Hello!!

Hope you’ve had a good few weeks. I’ve had some family things that have taken priority in the past few weeks, so haven’t been able to send out the newsletter. But we’re back and all is good! Plus there’s LOTS of good food that we’ve shared on the blog, so scroll down and take a look!

In our ongoing quest to find THE best pizza, Kurt and I had an adventure on Thursday, and drove 1 ½ hours to New Haven, CT to eat at ​Modern Apizza​. For any of you who may live in New England or for those of you visiting, New Haven is one of THE best places in the world to get pizza. I highly suggest trying these places out, especially since they are easy to get to, just off I-95.

Last year we made the same trip, and ate at Sally’s Apizza which was quite delicious and well worth the drive. The original Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana is also there, so you have a choice of some pretty spectacular pizza. There is a Frank Pepe’s also located in Warwick, RI (as well as other places in New England) that we’ve been too, and honestly, it’s not my favorite, so we won’t be going to CT to try that one.

But out of the three, I have to say that Modern was definitely my favorite. The crust is thin and totally delicious, the sauce, the cheese all make for some really fantastic pizza. BUT, ​Lazzara’s​ in NYC is still the best we’ve ever had. Gosh, I DO love a good piece of pizza!!

New Recipes This Week:

If you’re in the mood for chocolate, but don’t want to heat up the oven, ​Chocolate Dream Bars​ are the perfect no-bake dessert for you! Silky chocolate pudding and whipped cream are layered in a crunchy Oreo cookie crust. You’ll want to make this easy dessert for all your backyard gatherings this summer!

For a light and refreshing meal this summer, make this ​Steamed Tilapia​! Fresh tilapia fillets are seasoned with fresh lemon, dill, garlic powder, and other spices, and then steamed in the oven in a tin foil packet. This fish recipe makes for an easy and healthy weeknight dinner!

These ​Stuffed Tomatoes ​are filled with bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and fresh herbs, then covered with mozzarella and baked. Transform ordinary tomatoes into an extraordinary dinner dish! Enjoy these easy, flavorful baked stuffed tomatoes on your dinner table tonight!

This moist, buttery ​Pound Cake ​is an indulgent, yet simple dessert that melts in your mouth! Top it with fresh berries and cream, ​3-ingredient strawberry sauce​, or ice cream and chocolate syrup for a sweet, filling dessert. Cut yourself a nice thick slice and enjoy this perfect pound cake tonight!

These easy ​Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes​ are the perfect sandwiches for busy days when you need an easy weeknight meal! Made with lean ground beef in a sweet, tangy sauce and topped with cheese, these sloppy joes are a meal the whole family can enjoy!

This refreshing ​Berry Trifle​ is full of layers of fresh berries, fresh whipped cream, and homemade pound cake. It’s the perfect summer dessert and makes a festive treat for patriotic holidays too!

Summertime calls for refreshing and effortless meals that capture the vibrant flavors of the season, and nothing embodies this better than a classic ​Italian Pasta Salad.​ Combining the simplicity of pasta with a medley of fresh veggies and zesty herbs, this dish is my go-to for warm days.

Homemade ​Baked Beans​ are a classic easy side dish that brings hearty comfort and rich flavor to any meal. This perfect side dish combines tender beans with a sweet and savory sauce, slow-cooked to perfection in the oven to achieve a deliciously thick and caramelized finish.

If you’re craving a refreshing and nutrient-packed dish that caters to everyone’s taste buds, then you have to try the versatile and delicious ​Three Bean Salad​. Packed with different varieties of beans, including green beans, wax beans, and kidney beans marinated in a simple homemade dressing, this salad is a powerhouse of plant-based protein, fiber, and essential nutrients.

Recipes to Enjoy this Summer:

• Learn how to make the best ​Blueberry Waffles ​with this easy recipe!
• This ​Couscous Chicken Salad​ is made with pearl couscous, grilled or cooked chicken, bell pepper, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, spinach, arugula, feta cheese, tossed with a paprika vinaigrette!
• These ​Turtle Parfaits ​are an easy, layered dessert. In each bite, you’ll get a taste of a dark chocolate pudding made with silken tofu, whipped topping, caramel sauce, and pecans.
• ​Basic Macaroni Salad​ is made with elbow macaroni, green pepper, onion, celery, mayonnaise, yellow mustard, and white vinegar.
• ​Easy Chicken Marinade ​– made of soy sauce, orange marmalade, lemon juice and ginger, this chicken marinade is so easy and will make grill night a tasty one!

Menu Plan This Week:

Sunday: ​Zucchini Casserole​

Monday: ​Tuna Noodle Casserole​

Tuesday: ​No Bake Rice Krispies Granola Bars​

Wednesday: ​Bisquick Shortcake Recipe​ – perfect for Strawberry Shortcake!

Thursday: ​Coconut Cooler​

Friday: Date Night

Saturday: ​Peaches and Cream French Toast Bake​

Favorite Product of the Week:

I’ve always had a nice assortment of plastic containers for food storage whether they’re Rubbermaid or the reusable take-out containers from restaurants. However, because I am always making so much for the blog it’s most often too much for Kurt and I to eat, so I need to give it away. When I do, I don’t always get my “Tupperware” back in a timely fashion or at all. So, I’ve now started buying these aluminum pans with lids. They’re the perfect size for whatever I want to share AND the person receiving the food doesn’t have to worry about cleaning and returning it.

Tip of the Week:

Does it just bug you when you go to shake herbs or seasoning out of a spice jar because they either come out too slowly or there’s just not enough when you do shake them? Problem solved! I saw this tip on TikTok this week and it works! Hold the spice/seasoning jar upside down, and instead of shaking it. After removing the cover, hold the plastic top in place while you twist the container back and forth as you would when grinding pepper. The back and forth movement helps to release them. However, this will only work if you haven’t removed those pesky plastic caps as I have. 🤣