Stadium Brownies

I found this idea on the back of a Ghirardelli brownie mix box.  I thought it sounded easy and interesting so I threw it together.  Lots of people liked them and I thought they were pretty good -- although I think the brownie itself was why they were good in the first place so that's kind of cheating.


1 Brownie Mix
1/2 cup salted peanuts
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
3 cups popped kettle corn

I just popped a bag of kettle popcorn in the microwave.  Prepare the brownie mix as normal.  Spread the brownie batter in a lightly greased 9x13 pan.  Sprinkle the popcorn over the top, followed by the nuts and the chocolate chips.  Press the toppings slightly into the batter.  Bake at the temperature indicated on the box, for 30-35 minutes.

These are pretty fun!

Skinnytaste Black Bean, Tomato, Cucumber and Avocado Salad

I am desperate for summer side dish ideas.  Skinnytaste.com has a lot of them and I tried one last night to serve with sloppy joe leftovers.  This salad is pretty much 100% healthy, DELICIOUS and so fresh tasting.  It's going to be my new go-to side salad all summer.  YAY for fresh veggies!

Pioneer Woman Sloppy Joes

These sloppy joes are delicious!  They are easy and fast and have a lot of flavor.  The best part about them is the bun being toasted with butter because it holds the meat in better and the sandwiches don't get soggy like normal sloppy joes do.  I will never again eat a sloppy joe without my bun toasted with butter.  Thanks for another genius idea, PW!  I didn't put the option Tabasco sauce in mine, but I did use Worcester sauce for the first time EVER.  And let me tell you... I loved it.  It really added a great flavor to the meat.  I topped ours with a huge slice of cheddar.  I can't wait for leftovers tonight!

spicy burgers with chipotle cream.

I made THESE delicious burgers last night.  They are super easy to make and FULL of flavor.  Everyone said they were "amazing".  I will definitely make these again.  I served them with tomatoes and avocado on top.  I couldn't find poblano chiles at the store, so I used another kind.  I think any medium heat pepper will work.  Make these at your next BBQ!

a favorite.

I made this mozzarella, tomato, basil pasta al forno again.  I love it.  Use only 2 Ts of Italian seasoning, though. YUMMY!

Pioneer Woman's Eggs Florentine Casserole

This Eggs Florentine Casserole was the perfect menu item for Mother's Day brunch.  My mom doesn't like bacon or sausage, so I used cut up ham slices and I think it was delightful that way!  I may have used more cheese than was called for - because extra cheese makes everything better.  I've made this recipe twice now -- and ham is better than sausage on it.  It's really easy and fast to make, too.  Crowd pleaser!

Pioneer Woman's Tomato Cream Pasta

I made this delicious pasta from Pioneer Woman over the weekend.  It is extremely easy to throw together & is quite yummy.

HERE is the recipe link.  I served it with French bread.  It would be really good with steak.

Happy spring & summer cooking!