Recipes

Salads, Lunch Virginia Vismer Salads, Lunch Virginia Vismer

Smoky Sweet Potato Harvest Salad

This harvest salad is what I reach for when I want something nourishing but still a little indulgent — smoky roasted sweet potatoes, crunchy cabbage and kale, creamy goat cheese, sweet pops of dried cranberries and apple… it’s got a little bit of everything in the best way.

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Dinner Virginia Vismer Dinner Virginia Vismer

Classic Spaghetti Carbonara

I put off making carbonara for way too long because I thought I'd mess it up. Turns out, with the right temperature and a little pasta water, it's actually hard to screw up.

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Dinner Virginia Vismer Dinner Virginia Vismer

Smoky BBQ Chicken Naan Pizzas

This naan flatbread pizza is a total game-changer for football season—easy, fast, and loaded with flavor. Think melty cheese, bold toppings, and a crispy naan base that holds it all together like a champ. Let’s get you touchdown-ready.

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Sides, Dinner Virginia Vismer Sides, Dinner Virginia Vismer

Cinnamon Maple Skillet Apples

These Cinnamon Maple Skillet Apples are everything cozy about fall wrapped into one simple side dish. The apples soften as they cook in a buttery cinnamon glaze, creating this warm, syrupy goodness that’s perfect alongside roasted meats—or even spooned over pancakes or ice cream.

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Sides, Dinner Virginia Vismer Sides, Dinner Virginia Vismer

Beef Fried Rice

There’s something magical about the smoky, savory aroma of fried rice hitting a hot pan. This steak fried rice is my throwback to those giant takeout containers I used to devour as a kid—when every bite had just enough egg, soy sauce, and crispy rice to make it feel special.

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Sides, Appetizers Virginia Vismer Sides, Appetizers Virginia Vismer

Classic Pico de Gallo

If you’ve ever had that irresistible roasted chili-corn salsa from Chipotle, you already know it’s the unsung hero of the toppings lineup. Sweet corn gets a smoky char, roasted peppers bring warmth (without being overpowering), and lime plus cilantro brighten everything up. The best part? You can make a big bowl at home in under 40 minutes, and it’s even better after chilling in the fridge.

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Salads, Sides Virginia Vismer Salads, Sides Virginia Vismer

Chipotle-Style Roasted Chili-Corn Salsa

If you’ve ever had that irresistible roasted chili-corn salsa from Chipotle, you already know it’s the unsung hero of the toppings lineup. Sweet corn gets a smoky char, roasted peppers bring warmth (without being overpowering), and lime plus cilantro brighten everything up. The best part? You can make a big bowl at home in under 40 minutes, and it’s even better after chilling in the fridge.

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Lunch, Dinner Virginia Vismer Lunch, Dinner Virginia Vismer

Better-Than-Takeout Shrimp Pad Thai

This Pad Thai recipe is written like a roadmap for beginners—clear, step-by-step, and impossible to mess up. You’ll learn how to cook shrimp so they turn out plump and golden, how to scramble eggs without sticking, and how to get the noodles saucy without clumping. By the time you finish, you’ll have a Pad Thai better than your favorite takeout.

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Beverages Virginia Vismer Beverages Virginia Vismer

Maple Brown Sugar Shaken Iced Coffee

When hot coffee feels like too much and a regular iced coffee just isn’t enough, this creamy, sweet, and frothy shaken iced coffee hits the spot. It’s cold, bold, and a little bit indulgent — like your favorite café treat, but made in seconds at home.

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Dinner, Appetizers, Lunch Virginia Vismer Dinner, Appetizers, Lunch Virginia Vismer

Gambas al Ajillo

This sizzling Spanish-style garlic shrimp is a dish that punches way above its weight in flavor. It's rich, fragrant, and irresistibly dippable thanks to all that golden garlic oil. Perfect as a quick dinner, a light lunch, or a standout tapa alongside a glass of something chilled.

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Dinner, Soups Virginia Vismer Dinner, Soups Virginia Vismer

Hellfire & Brimstone Short Rib Chili

Rich, smoky, and packing a slow-building heat, this chili is built on a foundation of tender, fall-apart beef short ribs and hearty ground beef. It’s the kind of meal that could win a trophy… or just win over the toughest chili critics you know.

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Appetizers Virginia Vismer Appetizers Virginia Vismer

Zesty Jalapeño Deviled Eggs

These deviled eggs pack a little heat, a little tang, and a whole lot of creamy goodness. With sour cream instead of mayo and a splash of sweet-and-spicy jalapeño brine, they’re a cool twist on the classic—and dangerously snackable.

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Dinner, Lunch Virginia Vismer Dinner, Lunch Virginia Vismer

Ginger Sesame Tofu Power Bowl

This Ginger Sesame Tofu Bowl is a solid go-to whether you’re looking to fuel your day or meal prep something satisfying for the week. It features crispy baked tofu tossed in a sticky ginger-sesame glaze, roasted broccoli, crunchy raw veggies, and brown rice or noodles—all topped with a rich almond butter dressing. It’s balanced, bold, and keeps you full without weighing you down.

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Dinner Virginia Vismer Dinner Virginia Vismer

Sticky Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

If you’ve ever wanted to make something that feels like you ordered takeout but better, these sticky honey garlic chicken thighs are it. The glaze is sweet, garlicky, a little tangy, and it caramelizes in the oven like magic. And the best part? It’s all done on one sheet pan with easy-to-love chicken thighs that come out juicy every time.

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Dinner, Lunch Virginia Vismer Dinner, Lunch Virginia Vismer

Classic Stuffed Bell Peppers

These classic stuffed bell peppers are simple, hearty, and full of everyday ingredients that you probably already have on hand. The combination of ground beef, rice, tomatoes, and cheddar cheese makes this a dependable, satisfying meal that works just as well for a weeknight dinner as it does for a small gathering.

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Dinner Virginia Vismer Dinner Virginia Vismer

Dan Dan Noodles

With a base of spaghetti, savory-sweet ground pork, crunchy peanuts, and a luscious chili-sesame sauce, this version brings the iconic Szechuan street food flavor to your weeknight dinner lineup — no specialty market required.

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Dinner Virginia Vismer Dinner Virginia Vismer

Spicy Sesame Garlic Noodles

These spicy sesame garlic noodles use regular pasta and everyday ingredients to make something that feels indulgent, cozy, and super satisfying. It's spicy, nutty, garlicky, and slurpable — exactly what you want when a takeout craving hits but you're staying in your pj's.

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Breakfast Virginia Vismer Breakfast Virginia Vismer

Loaded Tater Tot Breakfast Tacos

These Loaded Tater Tot Breakfast Tacos are everything I love about breakfast wrapped up in a soft, warm tortilla — crispy tots, melty cheesy eggs, juicy cherry tomatoes, and a little jalapeño heat to wake you up right. A spoonful of cool sour cream and fresh cilantro seals the deal. They’re simple, satisfying, and a little bit spicy — just how I like it.

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