Crispy Onion Rings

When the craving for onion rings strikes sometimes you just don't want to leave the comfort of home to get them. Or perhaps you have a hungry crowd to feed and want to impress with this crave-worthy appetizer or side dish.

Luckily making onion rings at home is easier than you may think and once you learn the method it's a breeze from then on out.

You follow a simple breading process to coat the onion rings, then deep fry in hot oil in batches until beautifully golden brown and crisp. You'll just need a little patience to work in batches.

From there serve with your favorite sauces. Excellent choices are fry sauce, ketchup, ranch dressing, or bbq sauce. Then just prepare for them to disappear as quickly as you put them out!

Note that I've shared other options to cook them if you'd prefer not to deep fry. You can bake in the oven or cook in an air fryer as well.

With any of the three options though you'll end with something completely delicious!

Easy Crockpot Mac and Cheese!

This is hands the absolute easiest way to make macaroni and cheese! And believe it or not and it's unbelievably creamy, no broken curdled sauce, and the taste is simply perfect.

My tricks to a good crockpot mac and cheese are to use a combination of cream, water, and evaporated milk - instead of regular milk so it doesn't curdle. Then also waiting until closer to the end to add the cheese so that doesn't overheat and separate.

And another important key is to use a combination of cheeses for great flavor and texture. Sharp cheddar builds up the best traditional macaroni and cheese flavor, while each American cheese and Monterey Jack cheese create a velvety sauce.

The starches of cooking everything together in one pot (or slow cooker insert technically) also helps create a smooth sauce.

This is a family favorite! It has a well balanced flavor that isn't too harsh so people of all ages love it, and the cook will love the ease of preparation.

It's jam packed flavorful goodness in every bite and undoubtedly worthy of the holidays, but yet simple enough for a weeknight side dish!

Watch the Video!

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An Easy Pizza Bagel Recipe!

If you grew up in the 90's like I did you can likely relate to this recipe. Lots of memories of this classic that I've forgotten for too long.

But the pizza bagels I remember were pretty bland and boring. Here we've upgraded them with bakery fresh bagels, some herbs, and garlic powder seasoning. And we use the best cooking method.

That is to toast them in the oven BEFORE you add the sauce so they don't get soggy. Then finish them under the broiler for a nice toasty flavor and quick finish.

Though these make a delicious after school snack they aren't just for kids. Even adults loves these!

And just like traditional pizza there are so many ways to make them (see ideas below).

Save this recipe for a quick Monday meal or a simple lunch. It may just become a new back pocket recipe that will take you back to fun childhood memories (but they'll taste way better than you remember).

Easy Tri Tip Roast

This has been a go-to recipe at our house for the last few months because it's incredibly easy to make, you only need a handful of ingredients, and it’s made with a less expensive cut of beef.

You can usually find tri tip quite a bit cheaper than most steaks (which are getting very expensive lately). We just buy a 2-pack at $7.99 per pound at our local Costco and freeze the second one for later (for best quality use frozen tri tip within 3 months).

The key to a good tri tip is in the seasoning and the cooking method. Here we give it a nice spice rub for added flavor, let it rest at room temp a while, then roast it in a moderately heated oven, and last finish it by reverse searing (baking then skillet browning) for a few minutes in a scorching pan.

It's the perfect beef roast!

What is Tri Tip?

• Tri tip is a cut of beef that comes from the bottom of the sirloin of a cow. It is usually cut in a triangular shape.
• You'll find it has a nice beefy flavor and great tender texture when cooked to a medium doneness.
• Its name comes from its triangular shape and the fact that it's cut at a tapered tip, at the very tip of the sirloin.
• Options available are select, choice and prime grades. Select is lowest quality, choice is good quality, and prime the best quality. I recommend buying only choice or prime.

Easy Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries

I vote sweet potatoes fries are better than regular russet potato fries, who's with me?

They have more flavor, and I love that little bit of natural sweetness. Maybe it's that after so many years of regular french fries, it's fun to have something new.

These roasted sweet potato fries are a great way to get everyone to eat more veggies!

While we can't say these are the crispiest baked sweet potato fries you'll ever eat (only deep frying will do that), they are a great healthier option! They do get slightly crisp edges as long as you let them brown up a bit.

They are a great autumn side dish when sweet potatoes are in season and they pair well with countless main dishes.

It's a simple process to prepare them. Peel and cut, toss with oil and seasonings, then spread onto baking sheets and bake.

Just don't forget the sauces for serving. As with traditional fries, these are that much better with a sauce.

Ketchup is just fine, but for a tasty upgrade, try the fry sauce recipe I have listed below.

Oven Baked Chicken Tenders

With this recipe you just follow a standard breading process. Dip chicken tenders in flour, egg, and then panko bread crumbs. Then instead of frying in a pan in oil, they are baked in a hot oven over a wire rack until golden brown and cooked through.

So we skip the vegetable oil and just use a little olive oil to add some flavor and encourage browning. Then the real game changer is the parmesan. It gives them a delicious boost of flavor.

People of all ages will love these simple baked chicken tenders! They're easy to make and perfect for dipping.

Cajun Seasoning to Taste

The great thing about making your own homemade cajun seasoning is that you can control the heat and the sodium, simply by adjusting the cayenne pepper and the salt to taste.

It's also handy if you are ready to make a recipe but you are out of your go-to store-bought option. Plus, if you buy spices in bulk this is a great inexpensive option.

You'll find it has the perfect blend of sweet and vibrant spices and flavor enhancing herbs.

It's easy enough it can be thrown together in minutes so you might as well try it out. Homemade spice blends are such a great way to go!

Bold Blackened Salmon

Blackened salmon is made using a cooking technique where fish fillets are liberally seasoned with a cajun spice rub then pan seared in a hot skillet until fairly well darkened (or blackened) on the exterior.

A beautiful crisp crust is formed and it has a nice hint of a charred flavor which highlight its more mellow interior.

Then with this specific recipe you also get a welcome final upgrade of a butter based honey and lime sauce to take it to a whole new level of delicious!

So much flavor in every tender bite!

Here as far as heat goes you can control just how spicy (or mild) you'd like it by adjusting the cayenne pepper to taste. That's part of the beauty of cooking at home, making things to taste.

On a side note don't shy away from the recipe just because there appears to be a daunting list of ingredients. Most of it is just spices you likely already have on hand.

And if you even insist you could skip the sauce and still have an incredibly satisfying seafood dinner.

About This Crockpot BBQ Chicken Recipe

Sweet, savory, salty, smokey, tangy and with great depth of flavor. Here you get all the things you are looking for in homestyle BBQ pulled chicken and then some.

But no need to break out the grill or smoker. Here the crockpot does most of the work!

At the end you just shred (or in other words "pull") the chicken into pieces and pile over (optionally) buttered and toasted hamburger buns. And if you want to make it extra delicious mound on the easiest coleslaw as well (with blue cheese if you'd like!).

To finish, pair it with a side of buttered corn (on the cob is best!), crisp potato chips, and sweet apple slices or fruit salad for a super easy summer inspired meal!

What Makes the Best Lemon Pepper Chicken?

When I first began testing this recipe I went through several brands of lemon pepper seasoning and never found one that I love. It just lacks that fresh lemon zip.

So I ditched the lemon pepper seasoning altogether and just went the fresh lemon route. It ended up being so much better, and far more fresh tasting! It's the simple secret to the best lemon pepper chicken.

This recipe only needs a few basic ingredients and 20 minutes of your time! Everyone will love that rich buttery finish and peppery kick.

It's the perfect dish to make when you need dinner in a flash. For a few healthy and hassle-free sides, pair it with baked red potatoes (serve with a splash of olive oil) and fresh steamed broccoli.