Sweet & Saucy

Easy Clam Chowder

I already have a clam chowder recipe I love, but I decided to try this one since it’s quite a bit less labor-intensive. It is really good.

recipe from: http://www.melskitchencafe.com/my-favorite-boston-clam-chowder/

image courtesy:http://blogs.nordstrom.com/fashion/easy-classic-clam-chowder-recipe-whats-cooking/?crlt.pid=camp.wBbKCGjOxxDp

New England Clam Chowder

Every year, I make a culinary goal (that's weird, isn't it?). My goal one year was to find the best clam chowder recipe out there. This was my winner.

recipe and image from Foodie Crush

Copycat Chick-Fil-A Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce

We made this to go with the copycat Chick-Fil-A chicken nuggets. I think it’s the best honey mustard sauce I’ve ever tasted. I would love to try it as a salad dressing sometime.

recipe from Damn Delicious; image from Pinch of Yum

The Messy Mister saw a commercial for Chick-Fil-A chicken nuggets during a football game and wanted to run out and get some. I told him we could make them at home, and he didn’t believe me. Well, we can’t have that now, can we?

I don’t know if CFA uses the pickle marinade or not, but if they don’t, they should. I love the little hint of pickle flavor it leaves at the very end of the nugget!

recipe & image from Damn Delicious

Cranberry-Mustard Pork Chops

recipe from 5 Dollar Dinners; image from Paula Deen

Vanilla Greek Yogurt

I am notoriously NOT A FAN of yogurt. I can eat about half a container, then something switches and I can’t stand the thought of one single other bite. Last Christmas, I was looking for something new to make for Christmas morning. I usually make cinnamon rolls, but they haven’t been hitting the spot the last several years. Just before the Christmas season, The Messy Mister went to San Diego for a meeting and stayed in a hotel with a breakfast buffet. He came home raving about the fruit and yogurt bar they had there, so I decided to try to find a good recipe for granola. We bought the yogurt last year. THis year, The Messy Kids and I were able to tag along for the meeting and we stayed in the same hotel, with the same breakfast buffet. I dished up some yogurt honestly thinking it was whipped cream if I’m being honest, and was shocked and pleasantly surprised how much I loved it. It was nothing like store-bought yogurt! It was smooth, creamy, and just the right amount of tart. It simply amazed me that I was actually enjoying yogurt for once! I decided then and there that I wanted to learn how to make my own yogurt at home. We made one batch without any sweetener or flavoring, and it was enjoyed by all. I knew a sweetened batch would go over even better, so I experimented with this one, and I ended up eating two whole containers myself in a single sitting! It’s also really good with fresh fruit or a teaspoon of freezer jam mixed in with it.

I used whole milk (hey! It was Christmas!), and it turned out so good. I’m going to try with 2% milk next time, and I hope it will maintain its creamy thickness with the lower fat content.

my own recipe; image from Live Simply

Healthy Zucchini Chocolate Chip Muffins

recipe from 5 Dollar Dinners; image from Well Plated