Category: Uncategorized

Learning how to carve a turkey is easier than you think! My step-by-step tutorial is here to help you along the way. Impress your guests with your beautifully carved turkey.

What to Know Before Carving a Turkey

Before you start carving your turkey, there are a few things you need to know! Follow my tips below so you’re prepped and ready to go before you cut into your beautiful bird.

Let it Rest: It’s important to let your turkey rest before carving! Remove the turkey from the oven and allow it to rest for 20-30 minutes. This allows the juices to be redistributed, making it super juicy and easier to carve.

Gather the Tools: You’ll need a sharp carving knife, a carving fork, a large cutting board with grooves to help catch juices, and a platter for serving.

Position the Turkey Breast Side Up: Place the turkey breast side up on the cutting board. If it’s large, you might want to stabilize it by placing a kitchen towel underneath.

Locate the Turkey Parts: I labeled the turkey and where to locate the pieces you will be cutting, carving, and removing. It’s super helpful if you’ve never carved a turkey before!

Remove the Twine: Use a pair of kitchen shears to snip the twine holding the legs together!

Let’s Get Carving!

Carving a turkey can be intimidating, but I promise you it’s easier than it looks! Once you locate the pieces on the turkey, it’s easy to see where to carve. Follow my tutorial below to help you along the way.

Remove the Legs

Locate the Leg: The leg contains two parts: the drumstick and the thigh. Start by cutting through the skin between the leg and the body. Bend the leg away from the body to find the joint, then cut through it to remove the leg. Repeat on the other side.

Separate the Thigh from the Drumstick: Identify the joint between the thigh and the drumstick. Cut through the joint to separate them.

Carve and Slice the Breasts

Cut Down the Center: Make a long, even cut down one side of the center of the breastbone.

Follow the Curve of the Bone: Slice down to the rib cage, then follow the curve of the bone.

Remove the Breast: Cut through and remove the breast completely from the bone. Repeat on the other side.

Slice the Breast Meat: Slice the breast meat into even pieces against the grain. Aim for about ½ inch thick.

Remove the Wings

Cut Off the Wings: Hold the wing with one hand, and cut off the wings on both sides of the turkey using your knife.

Ready to Plate and Serve

Now that you have your turkey pieces separated and removed from the turkey carcass, it’s time to arrange it on a platter and serve!

These decadent rocky road bars are the best no-bake treat that you can whip up in no time when that sweet tooth hits. Fudgy chocolate, soft marshmallows, and chewy pecans combine to make the most amazing dessert.

Ingredients Needed For Rocky Road Bars

These easy rocky road bars only use a few simple ingredients. Most of them should already be in your kitchen. Scroll to the bottom of the post for exact measurements.

Mini Marshmallows: Adds a sweet, pillowy texture that perfectly contrasts the chewy pecans and fudgy chocolate.

Chopped Pecans: You can use any nut, but I prefer the crisp chew of pecans.

Semi-Sweet Chocolate or Chocolate Chips: When blended with sweetened condensed milk, this chocolate perfectly mirrors the sweet chocolate flavor in Rocky Road ice cream.

Unsalted Butter: Helps the chocolate melt evenly.

Sweetened Condensed Milk: Adds a sweet, creamy flavor that helps the chocolate set–up into a fudgy texture.

How to Make No Bake Rocky Road Bars

This sweet and delicious treat comes together quickly and easily. These would be a great neighbor gift for this holiday season. They would be beautiful, wrapped in cellophane and a festive ribbon.

Prep: Line a 9×9 pan with parchment paper or wax paper, lightly spray with pan spray or rub with butter, and set it aside. Add the marshmallows and pecans to a large bowl.

Melt: Add the chocolate and butter to a separate bowl. Melt it in the microwave at 50% power in 30-second increments. Stir between each increment until fully melted.

Stir: Pour the sweetened condensed milk into the chocolate and stir until fully combined.

Combine: The chocolate will start to set up as soon as the sweetened condensed milk is mixed into it, so move quickly to add the chocolate mixture to the marshmallows and pecans.

Chill: Stir until they are evenly distributed in the chocolate. Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared pan. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours so it can finish setting up. Remove from the pan and slice into bars before serving.

The Starbucks Medicine Ball is my go-to whenever I am sick, and this homemade version is even better! This warm drink with lemonade, honey, and tea is soothing and delicious, perfect for cold and flu season!

What’s in a Medicine Ball?

With this copycat Starbucks medicine ball recipe, you can make this warm drink in under 10 minutes! It will help boost your immune system and get you better in no time! Scroll to the bottom of the post for exact measurements.

Lemonade: Adds a bright, tart flavor and provides a dose of Vitamin C.

Honey: Provides a natural sweetness and hint of honey flavor. Honey is also good for soothing sore throats and alleviating coughs.

Peppermint Tea: This tea has a refreshing taste and is great for clearing out your sinuses.

Peach Tea: Gives the drink a delicious fruity taste.

Lemon Slices: An extra squeeze of fresh lemon juice will add freshness and a boost of Vitamin C.

Recipe Instructions

This homemade medicine ball tastes almost just like the one from Starbucks. Theirs has a bit more herbal flavor from chamomile, while mine is slightly fruitier with peach. Here’s how to make this cozy drink in a few easy steps!

Heat the Lemonade: Add the lemonade to a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat for about 4 minutes.

Add Honey: Add the honey to a mug. 

Combine: Add the steaming lemonade to the mug and stir to dissolve the honey. 

Steep the Tea Bags: Add the tea bags and steep according to the directions on the tea boxes or until the tea is as strong as you prefer. I steeped mine for about 4 minutes. Add fresh lemon slices, if desired.

Skillet chicken cordon bleu is one of those recipes my whole family loves. You can’t beat the creamy sauce, crispy chicken, and smokey ham, all covered in melty Swiss cheese.

Ingredients for Skillet Chicken Cordon Bleu

This simple recipe needs simple ingredients. The final result is anything but simple. The rich, creamy sauce and the crispy chicken are just so flavorful and delicious. For exact measurements, scroll to the bottom of the post.

Chicken

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: Great protein for absorbing flavor that complements the ham and cheese.

Egg: Binds the breading to the chicken for that perfect crisp coating.

Milk: Keeps the egg mixture smooth to help get an even breadcrumb coating.

Panko Breadcrumbs: Keeps the crust light and crunchy.

All Purpose Flour: Adds a soft layer that allows the breadcrumbs to adhere to the chicken and become the perfect crust.

Salt and Pepper: Enhances the flavors.

Garlic and Onion Powder: Adds a savory flavor that goes well with the chicken, ham, and Swiss.

Olive Oil: Allows you to crisp up the chicken by frying it in the skillet.

Deli Ham: Gives the dish a nice salty, meaty texture that goes well with the cheese.

Swiss Cheese: The perfect nutty, creamy, melty cheese to top your chicken.

Sauce

Unsalted Butter: Provides a rich, creamy base for the sauce.

All Purpose Flour: Combines with the butter to form a roux, which will thicken the sauce.

Chicken Broth: Adds flavor and makes the sauce the perfect texture.

Heavy Cream: Makes the sauce super creamy and delicious!

Dijon Mustard: Gives the sauce a nice tangy sharpness that cuts through the creamy sauce.

Thyme: This herb is the perfect balance to all the salty, creamy flavors in the dish.

Salt and Pepper: Always salt and pepper to enhance all the flavors!

How to Make Skillet Chicken Cordon Bleu

Don’t let these ingredient lists and instructions intimidate you. In fact, I’ll walk you through step by step what you need to do and look for. If you have any questions, check out my tips section below.

Tenderize: Prepare the chicken. Using a meat tenderizer, pound the chicken breasts until they are uniformly about ½ inch thick.

Whisk: In a bowl, whisk the egg and milk together. Meanwhile, in a separate large bowl, whisk together the breadcrumbs, flour, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper.

Coat: Dip each prepared breast in the egg mixture first, allowing any excess to drip off, then coat in the flour mixture, then set the breaded breasts aside.

Cook: Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place 2 chicken breasts into the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until the chicken is cooked through. Repeat with the remaining two tablespoons of oil and battered breasts.

Create Paste: Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet, then melt the butter in the skillet and whisk the flour into the butter, creating a paste.

Whisk Continually: Slowly add the chicken broth and heavy cream, whisking continually to keep the sauce from breaking. (*See tips section)

Combine: Once the cream and broth are incorporated completely and you have a smooth gravy, add in the Dijon mustard, thyme, salt, and pepper. Whisk to combine and reduce the heat to low.

Melt Cheese: Add the chicken back to the skillet in the sauce, then place one slice of ham and one slice of cheese on each chicken breast. Cover the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes, until the cheese is melted. Remove from heat and serve.

Warm and gooey baked brie is a hit for any occasion! With just five simple ingredients and less than 20 minutes, you will have a rich, creamy appetizer that’s impossible to resist. Scoop it up with your favorite crackers or bread!

Ingredients for Baked Brie

This baked brie recipe could not be easier to make and only requires five ingredients. It’s one of those recipes that’s so simple yet elegant and delicious. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact measurements.

Brie cheese: Once baked, the wheel of brie will get melty and have a buttery, slightly tangy flavor. 

Honey: The honey will caramelize over the cheese as it bakes.

Minced fresh thyme: For fresh herby flavor.

Minced garlic: Adds complexity and depth to the taste of the cheese.

Italian seasoning: Just a pinch for extra color and a boost of savory flavor.

Baked Brie Recipe Instructions

Whether you’re entertaining or just want a tasty snack for a cozy night in, this is your go-to recipe! It comes together with minimal effort and is ready to enjoy in just 20 minutes.

Prep: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly grease an oven-safe skillet that is slightly bigger than your wheel of cheese. Slice the brie ½-⅔ of the way down into 1-inch slices.

Slice: Rotate the brie 90 degrees and slice again so you end up with little diamonds. 

Add Toppings: Add the brie to the prepared pan, then top it with the garlic, fresh thyme, and a light sprinkle of Italian seasoning.

Bake: Drizzle the honey over the top before baking for 13-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and slightly bubbly. Serve immediately.

Candied yams are one of my favorite Thanksgiving side dishes. The flavorful potato texture mixed with the sweet brown sugar spiced sauce, baked to candy perfection, tastes incredible.

Ingredients Needed to Make Candied Yams

This baked candied yams recipe uses basic ingredients. Grab some sweet potatoes or yams from the grocery store, get out the pantry staples to make your sauce, and let the oven do its magic. For exact measurements, scroll to the bottom of the post.

Red Garnet Yams or Sweet Potatoes: The star of the dish. You can use either, and they are often labeled the same thing.

Butter: The base for the brown sugar and cinnamon caramel-like sauce.

Kosher Salt: Balances the sweet and enhances the flavors.

Dark Brown Sugar: Dark is a MUST here! It adds a deep caramelized molasses flavor that is perfect in this candied yams recipe.

Granulated Sugar: Adds extra sweetness.

Cornstarch: Helps to thicken the glaze and stick to the yams!

Spices: This dish wouldn’t be complete without ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.

How to Bake Candy Yams

This southern candied yams recipe is easy to make. It only takes 15 minutes of prep time, then let your oven create that wonderfully sweet candied flavor and texture. Follow the steps below for one of my favorite Thanksgiving sides.

Prep: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Peel and cut the yams into 1/2-inch thick slices or 2-inch bite-size pieces and set aside.

Combine: Add the butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to a large pot on the stove-top.

Whisk: Heat the sugar mixture over medium-high heat. Whisk until the mixture is melted and combined.

Stir: Add the yam slices to the pot with the glaze, then gently stir to coat the yams with the brown sugar glaze. Pour the coated yams into the prepared pan.

Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes. Open the oven to stir and coat the yams with the glaze. Replace the foil and finish baking the yams for an additional 15 minutes. Remove the baked candied yams from the oven when they are fork-tender, and enjoy!

Creamy Potato Soup is the ultimate comfort food. Its velvety, creamy base features blended potatoes, tender potato bites, onions, and garlic, all topped with crispy bacon! It’s the perfect meal to cozy up with on a cold day.

Creamy Potato Soup Ingredients

This soup is super simple to put together. You only need a few basic ingredients, and dinner is served. You should have most of these items already in your kitchen. Scroll to the bottom of the post for exact measurements.

Bacon: I feel like this is my secret ingredient. You’ll cook up the bacon and use the super flavorful drippings to cook the onions and make a roux to thicken the soup.

Onion: Adds savory and a slight sweet flavor.

Garlic: Give me all the garlic! You can measure this with your heart!

Unsalted Butter: Provides a smooth creaminess for the base of the roux

All Purpose Flour: Helps thicken the soup.

Chicken Broth: The flavorful base for the soup.

Half-and-Half: Adds a creamy consistency that is the perfect complement to the texture of the blended potatoes.

Russet Potatoes: I like using russet potatoes because they hold up their shape and don’t get all mushy.

Salt and Black Pepper: Enhances the flavors in the recipe.

Easy Potato Soup Recipe

This recipe is super easy and yummy! You’ll want to make creamy potato soup all season long. Follow my instructions below for the best results.

Cook Bacon: Heat a large pot over medium-high heat and cook the diced bacon until fully cooked. (It can be crispy or soft, depending on preference.) Remove the bacon from the pot and then set aside.

Cook Onion: Remove all but one tablespoon of bacon grease from the pot. Add the onion, and cook until tender, about 3 minutes. Add in the garlic and cook for just 1 minute.

Whisk: Melt the butter in the pot with the onion and garlic, and whisk in the flour to create a paste (roux).

Slowly add and Whisk: Slowly whisk in the chicken broth, about ½ cup at a time, while whisking continuously to keep a smooth consistency.

Simmer: Mix in the half-and-half, potatoes, salt, and pepper. Bring the soup to a gentle boil, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer until the potatoes are tender. Stirring occasionally to prevent them from sticking to the bottom, about 25-30 minutes.

Blend: Remove half of the soup from the pot and blend it with a regular or an immersion blender until smooth.

Stir and Serve: Add the blended soup back to the pot along with the cooked bacon. Simmer for another few minutes and stir to incorporate the bacon. Remove the soup from the heat and serve fresh!

Homemade garlic herb seasoning is a great mix to have on hand. It has multiple uses, is flavorful, and can be adjusted to suit your taste preferences. It has the perfect mix of herbaceous dried herbs, garlic, onion powder, salt, and fresh cracked pepper.

Ingredients Needed For Homemade Garlic Herb Seasoning

This short list of basic ingredients makes a delicious, aromatic seasoning that’s savory, herby, and perfect for different dishes. Scroll to the bottom of the post for exact measurements.

Garlic Powder: Provides a concentrated savory garlic flavor.

Onion Powder: Gives the mix a slightly sweet onion flavor.

Dried Parsley: Adds a mild herbal grassy flavor that helps balance out the stronger herbs.

Dried Basil: Gives the mix a slightly sweet, peppery flavor with a hint of mint.

Dried Oregano: Provides a bitter note that complements the other flavors.

Salt: Enhances all of the flavors in the mix.

Cracked Black Pepper: Gives a kick of heat and enhances the herbal blend.

Garlic Salt: Adds a strong garlic flavor paired with salt.

How to Make Garlic Herb Seasoning

Making this mix is easy. You just need to rummage through your spice rack, measure out the ingredients, and mix them together. Boom! Homemade seasoning mix at your fingertips!

Add all of the ingredients in a small bowl.

Whisk to combine, then use a funnel or simply pour the seasoning into an airtight jar or container. Use right away or store in a dry, cool place.

Biscuit Cinnamon Rolls are the most amazing twist on a classic! They are perfectly light, fluffy, and packed with cinnamon. The texture is more flakey and moist than traditional cinnamon rolls! Whether it’s for a cozy weekend breakfast or a holiday brunch, these hit the spot!

What’s in Biscuit Cinnamon Rolls?

Traditional cinnamon rolls are hard to beat, but sometimes I crave something a little flakier and easier. This biscuit cinnamon roll recipe is much easier because there’s no need for yeast or rising time! For exact measurements, scroll to the bottom of the post!

Biscuits

All-Purpose Flour: The base of the dough.

Granulated Sugar: For perfectly sweet biscuits.

Salt: Balances the flavor.

Baking Powder: Helps the dough rise.

Cold Butter: This is what will create a flaky texture.

Buttermilk: Adds moisture and helps to make the rolls soft and fluffy.

Cinnamon Filling

Butter: Melted butter adds buttery flavor while helping the sugar and cinnamon spread more easily.

Brown Sugar: For rich, sweet flavor.

Ground Cinnamon: You can’t have cinnamon rolls without this star spice!

Glaze

Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the glaze while keeping a smooth texture.

Milk: Thins the powdered sugar so it’s easy to drizzle over the top.

Vanilla Extract: For warm vanilla flavor.

Biscuit Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

There are quite a few steps, but each one is straightforward, and everything comes together pretty quickly. You’ll be pulling these out of the oven before you know it!

Prep: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a 4-quart baking dish with pan spray. Set aside. Add the flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder to a large bowl and whisk until combined.

Grate the Butter: Grate the cold butter with a cheese grater.

Combine: Use a pastry cutter to cut the grated butter in the flour mixture until evenly dispersed and the butter is slightly smaller than peas.

Mix: Stir in the buttermilk just until the mixture is fully moistened. If necessary, add 1-2 tablespoons of additional buttermilk if there seems to be a lot of dry flour mixture that hasn’t been moistened. It shouldn’t be wet to the point of being sticky, but it should not be dry.

Knead Dough: Dump the dough onto a clean, lightly floured surface and gently knead it until all the scraps come together. Carefully roll out the dough into a large rectangle that is about ½ inch thick (it doesn’t have to be perfect).

Fold the Dough: Create a tri-fold by folding ⅓ of the dough over the middle and ⅓ on the opposite side over the top of that.

Making the Rolls

Continue Folding: Rotate the dough 90 degrees and roll it out into a ½-inch thick rectangle, repeating the same tri-fold. Rotate the dough, roll it out, and repeat the tri-fold for a third time. After the third set of folds, roll the dough into a rectangle about 9×14 inches.

Mix Cinnamon and Sugar: Combine the brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.

Brush on Melted Butter: Brush the melted butter over the top of the dough with a pastry brush.

Add Cinnamon and Sugar: Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the top of the melted butter.

Roll: Roll the dough up tightly from the short end.

Slice: Use a very sharp knife or a long piece of floss to cut the dough into 1-inch thick pieces.

Bake: Place the rolls into the prepared baking dish and bake for 40 minutes, until the tops of the biscuits are golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 200-205 degrees Fahrenheit.

Make and Add the Glaze: While the cinnamon rolls bake, prepare the glaze by whisking the powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk together in a small bowl. Once the cinnamon rolls have cooled for 5-10 minutes, drizzle the glaze on top of the biscuit cinnamon rolls and serve.

Rosemary Chicken is an incredibly simple yet flavorful dish you can whip up in no time. The infusion of butter with savory shallots, bright lemon juice, fresh rosemary, and tender seared chicken is an explosion of flavor.

Ingredients Needed For Rosemary Chicken

This lemon rosemary chicken recipe is easy to prepare and uses simple ingredients that won’t break the bank. The taste of this amazing dish will feel like it costs way more! The exact measurements are in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Chicken

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast: The perfect protein to absorb all of the incredible flavor.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Helps cook the shallots and sear the chicken.

Clarified Butter or Ghee: Adds an incredibly rich flavor. If you don’t have it or don’t have access to it, you can use olive oil instead.

Fresh Lemon Juice: Provides a bright citrus note that perfectly goes well with the chicken.

Fresh Rosemary: Gives the dish a fresh, earthy, and slightly piney flavor. If you don’t have fresh, you can use dried instead. Use one tablespoon in place of the fresh.

Salt and Pepper: To taste.

Sauce

Shallots: Adds a mild, slightly sweet, savory flavor to the rosemary chicken sauce.

White Grape Juice or Dry White Wine: Add acidity that helps cut the rich butter sauce and savory flavors.

Fresh Lemon Juice: Brighten the sauce with a fresh citrus flavor.

Chilled Unsalted Butter: Make sure the butter is chilled. If it is not, the sauce won’t thicken properly.

Salt and Pepper: To taste.

Fresh Parsely: For garnish.

Skillet Rosemary Chicken Recipe

You will love how quickly and easily this recipe comes together. I can even have my older kids help make it! They love getting their age out by tenderizing the chicken. Teenage rage, am I right?

Tenderize: Slightly flatten the chicken breasts so they are of similar thickness.

Marinate: Add the chicken breasts to a medium bowl. Toss with three tablespoons of olive oil, lemon juice, rosemary, and salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Cook: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, and then add the remaining two tablespoons of olive oil and clarified butter. Add the chicken breasts to the pan and then cook for 4-5 minutes on both sides. Cook until the center of the chicken reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Reduce: Add the grape juice (or wine) and shallots to a medium saucepan or skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until the liquid is reduced by at least half. 

Melt: Add the butter and lemon juice to the pan and let the butter partially melt.

Thicken: Once partially melted, turn off the heat and whisk it quickly to melt the remaining butter. This will thicken the sauce. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Spoon some melted butter sauce over the chicken, reserving the rest to serve with your side.