Mediterranean Pasta Salad

It’s June, so it’s pretty much summer. Here in Ohio, it’s been in the high 80s for the last week so all of us have been avoiding those hearty-heavy meals. So now I am turning to pasta salad, it’s light, and you can pack it with all your favorite colorful veggies. This pasta salad takes a Mediterranean approach, focusing on our veggies & healthy fats!

Ingredients

  • 1 Package of a Pasta of your choosing, I used Chickpea Protein Pasta
  • 1/2 Cucumber, sliced & quartered
  • 1/4 Cup Kalamata Olives
  • 1/4 Cup Green Olives
  • 1/2 Red Onion, sliced
  • 1/2 Cup Cherry Tomatoes, sliced
  • 1/3 Cup Artichokes, chopped
  • 1/4 Cup Olive Oil + more if needed
  • 2 TBSP Red Wine Vinegar
  • 1 TSP Parsley
  • 1 TSP Oregano
  • Salt & Pepper

Let’s Get Cooking

Cook your pasta according to package directions and rinse.

Prep all the ingredients

In a large bowl, add in the pasta + cucumber + olives + red onion + tomatoes + artichokes and mix well.

Pour over the olive oil + red wine vinegar + oregano + parsley + salt + pepper and mix well.

If you’re making this for meal prep, separate your salad into individual containers. Or share with a group of family and friends.

Made with Love,

Hannah

Pickle Chicken Salad

I LOVE chicken salad, as you can see with this being my third recipe. It is such a versatile meal, you want to make it spicy, sweet, tangy, the world is yours. I was inspired by a creator, Nutritiously Easy, on TikTok who made a pickle chicken salad. I’m a pickle girl, exclusively Claussens, so I had to make it, and holy shit I could eat the whole bowl myself. I have been eating it in a lettuce wrap with some kettle-cooked potato chips for lunch and honestly, I don’t think things could get any better.

Ingredients

  • 3 Claussen Pickles, diced
  • 1/2 Cup Mayo
  • Fresh Dill, chopped
  • 1 TBSP Dijon Mustard
  • Splash of Pickle Juice
  • Rotisserie Chicken, chopped
  • 3 Celery Stalks, diced
  • Green Onion, diced
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Let’s Get Cooking

Break down your rotisserie chicken,, removing the skins, and chopping them into bite-sized pieces. Be sure to save that and make chicken stock!

Prep all the rest of your ingredients and grab out a large bowl.

Toss in your chicken + Mayo + dijon + celery + pickles and mix well. Add in your salt + fresh dill + pickle juice + green onions + loads of black pepper. Mix well and let it rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, I stand by that it always tastes better the next day. Top with more black pepper to taste.

I hope you enjoy it, I know I have been!

Made with Love,

Hannah

Sweet Potato Breakfast Casserole

Though it’s just me I have to get ready in the mornings, sometimes that can be more than enough. Anything that makes mornings easier, I am about, and this breakfast casserole from ChewoutLoud is one of them. First off it’s so easy to prepare, and secondly, I feel like I am getting all my necessary nutrients in the morning, which is always a win. What I also love about these casseroles is you get to tweak them based on what you have in the kitchen; don’t have kale? Use spinach! Don’t have peppers? Cool, don’t use them! Make it your own! I added some extra spices to my sweet potatoes because I feel at times they can be bland.

Ingredients

  • 4 TSBP Olive Oil
  • 1 LB Sweet Potatoes, peeled and cut into bite-sized cubes
  • 2 TSP Turmeric
  • 2 TSP Chili Powder
  • 1/2 Cup Yellow Onion, diced
  • 4 Garlic Cloves, minced
  • 1/2 Cup Bell Peppers, diced
  • 1 LB Ground Breakfast Sausage
  • 2 Cups Kale, chopped
  • 14 Large Eggs
  • 1/2 Cup Milk
  • Salt & Pepper

Let’s Get Cooking

Preheat the oven to 400F

On a baking sheet, combine sweet potatoes + 2 TBSP olive oil + turmeric + chili powder + salt + pepper & toss to coat. Bake for about 20 minutes or until soft.

While the sweet potatoes are cooking heat the remaining 2 TBSP of oil and add in the onions + garlic and cook until translucent on MED heat. Add in the peppers & cook for about 1 minute more. Transfer the mixture to a large baking dish.

In the same skillet, cook the breakfast sausage until cooked through. Drain and add to the baking dish. Add in the roasted sweet potatoes + kale, toss to combine.

In a bowl, whisk together the eggs + milk + salt + pepper. Pour into the baking dish and bake uncovered for about 25-30 minutes or until the eggs are set.

Serve immediately, or cut once cooled and wrap in foil and freeze!

Made with Love,

Hannah

Raspberry & Orange Scones

Sometimes when I am having a bad day some simple baking can help get me in a better headspace. I like to use what I have laying around the house and I have a few oranges that need to use up so I figured, why not make some scones! The key to making scones is to knead as less as possible, you’re going to think that the scones aren’t going to come together, but trust me, they will! I got some inspo from Sally’s Baking Addiction, especially grating the frozen butter!

Ingredients

  • 2 Cups All Purpose Flour
  • 1/2 Cup Granulated Sugar
  • 2 1/2 TSP Baking Powder
  • 1/2 TSP Salt
  • 2 1/2 TSP Orange Zest
  • 2 TSP Fresh Orange Juice
  • 1/2 Cup Unsalted Butter, frozen & grated
  • 1/2 Cup Heavy Cream
  • 1 Large Egg
  • 1 TSP Vanilla Extract
  • 1 Cup Fresh Raspberries [can do frozen]

Orange Glaze

  • 1 Cup Powdered Sugar
  • 3 TBSP Fresh Orange Juice

Let’s Get Baking

Combine the flour + sugar + baking powder + salt + orange zest in a large bowl. Add in the grated butter and combine until the mixture comes together, looking like small crumbs. Place it back in the fridge.

In another bowl whisk together heavy cream + egg + vanilla + orange juice. Grab the flour mixture and drizzle the liquid over. Add in the raspberries and mix together until there is no dry flour.

Pour onto the counter and with floured hands, work the dough into a ball, and be very gentle. Press into an 8-in disc and cut into 8 wedges. Brush with extra heavy cream. Place back into the fridge for 15 min.

Preheat the oven to 400F.

Bake for 22-25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.

Combine the ingredients for the glaze and drizzle over the scones.

Enjoy!

Made with Love,

Hannah

Sheet Pan Chicken Gyros

I ADORE Halfbaked Harvest. She makes the best recipes, that at first glance seem complicated, but when you get down to it, they are easy & so freaking delicious. I made these gyros over the last week, and being one person, I had them for dinner multiple nights in a row. Usually, I get bored with eating the same thing over and over again, but I was excited for dinner every night! Tiegan uses feta in her tzatziki, I did not have any & it turned out delicious, but feel free to add it if you like! Don’t forget to set some time aside so the chicken can marinate! For serving, I added lettuce, homemade pickled red onion, and dill.

Ingredients

  • 1/3 Cup Plain Yogurt [She calls for full fat, but I used low-fat and it worked perfectly]
  • 1/4 Cup Olive Oil
  • 1 1/2 LBS Boneless, Skinless, Chicken Thighs, or Breasts, cubed
  • 1/4 Cup Lemon Juice
  • 6 Garlic Cloves, chopped
  • 2 Shallots, chopped
  • 1 TBSP Smoked Paprika
  • 1 TBSP Oregano
  • 1 TSP Turmeric
  • Red Pepper Flakes
  • Salt & Pepper
  • Pitas or Naan, warmed

Tzatziki

  • 8 oz Feta Cheese
  • 1/4 + 1/3 Cup Greek Yogurt
  • 2 Garlic Cloves, grated
  • Juice from 1 Lemon
  • 1/2 Large Cucumber, shredded
  • salt

Let’s Get Cooking

In a bowl, combine yogurt + olive oil + cubed chicken + lemon juice + garlic + shallots + paprika + turmeric + oregano + chili flakes + salt + pepper. Mix well to combine and let marinate for at least 15 min at room temp or overnight in the fridge.

Preheat the oven to 425F.

Arrange the chicken on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Toss and bake for another 5-10 minutes/ until cooked through. Switch the oven to broil and cook until the chicken chars on the edges, about 1-2 min WATCH CAREFULLY.

Make the tzatziki while the chicken cooks. Combine feta + 1/4 cup yogurt + garlic + lemon juice in a blender and blend until creamy. Stir in the 1/3 cup yogurt + cucumber + pinch of salt + red pepper flakes. Always taste test to be sure.

To assemble: spread the warm naan with tzatziki, then lettuce, and chicken [ I like to sprinkle some dill on top]. Add on red onions & a little cilantro.

YUM YUM YUM

Made with Love,

Hannah

Air-Fryer Chicken Wings

I am all about reducing food waste where I can, so I get excited when I get to use ingredients/sauces with more than one recipe. These air fryer chicken wings came into my life because of the delicious buffalo sauce that was made for the Blue is the Warmest Cheese Burger. You don’t have to use that sauce, you can follow whatever flavor your heart desires!

Ingredients

Brine

  • 1 Cup Pickle Juice
  • 1 1/2 Cups Water
  • 4 Garlic Cloves, smashed
  • Salt

Buffalo Sauce

  • 2/3 Cup Frank’s Red Hot sauce
  • 1 Stick
  • 2 TBSP White Vinegar
  • 1 TSP Cayenne
  • 1lb Chicken Wings, rinsed and patted dry

Let’s Get Cooking

Start with your brine. I let my chicken wings brine for at least 6 hours, max 12 hours.

In a large bowl combine all of the brine ingredients, be sure to heavily salt the water. Add in the washed chicken wings, cover the bowl with foil, and place back in the fridge for at least 6 hours. Once ready to cook, rinse and pat dry.

While the wings are brining, make your buffalo sauce. Combine the Frank’s Red Hot + butter + vinegar + cayenne in a small saucepan & stir over MED heat until the butter is completely melted. Remove from heat and let stand until cool.

When ready to cook, preheat your air fryer to 400F. If you want to bake these, preheat your oven to 400F.

Lightly oil the fryer and place a single layer of chicken wings into the basket, cook for about 20 min, or until the outside is crispy. I had to do multiple baskets due to my fryer being small. To keep warm, place your oven on the lowest temp and place on a sheet pan while the other batches are cooking.

Once all the batches are done, pour half of the buffalo sauce into a large bowl, add in your cooked chicken wings, then the remainder of the sauce, and toss to coat. Serve immediately.

I even had extra blue cheese sauce from the burger recipe that I served with the wings as well. YUMMY

Made with Love,

Hannah

Bleu is the Warmest Cheese Burger

There are some things that America gets right, like BBQ, Chicken Wings, & Burgers. Now just combine the best of those things, a homemade buffalo sauce + a DELICIOUS blue cheese sauce & don’t forget the celery, to get this amazing burger that will WOW you. [You also get tons of extra buffalo sauce that you can use to make air fryer chicken wings.] All I have to say is Bob [Bob’s Burgers] knew what he was doing with this one.

Ingredients

  • 2/3 Cup Frank’s Red Hot sauce
  • 1 Stick + 1 TBSP Butter, divided
  • 2 TBSP White Vinegar
  • 1/4 to 1 TSP Cayenne [ I like it hot so I do 1 TSP]
  • 1/2 White Onion, finely chopped
  • 2 TBSP All Purpose Flour
  • 1 Cup Whole Milk
  • 1 Cup Crumbled Blue Cheese
  • 3 Stalks Celery, finely chopped
  • 1 LB Ground Beef
  • 4 Sesame Buns
  • Green Leaf Lettuce

Let’s Get Cooking

Make the Buffalo Sauce

Combine the Frank’s Red Hot + butter + vinegar + cayenne in a small saucepan & stir over MED heat until the butter is completely melted. Remove from heat and let stand until cool.

Make the Blue Cheese Sauce

Melt the remaining TBSP of butter in a saucepan over MED heat. Add the onion and cook until softened. Add in the flour & stir vigorously. Slowly add the milk, stirring constantly. Add in the blue cheese and mix until it melts completely. Allow the sauce to sit on low, often stirring until it thickens up and coats the back of a spoon.

Make the Burger

Mix the celery and 1/2 cup of the buffalo sauce into the beef and gently form into 4 patties. Season both sides with salt & pepper. Cook as you normally would, I do about 6 min each side on MED heat. Be extra careful when you flip, this burger is a little softer due to the buffalo sauce.

Build your Burger

Start with your bottom bun [I like mine toasted] + lettuce + burger + blue cheese sauce + buffao sauce + top bun.

Serve with french fries and extra napkins, but the mess is always worth it.

P.S Be sure to save that buffalo sauce!!!

Made with Love,

Hannah

Blueberry Lemon Loaf

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

I made it to 27, phew! Looks good from here. For my birthday I am soaking in the relaxation, but also the excitement of getting my own KitchenAid! I was so excited when my mom shared she would be getting me my own for my birthday. To celebrate my amazing gift, I broke in my mixer with this delicious & moist Blueberry Lemon Loaf by Glorious Treats. This bread is the perfect transition into spring baking, it’s tangy, it’s sweet, and I could eat it all day!

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 Cups All Purpose Flour
  • 1 TSP Baking Powder
  • 1 TSP Salt
  • 1/3 Cup Unsalted Butter, melted
  • 1 Cup Sugar
  • 2 Eggs
  • 1/2 TSP Vanilla Extract
  • 2 TSP Grated Lemon Zest
  • 2 TSBP Lemon Juice
  • 1/2 Cup Milk
  • 1 Cup Blueberries, I like using fresh but you can always use frozen
  • 1 TBSP All Purpose Flour

Glaze:

  • 2 TSBP Butter, melted
  • 1/2 Cup Powdered Sugar
  • 2 TSBP Lemon Juice
  • 1/2 TSP Vanilla Extract

Let’s Get Baking

Preheat the oven to 350F and line a loaf pan with parchment paper, or grease lightly

In a medium bowl, sift together the flour + baking powder + salt and set aside.

In the mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter + sugar + vanilla + lemon zest + lemon juice. Whisk until creamy.

With the mixer on slow, add in the flour mixture and milk, alternating until they are both incorporated.

Rinse the blueberries and toss with the 1 TBSP of flour, this will ensure that the blueberries don’t sink to the bottom of the batter while baking. Add to the batter and gently incorporate by hand.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and place it on the top rack. Bake for about 55-65 minutes, I only needed 58 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick until it comes out clean. Allow the load to cool for about 30 minutes.

Combine all the ingredients in the glaze and pour over the loaf after it has cooled. Let the glaze set for a few minutes before serving.

I hope you enjoy this DELICIOUS transition into spring!

Made with Love,

Hannah

Potato, Cauliflower, & White Bean Soup

Hi, it’s been a minute. I’ve had to take the time to focus on studying for the National Counselor Exam (NCE) and I unfortunately, had to step away from the blog for a little but I am back! I am so excited to be back into my hobbies and doing the things I love. I found this recipe from the New York Times Cooking website; it caught my eye because of the soup being topped with sour cream & onion chips. The recipe calls for the soup to be made in a slow cooker, but I made it in a stock pot and it came out AMAZING. I top mine with extra cracked black pepper, cheese, & of course potato chips. This soup has such a different taste and it’s so creamy, it’s an automatic new favorite.

Ingredients:

  • 2 TBSP Olive Oil
  • 1 LB Yukon Gold Potatoes, scrubbed, peeled, and cut into 1in chunks
  • 1 LB Cauliflower, chopped into large bite-sized florets and stems
  • 2 15oz Cans Cannellini beans, drained
  • 1/2 Yellow Onion, minced
  • 6 Cloves Garlic, smashed & minced
  • 3 1/2 Cups Vegetable Stock
  • 3 TBSP Unsalted Butter
  • 2 TBSP Dry White Wine
  • 1/2 TSP Dried Thyme
  • 1/2 TSP Garlic Powder
  • 1 TSP Lemon Juice
  • 1 Cup Plain Greek Yogurt [ recipe calls for sour cream but I like the tang of the yogurt ]
  • Salt & Pepper
  • Sour cream & onion potato chips, for topping
  • Shredded cheddar, for topping

Let’s Get Cooking

Prep all your ingredients beforehand, chopping the onion, potatoes, cauliflower, and garlic.

In a large stock pot, heat the olive oil and add in the garlic + onion and let saute for about 2-4 min. Once fragrant, add in the potatoes + cauliflower. Let the vegetables cook for about 8 minutes on MED heat.

Add in the beans + vegetable stock + butter + thyme + garlic powder + dry white wine + salt + pepper and stir to combine. Bring the soup to a boil and allow to simmer for about 1 hour or until all the vegetables are soft. Using a potato masher, mash the vegetables until the soup has a chunky texture, allow to cook for another 30 minutes.

Using a blender, blend the soup [ in batches if you need to ] and return to the pot. Stir in the lemon juice + greek yogurt/sour cream. Top with more black pepper.

Serve with shredded cheddar cheese & sour cream & onion chips!

Made with Love,

Hannah

Hannah’s Guacamole

I have a special place in my heart for this guacamole because it was one of the first dishes that people requested I make. I know it’s just a snack, but we all have to start somewhere! I made this just for myself recently, so feel free to up the red onion, tomatoes, cilantro, etc. I know the greek yogurt might throw some people off, but trust me, it adds this amazing tangy flavor I just love. Serve any way you like, with homemade tortilla chips, on toast, on a burger, the possibilities are endless.

Ingredients:

  • 2 Ripe Avocados, mashed
  • 1/4 Cup Red Onion, diced
  • 5-6 Cherry Tomatoes, diced
  • 1/4 Cup Plain Greek Yogurt
  • 1 TSP Lime Juice
  • 1/4 TSP Chili Powder
  • 1/4 TSP Chili Black Lime Salt from Syracuse Salt Co.
  • Cilantro – fresh or dried
  • Pepper to taste

Let’s Get Cooking

Prep all your ingredients.

In a large bowl, mash the avocado until it is at your desired consistency; I like mine a bit chunky.

Add in the greek yogurt and mix well. Add in lime juice + salt + pepper + chili powder mix well.

Add in red onion + tomatoes + cilantro and mix until all combined.

Easy peasy!

Made with Love,

Hannah