Welcome to the weekend, my friends! I’m a bit weather obsessed right now. I can’t get enough of the warm sun this week. I try to go out every day, even if it’s just a short walk.
We have cool rainy days on the way next week and I’m looking forward to it. I love cozy sweater days and I don’t think we’ll have many more of them this spring.
ON THE BLOGS this week: These Easy Pan Seared Pork Chops with Balsamic Dijon are an amazing weeknight dinner that takes under 20 minutes to make. I serve them with rosemary roast potatoes and oven-baked asparagus and by the end of the meal there’s hardly a bite left.
Zucchini, mushrooms and sausage are tossed with penne in a flavorful sauce for an easy dinner win in this easy stir-fry meal.
Strawberry Romanoff is pretty much the tastiest thing I’ve made lately. My friend Lynne stayed here a few weeks ago when I made this to photograph it and we may have eaten the whole recipe by ourselves. I probably shouldn’t admit these things, but yes, we did.
Holy, mind-blowing, almost unbelievably delicious recipe. I stood at the stove and inhaled this broccoli and mushroom casserole after the first taste. (Yes, I understand what I just wrote, but it really is that good!) I started with just a bite of broccoli and then a mushroom. But then I had to try the rice too, right?
Have you tried a flourless chocolate cake? If so, chances are you’ll never forget that first bite. Unassuming in appearance and almost ridiculously easy to make, this cake is a fantastic decadent treat. If there’s one thing you need to be able to make from scratch, I vote you know how to make whipped cream. Think of it as a life skill.
Lemon Ice Cream is creamy, rich ice cream with an unexpected and totally fresh lemon shine. If you’re still not convinced you need to try this, my eldest son chose this ice cream over chocolate ice cream two nights in a row, proclaiming it one of the best ice creams we’ve ever made.
What I crave: It’s almost embarrassing how often we buy frozen chicken taquitos at Costco. (In case you haven’t tried them, they’re made with flour tortillas and are more like flautas.) Anyway, just saying my family really likes them. This chicken flautas recipe caught my eye this week and I think it’s time to make them yourself. They look as simple as can be and the variations could be endless.
my favorite thing This week is this red enamel casserole with a lid. I’m obsessed with these enamel pans. I bought this a few months ago and have already shared it with you in countless recipes. I found this beautiful red one from Lodge last week. The Amazon is a little wider while the Lodge is a little deeper and feels a little heavier.
I can’t say I have a preference between them at the moment, I really like them both. I’ll keep you posted if I continue to use them. If you prefer to buy American-made products, I think the Lodge pan is worth the slightly higher price.
What I read: The Girl They Left Behind by Roxanne Veletzos. This book is the impossible but true life story of the author’s mother. In 1941, in keeping with Sophie’s choice, the child’s Jewish parents were forced to leave her at the door of a Bucharest apartment building, hoping to protect her from the coming war.
They left her a note that read: “In fear and desperation, we commit this child into the hands of God, with hope and faith that he can be saved.” This child, the author’s mother, comes to an orphanage and is eventually adopted by a Christian family.
To be honest, this book drags on a bit at times and at one point I got so annoyed with the main character that I almost stopped reading the book. Although I put the book down several times, I’m glad I finished it as the ending was both unexpected and beautiful. It’s a solid 4 star read for me and I highly recommend it.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It doesn’t envy, it doesn’t boast, it doesn’t pride itself. It does not dishonor others, it is not selfish, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrong. Love does not delight in evil, but delights in truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always endures. love never fails But where there are prophecies they will cease; where there are tongues they are stilled; Where there is knowledge it will perish.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NIV
Have a great week full of little things that make you smile!
Maria