Recipes

I’m an adventurous eater. I love a lot of different cuisines, and southern food is no exception. This is one of my favorite Southern recipes to make at home—classic red beans and Andouille sausage. It’s a popular dish in the South all year, but I love celebrating Mardi Gras with it. Red beans, Creole seasoning, and, of course, that special New Orleans sausage: Andouille. But what exactly is Andouille sausage? Read on for all this and more in my Mardi Gras Red Beans and Andouille Sausage recipe!

The days are getting longer, but this is definitely the coldest time of year in the midwest. And who doesn’t love to warm up with a delicious bowl of soup? This flavorful and super comforting lentil soup with bacon rind or pork belly recipe is just what I need on a chilly January day.

My daughter eats gluten-free—so I’m always looking for a gluten-free variation on our favorite family recipes. Of course, it’s kind of hard to eat Italian cuisine without the pasta… but my Gluten-Free Chicken Alfredo Stuffed Spaghetti Squash recipe really hits the spot!

If you’re from the Midwest, chances are you or someone you know has planted a garden and enjoyed home-grown veggies all year long. Pair one of my fall favorites with sweet Italian sausage and you’ve got a spectacular dish that’s festive and flavorful!

It might not be quite as indulgent as those upcoming holiday feasts, but you can consider this a warm-up for the months ahead: It’s my famous Roasted Hasselback Butternut Squash recipe!

Juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, fragrant basil, and a drizzle of balsamic and olive oil come together in this handheld delight. This recipe, available exclusively in Peoria Magazine, screams summertime deliciousness to me and my family. Get ready to take a bite and savor the taste of summer!

Before my kiddos were all grown up, I used to be a podiatrist. Between keeping all my appointments and getting my kids out to all their after-school activities, the “set it and forget it” method made things so much easier. My Easy Instant Pot White Bean Chili is the perfect “set it and forget it” after school recipe!

Although you would think this dish originated in Italy, the original Chicken Piccata recipe was actually created in the United States by Italian immigrants. The original piccatas were made with veal, but over time, chicken became a more affordable protein for the dish… and it’s really good, too.

These savory and delicious grilled portabella mushroom tacos are one of my best gluten-free and vegetarian dishes for summer. The grilled portabella mushrooms are smoky with a rich umami note, and my Super Crunchy Asian Coleslaw as a topping takes them over the top! Versatile and suitable for different dietary restrictions, you’ll be making these tacos all year long.

I don’t limit my grilling to just the chicken. Why shouldn’t we get creative with it? And if you’ve never tried grilling fruit before, stop what you're doing right now and go get the ingredients for this recipe. Pesto, peaches, and juicy grilled chicken… YUM!

Pronounced something like pahn bahn-yah, this perfect picnic sandwich originated in Nice, France, where it was first made as a French tuna sandwich. My friend Terri’s version of the famous French sandwich is made on a baguette with smoked turkey and provolone cheese. It’s the perfect sandwich to slice up and share with your family and friends!

This is my go-to recipe for fast and easy barbecue ribs. Instead of cooking these ribs on low heat for several hours, I cook them on high heat on my outdoor grill. The secret ingredients are the dry rub and the grilling process. Click through for the full recipe, including the best dry rub mix ever!