Recipes

Salsa Chicken Tacos

Salsa Chicken Tacos are an easy family friendly dinner option that can be made in the pressure cooker or crock-pot. Just three ingredients of salsa, taco seasoning and chicken breast is cooked and then nestled into a taco shell with lettuce, tomato, red onion and guacamole.

Taco night is kind of a big deal in my household. We eat them in some form at least once a week and they never get old or boring. One the easiest ways I have found to make tacos is with this recipe. All you need is some chicken, a jar of salsa and a packet of taco seasoning. NO, it does not matter what salsa you use. Pick your families favorite of switch it up with a medium salsa, something spicy or a salsa verde. Top these tacos with whatever you choose… tomatoes, onion, guacamole, cheese, lettuce, sour cream, peppers, add some black beans… anything!

You may also enjoy these Ground Beef Tostadas!

Salsa Chicken Tacos

Salsa Chicken Tacos have a tender, shredded chicken inside a soft flour tortilla (hey, you can use hard shell tacos if you prefer) seasoned with a little taco seasoning and of course, salsa. The salsa adds all the flavor you need. This may be one of the easiest recipes ever while still having great flavor!

Pair tacos with my favorite Firehouse Guacamole recipe!

Crock-pot

The crock-pot is my go-to kitchen appliance. You can toss in the chicken, salsa and taco seasoning in the slow cooker before work and come home to meal ready to eat. Just shred the chicken and assemble the tacos. Dinner is done! To quickly shred chicken, try using a hand mixer on the chicken for about 1 minute and you will be left with perfectly shredded chicken.

Pressure Cooker

Last minute dinner? Cook the Salsa Chicken Tacos a pressure cooker. Place the chicken, salsa and taco seasoning in the pressure cooker, close the valve and cook on high for 15 minutes. Open the valve when the cook time is done and let it depressurize. Then, shred the chicken and serve some tacos. Read your manual before using a pressure cooker for safety.

Salsa Chicken Tacos

Course dinner

Keyword chicken, crockpot, Pressure Cooker, slow cooker, Tacos

Prep Time 7 minutes

Cook Time 4 hours

Servings 10 tacos

Author Amber

Ingredients

3 pounds chicken breast
16 ounces salsa your choice
1 ounce packet taco seasoning
10 flour tortillas

Toppings

lettuce chopped
tomato diced
red onion diced
guacamole

Instructions

Crock-pot

Place chicken, jar of salsa and a packet of taco seasoning into crock-pot
Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours.
Shred chicken and then assemble tacos.

Pressure Cooker

Place chicken, jar of salsa and a packet of taco seasoning into pressure cooker.
Secure lid, close valve and cook for 15 minutes on high.
Safely open valve and depressurize.
Shred chicken and assemble tacos.

Mango Orange Ice Pops

Mango Orange Ice Pops are a great summer treat to keep you cool made with only two ingredients of fresh mango and orange juice.

Back to school is beginning but summer isn’t over yet! I am hanging onto every last ray of warm sunshine. August is all about the pool, letting the kids run through the sprinkler, watching new releases at the movie theater and of course, preparing for the kids to get back into their school schedules. A great summer day ends with a sweet summer treat like these simple ice pops.

You may also like these Watermelon Ice Pops made with a pinch of honey and squeeze of lime.

Mango Orange Ice Pops

Mango Orange Ice Pops are citrus filled with a hint of mango flavor. With only two ingredients, treats don’t get much easier!

Mango Ice Pops

Mango Orange Ice Pops are a great summer treat to keep you cool made with only two ingredients of fresh mango and orange juice.

Course Dessert

Keyword Ice Pops, Mango, Orange, Popsicles

Prep Time 5 minutes

Freeze Time 6 hours

Servings 8 Ice Pops

Author Amber

Ingredients

4 cups fresh mango sliced
2 cups orange juice

Instructions

Add mango slices and orange juice to a blender. Blend well.
Pour mixture into ice pop molds. I recommend using a funnel for to make this step easier!
Let freeze 6+ hours.

Shells and Cheese

Shells and Cheese is a cheesy dinner made only 3 main ingredients! Enjoy this pasta made with evaporated milk, shredded cheddar cheese and pasta shells that is even easier than box macaroni and cheese.

Macaroni and cheese is LIFE. Seriously. It has been my favorite food since I can remember. My grandmother would actually make the boxed stuff for me when I visited and used TWO packets of cheese sauce instead of one because I am such a mac’n’cheese-aholic. No, that probably isn’t a real condition but it is the best way to explain my love for the dish. Macaroni and cheese doesn’t have to be fancy or complicated. Sometimes simplicity is best!

Shells and Cheese

Shells and Cheese are creamy (so deliciously creamy) and perfectly cheesy. Roasted Lemon Garlic Parmesan Broccoli is a great side dish to pair. If you are feeding a crowd, grilled chicken is also a great option.

Tips & Tricks

Pasta

You are not constricted to just use shells for pasta in this dish. You can make a more classic macaroni and cheese with elbow macaroni or try a penne or whatever pasta your family loves. This recipe will work with a pound of any dry pasta! So, yes you can totally just yank out whatever pasta is in the pantry today and cook this up.

Shells and Cheese

Shells and Cheese is a cheesy dinner made only 3 main ingredients! Enjoy this pasta made with evaporated milk, shredded cheddar cheese and pasta shells that is even easier than box macaroni and cheese.

Course dinner

Keyword cheese, Pasta, side

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Servings 6 servings

Author Amber

Ingredients

12 ounces evaporated milk
2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
16 ounces pasta
4 cups water
salt

Instructions

Bring water, evaporated milk and a pinch of salt to a boil in a large skillet or pan.
Add pasta and let simmer uncovered until el dente. This should take about 10 minutes but will vary depending on pasta used.
Remove from heat and stir in cheese. Do not drain the pasta.
Serve.

Notes

No Churn Blueberry Swirl Ice Cream

No Churn Blueberry Swirl Ice Cream is a delicious summer treat made with fresh blueberries, lemon juice and sugar swirled in with ice cream made of condensed milk, vanilla extract and heavy cream without an ice cream maker.

August is all about absorbing those last warm rays of sunshine and enjoying some cool treats like ice cream! The blueberries have been such a great price lately and so juicy that we have been eating them non-stop so obviously a great ice cream eventually had to be made with them.

My ice cream lovers will also want to check this no churn recipe for Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream.

No Churn Blueberry Swirl Ice Cream

No Churn Blueberry Swirl Ice Cream is so creamy and has just the right amount of sweet blueberry sauce swirled in. Add some fresh blueberries on top for some added nutritional value in your treat.

Tips & Tricks

Blueberry Sauce

The best part of this ice cream is the blueberry sauce swirled in. The swirl is a basic sauce made of fresh blueberries, sugar and some lemon juice. Reduce the mixture down by cooking on a low simmer until the sauce thickens. I prefer to strain my sauce using a sieve but this is an optional step. You can keep it simple and just let it cool before mixing into ice cream mixture.

Stiff Peak

The instructions tell you to beat heavy whipping cream to a stiff peak. What does this mean? You will use a hand or stand mixer to beat the cream for 6+ minutes until the liquid thickens up. The cream is done when you are able to lift the beaters out of the cream and it stands straight up without curling or falling over.

No Churn Blueberry Swirl Ice Cream

Course Dessert

Keyword Blueberries, Ice Cream

Prep Time 20 minutes

Freezing Time 6 hours

Servings 12 scoops

Author Amber

Equipment

Hand Mixer

Ingredients

Blueberry Sauce

1 cup fresh blueberries
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 lemon juiced

Ice Cream

16 ounces heavy whipping cream
14 ounces condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Blueberry Sauce

In a saucepan, add 1 cup fresh blueberries with 1/2 cup sugar. Squeeze in the juice from 1 lemon.
Bring to a low simmer for 5-7 minutes. Mash the berries a bit to release as much juice as possible. I like to use an avocado masher to do this.
Optional step: Strain through a sieve. You can skip this for a chunkier sauce.
Let cool.

No Churn Blueberry Swirl Ice Cream

In a mixing bowl, whisk vanilla extract and condensed milk. Set to the side.
In a separate bowl. Beat heavy cream to a stiff peak.
Fold the condensed milk bowl together with the whipped cream bowl.
Pour half the mix into the ice cream tub.
Spread half the blueberry sauce over top.
Pour the remainder of the ice cream mixture into tub followed by the remainder of the blueberry sauce. Use a knife to make a few swirls throughout the mixture.
Cover and freeze for 6+ hours.

What has been your go-to dessert this summer? Let me know in the comments below.

Peanut Butter Banana Muffins

Thank you Brawny® Tear-A-Square® for sponsoring this post. Think of all the ways you can Put a Square There!

Peanut Butter Banana Muffins are a delicious lunchbox goody made with overripe bananas, eggs, flour, sugar, butter, and creamy peanut butter. Add some fresh fruit, a hard-boiled egg, chunks of cheddar cheese and a quarter sheet of Brawny® Tear-A-Square ® to the lunchbox for a balanced meal, your kids will want to eat!

Although it seems like summer literally just started, it is time to start school shopping and preparing for the back-to-school chaos. A top to-do on my back-to-school list is gathering some simple recipes perfect for lunches.

Peanut Butter Banana Muffins supply your kids with peanut butter and bananas to power them through the afternoon. Peanut butter is high in protein and high in healthy fats your kids need. Bananas are loaded with nutrients! They aid in digestion, level blood sugar levels and help your kids stay full longer.

Brawny®

Clean up time is easy peasy. Brawny® Tear-A-Square® lets you use just what you need with three size options for less waste. Quarter sizes are perfect for the lunchbox as a napkin, to hold snacks – like a muffin, or for small messes. While the half sheet help with medium cleanups and the full sheet is great for larger messes or wipe ups. Whatever the occasion, Brawny® Tear-A-Square® is helping clean up fast with absorbent sheets in the size you choose.

Brawny® Tear-A-Square® gives you the strength of Brawny® with the flexibility to take just what you need for the mess at hand. Use them for the lunchbox, in the car, in the home, to clean up after pets, for snack time or breakfast on the go. Great for crumbs, spills and to use as napkins. Brawny® Tear-A-Square® is helping moms clean up life’s messiest moments.

Peanut Butter Banana Muffins

Peanut Butter Banana Muffins are fluffy and moist with lots of banana and a burst of peanut butter. I like to put a little crunch on top with some chopped peanuts and an extra drizzle of peanut butter because in my book, you can’t have too much peanut butter!

Tips & Tricks

Freezing Bananas

We always have leftover bananas in my house. A great way to reduce waste is saving them for later for all kinds of recipes, including these Peanut Butter Banana Muffins. Simply peel, cut the bananas in halves, toss in a resealable bag, and place in freezer. Before use, defrost and then mash. Bananas can be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Lunchbox Ideas

A balanced lunchbox is essential! Items the kids will actually eat is also essential. Fill the lunchbox with your kids favorites. Here are some ideas:

Fruits- bananas, strawberries, blueberries, apple slices, mandarin oranges are some of my kids favorites.
Peanut Butter Banana Muffins.
Hard boiled eggs with a pinch of salt and pepper.
Cheese chunks or cheese stick.
Yogurt.
Celery sticks, carrots, broccoli, snow peas, bell peppers are some great raw vegetable choices.
A salad with your kids favorite veggies and dressing on the side.
Sandwich or wraps with peanut butter and jelly or turkey and cheese.
Water bottle or juice box.

Don’t forget a quarter sheet Brawny® Tear-A-Square® or a half sheet for messier lunches.

Peanut Butter Banana Muffins

Peanut Butter Banana Muffins are a delicious lunchbox goody made with overripe bananas, egg, flour, sugar, butter and creamy peanut butter.

Servings 16 muffins

Author Amber

Ingredients

3 overripe bananas
1 egg large
4 Tablespoons unsalted butter melted
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup peanut butter creamy
1/4 cup chopped peanuts pecans or walnuts can be used
2 Tablespoons peanut butter creamy for garnish

Instructions

Smash 3 overripe bananas in a medium sized mixing bowl. You can use a potato masher or just a fork.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Add egg, melted butter and sugar. Mix well.
Add flour, baking soda, salt, vanilla extract and 1/2 cup peanut butter. Whisk until batter is thoroughly mixed.
Line a muffin pan with cupcake wrappers or spray with nonstick oil/butter.
Fill each wrapper 3/4 full of batter.
Bake for 22 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
Let muffins cool.
In a small ramekin/ bowl, melt 2 Tablespoons peanut butter in the microwave for 20-30 seconds and drizzle a little over each muffin.
Sprinkle with chopped peanuts and serve.

Have you tried Brawny® Tear-A-Square® in your home yet? Let me know in the comments below and give some more lunchbox ideas by telling me your favorite lunch items.

Air Fryer Corn on the Cob

Air Fryer Corn on the Cob is a simple way to cook up corn any day of the week made with fresh sweet corn, salt, pepper, olive oil and butter on top.

You can say I am pretty much obsessed with my air fryer lately. It has officially taken a full time position on top of my kitchen counter in fact. Air Fryer Bacon and Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs are two things being made on a weekly basis and corn is a new favorite!

You may also like this recipe for Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Asparagus for another great side dish idea.

Air Fryer Corn on the Cob

Air Fryer Corn on the Cob is a little sweet… a little crunchy with a hint of olive oil, salt and pepper flavors. This technique makes cooking corn is easy and quick that you can enjoy corn on the cob any day of the week.

Tips & Tricks

Fresh is Best

Fresh corn is best. Try and grab your corn from a local farmers market and cook the day you get it for the best taste.

Air Fryer Corn on the Cob

Air Fryer Corn on the Cob is a simple way to cook up corn any day of the week made with fresh sweet corn, salt, pepper, olive oil and butter on top.

Prep Time 1 minute

Cook Time 8 minutes

Servings 4

Author Amber

Equipment

Air Fryer

Ingredients

4 ears corn husks removed
olive oil
sea salt
ground pepper
butter

Instructions

Place corn into air fryer.
Rub with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Cook on 390 degrees for 8 minutes, flipping half way.
Top with butter and serve or top any toppings you choose.

What are some of your favorite side dishes to make in the air fryer?? Let me know in the comments below and also share how you top your corn.

Peanut Butter Jelly Smoothie

Peanut Butter Jelly Smoothie is made with strawberries, old-fashioned oats, banana, creamy peanut butter, strawberry jam and almond milk.

School starts soon and we are getting into that BACK to SCHOOL mode. Back to school everything is on my mind including snacks, lunches and treats. One of my kids favorite things to eat during the school season is PB&J sandwiches. This Peanut Butter Jelly Smoothie was inspired by school and is a delicious start to the day.

You may also like this Triple Berry Smoothie!

Peanut Butter Jelly Smoothie

Peanut Butter Jelly Smoothie has flavors from a classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich is the form of a smoothie. You may be thinking, “uh, I’m not sure about THAT”. You just have to try it and see. Strawberries and strawberry jam help sweeten the smoothie, peanut butter gives that nice nutty flavor, and oats are added as a nice filler to act as “bread”. The smoothie is then thinned out with almond milk because a great PB&J calls for a cold milk of glass.

Tips & Tricks

Fruit Swap

Feel free to swap the strawberries and strawberry jam with the fruit of your choice! Raspberry jelly with frozen raspberries would taste great or blackberry jam with frozen blackberries. Try your favorite peanut butter and jelly combo with a simple fruit swap.

Peanut Butter Jelly Smoothie

Peanut Butter Jelly Smoothie is made with strawberries, old-fashioned oats, banana, creamy peanut butter, strawberry jam and almond milk.

Course Drinks

Keyword breakfast, Smoothies

Prep Time 5 minutes

Servings 2 8 ounce servings

Author Amber

Equipment

Blender

Ingredients

1/2 cup almond milk
1/4 cup old-fashioned oats
1 banana small
1 1/2 cups strawberries sliced and frozen
2 Tablespoons peanut butter creamy
1 Tablespoon strawberry jam

Instructions

Add all ingredients to blender.
Blend until smooth.
Serve.

What are some foods that remind you of the back to school season?? Let me know in the comments below!

Homemade Caramel Vanilla Iced Coffee

Homemade Caramel Vanilla Iced Coffee is the perfect mixture of vanilla syrup, caramel sauce, strongly brewed coffee and some half-and-half to bring the coffeehouse into your own home.

My go-to coffeehouse order is an iced coffee with a little creamer and a bit of caramel sauce. No matter the time of year or the weather outside, I love my iced coffee. Iced coffee also happens to be a better option for lower calories and lower sugar than many other menu items. I’m looking at you White Chocolate Mocha (which I also happen to love). This Homemade Caramel Vanilla Iced Coffee is perfect to make at home to not only control what goes in your beverage but also saves you a ton of money.

Homemade Caramel Vanilla Iced Coffee

Homemade Caramel Vanilla Iced Coffee is absolutely delicious with a strongly brewed coffee (hello motherhood, I am ready), a little caramel sauce for just the right amount of flavor, creamy half-and-half and vanilla syrup. Yes, you can use a sugar free vanilla syrup to cut back on sugar where possible and perhaps save it for a few bites of one of those sprinkled donuts pictured. HEY, you deserve a treat every once in awhile.

Try this recipe for Banana Oat Muffins to pair with your Homemade Caramel Vanilla Iced Coffee for a great start to any morning!

What is the difference between iced coffee and cold brew?

This recipe calls for iced coffee. You simply brew coffee grounds extra strong with hot water as normal and let it cool to room temperature. Make a pitcher for the week and store in the fridge.

Cold brew takes 12-24 hours to make because you actually soak the coffee grounds in cold water. You can absolutely use either technique but I like the iced coffee method a little better because who wants to wait on that brewing process?

Caramel Vanilla Iced Coffee

Homemade Caramel Vanilla Iced Coffee is the perfect mixture of vanilla syrup, caramel sauce, strongly brewed coffee and some half-and-half to bring the coffeehouse into your own home.

Course drink

Keyword coffee

Prep Time 3 minutes

Brew Time 5 minutes

Servings 1 Drink

Author Amber

Ingredients

1 cup coffee strong
1 Tablespoons vanilla syrup
1 Tablespoons caramel sauce
1 Tablespoons half and half
ice

Instructions

Brew a cup of coffee extra strong. Let cool down.
Fill a 16 ounce cup full of ice.
Add 1 Tablespoon caramel sauce, 1 Tablespoon vanilla syrup and 1 Tablespoon half-and-half.
Fill cup with coffee.
Drink up.

Notes

Depending on your preference, you can double the amount of caramel sauce, vanilla syrup and half-and-half for a sweeter treat.

What is your go-to order at the coffeehouse? Let me know in the comments below and maybe I can recreate the recipe for you soon!

Watermelon Ice Pops

Watermelon Ice Pops are a delicious summer treat made with fresh watermelon, lime and a pinch of honey.

Summertime is in full swing and I am loving every second if it. From walking around the zoo on a sunny day to lounging by the pool or staying cool at the movie theaters, summer is always an adventure. The muggy, hot weather in Cincinnati calls for some chilled treats after a day of fun and these Watermelon Ice Pops really hit the spot.

You may also enjoy these Root Beer Float Popsicles!

Watermelon Ice Pops

Watermelon Ice Pops are made with just 3 ingredients! I can say am one of those moms who believe less ingredients is always better and I love that you can actually taste the watermelon flavor in these and there is nothing artificial unlike some store bought ice pops. Don’t get me wrong- the store bought ice pops are also in my freezer all summer long but these are a really yummy treat to share with the kids.

Tips & Tricks

Strain

I recommend straining your watermelon mixture after mixing. This helps remove the pulp and seeds making a nice juice that freezes well.

Fruit

You aren’t limited to just using watermelon! Try any of your favorite fruits. Blend well, strain and then place in ice pops mold bags to freeze. Simple, healthy, and flavorful.

Watermelon Ice Pops

Watermelon Ice Pops are a delicious summer treat made with fresh watermelon, lime and a pinch of honey.

Course Dessert

Keyword Ice Pops, Popsicles, Watermelon

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 6 hours

Servings 6 Ice Pops

Author Amber

Equipment

Blender

Ingredients

4 cups watermelon chopped
1 lime juiced
2 Tablespoons honey

Instructions

Chop 4 cups worth of fresh watermelon. Place into blender.
Slice a lime in half and squeeze the fresh juice into blender.
Add 2 Tablespoons honey.
Blend for 1 minute.
Pour the mixture through a sieve to strain.
Fill 6 ice pop mold bags leaving a little space at the top. You can also use regular popsicle molds.
Freeze 6+ hours.

No Churn OREO Ice Cream

No Churn OREO Ice Cream is a simple homemade ice cream made with just four ingredients. No ice cream machine needed!

I know, I know… It has been a whole week since I posted an ice cream recipe but I cannot share another yummy summer treat! You can check out the last ice cream recipe for No Churn Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream! Homemade ice creams don’t need a machine to be creamy and flavorful. You just need a hand mixer and a few hours of patience to wait for the mixture to freeze.

No Churn OREO Ice Cream

No Churn OREO Ice Cream is packed full of OREO cookies. This ice cream is both sweet and refreshing with the perfect amount of cocoa. Go ahead and swap one of the many delicious OREO flavors like Red Velvet to try something new!

Tips & Tricks

Stiff Peak

No Churn OREO Ice Cream

No Churn OREO Ice Cream is a simple homemade ice cream made with just four ingredients. No ice cream machine needed!

Course Dessert

Keyword Ice Cream, Summer, Treat

Prep Time 12 minutes

Cook Time 6 hours

Servings 12 Scoops

Author Amber

Ingredients

16 ounces heavy whipping cream
14 ounces condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups OREO cookies chopped

Instructions

In a mixing bowl, whisk vanilla extract and condensed milk.
Chop a cup and a half worth of OREO cookies and stir in.
In a separate bowl. Beat heavy cream to a stiff peak. Details within post above.
Fold the condensed milk bowl together with the whipped cream bowl.
Pour mixture into ice cream tub. Top with extra chopped OREO cookies if you please.
Cover and freeze for 6+ hours.

Do you prefer a cup or cone? Let me know in the comments below.

Recipes

Salsa Chicken Tacos

Crock-pot

Pressure Cooker

Salsa Chicken Tacos

Ingredients

Toppings

Instructions

Crock-pot

Pressure Cooker

Mango Orange Ice Pops

Mango Ice Pops

Ingredients

Instructions

Shells and Cheese

Tips & Tricks

Shells and Cheese

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

No Churn Blueberry Swirl Ice Cream

Tips & Tricks

No Churn Blueberry Swirl Ice Cream

Equipment

Ingredients

Blueberry Sauce

Ice Cream

Instructions

Blueberry Sauce

No Churn Blueberry Swirl Ice Cream

Brawny®

Peanut Butter Banana Muffins

Tips & Tricks

Lunchbox Ideas

Peanut Butter Banana Muffins

Ingredients

Instructions

Air Fryer Corn on the Cob

Tips & Tricks

Air Fryer Corn on the Cob

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

Peanut Butter Jelly Smoothie

Tips & Tricks

Peanut Butter Jelly Smoothie

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

Homemade Caramel Vanilla Iced Coffee

What is the difference between iced coffee and cold brew?

Caramel Vanilla Iced Coffee

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

Watermelon Ice Pops

Tips & Tricks

Watermelon Ice Pops

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

No Churn OREO Ice Cream

Tips & Tricks

No Churn OREO Ice Cream

Ingredients

Instructions

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