Spiced Bacon Pecan Sweet Potatoes

This dish fully embodies the saying, "Sugar and Spice, and Everything Nice!" The sugary maple syrup paired with the sweetness of the potatoes contrasts nicely with the heat provided by the chili powder and cayenne pepper.

As we approach the holiday season, this savory recipe is the perfect side dish for family get-togethers at Thanksgiving and/or Christmas. It also makes for a quick and easy weeknight dinner!

Spiced Bacon Pecan Sweet Potatoes
Yield: 6-8 side dish servings

Ingredients
3 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
1/2 cup cooked bacon crumbles
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Lightly grease rimmed baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Arrange potato cubes in single layer. Bake 20-25 minutes, until potatoes are tender and begin to darken in color.
3. Scoop potatoes from pan into large bowl. Add bacon and pecans. Drizzle with maple syrup and sprinkle all spices on top. Gently stir to evenly distribute all ingredients.
4. Serve warm.

Recipe adapted from Danielle Walker's Against All Grain.

One Pot Mexican Quinoa

Here's a different take on quinoa that I'll definitely be adding to our dinner rotation! Packed with filling protein and healthy vegetables, this vegan recipe is perfect for those busy weeknights when you are full of hunger but short on time. And since everything cooks in just one pot, clean up is a breeze! The recipe makes a generous amount, so you'll even have leftovers for lunch the next day. :)

One Pot Mexican Quinoa
Yield: 6-8 servings

Ingredients
1-2 Tbsp olive oil
1 purple onion, chopped
4 cloves of garlic, minced
2 bell peppers, chopped (I used orange and red)
1 cup quinoa
14.5 oz can vegetable broth
28 oz can crushed tomatoes, with liquid
15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
15 oz can whole kernel corn, drained
1 Tbsp paprika
1/2 Tbsp cumin

to taste: lime juice, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes
toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, sliced green onion, avocado

Directions
1. Heat oil in large pot over medium heat and sauté onion for 2-3 minutes, or until it becomes translucent. Then add garlic and bell pepper and cook for another 2 minutes, or until tender and fragrant.
2. Add remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Turn heat to medium low.
3. Cover with lid and cook for 20 minutes, stirring every 4-5 minutes to prevent quinoa from sticking to bottom of pot.
4. Stir in lime juice and seasonings, if using, and add desired toppings to individual servings.

Recipe adapted from Vegan Heaven.

{Triple Layer} Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

When frost threatens to kill all of your husband's hard work in growing carrots over the summer, you spend the afternoon picking, washing, peeling, and shredding carrots to make carrot cake!

The original recipe makes a beautiful three-layer cake that is a show-stopper for any holiday event (think Christmas or Easter). But somehow I managed to get called for jury duty the entire month of October, so being pressed for time, I cut the recipe in half to make a 9x13 pan which requires less hands-on work but tastes equally as delicious. I have included both versions of the recipe below in case you aren't much of a math whiz!

Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Yield: 9x13 pan

Ingredients
Cake:

• 1 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup sour cream
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 cup Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1 1/2 cups finely grated/shredded peeled carrots
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans
• 1/4 cup raisins

Frosting:

• 8 oz package cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Lightly grease 9x13 pan with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Using stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat sugar and sour cream until combined. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
3. Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg into wet ingredients. Stir until just combined.
4. Fold in carrots, pecans, and raisins.
5. Pour batter into prepared pan.
6. Bake 30 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean and cake begins to pull away from sides of pan.
7. Cool completely on wire rack.
8. Once cake has cooled, prepare frosting by beating all ingredients in stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment until smooth and creamy. Spread frosting evenly over top of cake.
9. Cover and refrigerate overnight before serving.

Note: This recipe needs to be made one day in advance!

Tripe Layer Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Yield: 3-layer cake

Ingredients
Cake:

• 2 cups sugar
• 1 1/2 cups sour cream
• 4 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 cups Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 3 cups finely grated/shredded peeled carrots
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1/2 cup raisins

Frosting:

• 2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 4 tsp vanilla

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Lightly grease three 9-inch cake pans with nonstick cooking spray. Line bottom of pans with parchment paper. Lightly grease with nonstick cooking spray again.
2. Using stand mixer with fitted paddle attachment, beat sugar and sour cream until combined. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
3. Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg into wet ingredients. Stir until just combined.
4. Fold in carrots, pecans, and raisins.
5. Pour batter into prepared pans, dividing equally.
6. Bake 45 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean and cake begins to pull away from sides of pans.
7. Cool in pans for 15 minutes, then turn out from pans, remove parchment paper, and cool completely on wire racks. (Cakes can be made 1 day in advance, simply wrap cooled cakes tightly in plastic wrap and store at room temperature.)
8. Once cakes are cooled, prepare frosting by beating all ingredients in stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment until smooth and creamy.
9. To assemble cake, place one cake layer on platter, spread with 3/4 cup frosting, top with another cake layer, spread with 3/4 cup frosting, and end with final cake layer. Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake.
10. Cover and refrigerate overnight before serving.

Note: This recipe needs to be made one day in advance!

Snickerdoodle Apple Bread

Now that it's officially fall, that means two things: apple picking and football!

It has become an annual tradition in our family to take a trip to Country Apple Orchard for a tractor ride out to pick apples. We eat to our heart's content and bring a giant bagful home to pack in school lunches and for baking. The best pairing with apple is cinnamon, of course, so this bread combines the best of both worlds!

And let's not forget to cheer on our favorite NFL team now that the football season is officially underway... Skol Vikings!

Snickerdoodle Apple Bread
Yield: 1 loaf

Ingredients
Bread:
 1/2 tsp salt
 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
 1 1/2 cups Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour
 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
 1 cup light brown sugar
 1/4 cup granulated sugar
 1/2 Tbsp cinnamon
 2 eggs, room temperature
 1 Tbsp vanilla
 1/4 cup milk (I use almond milk)
 1 Granny Smith Apple, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
   *can substitute any tart, firm baking apple
   *toss chopped apple with a little lemon juice to prevent browning

Topping:
 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
 1 tsp cinnamon

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 335°F. (I have a convection oven. If using a standard oven, increase temperature to 350°F.)
2. Grease loaf pan with Crisco. Line pan with parchment paper (for easy removal) and spray with nonstick cooking spray (see photo below). Set aside.
3. Whisk together salt, baking powder, and flour. Set aside.
4. In stand mixer with paddle attachment, beat butter, both sugars, and cinnamon for 2 minutes on medium speed, scraping sides as necessary. Add eggs and vanilla. Mix until smooth, again scraping sides as necessary.
5. Turn mixer to low and add in flour mixture and milk in alternating additions, starting and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
6. Fold in apples and stir until just combined.
7. Mix together sugar and cinnamon for topping.
8. Pour 2/3 batter into prepared pan and sprinkle with 1/2 of topping. Layer with remaining batter and sprinkle with remaining topping.
9. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until bread is set and toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.
10. Allow to cool in pan for 10 minutes, then lift from pan, remove parchment, and transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
11. Serve warm or at room temperature.
12. Store at room temperature for a few days or in refrigerator for longer.

Recipe adapted from Cookies & Cups.

Sesame Peanut Butter Noodles

Asian flavors are always a favorite at our house! Enjoy these delicious noodles as a vegetarian entree or serve them as a side dish. To transform this recipe into a complete meal, simply add cooked, shredded chicken breast and steamed, stir-fry vegetables!

Sesame Peanut Butter Noodles
Yield: 4 cups

Ingredients
8 oz package rice noodles
1 1/2 Tbsp creamy peanut butter
2 Tbsp pure sesame oil
2 Tbsp honey
2 Tbsp soy sauce (or gluten free tamari)
1 1/2 Tbsp rice vinegar
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 tsp ground ginger
pinch of red pepper flakes (optional, adds some heat!)

For garnish:
 4 green onions, sliced
 2 tsp sesame seeds

Directions
1. Cook and drain rice noodles according to package directions.
2. In small bowl, heat peanut butter in microwave for 15 seconds until melted. Add sesame oil, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, and ginger. Whisk until well combined. (Peanut butter should completely break down to create a smooth sauce.)
3. Pour sauce over hot noodles. Toss to coat.
4. Top individual servings with 1 sliced green onion and 1/2 tsp sesame seeds. (For added crunch, try chopped peanuts!)

Recipe adapted from The Wholesome Dish.

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

This post is not so much a specific recipe as it is a flavor profile you can play around with to your liking!

While my husband and I were in Hawaii celebrating our 10 year wedding anniversary, he regularly ate a Mediterranean-style quinoa salad from the local ABC store. When we returned home to South Dakota, I did my best to recreate this dish that he enjoyed eating so much!

The finished product is a little bit different every time I make it because I just guesstimate the amount of each ingredient. Once the salad "looks" right, I do a taste test to make sure I like the balance of flavors and textures. Very scientific, I know! ;)

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

Ingredients
quinoa
sun dried tomatoes
artichoke hearts
chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
feta cheese (crumbled)
pine nuts
sun dried tomato salad dressing (or other similar vinaigrette)

Directions
1. In medium-sized pot, combine 1 cup quinoa and 2 cups water. Bring to gentle boil over medium heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, and gently simmer until quinoa has absorbed all water. Remove from heat, cover pot, and let quinoa rest for 5-10 minutes. Uncover pot and fluff quinoa with fork. Put in refrigerator to cool completely.
2. While quinoa is cooling, drain sun dried tomatoes on paper towel to remove excess oil and then chop into smaller pieces. Drain water from artichoke hearts, slice into quarters, and then chop into smaller pieces. Drain liquid from chickpeas.
3. Toss all ingredients together in large serving bowl, starting with small amount of dressing and adding more to taste. (For reference, I used half jar of sun dried tomatoes, full can of artichoke hearts, half can of chickpeas, entire 4 oz container of crumbled feta cheese, and half bag of pine nuts.)
4. Salad is delicious served at room temperature and also stores well in refrigerator!