Whether you're enjoying dinner in the backyard or packing a picnic, these awesome barbecue recipes are perfect for summer grillin' and chillin' with family and friends. Cooking in the kitchen during the summer holds very little appeal. It's simply to hot to turn on the oven...During the hottest part of the summer, I often turn to my Instant Pot or the backyard grill. I've shared lots of Instant Pot recipes on the blog and even a few barbecue meals, but I'm on the hunt for new recipes and thought I'd share a few of the yummy barbecue dishes that I plan to try this summer. Barbecue ... read more
Search Results for: barbecue
Barbecue Pork Sliders with Carolina BBQ Sauce
Looking for a great pulled pork recipe that will knock the socks off your hungry crew? I’ve teamed up with Smithfield to bring you a delicious recipe for Barbecue Pork Sliders with Carolina BBQ Sauce. I have a confession. I like to defy the odds…or at least the critics. I work and still like to get a great home-cooked meal on the table, I think I can cook anything in my electric pressure cooker and, I really do use my picnic basket. We’ve actually been doing a lot of picnicking in the beautiful summer weather this year. Some of it has taken place by the lake that’s a short walk from ... read more
10 Disneyland Snacks That Will Not Wreck Your Diet
Let's be honest, half the joy of visiting a theme park is the sugary, salty, deep-fried, calorie-laden deliciousness that awaits. And, while we're on a bit of a mission to try every single delicious bite on the menu at Disney Parks, we’ve also been working hard on paying better attention to how we fuel our bodies. Today we’re going to talk about 10 Healthy Disneyland snacks that will not wreck your diet. While sweet treats are found in abundance, there are plenty of heathy snacks at Disneyland IF you take the time to be deliberate in your food choices. We're using the phrase "healthy" ... read more
Element Anaheim Review: Best Free Breakfast Close to Disneyland
Today we're hitting you with an Element Anaheim review. This review features a hotel selection variable we personally never would have considered before...free breakfast. Traditionally walking distance, followed by a balance of luxury and affordability, square footage, amenities and even on occasion the view have all been factors in determining our vacation hotel, but after an extended stay at the Element, we're adding breakfast to the list. The Element meets every item on our hotel check list AND has hands down the best free hotel breakfast close to Disneyland. We paid for this room out ... read more
Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
Looking for a bite of melt-in-your-mouth delicious? This salted caramel chocolate chip cookie recipe is the perfect solution. Years ago, I lived in a neighborhood that had a weekly summer get together called "Cookies on the Lawn." Each Sunday evening, one family in the neighborhood would play host (setting up folding tables and providing a simple drink), while attending families would bring a dozen cookies to share. The location would rotate each week to a different house in the neighborhood. Sometimes families bought store bought cookies, sometimes they were homemade. It didn't ... read more
Cherry Cheesecake Dip Recipe
Looking for the perfect summer party sweet? Whip up this easy creamy cherry cheesecake dip. It's perfect for potlucks and settles right in on a buffet. Right around this time of year I start making ALL THE CHERRY THINGS. I am not sure if it's plentiful access to cherries at the farmer's market, childhood memories of eating cherries from Grandma's tree or the vibrant red color, but I feel like they are perfect for patriotic picnics, summer barbecues and general snacking. I whipped up this super sweet cherry cheesecake dip a couple of weeks ago for a party with some of my ... read more
Everything You Need to Pack the Perfect Picnic
From fantastic over-the-top feasts to small pick up meals, picnics are the perfect way to celebrate summer. It takes more than family-friendly recipes to make a meal memorable. This list includes everything you need to pack the perfect picnic. It's picnic season and we've been busting out the basket as often as we possibly can. We've taken it up the canyon and to fireworks in the park. Last week we filled it up with delicious pulled pork sandwiches and took it to the symphony! Creating a great atmosphere takes more than good recipes. Here's everything you need to pack the perfect ... read more
12 Delicious Summer Salad Recipes
There are few things more enjoyable than a light summer salad recipe. Here are 12 summer salad recipes to get you started! I have been doing some serious planning in the backyard. In a few short weeks it will go from dirt to what I hope is an "oasis" I can retreat to. I am building in lots of space for entertaining and I can't wait to have others over for barbecues, accompanied by one of these light summer salad recipes. 12 Delicious Summer Salad Recipes Strawberry spinach salad is one of my all-time favorite summer dishes. I start enjoying it in the spring and don't give it up until ... read more
Honey Mango Shrimp Taco Recipe
It's summer. We've ditched schedules for lazy days and casseroles for just about anything that doesn't need to be baked in the oven. Nine times out of ten, that means we MIGHT be eating out. However, the other magical one percent of the time, I make this super-yummy honey mango shrimp taco recipe. I first whipped up these tacos in a rush when I updated a little corner of the deck and had some friends over. I hadn't planned on taking quite as much time "decorating" the space and was in a bit of a rush to get something cooked and out for guests. Necessity is the mother of all invention and ... read more
Grilled Cheese with Avocado and Tomato
Growing up, grilled cheese sandwiches were a menu staple in our house. For something made with just three basic ingredients, this dinnertime staple could not be any tastier. There's just something about warm melted cheese on buttery, crispy toasted bread that just can't be beat! Did you know April is National Grilled Cheese month? What better way to celebrate this simple and delicious comfort food, than with a super charged version of a Grilled Cheese Sandwich? I have to say, the addition of the avocado and ripe tomato, certainly put this sandwich over the top! Ok, so technically I ... read more
Fan-Friendly Super Bowl Recipes
Yesterday we shared some super fun Super Bowl party ideas, but a Super Bowl party isn't complete without a tasty spread. We've rounded up some delicious Super Bowl recipes sure to please friends, family and fans alike. . . 12 Fan-Friendly Super Bowl Recipes . Baked brown sugar chicken wings with roasted red pepper cream sauce from Damn Delicious . Bacon mac & cheese egg rolls from Miss in the Kitchen . Ice cream football sandwiches from The Celebration Shoppe . Cheesy bacon oven chips with chipotle ranch dipping sauce from The Comfort of Cooking . Buffalo chicken ... read more
Summer Entertaining :: Easy Peach Salsa
Hello all…this is Jessica from Pen N' Paper Flowers and I don't know about you but it's peach season here in Florida and I am lucky enough to have a beautiful peach tree in my backyard. Right now, it is exploding with fruit and I'm frantically trying to come up with delicious recipes so as not to waste a single one of these delicious white peaches. I found a really easy Peach Salsa recipe that's super delicious and will definitely be a food staple for my family and I this Summer as well as for any entertaining I may do. I just knew you'd want the recipe too for all of those barbecues, pool ... read more
Fun Picnic Recipes
My family has yet to take an official picnic though we have packed sack lunches a few times for the occasional trip to the pool or water park. But there has to be more to picnicking than PB&J sandwiches, grapes and Goldfish crackers. Fortunately we've found 15 fun picnic recipes sure to please even the pickiest picnicker. (How's that for some great alliteration?) ... ... Fun Picnic Recipes ... Spicy Jalapeno Cheese Steak Sliders via Sweet Treats & More ... Perfect fruit punch via Spoonful ... Cheesecake in a jar via My Baking Addiction Barbecue Pulled Pork ... read more
Sizzlin’ Summer BBQ Recipes
One of my most favorite things about summer (and fall and spring and sometimes winter if we're brave enough) is the family barbecue. Outdoor grilling is a win all around—the food is delicious, the house stays cool and Nathan gets a turn at preparing a dinnertime meal. Below you'll find 11 grill-worthy BBQ recipes perfect for your summer get-togethers. ... ... 11 Sizzlin' Summer BBQ Recipes ... Bruschetta Turkey Burger Sliders with Avocado Spread via Barbara Bakes ... Grilled Hot Dog Skewers & Creamy Avocado Dip via Family Fresh Cooking ... Grilled Garlic Naan Pizza via ... read more
DIY Decorative Shelves Tutorial
I am so very excited for today's post. Not only is it a phenom project, but I get to introduce you to my newest contributor... Meet Rebecca, from The Crafted Sparrow. I connected with Rebecca, via Show and Tell. Each week, I found myself drawn to the fun projects she was posting online. I really enjoyed every project she linked up. I thought I would share a few of my favorite Crafted Sparrow projects with you... 1. Loose Change Penny Art - love the idea of putting pennies to use and these letters sparkle. 2. Neon Wood Earrings - these are so modern and on trend. 3. CPK Copy Cat ... read more
DIY Washi Tape Snack Bags
Summer means backyard barbecues and picnics, and if you're the hostess, it's nice to have some little snacks sitting out to munch on during the evening. These washi tape embellished paper bags are perfect for holding all sorts of fun snacks...peanuts (like I've used), popcorn, chips, pretzels, cookies and candy are other yummy ideas. Okay, so I have to admit that I'm a little obsessed with washi tape right now. I love it because it has so many fun uses, including dressing up utensils and gift sacks. All you need for this fun idea is some washi tape, and paper bags (white or ... read more