My Favorite Pinterest Recipes: Dinner

As I was browsing my "eats" Pinterest board last night, searching for a dinner recipe, I realized how invaluable Pinterest has been to me in terms of finding and organizing recipes. Any time I'm meal planning, trying to decide what to make for dinner, or looking for recipe inspiration; I turn to Pinterest.

I used to love sitting down with my favorite cookbooks and magazines on weekends, earmarking recipes I wanted to try. But these days, I simply turn to Pinterest to find what I'm looking for. While I do still enjoy reading my Cooking Light, and referring to my favorite cookbooks for old favorites, for the most part I rely on Pinterest and other bloggers for recipes. I think this is largely due to the fact I want to see a picture of the dish before I commit to making it. Does anyone else feel this way? Or am I the only one that has set down the cookbooks and gone digital?

I thought it would be fun to do a post and share a few of my favorite recipes I've found on Pinterest, as well as the bloggers behind them. These are all recipes we continue to make time and time again at our house. I hope some of these are new to you as well, enjoy! 

Half Baked Harvest - Chipotle Quinoa Sweet Potato Tacos

My absolute favorite, Half Baked Harvest! I love all of her recipes, and I like to pretend we're friends in real life! Every recipe I've tried has been amazing. She is simply the cutest and I'm waiting for the day she announces a cookbook! Not only does she create delicious recipes, but her photographs are inspiring, and somehow she is able to share both wonderful stories and recipes simultaneously. I urge you to check out her blog if you don't already follow, and please make these tacos! They're incredible. It's become my go-to entertaining dish because it's unique and always a crowd-pleaser! I even did a little prep work before our trip to Yosemite last month so we could eat them one night while camping.

Chicken Enchilada Quinoa Bake

I recently stumbled across this pin while looking for a semi-healthy Mexican inspired dinner. We made a few slight modifications to the recipe, and it did not disappoint! First, we baked the chicken with fajita seasoning and lime, then shredded it to add to the casserole. We also used more chicken then the recipe called for, decreased the amount of enchilada sauce, and added jalapenos for extra spice! This is definitely something we'll continue to make during the week because it comes together quickly and easily. Plus, since there are only two of us, there are plenty of leftovers to take for lunch and/or dinner the follow day. We serve it with green salad for a simple, healthy weeknight dinner. 

Lemon Chicken Bake

We were making this dish for dinner so often during the week, we had to take a little break from it ;-) But it's back in the rotation because it's the easiest weeknight dinner, EVER. You simply toss everything in a baking dish,throw it in the oven, bake and enjoy! We modify the recipe a by using Brussels sprouts instead of green beans, and a lot less oil.  

So, How's It Taste? - Chicken with Honey-Beer Sauce

Another great resource for delicious, healthy recipes. We make this chicken with my cauliflower mash and another vegetable for a simple dinner that tastes like it requires a lot more effort than it actually does. Since Andrew isn't a huge mustard fan, we usually don't use the full 2 tablespoons, but otherwise we follow the recipe exactly. Typically we use IPA because that's what we have at the house, but I'm sure any beer would work. I love the way the shallots caramelize and the sauce thickens to create a glaze on the chicken, yummmm! 

Eat Yourself Skinny - Spicy Basil Chicken 

I'm sure you've all heard of Eat Yourself Skinny! Kelly is the cutest little Southern Belle with incredible, and healthy recipes! Lately, she's been busy planning her upcoming wedding, but there are plenty of old recipes on her site to keep your mouth watering! Plus a bunch of cute wedding DIY ideas on her Instagram! Hers is one of the first food blogs I started following years ago, and her recipes never disappoint! This basil chicken is so simple, and comes together in just a few minutes. It's the perfect dinner on busy weeknights. I can't get enough fresh basil during the summer months, so I try to make this as much as possible! It's so fresh and flavorful, you'll love it, promise! This is another one we paired with mashed cauliflower and veggies. But it would be great with brown rice as well! 

Skinny Taste - Chicken Francese, Lightened Up

I haven't made this in a while, but putting this post together reminded me I need to! It's another simple recipe with great flavor! We have a lemon tree out back, so I think I'll be putting some of them to use soon. Gina's is another blog I've been following for years. She creates really flavorful dishes that are completely guilt free! And, she has a new cookbook that you can pre-order here! One thing I love about Gina's site is that she provides all the nutritional information, as well as Weight Watchers points. It's been so helpful to me when I'm watching what I eat and trying to lose a few pounds! If you haven't tried some of her recipes, you should! And I recommend starting with this one :) 

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Let me know if you guys try any of these recipes! I know you'll love them :) Plus, they're all really healthy and use real ingredients, which I try to be mindful of. I guess that means I'm getting old...

Follow me on Pinterest for many more delicious meal ideas! And here are a few of my recipes that I've shared on the blog.  

Porks Chops with Spicy Sautéed Summer Peaches and Cauliflower Mash

A few weeks ago, Andrew and I threw together a random dinner that ended up being so delicious, I knew I had to make it again so I could share it with you all!

It was so simple and easy, but the results were anything but! I promise this won't disappoint, and it might even impress a few dinner guests.

Months ago, my Mom made a simple pork chop for Andrew when she was visiting, it was so good we've continued to make it as a staple in our weeknight dinner rotation. But boy, did we kick it up a notch by topping it with spicy sautéed peaches! It's borderline dessert - for dinner!

 Let's get to the recipe, shall we?

Ingredients -

For the Pork:

4 Boneless Pork Chops

salt & pepper 

1/3 cup flour

3 tablespoons olive oil

For the Peaches:

2 large peaches

1 jalapeño, seeded

1 small purple onion, sliced

2 teaspoons olive oil

Directions -

First, slice your onion, jalapeno and peaches. On medium heat sauté the onion and jalapeno in olive oil for about 10 minutes until tender, stirring occasionally. Then add peaches and cook for another 10-15 minutes until the onion caramelizes and the peaches soften and release their juices. 

While the topping caramelizes, season the pork with salt and pepper on both sides. Then dredge in flour to coat. Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a nonstick skillet to medium-high heat, add pork chops and sear for 2-3 minutes on each side. Then reduce heat and cook for about 10 minutes or until the center reaches 150* and let rest. 

Top pork chops with sautéed peaches and enjoy!

Be sure to test your jalapeño for spice! We left the seeds because we like things hot, but if you don't spice be sure to remove the seeds or omit the jalapeño all together. 

This is the perfect recipe for those over-ripe, bruised, and juicy peaches! 

Let the onion and jalapeño cook for a few minutes before adding the peaches.

Lucky for you, I have a bonus recipe. A healthy little side dish to serve with your pork chops. The other day I was browsing Instagram, and stumbled upon this picture from Chrissy Teigen (LOVE her) that peaked my interest...cauliflower mash. Now, I've made mashed cauliflower a few times, but I've never been smitten by the texture. Hers however, looked blended, so I knew I had to give it a try. It was amazing! Andrew kept saying, "I swear these are potatoes" and if he didn't watch me make it, he probably wouldn't have believed it was cauliflower. He's determined to make it for someone and trick them into thinking it's mashed potatoes. 

It's super fast & simple, and I know it will be a regular item on the menu at our house. I hope you like it, too!

Ingredients:

1/2 head of cauliflower

2 teaspoons butter (REAL butter)

salt & pepper

1 tiny clove of garlic

3 tablespoons shredded parmesan cheese

chopped green onion or chives 

Directions:

Steam cauliflower for about 10 minutes. (If you don't have a vegetable steamer, steel the one your parents got as a wedding gift or microwave in a glass bowl tightly covered in plastic wrap for about 6-8 minutes).

Once the cauliflower is cooked, remove from the stove and place in a large glass bowl. Add butter, salt, pepper, and garlic. Use an immersion blender to completely puree the cauliflower. It should be totally smooth. Lastly, stir in parmesan cheese and garnish with green onion/chives.

If you haven't noticed, I'm having auto-focus issues with my camera, any tips?

This was the perfect side for the pork chop and sautéed peaches, but would pretty much taste great with anything! As Andrew says, "You Can't Believe It's Not Potatoes!"

What's your favorite summer fruit? As you might have guessed, I've been on a major peach kick lately!