all things food
Spicy, savory, salty, and sweet? Jamaican jerk seasoning has it going on! When a recent craving arose for the bold, balanced flavors of this Caribbean spice mix, we got into the kitchen attempting to replicate its magic with ingredients we had on hand….
Spicy, savory, salty, and sweet? Jamaican jerk seasoning has it going on! When a recent craving arose for the bold, balanced flavors of this Caribbean spice mix, we got into the kitchen attempting to replicate its magic with ingredients we had on hand.
Our inspired version comes together in just 5 minutes with easy-to-find ingredients! It’s so versatile and adds instant flavor to everything from chicken to plantains, veggies, chickpeas, and more.
Sometimes the only thing that will do is chili cheese fries. Y’know? Luckily, you can now satisfy that craving with this equally comforting vegan version! It feels decadent and special but comes together quickly with wholesome pantry staples (including…
Sometimes the only thing that will do is chili cheese fries. Y’know? Luckily, you can now satisfy that craving with this equally comforting vegan version! It feels decadent and special but comes together quickly with wholesome pantry staples (including fiber-rich lentils!).
Just 10 ingredients required to nourish your body AND soul, friends. Let us show you how it’s done!
Since they’re called chili cheese fries, let’s start by talking about 1) the CHILI, then we’ll get to 2) the CHEESE and 3) the FRIES!
This buffalo wing recipe has all the great flavor of classic fried wings with none of the mess of deep frying.
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When it’s game day, there’s no food I crave more than spicy, saucy Buffalo Wings! I always thought they’d be such a pain to make, but baking them in the oven makes the process so easy. This buffalo wing recipe has all the great flavor of classic fried wings with none of the mess of deep frying.
Even on Wing Wednesday, buffalo wings can still be pricey. The price per wing really adds up, and I knew there must be a better and cheaper way. It turns out that making them at home was the solution to my wing woes! Seasoned with classic spices like paprika, garlic, and onion, these wings already have so much flavor. Once tossed in that creamy, buttery Buffalo Sauce, you’ll be wondering why you never made them at home before!
These classic baked buffalo wings are delicious served as an appetizer with Ranch Dressing or blue cheese for dipping and a side of carrot sticks and celery. You can also make them into a meal by adding a side of Garlic Parmesan Oven Fries, Easy Creamy Coleslaw, or Oven Roasted Broccoli.
Once baked and cooled, store leftover buffalo wings in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Freeze them in a single layer on a lined baking sheet until solid, about 1-2 hours, before transferring to an air-tight container to store for up to 3 months. Reheat on a wire rack set in a baking sheet in a 350°F oven for 7-10 minutes if refrigerated or 15-20 minutes if frozen.
See how we calculate recipe costs here.
Preheat the oven to 400ºF. In a small bowl, combine 1 Tbsp cornstarch, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp onion powder, 1/8 tsp cayenne, 1/4 tsp pepper, and 1/2 tsp salt.
Pat 2.5 lbs. of chicken wings dry, then place them in a bowl. Drizzle 1 Tbsp cooking oil over top, then toss until the wings are coated in oil. Add the cornstarch-seasoning mixture, then toss to coat again.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup, then place wire cooling racks on top. Place the seasoned chicken wings on the wire racks with space between each wing.
Bake the wings for 30 minutes, then flip and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the wings have achieved the amount of browning desired (this will depend on the size of your wings).
While the wings are in the oven, melt 4 Tbsp butter in a small saucepot over medium heat, then add the remaining ingredients (1/2 cup hot sauce, 1 tsp Worcestershire, 1/2 tsp garlic powder).
Transfer the wings to a large bowl. Pour the sauce over the wings and toss until fully coated.
These buffalo wings are crispy, spicy, and so delicious– everything you want in a wing recipe!
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This super flavorful Chicken Enchilada Soup is made with tender chicken breast, lots of spices, and a simple homemade enchilada sauce.
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We are still in the middle of soup season and if you’re looking for a new soup recipe to make this month, then friend you’re in luck! Today we’re making Chicken Enchilada Soup! It’s made with tender chicken breast and lots of bold flavors. Dare I say, it might just be your new favorite soup this year! And the secret ingredient…our homemade enchilada sauce. Keep on reading to find out just how easy it is to make this hearty and satisfying, chicken enchilada soup!
Chicken Enchilada Soup is everything you love about regular chicken enchiladas, but it’s conveniently made in one pot! It reminds me of chicken tortilla soup, with tender chicken meat and bold flavors, except it’s made with an easy homemade enchilada sauce. The enchilada sauce is cooked directly in the soup pot with the rest of the ingredients and gives this soup TONS of flavor!
Here is everything you need to make this chicken enchilada soup recipe:
This chicken enchilada soup definitely has a kick to it. It has jalapeño, chili powder, and cayenne pepper added to it. The brand of chili powder we use is completely mild, but other brands can sometimes carry some heat. If you are using a spicy chili powder, simply reduce or eliminate the cayenne powder from this recipe to compensate. I would say the heat level of this soup is medium spicy, like a medium salsa.
The same day we made this soup at the studio, Beth just happened to also be making some Homestyle Cornbread. So we drizzled a little bit of honey on top of the cornbread to eat with the soup, and OMG…a match made in heaven! The combination of the sweetness from the honey with the spicy and smoky flavors of the enchilada soup were perfect and absolutely delicious. In addition to cornbread, you can also pair this soup with Cilantro Lime Rice or even our Sweet Corn Salsa. And don’t forget the toppings! Some cheddar cheese, a little bit of cilantro, sliced avocado, a dollop of sour cream, or a few more sliced jalapeños (if you like the extra heat) would all be great!
This soup stores very well in the fridge and the freezer. We always suggest dividing the soup into single portions just after cooking so it cools down more quickly in the refrigerator, which will give you more longevity with the leftovers. You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 4-5 days, or you can freeze it for longer storage (about 3 months).
See how we calculate recipe costs here.
Add 1 Tbsp of cooking oil, one diced onion, one finely diced jalapeño and two minced garlic cloves to a dutch oven or large pot over medium heat. Sauté for 2-3 minutes or until onions are soft and translucent.
Next add 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour, 2 Tbsp chili powder, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, 3/4 tsp salt, and the remaining 2 Tbsp of cooking oil to the pot.
Stir well and cook the flour and spices with the vegetables for 2 minutes.
Add 3oz. of tomato paste, one 15oz. can of black beans (drained), one 15oz. can of fire roasted tomatoes (with juices), one 10oz. can of diced tomatoes with green chiles (with juices), one cup of frozen corn, and 4 cups of chicken broth to the pot. Stir all the ingredients together making sure to dissolve the tomato paste and scrape up any spices that may be stuck at the bottom of the pot.
Now add two chicken breasts directly inside the pot on top of the rest of the ingredients. Place a lid on the pot and bring the soup up to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and allow the soup to simmer for 45 minutes. Make sure the soup is just at a steady simmer at this point, as this will help to create tender chicken breast meat.
After the soup has simmered for 45 minutes, remove the chicken breasts and place them on a clean cutting board. Once cool enough to touch, shred the chicken breasts with a fork.
Add the shredded chicken meat back to the soup pot and stir until the chicken is evenly distributed throughout the soup.
Serve this soup with your favorite toppings like shredded cheese, cilantro, sliced avocado, sour cream, or even some more sliced jalapeño and enjoy!
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Anyone else have an awkwardly long list of modifications when ordering drinks from coffee shops? Welcome to the club. Sometimes we spare ourselves the embarrassment and make them at home.
Inspired by the dangerously delicious Mayan Mocha from Picnik, t…
Anyone else have an awkwardly long list of modifications when ordering drinks from coffee shops? Welcome to the club. Sometimes we spare ourselves the embarrassment and make them at home.
Inspired by the dangerously delicious Mayan Mocha from Picnik, this creamy, dreamy drink is a little sweet, spicy, and chocolaty. It’s also dairy-free and can be made with dandelion root for a low-caffeine, coffee-free option. Let us show you how it’s done!
Creamy Mayan Mocha (Caffeine-Free Option!) from Minimalist Baker →
Black Eyed Peas are a flavorful, budget-friendly, and nutrient packed meal for New Year’s Day or any day of the year!
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It may be tradition to eat black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day, but I’m here to say that you need to be making these delicious and budget-friendly beans year-round! This big ol’ pot of peas is hearty, delicious, freezer-friendly, and about as budget-friendly as it gets. So try them out this New Year’s Day and then add them to your regular rotation for the coming year. Your wallet and taste buds will thank you. ;)
Black-eyed peas are a small white legume with a black dot, or “eye”, in the center. They’re traditionally served on New Year’s Day in the United States alongside collard greens (or mustard or turnip greens) to bring wealth in the new year. The black-eyed peas represent coins, while the greens signify paper dollars. Some even believe you must consume 365 black-eyed peas to bring the wealth, so make sure to dish yourself up an extra large bowl!
Here’s what you’ll need to make this incredibly delicious pot of black-eyed peas:
Vegetarian or Vegan: To make these black-eyed peas vegetarian, simply skip the bacon and use a few tablespoons of coconut oil to sauté the vegetables. The coconut oil has a similar mouthfeel to pork fat, making the peas extra hearty. You’ll also want to increase the smoked paprika slightly to make up for the smokiness of the bacon and swap vegetable broth for chicken broth.
Slow Cooker: To make black-eyed peas in the slow cooker, simply add all of the ingredients (including the pre-soaked peas) to a slow cooker and cook on high for about four hours, or until the peas are tender.
Canned Black-Eyed Peas: If you’re in a rush or forgot to soak your peas, canned black-eyed peas are a great shortcut. Simply follow our recipe for Quickie Black-Eyed Peas with Greens.
If you don’t have time to soak your beans overnight (or you just forgot), you can use the quick soak method to get the beans ready for cooking in about an hour. Here’s how to quick soak beans:
This recipe is great for meal prep because the leftovers are amazing. Store the cooked black-eyed peas in the refrigerator for up to five days, or, once they’re chilled, transfer single portions to the freezer for longer storage. They can be kept in the freezer for about three months and easily reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring often.
See how we calculate recipe costs here.
The night before, begin soaking the black-eyed peas. Rinse the peas well with cool water, then place them in a large bowl and cover with at least three inches of water. Soak the peas for at least eight hours in the refrigerator.
When you’re ready to cook the peas, add 4oz. bacon to a large pot and cook over medium heat until the bacon is brown and crispy. Remove the bacon and set it aside for later, leaving all of the bacon grease in the pot.
Dice one yellow onion, one green bell pepper, and two stalks of celery. Mince four cloves of garlic. Add the diced onion to the pot with the bacon grease and sauté over medium heat until the onions are soft, then add the bell pepper, celery, and garlic. Continue to sauté for about five minutes more.
Add the drained black-eyed peas to the pot along with 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, ¼ tsp black pepper, one bay leaf, and four cups of chicken broth.
Stir all of the ingredients together, place a lid on the pot, and turn the heat up to medium-high. Allow the pot to come to a boil. Once it reaches a full boil, turn the heat down to medium-low and let the peas simmer, stirring occasionally, for one hour or until the peas are tender.
Once the peas are soft, crumble the bacon and stir it into the pot. Season the pot of peas with salt, starting with ½ teaspoon, and then add more to taste. The total amount needed will vary depending on how much salt is in the chicken broth used, but we used one teaspoon total.
Remove the bay leaf then serve with a side of collard greens and cornbread, or over a bed of rice. Enjoy!
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This homemade corn pudding recipe is made with sweet corn, cornmeal, cheddar cheese, eggs, and dairy to make a rich and cozy corn casserole.
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Corn pudding is a staple at southern Thanksgiving tables, but honestly, it’s a great side dish any time of year! This rich corn casserole is made with sweet corn, cornmeal, eggs, cream, and cheddar, and then baked to perfection. And even though our corn pudding recipe is made 100% from scratch (no boxed cornbread mix or canned creamed corn), it’s still incredibly easy and it will definitely leave you wanting seconds. ;)
Corn pudding is essentially a corn casserole made with sweet corn, cornmeal, and cheddar cheese baked into a custard made with eggs, cream (or half and half), sour cream, and seasoning. The texture is a bit like stuffing or dressing, in that it is soft, moist, and scoopable. While the ingredients may look similar to cornbread, corn pudding is far more rich and moist.
Here are the ingredients you’ll need for this corn pudding recipe:
Corn pudding is a classic side dish served on Thanksgiving, but it’s also great the rest of the year paired with dishes like Pulled Pork, Baked Beans, or BBQ chicken. It’s a classic American comfort food that goes with any stick-to-your-ribs meal!
Leftover corn pudding can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days (if you don’t eat it all first!). Or, once chilled in the refrigerator, you can divide it into single-serving portions and freeze for up to three months. Allow frozen corn pudding to thaw completely in the refrigerator first before reheating in the microwave. Just be careful not to overhead the corn pudding as it can cause it to get a little watery.
See how we calculate recipe costs here.
Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Add 2 cups of thawed frozen corn to a blender with 1 cup half and half. Blend the mixture until mostly smooth. Reserve the remaining 2 cups of thawed corn for the next step.
Add the blended corn and half and half to a large bowl with the remaining 2 cups of corn, 3 large eggs, ½ cup yellow cornmeal, ¼ cup sugar, ½ cup sour cream, 2 tsp salt, ½ tsp cayenne pepper, and ¼ tsp black pepper. Whisk these ingredients together until evenly combined.
Fold 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese into the corn pudding batter.
Pour the corn pudding mixture into a greased 2 quart casserole dish, then top with another 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
Bake the corn pudding in the preheated 350ºF oven for 50 minutes or until the outer edges are golden and the center only slightly jiggles when you shake the casserole dish. Allow the casserole to cool for 10 minutes after removing from the oven, then serve.
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If our creamy vegan carrot soup and Thai-inspired butternut squash soup had a baby, this carrot ginger soup would be her! And she’s got both her parents’ best features. Creamy and luxurious, a little spicy and gingery, and not too complicated. Oh, and …
If our creamy vegan carrot soup and Thai-inspired butternut squash soup had a baby, this carrot ginger soup would be her! And she’s got both her parents’ best features. Creamy and luxurious, a little spicy and gingery, and not too complicated. Oh, and her sweet and spicy seedy topping? Highly recommended!
Just 1 pot and 8 simple ingredients required for this vibrant, warming chilly weather staple. Let us show you how it’s done!
Creamy Carrot Ginger Soup (Instant Pot Friendly!) from Minimalist Baker →
If you don’t already keep homemade freezer meals stashed for those nights when you don’t feel like cooking, consider this your (cost-saving…thank yourself later) invitation! This 1-POT pumpkin turkey chili is a freezer meal we never go without.
N…
If you don’t already keep homemade freezer meals stashed for those nights when you don’t feel like cooking, consider this your (cost-saving…thank yourself later) invitation! This 1-POT pumpkin turkey chili is a freezer meal we never go without.
Not only is it everything you want in a chili (hearty, thick, smoky, and spicy), but it’s nutrient-packed and a great way to use up almost any veggie you have around.
1-Pot Pumpkin Turkey Chili (Freezer-Friendly!) from Minimalist Baker →
