team Edward vs. Jacob.

(which is dumb. There should not be teams. Edward should-and does-end up with Bella. End of story. Jacob's fine, and he has his own someone. I won't spoiler alert you on who. Also...*sigh* I love those books...but *ugh* I hate those movies. You may now carry on to the recipe)