easy recipe

Easy Veggie Ramen Noodles

- Amanda 1 Comment

I don’t know about you, but sometimes, especially around the middle of the week, I lose steam to create a big effort dinner. And that’s when recipes like this come in so handy. These Easy Veggie Ramen Noodles are perfect for nights when you want something simple but still delicious. It’s surprising how fast this goes from just ingredients on the counter to a meal on the table. And a meal everyone loves and gets excited about because it’s like take-out but better, healthier for you, and can be made quicker than it takes to make the call and have it delivered to your door. Now that’s something to behold, right?

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Coconut Lime & Poppyseed Macaroons

- Amanda

We’re just about to the middle of the week and I say we’ve earned a little treat. (And I just couldn’t wait any longer to share these.) You might be saying “huh” to the title of this post. But stick with me. These Coconut Lime & Poppyseed Macaroons might sound like they have a lot going on but I assure you, they will knock your socks off. Even the socks of the biggest coco mac purist. And if it’s too dang hot and you’re not wearing socks, you’ll still find yourself really smitten with these. The lime flavor is so bright and tropical you’ll feel like you’ve been whisked away on a delicious island getaway. And the slight pop of texture from poppy seeds really takes the classic coconut treat to the next level. I dare you not to like them.

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Frozen Strawberry Lemonade Pie

- Amanda

Saying happy 4th of July with this Frozen Strawberry Lemonade Pie never tasted so sweet. And with all going on in this crazy world today, that’s saying a lot. But this deserves all the praise it gets. It’s easy to throw together. No making or rolling pie crust. Check. It uses the best of the season, gorgeous summer strawberries. And is nice and chilled for these hot summer days. And and there are two popular summer treat bonuses in here, the combo of lemonade and pretzels. Yup, you read right. I threw some pretzels in the crust just for fun and because why not. And the filling takes on notes of fresh strawberry lemonade with a big kick of fresh lemon zest and juice. This is good. really good. My husband had two servings good. (He’s a chocolate or nothing guy.)

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Almost Percy’s Macaroni Salad

- Amanda 2 Comments

Is macaroni salad a summertime staple for you? It is for me, but particularly on the 4th of July. And well, with tomorrow being Independence Day, and us being here in Istanbul, I had to make some to mark the holiday. Besides, it goes so so perfectly with my previously posted Zesty Baked BBQ Chicken, that I just had to share it today.

You might be wondering about the name, Almost Percy’s Macaroni Salad. The previously mentioned beloved mac salad I look forward to every year on the fourth, is not one that I make for our neighborhood block party, but my neighbor does. I have been lucky enough to grow up down the street from an awesome family, among others, who have become family to us. And Percy (a nickname I gave her I can’t remember when,) is like a favorite auntie to me and an incredible cook among her many fabulous traits. And one thing she does particularly well, is macaroni salad. It’s simple enough, but just something about it, I can never get enough of and I make sure to always get to the 4th of July buffet table in the middle of the street early enough to snag some before it’s gone.

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Zesty Baked BBQ Chicken

- Amanda

This Zesty Baked BBQ Chicken is such a winner in our house, I just know you’ll love it too. My kids really can’t get enough. So much so, that the amount I made for two nights, really only ended up making it to one night for all of us, then just enough for the munchkins the second night. And what’s even more awesome, Miss Sparkle, exclaimed “Mama, I just love this chicken!” For her, that’s big when it comes to many things savory, especially chicken.

With the fourth of July weekend here, and traditional ways of celebrating possibly (hopefully) halted for most, I think it’s nice to still be able to feel like we’re doing something special and fun to make the day feel different. For us here in Istanbul, we’ve gotten pretty good at that, having had to celebrate a few different holidays we’re normally used to celebrating that are just an ordinary day here. December 25th here definitely has a different feel to it than back home. And it should be no surprise that my favorite way to connect to traditions and the roots I grew up with, is none other than food. And 4th of July fare is no exception.

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