Broccoli Almond Grape Salad

This Broccoli Almond Grape Salad is crisp and full of delicious ingredients. The dressing that coats each and every bite enhances each flavor in the best way possible. This salad is raved about by all who try it!
 

For Easter we had our entire family get together for a fabulous dinner. My grandparents were visiting and it was so great to be surrounded by good food and good company. I got the original Broccoli Craisin Salad that is on the blog for her recipes she handed down on me and thought it would be fun to do a flavor switch up for a delicious new twist.

This recipe includes grapes which adds such a crisp and juicy flavor and texture. It is perfect! I also switched out the cashews with almonds. Together, the broccoli, grapes, almonds, bacon and onion provide a divine compilation of ingredients. This was such a hit at our dinner table and I know it will be at yours too!

This Broccoli Almond Grape Salad is crisp and full of delicious ingredients. The dressing that coats each and every bite enhances each flavor in the best way possible. This salad is raved about by all who try it!

Author: Nikki

Recipe type: Side Dish

Ingredients

• 5½ cups broccoli, cut into bite size peices
• 2 cups red grapes, sliced in half
• 10-12 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
• ¾ cup sliced almonds
• 2 Tablespoons red onion, diced

Dressing

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 tsp. white vinegar
• 1 tsp. Salad Supreme

Instructions

1. Mix Broccoli, grapes, bacon, almonds, and onion in a large bowl.
2. Whisk together the mayonnaise, sugar, white vinegar and Salad Supreme to make the salad dressing.
3. Pour over broccoli mixture and chill and stir to coat.
4. Chill salad at least 1 hour before serving.

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 Enjoy!

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Spinach Queso

This Spinach Queso is an easy and delicious appetizer that is a total crowd pleaser! It is simple to whip up and the flavor is outstanding. It is creamy, cheesy and tastes delicious!
 

Do any of you watch the NCAA as intently as I do? I get way into the games. We have a group with about 8 of us friends who go out to eat, watch the games and have an after party where we distribute prizes we all contributed to the winners. I LOVE it! I am so sad its over already.

During game season, appetizers are an absolute MUST! If you have been to Chili’s and tried their Spinach Queso then you know JUST how good it is! My version has a little more seasonings to give it added flavor but that is I prefer it. This Spinach Queso got thumbs up from all who tried it. I take it as a win because there was none left when all was said and done :)

If you are hosting a party or need an easy appetizer recipe for game day, give this one a try! It is creamy, cheesy and everything people love about a good dip!

This Spinach Queso is an easy and delicious appetizer that is a total crowd pleaser! It is simple to whip up and the flavor is outstanding. It is creamy, cheesy and tastes delicious!

Author: Nikki

Recipe type: Appetizer

Ingredients

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
• ¼ cup chopped parsley
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ¾ cup half and half
• 2 cups shredded American white cheese
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups chopped spinach
• ½ teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. In medium sauce pan, combine cream cheese, garlic, parsley, onion powder, half and half, American white cheese and Parmesan cheese. Heat on medium heat until the cheese is melted and smooth.
2. Stir in spinach and salt and cook for another 3 minutes.
3. Serve with chips or bread

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Enjoy!

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Slow Cooker Balsamic Glazed Pork Tenderloin

This Slow Cooker Balsamic Glazed Pork Tenderloin is out of this world! The glaze will be one of the best things you ever eat! This recipe tastes like something you would order at a fancy restaurant. It is definitely a new family favorite.
 

Dinner time has been a struggle lately at my house. Why you ask? It is because I am SO tired. I tell you what, being pregnant at my age is A LOT different that being pregnant with my first 8 years ago. I am tired. all. the. time. I go to bed at about 10 pm and wake up at 7 or 8 am and most days I actually take a nap. That may be embarrassing to admit but its the truth. I don’t remember being this tired with any of my others. Between caring for 3 busy kids (and one of those three kids being an almost-3-year-old), extra curricular activities, and being halfway done with my pregnancy, I am constantly on my toes. It’s no wonder when I finally get some down time, I sleep.

Maybe now you know why dinner has been s-t-ruggling on my to do list. I need it to be fast, tasty and easy. This meal is not only all of those things, but it was a hit with my whole family!

Let me just tell you about this sauce. I ate it by the spoonful. I’m not even joking. I poured it over anything I thought it could compliment. It totally makes this whole dish and will honestly be one of the best things you ever try!

This meal will definitely be one I will make again and again! Trust me, put this on the must try list. You will be so glad you did!

This Slow Cooker Balsamic Glazed Pork Tenderloin is out of this world! The glaze will be one of the best things you ever eat! This recipe tastes like something you would order at a fancy restaurant. It is definitely a new family favorite.

Author: Nikki

Recipe type: Dinner

Ingredients

• 4 pounds pork tenderloin
• 1½ teaspoons salt
• ¾ teaspoon pepper
• 2 cloves garlic. minced
• 2 teaspoons sage

Balsamic glaze

• 1¼ cups brown sugar
• 2 Tablespoons cornstarch, plus 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• ½ cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 cup water
• 4 Tablespoons soy sauce

Instructions

1. In a small bowl combine salt, pepper, garlic, and sage to make a paste.
2. Rub this mixture all over the tenderloin.
3. In a very large skillet, heat ¼ cup olive oil to medium high heat and place the tenderlion in the skillet. (If my tenderlion is too long, I will cut it in half.)
4. Brown each side for 2 minutes. (I do four sides, rolling the tenderloin)
5. Spray the bottom and sides of the slow cooker with vegetable spray and place tenderloin inside.
6. Cook tenderloin on high for four hours.

An hour before the tenderloin is done cooking make the glaze.

1. In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, cornstarch, balsamic vinegar, water and soy sauce. Heat over medium heat for about 4 minutes until sauce thickens.
2. When the tenderloin is cooked, remove from heat and place on a serving platter.
3. Slice tenderloin in your desired thickness.
4. Spoon the glaze over the top. I place the remaining glaze on the table in a serving dish for those who would like extra. (Believe me it is so good, you will want to drown your pork in it.)

Notes

recipe adapted from food52

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Enjoy!

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Lemon Poppy Seed Bread

This Lemon Poppy Seed Bread is so moist and the flavor is unbelievably delicious! With it’s subtle yet refreshing lemon taste, this will be one quick bread you want to make over and over again!
 

Poppyseed Bread is one of my favorite quick bread recipes. I love the flavor and the easiness. Lately, I have been on such a lemon kick that I knew I wanted to incorporate that flavor into my favorite Poppyseed Bread recipe.

The lemon really gives it such a refreshing taste without being to overpowering. The hot glaze is infused into each bite, not only enhancing the flavor but creating a very moist cake. It is so moist and almost melts in your mouth.

Definitely put this on your must try list! It whips up quick and will quickly become a new favorite in your house, too!

This Lemon Poppy Seed Bread is so moist and the flavor is unbelievably delicious! With it's subtle yet refreshing lemon taste, this will be one quick bread you want to make over and over again!

Author: Nikki

Recipe type: Dessert

Ingredients

• 2½ cups sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1⅛ cups oil
• 1½ cups milk
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 Tablespoon lemon zest
• 3 Tablespoons poppy seeds
• 3 cups flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1½ teaspoons baking powder

Glaze

• ¾ cup sugar
• ¼ cup lemon juice
• 2 teaspoon lemon zext
• ½ teaspoon vanilla
• ⅛ teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Whisk sugar and eggs together in a large bowl.
3. Add oil and milk and whisk until well blended.
4. Add lemon juice, vanilla, lemon zest and poppy seeds and whisk until well incorporated.
5. Add flour, salt and baking powder and whisk until well incorporated.
6. Pour into 2 greased (9x5 inch) bread pans or 5 greased mini bread pans.
7. Bake at 350 degrees F for 40-50 minutes or until done. Test with toothpick in center for doneness.

To make glaze

1. Combine sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, vanilla into a medium sauce pan. Stir to combine. Bring mixture to a boil. Once a boil has been reached, poke holes in the top of bread loaves with a fork and drizzle and evenly distribute glaze over the tops.

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Enjoy!

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Chicken Fajita Pasta Casserole

This Chicken Fajita Pasta Casserole is easy and loaded with delicious flavor and yummy ingredients. It is a great meal for any night of the week!
 

Life is getting into a busy mode again. I entered second trimester a few weeks ago and am patiently waiting for my energy to come back. I am still so tired and because of that, dinner needs to be easy.

I am always trying and creating new casseroles for dinner. They are my FAVORITE way to enjoy dinner. They are easy to assemble and everyone loves them!

This Chicken Fajita Pasta Casserole is a fun spin involving different flavors and ingredients that aren’t normally paired together. Its bold in both in flavor and textures.

This Chicken Fajita Pasta Casserole is easy and loaded with delicious flavor and yummy ingredients. It is a great meal for any night of the week!

Author: Nikki

Recipe type: Dinner

Ingredients

• 12 ounces Penne pasta, cooked and drained
• 3 chicken breasts
• olive oil
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced lengthwise
• 1 yellow pepper, thinly sliced lengthwise
• 1 orange pepper, thinly sliced lengthwise
• 1 medium onion, thinly sliced lengthwise
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 2 fajita seasoning mixes
• 1½ mexican cheese blend

Instructions

1. In a large skillet, heat oil to medium high and add chicken. Sprinkle a portion of the seasoning mix on the chicken to lightly coat the chicken. Cook for 3 minutes. Flip the chicken and then sprinkle more of the seasoning mix over the chicken and cook 3 more minutes.
2. Turn the heat down to medium low and cover chicken and cook additonal 8 minutes or until chicken is done and completely cooked through.
3. Remove from skillet and slice chicken in lengthwise strips. Set aside.
4. Sauté veggies in large skillet in 3 Tablespoons olive oil. Cook for 3 minutes.
5. Add cream and the remaining seasoning mix from the chicken and also the other package.
6. Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
7. Spray 9x13 baking dish with vegetable spray.
8. Place pasta in baking dish and add veggies with cream.
9. Stir in 1 cup of the mexican cheese blend.
10. Place chicken over the top.
11. Bake at 350 degrees F for 35 minutes.
12. Add the remaining cheese over the top of the casserole. Return to the oven for 5 more minutes.
13. Serve.

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Enjoy!

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