Do you need a one pot meal in your life like I did this week? Between building twelve wooden tables, Canean going out of town, and my dad coming in town, a one pot meal was a life saver this week. Since it's fall technically, even though the Louisiana weather refuses to admit it, I made one of my favorites. Healthy white bean and chicken chili is one of my favorite go-to weeknight meals in the fall because it's easy and really, really good.

Sometimes I have time for elaborate meals that have lots of steps and require lots of love. And sometimes, I just need a yummy and healthy meal that I can feel good about eating that will be ready in no time and requires little effort.

PostedOctober 10, 2014

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesSoups, Dinner

TagsHealthy Soup Recipe, Fall recipes, White bean Chicken Chili, Chili Recipes, Homemade, soups, Soup recipes, Gluten Free, Clean Eating, healthy Recipes, healthy, weeknight meals, one pot meals, soup, chicken, chicke

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Shrimp, Andouille, and Okra Stew: My Diary of Us

It's officially October and I am crossing my fingers that means we are about to get a little heat relief down here in South Louisiana. I mean, it's October and I'm still sweating on a daily basis but...we are supposed to get somewhat of a cool front over the weekend which will feel amazing. This girl is ready for chilly nights and some of my favorite fall dishes. Dinners that stick to your bones and are full of spicy goodness, usually made in one big pot that are even better leftover the next day. My shrimp, Andouille, and okra stew is just that kind of meal and even though it's been hot I have fixed it twice in the past two weeks because it's just that delicious.

My local farmer's market always has fresh gulf shrimp that are some of the most delicious and fresh shrimp I have had and we have a friend who happens to be a farmer who sells the most delicious pork including his own Andouille sausage. The vegetables are kind of in their mid-stage between summer and true fall here, but there is a plethora of okra available. This dish combines all three of the star ingredients in the best way possible.

PostedOctober 3, 2014

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesDinner

TagsOne Pot meals, Weeknight Meals, Local, Eat Local, Shrimp and Andouille Stew, Seasonal cooking, Fall recipes, Stew Recipes, Farm Fresh, Okra, Buy Local, Dinner

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Italian Braised Pork Chops: My Diary of Us

Yesterday Canean and I slept in, went to the grocery store filled up our buggy with breakfast food and junk food (cringe) for the day. It was his idea, but I didn't say no, because you need those days sometimes and well, peer pressure. This regularly happens when he goes to the store with me, which is why he usually doesn't... Our cart was filled with chips, cookies, bacon, moon pies, and some other "essentials" for the day and waking up this morning I have a junk food hangover. Oh and I made apple pies... Geez, I am so ready for a healthy meal tonight. My Italian braised pork chops are the perfect weeknight meal to counteract my junk food intake yesterday and to stop by body from hating me.

Because it does right now.

PostedSeptember 29, 2014

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesDinner

TagsBraised Recipes, Pork Chops, Fall Meals, Fall Recipes, Healthy, Weeknight Meals, Italian

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Spiced Apple Infused Bourbon and Cider Cocktail: My Diary of Us

You've waited patiently and the moment has come. It's time for bourbon cocktails and dessert, which is serious business. Yesterday you read all about the bourbon butter paninis and the salad that has the yummiest bourbon Dijon vinaigrette from the bourbon dinner that I did with Lindsey from Maker's Workshop, but I know what you really want. It's time for the good stuff.

I don't blame you honestly. The drink is the whole reason this night was decided upon in the first place. Lindsey threw out the idea for me to make a cider cocktail using bourbon and we ran with it evolving it from just a drink into an everything must have bourbon in it extravaganza!

Best. Idea. Ever.

PostedSeptember 25, 2014

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesCocktails, Dessert, Dinner

TagsBourbon Month, Bourbon Dinner, Bourbon Recipes, Bourbon Cocktails, Thirsty Thursday, Fall gatherings, Fall recipes, fall cocktails, bourbon balls, cider recipes

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Did you know that September is Bourbon Month? You only have seven more day to celebrate it, but don't worry because I'm about to share with you the right way to do it. I partnered up with my one of my favorite people and friends, Lindsey, from Maker's Workshop to bring you the ultimate bourbon dinner, guaranteeing to fulfill all of your bourbon dreams.

There is Bulleit Bourbon in every recipe and Billet and Blade was kind enough to send us handcrafted serving pieces that made for a beautiful presentation.

I've decided that cooking with bourbon might be almost as good as drinking bourbon. You can drink it while you cook of course, so why wouldn't you want to cook with bourbon? Lindsey and I partnered up to bring you the ultimate bourbon night. Everything from bourbon infused butter, bourbon vinaigrettes, bourbon and spiced walnuts. infused bourbon cocktails, and a chocolate bourbon surprise...I know, you are getting excited just thinking about it right?

PostedSeptember 24, 2014

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesDinner, Friends

TagsBourbon Month, Bourbon, Bulleit Bourbon, Bulleit Whiskey, Bourbon recipes, fall recipes, fall gathering, Panini Recipes, Salad Recipes

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Ahhhh. That's me taking a breath. I know it's Monday, but I am happy about this week being here. Last week went by in a blur and I don't remember much other than I was on robot mode to get everything done each day. When life is busy sometimes you need a recipe that can be made into two meals because you just don't have the time or energy to deal with anything else. These crab cake BLT's are my round two meal from my crab cake with spicy garlic dipping sauce recipe that I posted a couple of weeks ago.

Of course you won't make them weeks apart, and I didn't either, but I am just now getting around to sharing this amazing sandwich with you. I apologize I didn't get it to you sooner, because it's one hell of a sandwich and you are going to love it.

PostedSeptember 22, 2014

AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier

CategoriesDinner

TagsCrab Cake BLT's, Crab Cake Recipes, BLT Recipes, BLT Twist, Weeknight meals, Easy cooking recipes, Bacon Recipes, Yum, Eat, Local Seafood, Eat Local

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