I was ill prepared for my first Wisconsin concert. I arrived ten minutes before showtime with a half-empty bottle of wine and nothing else. Rookie mistake. In addition to listening to music and eating, the other primary activity at these outdoor concerts is to compare your picnic spread to those of neighboring groups. Forget the solo cups and PB&J—at our hometown concert scene, you best go big or go home....

For most of the last two weeks, it’s been that particular variety of nose-biting cold that orders me immediately back beneath the covers with a pair of wool socks and a heating pad. Ben and I have also been actively engaged in a silent but feisty thermostat war—I turn it up, he turns it down. This (and the “right way” to load the dishwasher) may be the great, enduring debate of our marriage....

French toast is the ultimate weekend breakfast. The classic version is already outstanding as it is, but you can make it even more epic with a bit of Baileys. This is such a fun and unique twist on the beloved breakfast! This decadent recipe has the perfect combination of flavors and textures. It’s the perfect treat for holidays and special occasions. However, you can make any morning of the year more special with this dish!...

FavoritePinShare These saucy Asian meatballs are the perfect blend of flavors and are drenched in the most insanely delicious sauce! Perfect for dinner or even an appetizer, they will certainly get a “WOW!” at your next get-together! If delicious meatballs are your thing then you’ve come to the right place! I love meatballs so of course, I think you should try these Quick and Easy Air Fryer Meatballs, these Swedish Meatballs and Noodles, and also these amazing Buffalo Chicken Meatballs!...

Amongst the delicious lineup of pancake recipes on my site (like Coconut Flour Pancakes, Pumpkin Pancakes, and classic Fluffy Pancakes), these easy banana oatmeal pancakes stand out. They’re soft and tender, just as any good pancake should be.The lightning-fast pancake batter is made entirely in the blender.The wholesome ingredient list makes these pancakes fit for busy weekday mornings and lazy weekends alike. Like these blender Whole Wheat Waffles, they have a delightful combination of nutty and sweet elements, and healthy swaps make them nutritious without sacrificing an ounce of flavor....

I remember the first time I ate steel-cut oats. I was at a breakfast restaurant in Boston and they charged me $8.50 for a plain old bowl of oats. $8.50!! Needless to say, I don’t order oatmeal at restaurants anymore. But lucky for me they are super cheap and easy to make at home. These Banana Steel Cut Oats are my go-to when the first signs of winter hit and all I want to do is snuggle up with a warming bowl each morning....

My easy Beef Kofta Recipe is a delicious Mediterranean ground beef dish that’s ready in 30 minutes and perfect for feeding your family or a party! Kofta kebabs use simple ingredients for a flavor-packed, inexpensive meal you will want to make again and again. Best Beef Kofta I love ground beef dinners! They’re budget-friendly and so simple to make. One of my favorite ground beef recipes is my recipe for Beef Kofta Kebabs....

FavoritePinShare Beef taco salad is a flavorful and easy to make family meal that’s sure to be on repeat all summer long! It’s loaded with all your favorite taco goodies. Love easy summer salads? Try this Mouthwatering Strawberry Spinach Salad, Honey Lime Poppy Seed Fruit Salad, Best Ever Creamy Pea Salad with Bacon, BLT Tortellini Pasta Salad, or this Classic Potato Salad Recipe. Beef Taco Salad Hi! It’s Natasha here from Salt & Lavender bringing you this easy beef taco salad recipe....

If you’ve been to a Brazilian wedding, chances are you found a tower of beautifully wrapped bem casados on your way out and smuggled at least a few to take home. No judgement here! I am guilty of trying to smuggle as many as I can, as I adore these sweet treats! In Brazil, people pay doceiras (women who make sweet confections and desserts) or bakeries a lot of money for these....

FavoritePinShare Chocolate-covered strawberries are ripe, juicy strawberries that are dipped it into melted chocolate. Then, you garnish them with a variety of toppings to really make this treat for just about everyone! I love strawberries and I love dessert! Put them together and enjoy these strawberry desserts for any occasion like this strawberry pie, this amazing no-bake cheesecake, or these delicious cheesecake stuffed strawberries! The Best Chocolate Covered Strawberries Chocolate-covered strawberries are seriously so good....

FavoritePinShare Creamy black bean hummus is a healthy and flavorful dip that is a perfect appetizer or snack. Black beans blended with olive oil, lime juice, garlic, delicious spices, cilantro, and tahini create the tastiest hummus you will ever have. I love taking a good dip to a party because it’s the first thing people get to enjoy! This 5-minute dip is my most requested dip, but people also love this crab dip or this delicious creamy dip in the summertime....

FavoritePinShare This delicious Brazilian cheese bread has a perfect combination of delicious taste and texture. Filled with pockets of airy goodness that taste so cheesy, that you won’t be able to stop at just one! I love Brazillian cheese bites because they make the perfect side or appetizer! Make this a meal by serving these with some steak, roasted garlic broccoli, and a classic arugula salad. What is Brazilian Cheese Bread?...

What is your favorite dessert? This is a very difficult question to answer for some people. Maybe they like more than one type or maybe, like my husband, they are not really into desserts. I must confess I’m usually a savory over sweet person. I would trade a brownie for some french fries or a slice of (italian) pizza any day! However, there is one dessert that I can’t resist: my grandma’s pavê!...

I’m one of those people who loves dessert for breakfast. Whether it’s a glazed donut, a slice or two of banana bread, or a fruity blueberry muffin, I can’t say no. But among all the sweet morning treats there ever was, French toast is hands down my all-time favorite. I mean, what’s not to love? You have bread that’s crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside. The custardy goodness from the milk and eggs makes everything sublime....

FavoritePinShare This buffalo chicken salad is packed with fresh vegetables, feta cheese, and the perfect buffalo chicken. Layer this with some homemade dressing, and you’ll have your new go-to salad recipe! Salads have quickly become my very favorite things to make because there are so many to choose from! A few of my favorites are this wedge salad, this California spaghetti salad, and this fresh antipasto salad recipe. Buffalo Chicken Salad Recipe This buffalo chicken salad recipe packs a punch and brings together the best of both worlds… Buffalo chicken and healthy and fresh lettuce....

Brazilian classics are my specialty! This recipe is a combination of my mom’s and my grandma’s recipe, making it the best one ever. If you want more savory Brazilian dishes, make sure to also grab the recipes for my Moqueca Baiana, Feijoada and Vaca Atolada. A classic Brazilian shrimp dish! It’s finally here! One of the most requested recipes ever here on the blog (and on Instagram). And the wait was worth it, because it is EPIC!...

A delectable mix of chicken, cheese, veggies, and a creamy sauce is encased between two crisp and flaky crusts. This is what I call pie heaven. It’s incredibly easy to make and also such an excellent way to turn yesterday’s leftover chicken into today’s drool-worthy meal. Want to make your day better and brighter? This immaculate chicken pot pie is the answer. How to Make Campbell’s Chicken Pot Pie It seems like a complicated recipe, but honestly, if you make smart choices, it’s a breeze....

There’s a way to preserve them for months on end. So the next time you see blueberries on sale, don’t hesitate to buy them in bulk. The best way to extend their lifespan is to freeze them. Just follow the instructions I’ve shared down below and you’ll have blueberries all winter long. How to Freeze Blueberries Frozen this way, blueberries will last 10 to 12 months in the freezer....

Around our house, it often gets lost somewhere in the back of the fridge. Before you know it, it’s gone bad, with no way to save it. Not only did I just waste food, but money as well. This got me wondering. Is it okay to freeze sour cream to make it last longer? I’ve done some research on the matter and here’s what I found out: Most dairy producers do not recommend freezing sour cream because it alters the consistency and flavor of the dairy product....

And please note that celebrations from the couch in sweatpants are also festive and absolutely deserve a batch of Champagne Punch too! I have long loved any excuse for a party. (What’s that? You got a promotion/haircut/made all the green lights on your way to work today? Let’s celebrate!) Combine that ardor with the fact that I now own a punch bowl (a worthy investment made last year for the sake of this Christmas Punch), and this Champagne Punch practically poured itself....