Our Favorite Recipes!

On the following pages you'll find some of our favorite recipes - for holidays and everyday. Some are recipes that have been passed down for years and others are favorite cookbook recipes. If you don't find the recipe you're looking for, e-mail me!

Gluten-Free Breakfast Burritos Made with Egglife Egg White Wraps

October 25, 2021 By Joi Sigers

Egglife Egg White Wraps

Every now and then I see something new in a store that’s so exciting and delicious looking that I stop my cart so fast I nearly throw one of my grandbabies out of it! It happened fairly recently at Meijer when I spied these Egglife Egg White Wraps.

A little backstory… I am obsessed with wraps and I always have been. Breakfast wraps in particular. Blame it on McDonald’s – they got me hooked on them with their delicious breakfast sausage wraps. Unfortunately, due to health reasons, I had to give up all gluten and wheat, which meant I had to kiss these wonderful breakfast burritos goodbye. Making them at home has always been a little tricky too because gluten-free wraps aren’t always pliable or soft.

That’s why I got so excited when I saw these Egg White Wraps. I knew they’d be soft enough to fold around my fillings and soft enough to bite into without each bite making my brain register “gluten-free… it tastes and feels like this because it’s gluten-free.”

These wraps were even better than I expected – as easy to use as a tortilla wrap but much, much, MUCH more delicious.

Gluten-Free Breakfast Wraps with Picante Sauce

To make these gluten-free wraps, I cut potatoes into chunks and fried them with onion. While they were frying I made my bacon. I didn’t add scrambled eggs to these wraps because… well… the wraps ARE eggs!

I added shredded Monterrey Jack cheese and Pace Picante Sauce and the wraps were absolutely outstanding. I can’t wait to try them with sausage next time.

If you’re lucky enough to have a Meijer store near you, check for these wraps on your next trip. I got the original flavor but others are available.

Amazon has another brand of egg wraps and many other wraps (Amazon link) available. As of now, they don’t have the Egglife brand available.

Why I Always Have Gourmet Garden Lightly Dried Herbs on Hand (and a Few Favorite Ways to Use Them)

October 22, 2021 By Joi Sigers

Fried Eggs, Sautéed Vegetables, Ground Beef, and Parsley

While I LOVE growing my own herbs for use in cooking, sometimes I’ve harvested one to the nub or simply don’t have enough of the one I need on hand to use. That’s when these lightly dried Gourmet Garden herbs come to the rescue. Just a note, this isn’t a paid for post or anything remotely like that – it’s just me raving about something I love and know you will too!

I have, in the past, bought those inexpensive dried herbs in the supermarket – you know, the ones in the plastic containers that hang above produce? I honestly have never been completely happy with these herbs. I have no idea what happens to the herbs in the process of getting into our supermarkets, but they sure do lose their flavor along the way.

That’s why, last winter, when I wanted some basil for my favorite Italian vegetable beef soup, I grabbed a Gourmet Garden tub of basil. It cost a bit more but, by gosh, my soups are worth it! As soon as I took off the lid, I knew I had made the best decision.

Gourmet Garden Lightly Dried Parsley

These herbs somehow look, smell, and (most importantly) taste like you just got them out of your own herb garden. Since that time, I have used every single herb they offer. Heck, I buy the parsley and basil ones every time I’m in the store – I use them that often.

Basil: The basil one is delicious in soups, pasta salads, and sauces. I also use it very often as an appetizer – I slice fresh mozzarella, fresh tomatoes, and roll up slices of rosciutto, salami, and/or pepperoni. I drizzle everything with Rachael Ray Balsamic Vinegar Reduction (Amazon link… also found in most grocery stores – it’s the absolute best on the market). Then I top it all off with a sprinkling of the Gourmet Garden chopped basil. Delicious!

Parsley: I use this one on and with just about everything – especially potatoes and eggs. You don’t realize just how much parsley brings to the party until you send it an invitation. It’s healthy, adds a bright wonderful flavor to just about everything, and… come on, let’s be honest… looks marvelously high brow!

A quick and easy meal (one of those that you almost always have the ingredients for and comes together super fast) is pictured here – simply make your ground beef patties (seasoned with salt, pepper, and garlic powder). When they’re through, set aside and keep warm. Sauté asparagus, bell pepper, and onion in the juices from the beef…. season with salt and set aside with the meat. Add your eggs and cook them either sunny side up or over easy. Unless your meat was particularly fatty (and do they even make them anymore!?), you’ll need to add a little butter, olive oil, or bacon grease to the pan before the eggs.

Gotta say…. I LOVE one-skillet meals!

Fried Eggs, Sautéed Vegetables, Ground Beef, and Parsley

Beautiful Indoor Herb Garden Kits… Santa, are You Listening?? (Delicious Gift Ideas)

October 20, 2021 By Joi Sigers

I have officially given Santa my first gift request of the season… the Indoor Herb Garden Kit (Amazon link) I just saw on Amazon. For too many years to count, I have planted herb gardens each spring and lovingly used them throughout the summer and even into the fall. But I’ve always wished for an attractive way to grow them indoors as well – year round.

While it’s certainly possible to set individual pots around the kitchen (something I do during the cold months), they aren’t necessarily attractive and don’t look like they have a plan, you know? Yet I’ve always been loyal to the practice because, frankly, I use fresh herbs with just about every meal – even if it’s just topping something with a little chopped fresh parsley or chives.

The ridiculously handsome Indoor Herb Garden Kit (Amazon link) pictured here promises to take care of three of my favorite herbs for me: Basil, Oregano, and Thyme. BUT it gets even better… there are also matching kits (equally handsome) for…

Basil, Cilantro, and Parsley (I use cilantro and parsley about as often as I use salt and pepper)
Cilantro, Parsley, and Chives

My first thought was… in a perfect world, each of the three kits available would have completely different herbs, with none overlapping (as basil, cilantro, and parsley do)… but then it hit me – I use these particular herbs often enough to NEED more than one plant! Besides, who’s to stop someone from planting rosemary, dill, or stevia seeds in one and labeling it such?!

Blueberry Gluten-Free Overnight Oats (Highly Customizable!)

October 11, 2021 By Joi Sigers

Blueberry Gluten-Free Overnight Oats

Here’s a recipe for gluten-free overnight oats that’s so simple and customizable I almost hate to even call it a recipe. It’s more of a blueprint! When it comes to overnight oats, it’s hard to go wrong as long as you stay somewhat within the “portion” guidelines…. but, even then, going off script a little isn’t going to hurt anything. If your oats ever turn out with a little more milk (almond, coconut, whole milk, oat milk…) than you’d prefer, simply add more fruit, flaxseed, chia seeds, or nuts.

If it turns out a little drier than you’d like, add juicy fruit or a little more of the milk you used in the first place. Customize the heck out of your overnight oats and use your favorite fruits and milk in the process.

The technique I used for the Blueberry Gluten-Free Overnight Oats pictured here are below. A few quick words, first. This makes two servings (possibly even three!), so if you want one serving, simply use half the ingredients!

2 Cups Blueberries
2 TBS Maple Syrup
1 TBS Chia Seeds
1 TBS Flaxseed
1- 1/3 cup gluten-free oats (I use Quaker Gluten-Free Quick 1 Minute Oats)
1-1/4 Cups Almond Milk

Don’t stir or shake or anything crazy. Just put a lid on it and put it in the fridge overnight.

Very important… before serving, stir everything together! This way you’ll get something of everything in each bite… plus, you’ll be able to quickly decide if you need a little extra milk or fruit.

Substitution or Addition Ideas:

You can add or substitute fruit or nuts and experiment to find your favorite type of milk. My personal favorite is Almond milk or Cashew milk because they don’t rival the fruit or oats for taste supremacy. Coconut and rice milk (which I love in many things) can often try to dominate the conversation if you know what I mean. They’re often like bananas… they want the spotlight!

If you want a different fruit, you can try peaches, apples (peeled), blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, etc. Just be sure to keep the measurement at two cups (1 cup peaches + 1 cup blueberries, for example… hmm, that sounds good actually). Also, if you use frozen fruit for your overnight oats, let them thaw completely before using.

If you prefer honey to maple syrup, go for it! I alternate between these two sweeteners each time I make overnight oats.

I hope you give these a try – they’re quick, convenient, and so good for you!

Blueberry Overnight Oats

I Ain’t Afraid of No Ghosts (In Fact I Lowkey Love Them)

October 11, 2021 By Joi Sigers

One of the Halloween things I collect are ghosts – love them to distraction. So, naturally the two wonderfully boo-tiful goodies shown here are (as we speak) haunting my Amazon shopping cart.

First up is the adorable Halloween Ghost Salt & Pepper Set (Amazon link) from Mud Pie. Mud Pie absolutely makes some of my favorite things – I search for their name on Amazon as much as I search for anything!

The little cuties come with their own little wooden fence and I have no idea how I’ll be able to keep from leaving them out all year.

The set is 3 1/4″ x 4 1/2″ and, while perfectly “usable,” I’d never dream of doing anything but allow them to sit on the table and just show off.

I’m also very smitten with another Halloween beauty from Mud Pie and it’s pictured below.

The Mud Pie Ghost Pitcher Set (Amazon link) will, of course, sit right beside the salt and pepper set and (again) I have no idea how I’ll ever bring myself to pack it away for the season!

Mud Pie Ghost Pitcher Set

Boo-tiful Halloween Dip Bowl Set (Love This so Much!)

October 8, 2021 By Joi Sigers

Not sure how I ever lived without this ADORABLE Halloween Dip Bowl Set (Amazon link). This time of year is so wonderful it defies description. I have always been (and will always be) completely obsessed with Christmas and Thanksgiving but, quite frankly, I’ve only comparatively recently become obsessed with Halloween.

Maybe the older we get the more we truly, truly appreciate things that are just wildly fun and come with zero expectations… things that simply want to make everyone smile.

That’s Halloween season to a tee.

I remember when my daughters were little, I was obsessed with Halloween too. There’s a certain magic when you combine kids with Halloween. Now the kids in my life are all either in their 50s (husband), 30s (daughters and sons-in-law) or toddlers (grandbabies!) and making them smile is the one thing in the world that makes me smile the most.

Okay, my cats would figure in there too but their smiles are more audible than visual.

This colorful, fun, and deliciously unique dip bowl set is available on Amazon (they have so many beautiful Halloween dishes and decorations, I’m having a hard time not buying everything!).

2-piece set
Nested set of two dipping bowls feature debossed sentiment rims, hand-painted interior stripes and exterior icon artwork
Material: Dolomite
Size: Size: small 2″ x 3 1/2″ dia | large 2

Please see the adorable Halloween Dip Bowl Set (Amazon link) for a closer look.

Have You Invested in a Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer Yet?! Here’s Why I Think You Should….

September 26, 2021 By Joi Sigers

Ironically, in spite of ALWAYS saying, “You’ll only be as great a cook as your tools and ingredients allow you to be,” I put off buying a KitchenAid stand mixer for years. And years.

The very person who consistently pays more for most ingredients and who grabs every new kitchen gadget that hits the market put off buying something because it, “… seems so high.”

If I didn’t do a great deal of baking, it’d be more forgivable but with a large family, there are always birthday cakes to make, homemade icing to throw together, candies, pies, and whatnot. And that in’t even counting Thanksgiving and Christmas – my annual grand finales!

I knew Kitchenaid stand mixers were gorgeous and knew the brand had one of the best reputations in the business but I honestly assumed my handheld mixer could do anything it could and I knew it was far cheaper. More on the faulty assumption in a minute.

Earlier this year, my youngest daughter got a Kitchenaid stand mixer (Amazon link) and immediately began to rave about it. She’s one of the rare humans who does as much baking and cooking as I do, so when she recommends something, I listen. I decided to test her Kitchenaid out with something I make each week – Homemade Whipped Cream. My husband and I love it in our coffee (as well as on ice cream, cakes, cookies… heck, I’ve even seen him eat it right out of the bowl!).

(Continued Below the Whipped Cream!)

Homemade Whipped Cream (Recipe)

First of all, I fell in love with the fact that all I had to do was put all of the ingredients into the bowl and that the Kitchenaid did the rest. My right arm marveled at something being beaten without it feeling the burden.

However, if the results had been the same, I would have stayed loyal to my handheld for the rest of my life.

The results were not even remotely the same. My homemade whipped cream has always been delicious but this time it had a MUCH better consistency – a consistency that made it look better and, somehow, even taste better. I remember picking it up with a spoon and thinking how much it looked like store-bought whipped cream. My handheld never did that!

Then it hit me… if the Kitchenaid stand mixer (Amazon link) makes this big of a difference with something as simple as whipped cream, imagine the difference it can make with cakes, pies, cookies, brownies, divinity, fudge… that was it. I was sold.

Yes, a Kitchenaid stand mixer is more expensive than hand held mixers and, yes, for most of us, they’re somewhat of an investment. But here’s the thing, if the meals we make for our loved ones aren’t worth it, nothing is.

I would never recommend anything to my readers that I don’t absolutely love and use. I’d never suggest you buy something unless I knew you’d love it – I’m just not built that way.

I 100 percent believe you will love a Kitchenaid stand mixer (Amazon link) and recommend buying one before Thanksgiving and Christmas show up in your home! From what I’ve read, other stand mixers do not hold a candle to the Kitchenaid brand, so I wouldn’t get sidetracked there, if I were you. Kitchenaid is a household name and know I know why.

See Also: Recipe for the Best Whipped Cream!

KitchenAid Stand Mixer

The Absolute BEST Homemade Whipped Cream

September 24, 2021 By Joi Sigers

Homemade Whipped Cream

I’ve made many different versions of homemade whipped cream (or whipped topping, if you prefer) and was decidedly loyal to another version for years (one that called for granulated sugar). After making it with powdered sugar, however, I have NEVER gone back to the other version and I never will. This one is simply much, much better.

I make up a batch each week to use in coffee, on cake, on ice cream, between cookies… you get the idea. We also love it on pancakes and waffles!

Due to its popularity in our home, I make up a larger amount than you may want – in which case, you’ll need to half this recipe.

One more thing, while a KitchenAid Stand Mixer isn’t necessary for this whipped cream, the consistency will be better if one is used!

Beat 2 cups of heavy whipping cream until it begins to thicken. Be sure it’s Heavy Whipping Cream and not just Whipping Cream (makes a big difference).
Add 4 Tablespoons powdered sugar and beat to incorporate.
Beat in 2 teaspoons of clear vanilla extract until stiff peaks form

About the clear vanilla: Obviously any vanilla extract can be used, but if you use clear the whipped cream will be prettier!

Nightmare on Elm Street Freddie Kruger Halloween Bowl Holder (YIKES!)

September 16, 2021 By Joi Sigers

This A Nightmare on Elm Street Freddy Krueger Candy Bowl Holder (Amazon Link) would be SO up my oldest daughter and oldest son-in-law’s haunted alley it isn’t even funny. They love Halloween as much as some people love oxygen and go ALL OUT each year – inside the house and outside the house, they leave no doubt as to what season it is!

A Nightmare on Elm Street is one of his favorite movies of all time (right up there with Top Gun), so I know this candy bowl holder would make his entire Halloween season!

If you embrace Halloween like they do, you might want to click through and take a closer look at this macabre little dude.

Product Description from Amazon:

Lightweight injection molded figure crafted from heavy duty foam, with hollow back designed to stand flush against a wall
Base is approximately 10-inch square, stands approximately 18-inches tall
Includes plastic bowl, 9.75” across and 3.5″ deep
Officially licensed figure adds personality to your home or office
Not just for candy, can be used to hold business cards, keys, coins, pens, party favors, and much more

For more information and a closer look (if you aren’t scared!) see A Nightmare on Elm Street Freddy Krueger Candy Bowl Holder (Amazon Link).

Chicken Salad with Eggs: You’ll Be Surprised How Much Flavor the Eggs Add!

September 11, 2021 By Joi Sigers

Chicken Salad with Boiled Egg Recipe (Gluten-Free)

When I had to start eating entirely gluten-free (health reasons), I realized how much I took sandwiches for granted – especially favorites like chicken salad, pimento cheese, and egg salad. Throw them on bread and BOOM, you’re done. When you have or choose to eat gluten-free or choose to eat keto, you have to get creative. Thankfully this is pretty darn easy and actually just as delicious, if not more so.

If you’ll be eating this chicken salad recipe on bread (regular or gluten-free), you’ll probably want to chop the veggies finely and chop the chicken and eggs as much as possible. If, like me, you’ll eat it on the plate with lettuce, tomato, and all the pickles in the house (What? Not everyone is a pickle hound like me??), leave the chicken, boiled eggs, and veggies chunky (as in the picture above)- you’ll be glad you did when stabbing them with a fork.

After you’ve combined the ingredients, taste and add any extra mayo or seasonings desired.

Either way, I think you’re going to love this chicken salad recipe.

If you want an easier way to make “boiled” eggs, please do yourself a HUGE favor and check out the Dash Egg Cooker. I’ve used mine (at least once a week) for over a year and think, “This is one of the best kitchen gadgets ever made..” each time I use it. The eggs turn out PERFECT each time and are gloriously easy to peel.

If you’re looking for a great egg salad recipe, here’s one I use every single time!