Home Maid Simple

Category: Weekend Bites

Weekend Bites featuring Ali Roux

Welcome back to Weekend Bites! We’ve missed you! Come share your love of food and get to know another foodie – Ali Roux.

Visit my co-host Debi at Practical Parenting Ideas

1. Link up your any food related post below

2. Browse the linky, visit some new blogs, and share if you feel so inclined.

3. Please only link up 3 posts. This lets us visit as many of you as possible.
4. By linking up you give me permission to feature your photos on Home Maid Simple (always linking back to you of course!)

5. Each month I send out a newsletter with the most popular links from that month – you may be featured!! This is a once a month newsletter, every first Friday of the month, no spam involved! Sign Up

This week I am so excited to share a new blogger, and fellow Foodie with you – Ali Roux. I have been enjoying my week browsing all of Ali’s recipes as well as her travel posts. See Ali has been living in Sweden, one of my favorite countries ever! One day I will visit the country of my ancestors, but until then reading through Ali’s posts like this one on Stockholm will have to suffice. I know you’re not here for the travel, though, so take a look instead at her recipes!
I’m trying to figure out when I can go pick berries at our local farm so I can make both this Vanilla Sauce and Berries, and this Spring Salad. I know the Apple Crumble Bake will be making it onto this week’s breakfast menu as well, and maybe even these Beet Muffins! And if none of these entice you, you HAVE to check out this Vegan 13 Bean Soup with homemade Marinated Tofu!

Grab a Feature Button!

<div align=”center”><a href=”http://www.HomeMaidSimple.com” title=”Home Maid Simple”><img src=”http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa339/HomeMaidSimple/WeekendBitesFeatured_zpsadddab56.png” alt=”Weekend Bites” style=”border:none;” /></a></div>

[inlinkz_linkup id=628624 mode=1]

April 28, 2016
Weekend Bites Earth Day Recipes

Welcome to Weekend Bites! Enjoy these Earth Day Recipes to reacquaint yourself with the wonderful natural produce our earth creates.

Visit my co-host Debi at Practical Parenting Ideas

1. Link up your any food related post below

2. Browse the linky, visit some new blogs, and share if you feel so inclined.

3. Please only link up 3 posts. This lets us visit as many of you as possible.
4. By linking up you give me permission to feature your photos on Home Maid Simple (always linking back to you of course!)

5. Each month I send out a newsletter with the most popular links from that month – you may be featured!! This is a once a month newsletter, every first Friday of the month, no spam involved! Sign Up

I couldn’t stick to just 4 features this week! So many delicious recipes featuring natural products from our earth. I like to call these Earth Day Recipes. Whether you grow the produce yourself or buy it from the many convenient stores we have, you can get back in touch with your roots with one of these fabulous recipes.

Home Cooking Memories shows us how to make Peanut Butter at home that rivals the natural peanut butters on store shelves. You can then use that peanut butter in Nepa Mom’s Peanut Butter Granola Apples Bites.

This Corn and Avocado Salsa from Old Home to New House can be made with all fresh ingredients. I could see myself plating this salsa next to this Slow Cooker Quinoa from Dizzy Busy and Hungry. Something about making homemade bread makes me feel in touch with the earth as well. This Molasses Walnut Banana Bread from Busy Being Jennifer is on my list to try this week!

Not all earth day recipes have to be full of grains or veggies though. I think I often forget sweet fruits when thinking of earth-friendly dishes to serve my family. I can’t wait to try this fantastic looking Simple Spinach and Strawberry Salad from A Dish of Daily Life, and Frugal Foodie Mama’s Cara Cara Orange and Vanilla Bean Curd.

Grab a Feature Button!

<div align=”center”><a href=”http://www.HomeMaidSimple.com” title=”Home Maid Simple”><img src=”http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa339/HomeMaidSimple/WeekendBitesFeatured_zpsadddab56.png” alt=”Weekend Bites” style=”border:none;” /></a></div>
[inlinkz_linkup id=626734 mode=1]

April 21, 2016
Weekend Bites After School Snacks

It may be the weekend, but now is the perfect time to plan after school snacks for the kids!

Visit my co-host Debi at Practical Parenting Ideas

1. Link up your any food related post below

2. Browse the linky, visit some new blogs, and share if you feel so inclined.

3. Please only link up 3 posts. This lets us visit as many of you as possible.
4. By linking up you give me permission to feature your photos on Home Maid Simple (always linking back to you of course!)

5. Each month I send out a newsletter with the most popular links from that month – you may be featured!! This is a once a month newsletter, every first Friday of the month, no spam involved! Sign Up

A few weeks before Spring Break, I hit that point where the kids were coming home and raiding the pantry because I was too busy trying to keep it all together with work and school, and their schoolwork, and family time, and SLEEP, that I just could not prep an after school snack on top of it all. I sort of felt like I was failing them, but knew it was also OK to not always have something prepped beforehand. Just because my mom did it, didn’t mean I had to.

Now that spring break is behind us, and I was able to recharge family time, and sleep, I feel like I have the time to make them more after school snacks. Browsing Weekend Bites last week led me to these fabulous ideasI know my kids will love. You can’t have a snack without the classic chocolate chip cookie, and these Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies from Love to Be In the Kitchen look fantastic!

Yesterday I was thinking about my sister and one of her favorite snacks were cheese crisps. She’s slice some cheese and toss it in the microwave. It would bubble, and you’d think it was dying, but then it would harden into this awesome cheese crisp. When I saw these Parmesan Cheese Crisps on The Parenting Patch it was like she read my mind.

As a teen, and even now, I love a good chip and dip. My kids have caught me dip handed a number of times and made me share too. There’s just something about that creamy dip with a crunchy chip that is perfect. Sugar, Spice and Family Life made a mouthwatering BLT Dip I know our whole house would gather around after school.

Not every snack has to be a treat, though. Some like this Banana Carrot Muffin from Silver Foodie are better for you, and still taste fantastic.

Do you make After School Snacks?

[inlinkz_linkup id=624924 mode=1]

April 14, 2016
Weekend Bites Dinner Time

Thanks for joining us on Weekend Bites! After checking out the featured dinner time recipes, don’t forget to share your recipes on the linky below!

Visit my co-host Debi at Practical Parenting Ideas

1. Link up your any food related post below

2. Browse the linky, visit some new blogs, and share if you feel so inclined.

3. Please only link up 3 posts. This lets us visit as many of you as possible.
4. By linking up you give me permission to feature your photos on Home Maid Simple (always linking back to you of course!)

5. Each month I send out a newsletter with the most popular links from that month – you may be featured!! This is a once a month newsletter, every first Friday of the month, no spam involved! Sign Up

The party was a little slow last week, but we still had some great shared recipes! We’re winding up our spring break. We didn’t go anywhere special, but we made a lot of fun here at home and in the neighborhood. Of course it was a rainy week, so we had to find ways to entertain ourselves indoors. We did manage to get some spring cleaning done, but not as much as I usually do during spring break. I am so ready for the kids to head back to school, and for us all to be back on a routine. 10pm nights, and getting up between 9 and 10am will not work out next week. One thig we have kept routine, however, was dinner time. We may have thrown in a couple extra desserts this week, but we eat at the same time, and everyone still helps clean up.

I’m seriously loving the dinner time ideas Simplify Life with Mrs R shared with us. Her Steak Oscar looks divine! Since that’s probabl more an adult dinner (at least my kids wouldn’t appreciate it), she also shared these Marvelous, Moist, Meaty Meatballs. I’d put these on a hoagie for lunch, or with a side of pasta. Meatballs are one of my favorite dishes!

Since the kids have been enjoying more dessert this week, I figured any good dinner meal ends with a dessert. If you’re looking for something a little healthier try the Pumpkin Pound Cake Cookies from A Healthy Helper. A bonus they are are vegan and grain free! If you want to indulge in the sweeter not as healthy side of dessert check out these Butterfinger Rice Krispie Treats from Sugar Spice and Family life.

How was your spring break?

Grab a Feature Button!

<div align=”center”><a href=”http://www.HomeMaidSimple.com” title=”Home Maid Simple”><img src=”http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa339/HomeMaidSimple/WeekendBitesFeatured_zpsadddab56.png” alt=”Weekend Bites” style=”border:none;” /></a></div>
[inlinkz_linkup id=623229 mode=1]

April 7, 2016
Weekend Bites Seafood

Spring has arrived, and everyone wants to eat a little lighter. Seafood is the perfect dish, and with this variety, you’re sure to find something the whole family will love.

Visit my co-host Debi at Practical Parenting Ideas

1. Link up your any food related post below

2. Browse the linky, visit some new blogs, and share if you feel so inclined.

3. Please only link up 3 posts. This lets us visit as many of you as possible.
4. By linking up you give me permission to feature your photos on Home Maid Simple (always linking back to you of course!)

5. Each month I send out a newsletter with the most popular links from that month – you may be featured!! This is a once a month newsletter, every first Friday of the month, no spam involved! Sign Up

I love seafood! Unfortunately for me, I can’t get my family to hop on board. That won’t keep me from trying, though. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing all the fantastic Seafood dishes served up last week. Whether my family likes them or not, I’ll be slowly adding some seafood to our menu. The nice thing about fish, especially in spring, is it’s a lighter meal, but still filling. After a winter of soups, and meat and potato meals, these are the perfect way to freshen up your dinners.

Salmon is my favorite, what’s yours? Check out these features to see if your favorite made the list.

Seafood Features

Lemon Pepper Salmon & Parmesan Asparagus

The Perfect Storm

Lemon Shrimp Pasta

A Dish of Daily Life

Shrimp & Asparagus Stir Fry with Lemon Sauce

Home Cooking Memories

Spicy Muffin Tin Crab Cakes

A Dish of Daily Life

Lobster Mac & Cheese

Delightful E Made

Grab a Feature Button!

<div align=”center”><a href=”http://www.HomeMaidSimple.com” title=”Home Maid Simple”><img src=”http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa339/HomeMaidSimple/WeekendBitesFeatured_zpsadddab56.png” alt=”Weekend Bites” style=”border:none;” /></a></div>

[inlinkz_linkup id=620917 mode=1]

March 31, 2016
Weekend Bites: Easter Eggs

It’s Easter Weekend! Thanks for joining us on Weekend Bites. Check out the featured recipes for eggs below. Share your favorites in the comments.

Visit my co-host Debi at Practical Parenting Ideas

I love Easter Weekend. It’s one holiday that I don’t really stress over too much. Growing up, it was always huge. My aunt usually hosted a church egg hunt for the kids, and a scavenger hunt for the teens. It was quite a crowd in our home that weekend, and plenty of candy was to be had. We would spend the Monday night before dyeing all the eggs – and let me tell you, that was a lot of eggs! See we didn’t just hide plastic eggs, lots of real hard boiled eggs were included. After the egg hunt was over I’d go around trying to see who got the eggs I colored. You know you’ve always got at least one egg you feel especially proud of. If I could locate it, I’d try and finagle a trade – usually for one of the plastic eggs with candy inside.

With all those memories, and realizing I didn’t have to color any eggs this week, I started feeling a bit nostalgic. As always, you all came through for me, and shared a nice variety of egg dishes to feature.

Egg Features

Chocolate Confetti Easter Eggs

from Clean and Scentsible

why yes, I am starting off with a chocolate egg. What a brilliant idea! I can already see it sitting in the kids Easter Baskets.

Eggs to Dye for

from Margarets Morsels

I love how bright these colors are! You’ll have to click over to see what she used.

Hard Boiled Eggs Benedict

from Home Cooking Memories

I love eggs benedict, I never thought to use hard boiled eggs! This is a great way to use all those colored eggs next week.

Greek Egg Benedict

from Lemons for Lulu

In case you want a greek flavor, try egg benedict with a bit of lamb and pita! This is on my try ASAP list.

Sourdough and Sausage Tuscan Egg Bake

from Growing Up Gabel

If you want something easy and flavorful Easter morning, I’d give this a try!

Grab a Feature Button!

<div align=”center”><a href=”http://www.HomeMaidSimple.com” title=”Home Maid Simple”><img src=”http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa339/HomeMaidSimple/WeekendBitesFeatured_zpsadddab56.png” alt=”Weekend Bites” style=”border:none;” /></a></div>

March 24, 2016
Weekend Bites Finger Snacks

This weekend, enjoy more small bites with these finger snacks for both adults and kids.

Visit my co-host Debi at Practical Parenting Ideas

1. Link up your any food related post below

2. Browse the linky, visit some new blogs, and share if you feel so inclined.

3. Please only link up 3 posts. This lets us visit as many of you as possible.
4. By linking up you give me permission to feature your photos on Home Maid Simple (always linking back to you of course!)

5. Each month I send out a newsletter with the most popular links from that month – you may be featured!! This is a once a month newsletter, every first Friday of the month, no spam involved! Sign Up

I am at that point where I don’t want to cook. I want to spend all my time outdoors with the kids while we still have this sunshine. Maybe it’s the extra sun in the evening, or maybe I am in desperate need of a mental break – more likely it’s both. I have had a crazy whirlwind of a week too. The blessings have been pouring in with extra work for myself, and an unexpected morning with Mark – but those also usually come with a few extra stressors. I’ve returned to one of my former bad habits, and in an effort to push myself decided to try and take a 6 week course in 2 weeks. It’s crazy over here ya’ll!

When I started to browse your recipes through the week, my eyes continued to land on these little bites. They were all something I could whip up, and snack on as needed throughout the afternoon. Of course, I knew the kids wouldn’t quite enjoy the same finger foods as me, but you all never disappoint, and I found something they would enjoy that was comparable to the snacks I want to make myself!

Finger Snacks Features

First for the adults! These are great snacks I can enjoy while studying and working!

Caramelized Fennel Tartines with Red Pepper and Herbed Goat Cheese

from Pink Heels Pink Truck

Cucumber Dill Guacamole Dip

from The Mandatory Mooch

Next up are the kids versions! Now you all know just because I find these kid-friendly, does not mean I won’t enjoy them just as much as the kids!

Tuna Bacon Crostini

from Honey and Birch

Nutter Butter Dip with Apples

from Take Two Tapas

Grab a Feature Button!

<div align=”center”><a href=”http://www.HomeMaidSimple.com” title=”Home Maid Simple”><img src=”http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa339/HomeMaidSimple/WeekendBitesFeatured_zpsadddab56.png” alt=”Weekend Bites” style=”border:none;” /></a></div>

[inlinkz_linkup id=617124 mode=1]

March 17, 2016
Weekend Bites: Menu Plan

Welcome to Weekend Bites! The hippest weekend food party around – or so she says. If you struggle planning meals each week, browse the link ups and I promise you’ll find something to fill your Menu Plan from breakfast to dessert.

Visit my co-host Debi at Practical Parenting Ideas

1. Link up your any food related post below

2. Browse the linky, visit some new blogs, and share if you feel so inclined.

3. Please only link up 3 posts. This lets us visit as many of you as possible.
4. By linking up you give me permission to feature your photos on Home Maid Simple (always linking back to you of course!)

5. Each month I send out a newsletter with the most popular links from that month – you may be featured!! This is a once a month newsletter, every first Friday of the month, no spam involved! Sign Up

I have this friend, Jessica. We chat on Facebook every day, and we always end up back at the same question – What’s for dinner? She and I are both working from home – me here on Home Maid Simple, her over at The Beare Canvas. Today while we were chatting about the food we might make our kids, she pauses then types “You didn’t menu plan this week did you?”

Nope. I sure didn’t. It’s becoming habit for me. No menu plans. In fast I count so much on her asking me what’s for dinner, and then giving me some great inspiration that I don’t see much need to menu plan. Oh wait. Nope. Most of her inspiration would require a quick run to the store, because when you don’t plan a menu, you rarely have exactly everything you need for a meal. She saved my bacon tonight, and helped walk me through turning a leftover casserole into a delicious soup – more on that another time.

You know what? You don’t have to be like me! I don’t even have to be like me! Because we’re awesome and most of our menu planning has been done for us every Thursday night right here! This week, I grabbed this days menu straight from all of you. It took me 5 minutes to click on the links and decide if it was something my kids would eat. The answer is a mostly yes, but hey I like to make them try new things.

Menu Plan Features

Breakfast

Gluten Free Breakfast Muffins

from The Kids Are Grown, Now What?

Lunch

Sweet Potato Black Bean Quesadillas

from Silver Foodie

Dinner

Cremay Chicken Fra Diavolo

from This Silly Girl’s Kitchen

Dessert

Meyer Lemon Upside Down Cake with White Chocolate Sauce

from Sweet Meets Bake Shop

Grab a Featured Button!

<div align=”center”><a href=”http://www.HomeMaidSimple.com” title=”Home Maid Simple”><img src=”http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa339/HomeMaidSimple/WeekendBitesFeatured_zpsadddab56.png” alt=”Weekend Bites” style=”border:none;” /></a></div>

[inlinkz_linkup id=615383 mode=1]

March 10, 2016
Weekend Bites Strawberries

Share your recipes with the tastiest weekend food party. This week featuring your favorite Strawberry recipes.

Visit my co-host Debi at Practical Parenting Ideas

1. Link up your any food related post below

2. Browse the linky, visit some new blogs, and share if you feel so inclined.

3. Please only link up 3 posts. This lets us visit as many of you as possible.
4. By linking up you give me permission to feature your photos on Home Maid Simple (always linking back to you of course!)

5. Each month I send out a newsletter with the most popular links from that month – you may be featured!! This is a once a month newsletter, every first Friday of the month, no spam involved! Sign Up

Strawberries are almost in season! One of my favorite times of the year is when those bright red fruits start growing and become cheaper to purchase at the store. I need to reach out to our local farms and see who will have strawberries available for picking. I did hardly any canning this last year, and we went through the Strawberry Jam from the last year too fast. I am so ready to make more, and try out these fabulous recipes you’ve shared.

Strawberry Features

Gluten-Free Italian Strawberry Tart

from Inspiration for Moms

Chocolate Strawberry Skillet Granola

from Frugal Foodie Mama

Chocolate Strawberry Yogurt Parfait

from Logan Can

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Smoothie

from Bombshell Bling

Grab a Featured Button!

<div align=”center”><a href=”http://www.HomeMaidSimple.com” title=”Home Maid Simple”><img src=”http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa339/HomeMaidSimple/WeekendBitesFeatured_zpsadddab56.png” alt=”Weekend Bites” style=”border:none;” /></a></div>

[inlinkz_linkup id=613470 mode=1]

March 3, 2016
Weekend Bites Bread

Share your recipes with the tastiest weekend food party. This week featuring Homemade Bread and a delicious Sandwich.

Grab the Code

<div align=”center”><a href=”http://www.homemaidsimple.com” title=”Home Maid Simple”><img src=”http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa339/HomeMaidSimple/WeekendBites_zps16c0ec49.png” alt=”Weekend Bites” style=”border:none;” /></a></div>

New to Weekend Bites? Here’s the run down

Visit my co-host Debi at Practical Parenting Ideas

1. Link up your any food related post below

2. Browse the linky, visit some new blogs, and share if you feel so inclined.

3. Please only link up 3 posts. This lets us visit as many of you as possible.
4. By linking up you give me permission to feature your photos on Home Maid Simple (always linking back to you of course!)

5. Each month I send out a newsletter with the most popular links from that month – you may be featured!! This is a once a month newsletter, every first Friday of the month, no spam involved!

I love homemade bread. It’s something my Mom was always baking when I was a kid. That smell of fresh bread out of the oven always floods back the memories. I love making it myself, and my kids get just as excited as I remember being when Mom said it was a bread making day.

Last week we had a fair amount of bread recipes, and a sandwich..that uses bread, so I knew immediately what I’d be featuring. I hope you enjoy these and can make your own memories.

Features

Twisted Chorizo Breadsticks

from This Silly Girls Life

Molasses Wheat Germ Bread

from Silver Foodie

Irish Soda Bread

from Margarets Morsels

Copycat Panera Bread Sierra Turkey Sandwich

from Healthy Helper

I know, it’s not bread, but it makes a delicious sandwich!

Grab a Featured Button!

<div align=”center”><a href=”http://www.HomeMaidSimple.com” title=”Home Maid Simple”><img src=”http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa339/HomeMaidSimple/WeekendBitesFeatured_zpsadddab56.png” alt=”Weekend Bites” style=”border:none;” /></a></div>
[inlinkz_linkup id=611053 mode=1]

February 25, 2016