Gift Ideas

Monin Flavored Syrups with Pumps (So Many Delicious Options!)

September 29, 2022 By Joi Sigers

One of my daughters (brilliant girl that she is) had a Monin Peppermint Syrup (Amazon link) on her Amazon Wish List, along with a set of pumps to use with it. Another daughter… her sister… saw the syrup and pump and (brilliant girl that she is) added the Monin Lavender Syrup (Amazon link) with pump to her own Amazon Wish List!

Their mother (that would be me) just informed their youngest sister… and, thereby, my youngest daughter…. that she has (at last count) found 7 different flavored syrups she wants!

Pretty clear where they got their brilliance from, am I right? Of course I’m right.

These fun, creative syrups make being your own barista insanely fun – PLUS it can save you trips (and money in the long run) to the coffeehouse.

I have my eye on the lavender (perfect with so many different teas, as well as great for flavoring whipped toppings), raspberry, coconut, toasted marshmallow (!!!), peach, blackberry, and strawberry.

After seeing the recipe for the Peppermint Shake, I’m also pretty interested in the Peppermint Syrup that began the whole obsession. At least that brings it to an even 8 that I have my heart set on. I do appreciate balance in life.

Click through any of the links to take a closer look at these wonderful syrups. These would make absolutely phenomenal gift ideas for the tea, coffee, smoothie (oh my gosh, this just opened up a whole new world to me), or milkshake lovers in your life.

Gorgeous Soup Bowl and Sandwich Plate Combo (Great Gift Idea for Cooks)

August 21, 2022 By Joi Sigers

Mentally and emotionally I have turned the corner…. I’ve left summer behind and have launched myself right into Autumn’s crisp leaves and gentle breeze!

The house is already decked out with creepers, happy ghosts, pumpkins, and bears dressed up for Halloween. We’re all ready for fall.. now all it has to do is show up!

I’m also making the summer to fall transition in the kitchen as soup and chili begin to replace salads and grilled burgers. In fact, today marked the first day that a pot of chili returns to the home. I served it with pimento cheese sandwiches and it was fantastic.

As I thought about the number of times (during fall and winter) that we take our soup or chili and hot dogs/sandwiches into the den to watch football (Go UK Wildcats! and Go Broncos!) or October baseball (Go Cardinals!), it occurred to me that I needed to find handy coup and plate trays. Truth be told, I wasn’t even 100 percent sure such a thing existed, I just knew what would be extraordinarily cool.

I went directly to Amazon to see if the coolness existed and badabing!… of course Amazon had just what I was looking for.

They always do.

The Artena Bowl and Sandwich Plate Combo (Amazon link) is EXACTLY what I need. I love that it’s available in different colors (I honestly had no idea I’d find any this gorgeous).

Available in teal blue, lake blue, mint green, and soft pink.
Ideal size – perfect for fitting a sandwich or chili dog on in addition to the generous mug of soup or chili.
I also love the options these would provide for breakfast food – grits or oatmeal with French toast or biscuits yum!
When you click through and take a closer look at the colors, be sure to check out the video that’s available – you’ll get a better idea of just how gorgeous, well-made, and roomy these are.

Ingenious Over the Sink Drying Rack: Perfect for Dishes and Produce

August 18, 2022 By Joi Sigers

Amazon has a GENIUS for showing me things they know I’ll love. I mean, I will venture onto their website (honest session, here… the Amazon window is always open on my desktop computer) and BADABING! Right there is something I don’t just want, but need.

Case in point: Earlier I breezed onto Amazon to buy some Halloween decorations for the yard. With two daughters who are OBSESSED with Halloween and three grandbabies (two 2 year olds and a 4 year old), I always do Halloween up BIG. Long story, short (too late??), they showed me a couple of kitchen items I honestly have no idea how I’ve lived without.

One was the dish drying rack pictured here (available in many sizes). While most of my dishes go directly into the dishwasher, there are plenty of special coffee mugs and sippy cups for the littles that I do by hand. This is exactly what I need for them to dry without taking up precious counter space.

I also love the idea of washing produce and leaving them to airdry on the rack. Genius. Absolutely genius.

Click through for more information and to see the sizes available.

Oh… and the second thing I saw that I absolutely need may or may not have been Gluten-Free Macaroons (Amazon link).

Narrator: “It absolutely WAS macaroons.”

Review: New Zealand Honey Co. Raw Manuka HoneyNew Zealand Honey Co. Raw Manuka Honey

August 13, 2022 By Joi Sigers

New Zealand Honey Co. Raw Manuka Honey

Are you familiar with Manuka honey? If you’re as obsessed with honey (and for that matter, bees) as I am, I’m sure you have heard of this delectable honey before – whether you’ve had the opportunity to try it or not.

When I was contacted about reviewing Manuka Honey from the New Zealand Honey Co. in exchange for telling my readers all about it, I absolutely jumped at the change, with my cup of tea in hand. I use honey many ways in my kitchen (literally every day) and stirring it into a cup of hot tea is one of my favorite ways to enjoy it. I also combine it with my chocolate obsession on the daily as well – more about that in a minute.

The New Zealand Honey Co. is a wellness company that considers my beloved worker bees a key asset to their company. Manuka Honey is so rare, it is only able to be harvested for two to eight weeks each year! In fact, The Manuka Honey UMF™ 26 is considered one of the rarest superfoods in the world.

You can absolutely taste the exclusive goodness.

From New Zealand Honey Co.

The brand has a complete line of Manuka Honey, a complex and high-strength raw honey from the native New Zealand Manuka tree. As the bees gather nectar from the tree’s flowers, they’re helping bring a vital superfood to the lives of thousands who love what goes into their bodies to boost immunity and overall wellness. Plus, it tastes sweetly delicious!

The result is an end product bringing pure goodness to consumers worldwide. It tastes great, is a terrific natural sugar alternative, and delivers amazing health benefits (gastrointestinal, immune support, skincare, haircare, first-aid, wound care, and oral health). Even dogs and other animals benefit from Manuka Honey.

(Review Continued Below…)

New Zealand Honey Co. Raw Manuka Honey

The Manuka Honey I was sent to sample is pictured here (with tea, chocolate, and one of my beloved “giant sunflowers” from my sunflower bed this summer… the jar of honey is not small, the flower is simply enormous) and I can 100 percent say this about it: It is extraordinarily delicious and so completely unlike any honey you will find in the store. Not only in taste, but in nutritional value as well.

Health Benefits of Manuka Honey

Manuka honey has far superior antibacterial strength than other honeys. While honey is a healthy food, when it’s Manuka honey, it’s basically a superhero. Manuka honey has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antioxidant superpowers.

People actually use manuka honey to treat wounds, it’s that potent. It’s also said to improve your oral health, soothe a sore throat and treat ulcers. I used some a few days ago when allergies had given me a sort of annoying cough. Just half a teaspoon of the deliciousness chased the ticklish cough away faster and more effectively than any cough drop.

Manuka honey is also a natural source of energy.. and who couldn’t use a little more energy in their days (says a MiMi to three boys all under 5 years old!). For more health benefits of Mauka Honey, as well as MANY creative and wonderful ways to use it, please see New Zealand Honey Co.’s excellent resource, 176 Ways to Use Manuka Honey.

(Review Concluded Below…)

New Zealand Honey Co. Manuka Honey and Chocolate and Ghee

How I’ve Been Enjoying Manuka Honey:

Even a tiny amount stirred in hot tea is excellent. It pairs especially well with citrus tea!
I’ve been using it as part of one of my favorite “good fat” treats. I take a square of dark chocolate and add a little great-quality ghee (Ancient Organics Ghee is BY FAR the best I’ve ever had), a little honey, and either flaky sea salt or pink Himalayan salt on top. The combination of flavors will blow your mind.
Another healthy snack I’ve always loved is a sliced banana, topped with either peanut butter or almond butter with a drizzle of honey. Manuka brings even more flavor and health benefits than my regular “go to” honey.
I’ve also enjoyed a little manuka honey added to Vanilla Greek Yogurt.
I love to add a little, along with butter, to my gluten-free oatmeal.
176 Ways to Use Manuka Honey has many, many, many other uses and recipes… easy homemade beauty products, recipes, pet uses, hair masks, throat lozenges made with manuka honey (saving this one for cold and flu season, y’all).

Yes, Manuka honey is more expensive than regular honey – but, the good thing is, you can taste the difference and it is absolutely worth it.

For more information, please visit their wonderful website: New Zealand Honey Co. When you arrive on the website, you’ll even be given a chance to receive a discount on their extraordinary products. This wonderful honey would make a VERY thoughtful gift idea this Christmas!

Manuka Honey

Feeling ALL Kinds of Salty: Why You Need Cornish Sea Salt Company Salts in Your Life

July 9, 2022 By Joi Sigers

Freshly Cut Avocado with Cornish Lemon & Thyme Sea Salt

My name is Joi (“Joy”) and I am an Amazon addict. Not complaining. Not bragging. Certainly NOT looking for intervention… just merely and merrily stating a fact. There are many reasons for this happy addiction (I love buying things for my large family, I’m an avid reader, I collect old movies on dvd…) but the main thing I use Amazon for these days – as in right up there with books – is for salts, seasonings, and other food items I can’t get in stores.

Seriously, using Amazon for food-related goodies is one of the absolutely most enjoyable rabbit holes you’ll ever find.

It’s all in keeping with something I’ve always preached, to be a good cook…

You need a passion for it.
You need to practice regularly – and, not only with food(s) you’ve never made before, but with those you regularly make. You can always find new tricks, tweaks, and tools to make regular meals more enjoyable and maybe EVEN tastier.
Get creative! Never be as boring, predictable, or stale and for crying out loud, never be average.
Your food will only be as good as the tools you surround yourself with. Make sure your knives, pans, pots, blenders, mixers, etc are all in tip top shape.
Use the best ingredients you can afford. Some items are simply WORTH paying more for – garlic powder and vanilla come to mind.
Life (and a kitchen) without seasoning and spice is BORING!

The outrageously delicious and crazy fun salts I want to tell you about today tick off quite a few of the aforementioned requirements. They’re also very affordable and, if I can get super girly for a hot minute, they look amazing sitting on the counter.

Well, they do.

Using different salts, peppers, seasonings, oils, vinegars, and sauces is a huge passion (obsession) of mine. I just counted and we currently have 12 salts in our kitchen. TWELVE! If I were to use full disclosure, there are about to be thirteen (more about the one on the way in a minute).

I recently came across a company who really knows their salt and they have a fan for life. I first spied the Cornish Sea Salt Company on Amazon about a month ago when I was (as I can often be found doing) shopping for fun salt blends.

(Salty Conversation Continued Below…)

Cornish Sea Salt Company Salt & Peppery Blend

The first one of their blends I saw and ordered is pictured above, the Salt & Peppery blend (Amazon link). The Cornish sea salt is accompanied by four wonderful peppers and the result is a beautiful and delicious thing. I’ve used (and loved) this blend on burgers, eggs, bacon, chicken, baked potatoes, fried potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, pinto beans… basically anyplace I’d add regular salt and pepper together, this allows me to add them at once in a knock-out blend that brings even more flavor to the moment. Used as a finishing touch, it adds a great deal to the food’s presentation – in addition to tasting fantastic.

When I saw that they had another blend, Fresh & Zesty: Lemon, Thyme & Cornish Sea Salt (Amazon link), I ordered a tub immediately.

The tubs may look small, but these salt blends last a really long time. The flavor is so concentrated, it hardly takes any at all to make a big impact.

I knew the minute I smelled the Lemon, Thyme & Cornish Sea Salt blend that I had another winner on my hands. I’ve used this one on pasta, garlic toast, hummus, salmon (it’s amazing in salmon patties!), shrimp, and other fish. One of my favorite ways to enjoy it is also one of the simplest, on freshly cut avocado. The flavors it brings to the avocado party are unbelievable.

Remember when I said I currently had 12 different salts in my kitchen and they were about to be joined by salt number 13? Well, we can blame the Cornish Sea Salt Company for this one, too! They have another blend that sounds as wonderful as these two… Cornish Roasted Garlic Sea Salt (Amazon link) and it is sitting in my Amazon cart as we speak.

I honestly cannot wait to get creative with this one. I mean, are you kidding me? Garlic!? The possibilities are endless.

I hope you’ll give these salts a try – they’re outstanding! ~ Joi (“Joy”)

Fresh & Zesty: Lemon, Thyme & Cornish Sea Salt (Amazon link)

Mule Sauce, from Sticker Mule, Responds to the Global Chile Pepper Shortage

June 18, 2022 By Joi Sigers

Photo Credit: Sticker Mule Mule Sauce

There have been quite a few shortages lately (food, paper products, etc..). While most of us have become pretty good at rolling with the punches and saying things like, “It is what it is..,” when it comes to food, even the mildest-mannered foodies get their dander up. ESPECIALLY when it has the potential to effect something as delicious as hot sauce.

I mean, how would eggs ever get along without it?!

A shortage I certainly didn’t see coming was the global chile pepper shortage. Recently, Siracha sauce made news for getting rocked pretty hard by the shortage and people everywhere seemed to scramble to find the last bottles on shelves.

The following is a press release from Sticker Mule regarding their popular Mule Sauce. I love the attitude… to take shortages like the ones we’re experiencing and turn them into opportunities. Read on, then head over to Amazon to order some of their Mule Sauce (Amazon link) to try for yourself!

A global chile pepper shortage is decimating current stocks of popular hot sauce brands, like Huy Fong Inc.’s Sriracha sauce, but craft brands like Mule Sauce, the Kick-Ass hot sauce from Sticker Mule, encourage hot sauce fans to use the shortage as an opportunity to try new tasty options.

The sriracha pepper and general chile pepper shortage is a result of changing weather conditions, primarily in western Mexico, New Mexico and California, where droughts, extreme heat and wildfires pervade normal growing conditions. Mule Sauce relies on habanero, yellow Scotch bonnet and bhut jolokia (also known as ghost pepper) to add a fruity, floral heat to its base of red bell pepper mash for its hot sauce. These peppers are grown widespread in a variety of environments, making them readily accessible for Mule Sauce production.

“We have been fortunate to skirt around current supply chain issues related to chile pepper production and maintain a steady stock of ingredients to make our Mule Sauce,” said Sticker Mule founder Anthony Constantino.

The Sriracha shortage (Sriracha accounts for 10 percent of the $2.17 B U.S. hot sauce market) creates an opportunity for brands like Mule Sauce to entice hot sauce aficionados to try a new-to-them sauce and boost sales for craft businesses.

Mule Sauce is quick to adapt to ongoing supply chain issues during the pandemic and credits its nimble start-up roots with Sticker Mule as the reason. “We have carefully gauged our rate of growth to be sure we are never outpacing our abilities to expand. Producing smaller batches of Mule Sauce and basing our production schedule around projected times of higher demand and fluctuations in growing seasons means a fresher hot sauce without preservatives, delivered directly to our customers,” Constantino said. Using multiple trusted purveyors for ingredients – especially chile peppers – mitigates production disasters with a single supply source.

Mule Sauce is already seeing an uptick in sales based on the Sriracha shortage. The addition of ¼-ounce individual easy-open packets of Mule Sauce are popular with the expanded take-out dining market and with outdoor diners during the summer recreation season. Mule Sauce offers piquant heat with notes of floral sweetness and a hint of molasses, measuring 3 out of 5 on the heat intensity scale. It has an impressive cache of 5-star reviews on Amazon, comprising 80 percent of its nearly 800 reviews.

ABOUT MULE SAUCE: Mule Sauce was originally created by the folks at Sticker Mule in 2019 for one of its summer barbeques the company was hosting for its team members. The hot sauce was so delicious that Sticker Mule decided they should share it with the world and launched its hot sauce manufacturing operation and began distributing it online.

Colorful and Ingenious Measuring Cups and Magnetic Measuring Spoons (These Redefine CLEVER!)

June 18, 2022 By Joi Sigers

I have been trying to simplify things for myself in the kitchen… meal prepping when possible, cooking some components ahead of time, organizing where everything is (and fighting to stay organized!), and just simply trying to ensure cooking stays as enjoyable as it is, without becoming a burden or pain in the backside.

One area that I’ve recognized needs improvement is my kitchen’s relationship with measuring spoons and dry ingredient measuring cups. Seems my kitchen had rather hide these tools and make me search for them than to have them ready when I need them… where I need them to be! I have one set of measuring spoons and invariably they are either taking a much-needed vacation from the drawer they live in or they’re in the dishwasher each and every time I need them.

I turned to Amazon to buy not one but TWO other sets this morning (when I say I’m tired of their shenanigans, I mean business!) and I saw the gorgeous, colorful, and ingenious measuring cups and magnetic measuring spoons set (Amazon link) pictured on the right.

Every single thing about these spoons and measuring cups is brilliant. I’m not going to lie… I especially like their bold colors. You know, the ones that make your kitchen brighter and happier, while standing out on a shelf or in a drawer, ready to be noticed AND used?!

When it comes to meal prep and simplifying things in the kitchen, you’re only going to be as brilliant as your tools are. These measuring cups and spoons can go a long way in helping us all spend more time cooking and less time looking for the right tool.

Let’s take a look at what makes these so ingenious…

There are 5 different sizes measuring cups (1 cup, 1/2 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/4 cup, 1/8 cup) – an 1/8 cup can sometimes be hard to come by.
6 stainless steel measuring spoons (1 tablespoon, 1 /2 tablespoon, 1 teaspoon, 1/2 teaspoon, 1/4 teaspoon,1/8 teaspoon)
Each cup’s “ml” and cup sizes have passed clearly engraved marking, and you can quickly identify the cup scale according to the color of the handle.
The handles are reinforced and welded to make each one stronger and far less likely to break. The handles are made of food-grade silicone material and boast a non-slip material.
Measuring spoons and cups are crafted from food-grade 18/8 stainless steel. They could be used for any food, are rust-resistant, dishwasher-washable.
The spoons feature a round-shape on one end, meaning they’re ideal for liquids. The other end is oval, ideal for measuring dry ingredients and for digging in spice tins.

See measuring cups and magnetic measuring spoons set (Amazon link) for a much closer look. These are really, really impressive.

Himalayan Salt Block for Grilling (Review)

May 9, 2022 By Joi Sigers

Have you ever used a Himalayan Salt Block (Amazon link)? They are so incredibly cool and fun to use, you’ll wonder why in the world you never ordered one before! I highly recommend buying Salt Block Grilling: 70 Recipes for Outdoor Cooking with Himalayan Salt Blocks by Mark Bitterman… (Amazon link) as well.

Features of the VOLTAS Himalayan Salt Block:

100% Natural Himalayan Salt Cooking Block & iron Steel Holder to Avoid Rust.
Recipe Pamphlet, Size, 12 X 8 X 1.5
Kosher Food Grade Natural Himalayan Salt.
Salty Flavor Extra Sizzle: Add extra sizzling salty flavor taste to all your meals Meat, Fish, Vegetables, seafood and more.
High Quality Metal Tray: The Salt Block Holder is made out of high quality steel that provides the sturdy support and protection to extend your Salt Block’s life.
Great Serving Plate Presentation: Himalayan Salt’s natural pink crystals also enhance food presentation, making it suitable for serving chilled food. Place Salt Block in the Holder, refrigerate for an hour or two and use it as a serving plate. Whether hot or cold, Himalayan Salt tiles hold temperatures effectively (up to 500°F). Impress your guests and yourself with an all natural serving dish.
Simple & Easy to clean: Unlike all those hard to clean cutting boards, given the salt blocks natural properties the salt disinfects themselves and is cleaned by simply wiping it with a wet cloth, And let the air dry it.

This Himalayan Salt Block (Amazon link) would make an outstanding gift idea for Father’s Day – just in time for grilling season… or, in this case, grilling seasoned.

Sorry, I had to.

Burgers and Asparagus on a Himalayan Salt Block

Not surprisingly, the first thing he wanted to fix on the block were burgers (he could give Popeye’s buddy Wimpy a run for his money) and asparagus (his favorite vegetable). He cooked some burgers and asparagus on another part of the grill (for comparison’s sake) and the juiciness of the burgers were BEYOND noticeable. In fact, “JUICY,” was the first thing out of our mouths – when they weren’t full, of course – our mothers taught us manners, after all. They were delectable and juicier than any burger I think I’ve ever had.

Ever.

As for the asparagus, if all asparagus tasted as great as these did, it’d be more people’s favorite vegetable. Before putting them on the block, I lightly oiled them with EVOO and seasoned them with pepper and garlic powder – I trusted the block to take care of the salt factor.

They were just fantastic – flavorful with the perfect amount of crispiness. Wilting, overcooked asparagus is depressing and these were nowhere near that.

Himalayan Salt Blocks are PERFECT for:

Steaks
Kabobs
Fish
Burgers (Juicy burgers, that is)
Vegetables

I think the cast of characters for a fajita – skirt steak sliced bell peppers, mushrooms and onions – would be out of this world too. The possibilities are endless. See Himalayan Salt Block (Amazon link) for more information.

Salt Block Grilling: 70 Recipes for Outdoor Cooking with Himalayan Salt Blocks by Mark Bitterman (Amazon link) would make a perfect companion as a gift. It’s full of ideas, recipes, and tips – everything a new salt block griller needs to know to have the confidence and swagger to work their salt block magic.

Book Description: Over 70 all new recipes for grilling traditional and nontraditional dishes on a Himalayan salt block from salt expert and best-selling author of Salt Block Cooking, Mark Bitterman.

Everyone who loves the excitement and pleasure of discovering new cooking techniques will enjoy this guide to grilling and entertaining with salt blocks. The introduction is your salt block owner’s manual, with everything you need to know to purchase, use, and maintain salt blocks with confidence. The six chapters that follow are divided into over 70 recipes organized by key ingredients: Meat, Seafood, Poultry, Vegetables and Fruit, Dairy, and Doughs. You’ll find recipes for Salt Seared Smoked Pork Belly, Lamb Satay with Mint Chutney and Spicy Peanut Crumble, Salt Seared Tuna Nicoise Salad, Hot Salted Edamame with Sesame, Shiso, and Szechuan Pepper, and Salty, Smoky Walnut-Chocolate Chunk Cookies.

Bitterman is the foremost salt block expert and one of the largest importers and retail distributors of salt blocks. The precious pink mineral mined from ancient hills in Pakistan’s Punjab province has arrived on the American cooking scene as an exciting and enticing new form of grilling. Himalayan salt blocks are available at specialty retail stores around the world and the market is growing.

Information and Recipes Include:

Essential Tools
Care and Handling
Heating Step by Step and Heating 101
Cleaning and Storage
Sandwich Steak with Peppers Onions and Aged Provolone
Short Rib Tacos
Roasted Chicken Stuffed with Hot Salt Rocks and Fresh Herbs
Salt-Barbecued Scallops with Habanero Sprinkle
Salt-Block Grilled Vegetables
Hot Salted Edamame with Sesame, Shiso, and Sichuan Pepper
Blistered Baby Peppers
Pizza on a Salt Block
Salty-Smoky Walnut Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Plus a lot more delicious recipes – like all cookbooks, there are a few you’ll never make (I’m looking at you baby octopuses and you know it) but all will intrigue you and inspire you. The process and food combinations are exceptional and it’s a must have book if this is your first time grilling with a salt block.

See Himalayan Salt Block (Amazon link) and Salt Block Grilling: 70 Recipes for Outdoor Cooking with Himalayan Salt Blocks by Mark Bitterman… (Amazon link) for a lot more information.

Burgers and Asparagus Grilled on a Himalayan Salt Block

Black and White Farmhouse Salt and Pepper Shakers

May 6, 2022 By Joi Sigers

I was browsing salt and pepper shakers on Amazon earlier and, as I often do on Amazon, I found a lot more to love than just one. This Black and White Farmhouse Salt and Pepper Shaker Set (Amazon link) is one of my favorites.

These great looking shakers are made of high quality, thick glass. The lid is made of corrosion resistance stainless steel meaning they’re built, not just to looks handsome, they’re built to last.

I love that there are lots of holes in the lids. I hate shakers that pretty much give my arm a workout because there are so few holes. I’m not Popeye… heck when it comes to arm strength I’m not even Olive Oil, but that’s a whole other story.

I also love the color scheme. Black and white goes with absolutely every color and design scheme – even my colorful, whimsical kitchen with all it’s purple and red.

As if they don’t have enough going on for them, they even feature extra wide openings at the top, making filling your salt and pepper shakers easier and more convenient.

See Farmhouse Salt and Pepper Shaker Set (Amazon link) for a closer look.

These give all new meaning to the word charming.

Review: Quesadillas by Donna Kelly (I LOVE this Cookbook to Distraction!)

April 11, 2022 By Joi Sigers

Four-Layer Folded Ranch

I was recently sent a copy of a wonderful Quesadilla cookbook in exchange for telling you all about it and I KNOW you’ll love it as much as I do. Quesadillas by Donna Kelly (Amazon link) is a dream come true for me for more reasons than one.

When you have to eat gluten-free, you turn to gluten-free tortillas, like the AMAZING ones from Mission (Amazon link) often. Roll-ups, wraps, quesadillas, burritos, etc. Things you can’t put in pliable bread, you can most absolutely put in pliable gluten-free tortillas!
I am obsessed… obsessed I tell you… with everything even remotely connected to Mexican or even Tex-Mex.
Quesadillas are a meal that comes together really fast. Meal prep can all be done ahead of time, leaving you with only one task – put it all together and make the magic happen.
This is a cookbook with easy to find (I’ve found that I usually have the ingredients on hand) recipes – ones you’ll use again and again and again.
It’s a physical cookbook. Let me tell you why I find this to be a HUGE plus… I detest searching through my phone, files, and drawers for a recipe! Detest it like a shy 12 year old kid hates giving an oral book report in front of a roomful of other kids with every single eye staring a hole right through me… I mean her. Physical books mean the recipe is always right where you left it. Each and every time.

Book Description from Amazon:

Simply put, the quesadilla is a delightful package of melted cheesy goodness―all sandwiched inside crispy tortillas. But now these little gooey snacks we all used to make as kids have evolved into savory meals and scrumptious desserts that are bursting with flavor. Featuring all new photography, Quesadillas contains some of these delicious favorites, including Roasted Veggie and Goat Cheese, Thai Peanut, Parmesan-Crusted Italian, Chicken Caesar, Philly Cheesesteak, Peanut Butter Apple, Triple Chocolate Decadence, and Pecan-Crusted Pear.

The first recipe I made was the one titled Four-Layer Folded Ranch. It involves bacon, cream cheese, Ranch dressing mix, chicken, tortillas, pepper jack cheese… see why I chose it first?? It’s pictured at the top and was even more delicious than it looks.

Remember how I spoke of meal prep above? I am a firm believer and ardent follower of the meal plan attack for suppers. I have the JOY (one of the greatest blessing of my life if we’re keeping score) of watching my grandbabies (from around 8:00am to 4:00-5:00 pm) while their parents are at work. I have two (ages 4 and 2, both boys) every weekday and some days also have their cousin (18 months, also a boy!). My days are FULL of fun, dinosaurs, Hot Wheels, laughs, and immeasurable love.

They’re also deliciously busy – and, if you’re familiar with little people, you know that between 3-5 is the crazy zone. I mean, they kick it up a notch or 50 around then, don’t they?! That’s why I love meal prep and that’s why I turn to things like quesadillas so often.

For the quesadillas pictured at the top, I cooked the chicken and the bacon earlier and placed them in meal prep containers. Then I sliced the cheese and combined the other ingredients I’d need. When 5:00 came, all I had to do was heat up the gridle and throw everything in place.

Whether it’s adorable miniature humans or a not so adorable 9-5 job, meal prep may be your new best friend.

Other Recipes Include:

Crowd-Pleaser Sheet Pan (Giant Quesadilla!)
Old World Mexico (potatoes and chorizo)
S’Mores (a scrumptious looking dessert)
Peaches and Cream
Greek Isles (Feta, spinach, black olives…)
Black and Blue (spicy beans and several cheeses)
Four-Layer Folded Caprese (cream cheese, diced tomatoes, mozzarella, basil..)

There are International, Vegetarian, Meat-y, and dessert recipes as well as a section for salsas and sauces… they are amazing.

I can’t recommend this wonderful cookbook enough. I know you’ll love and use it as much as I do!

For more information, please see Quesadillas by Donna Kelly (Amazon link).

Quesadillas by Donna Kelly