Green Beans with Bacon, the perfect Thanksgiving dinner side dish

Kate is back with another fantastic recipe! In case you are looking for a last minute side dish or another way to add vegetables into your family dinner, these green beans with bacon are sure to be a hit!  Take it away Kate!

A Thanksgiving side dish ready in under 30 minutes, count me in! 

Add this to your Thanksgiving dinner to make your day less stressful, more enjoyable and you'll get to the table faster. Or be like me and add it to your weekly rotation! It's casual, yet impressive and quick!!

Green Beans with Bacon

green beans (enough to feed your group) (fresh or frozen)

1/2 onion diced

3 garlic cloves chopped

juice of one lemon

4-5 pieces of bacon chopped (reserve 1 tbsp of grease)

2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

zest of half lemon

salt and pepper to taste

1 tbsp olive oil

Boil green beans until just under cooked. Drain and set aside. While beans boil cook bacon until done but not crispy. I did mine my cast iron skillet. Reserve 1 tbsp of grease in a large pan. Add olive oil and salute onions over medium heat until translucent. 

Add beans, garlic and bacon to pan and cook until beans are coated and garlic is tender. Add balsamic vinegar and stir for one minute and then remove from heat. 

Add lemon juice, zest and season with salt and pepper.

You can serve it warm but it's also delicious at room temp or cold!

Enjoy!

Low Calorie Pink Lemonade with a Twist

I can't believe how quickly this year has flown by! Before you know it we will be celebrating the new year and ringing in 2016. This time of year brings so many of us together for social occasions. We have weekends and evenings full of holiday events and parties. It's such a fun time! 

I have a fun, zero-calorie beverage enhancer that will make the most perfect pink lemonade vodka for your next event.

Homemade Caramel Apple Pie

Holy Craft's newest contributor, Kate, has been busy in the kitchen!  Last week she shared with us M&M candy corn cookies {did you try them?}  and this week, she's sharing with us her homemade caramel apple pie.  It's part of the Wayfair Battle of the pies contest. 

Since you all can't try the pies in this competition, the way votes are counted is by engagement: make a comment, share a post, pin the image, like the picture, you name it, we will take it!  You can find all of Holy Craft's social media outlets on the far right side bar of this post.  

But most of all, we just hope you will enjoy this yummy spin on this classic favorite.

M&M; Candy Corn Cookies

A few weeks ago, I mentioned that I was hoping to make some changes here at Holy Craft. Good changes.  Nothing that will send you in a panic I hope. 

One of those changes is that I want to start offering some yummy recipes for all of you.  I have shared recipes with you over the years, but nothing consistently.  One of the reasons is because my kids are quick to eat everything in zero point two seconds! The other is because while I cook out of necessity, it's not really my favorite thing to do. 

Lucky for you, I know someone who loves to be in the kitchen!  I'm so excited to introduce to you Holy Craft's new recipe contributor Kate.  Kate is a super fun mom of two littles names Trevi and Harvey.  She's married to my husband's cousin Brett, and they are temporarily making a home in Pittsburgh while Brett is in school to be a nurse anesthetist.  

I am so excited for Kate to be sharing her talents here and I know you will be too! Especially if you whip up these yummy M&M candy corn cookies that she's sharing.  It's sure to be love at first sight! Take it away Kate!

Orange, white, black, chocolate, sweet treats, candy corn: what do these things all have in common? 

Halloween!

I am about to share with you the best chocolate chip cookie recipe you’ll have see! I promise you’ll never need a cookie recipe after you try this one. And the best part about it is that it can be modified into a ton of different cookies. My favorite is to add each seasonal M&M flavor.

Anything but basic {but oh so easy!} turkey cranberry and swiss panini

We have a few more weeks to soak up every last bit of summer and then the long warm days are going to start to be filled with short crisp falls afternoons, homework and, oh yes, a return to the classroom.

I started substitute teaching last year in my kids school district and I love it.  But that means, not only am I packing the kids lunches, I am usually packing mine as well!  I do live fairly close to the school so some afternoons I come home, let the dog out and eat lunch in silence.  Regardless, I need to start thinking of some back to school lunch ideas for myself.

Not one to procrastinate, I wanted to start coming up with some yummy sandwich ideas that I could pack for lunch before life got overwhelmingly busy again!  I whipped up this anything but basic {but oh so easy!} turkey, cranberry and swiss panini.  I can make it in less than 5 minutes and either reheat it at school, or enjoy it warm and toasty straight from my panini maker at home.

Incredibly easy patriotic berry dessert

I don't know about you, but I'm not a big themed food kind of person. Don't get me wrong, I love it when other people embrace the theme or holiday or whatever, it's just not always the first thing I think of.  

Last year, I threw this patriotic berry dessert platter together and it was a real hit.  It took less than five minutes to make and was easy to put together when we got to our party.  Today I'm going to show you how I made it.

Easy four ingredient guacamole you can make in your food processor

On Monday, I shared with you our new summer go to recipe, chicken burrito bowls.  

Everything was microwaveable and didn't heat up the kitchen. We topped those burrito bowls with some yummy guacamole and I want to share with you my easy homemade guacamole recipe.

Easy {microwaveable} chicken burrito bowl

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group®, Birds Eye®, and Tyson® but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #FastFreshFilling http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

I am always looking for healthy easy meal ideas for my family of five, but I rarely find one that is as much of a crowd pleaser as these chicken burrito bowls were.  These were a major hit for me because I could cook everything in the microwave and I didn't have to heat up my kitchen.  

You see, I live in the greater Seattle area and while the summer is a gorgeous time to be around our city, it can also be pretty darn hot.  Less than 1% of the homes in the Pacific Northwest have air conditioning because we just don't need it.  Most of us learn to cook without heating our houses during the summer, because let's face it, when it's 85 degrees INSIDE your house, the last thing you want to do is turn on the oven!

Summer is a busy time for everyone.  I know I would rather be outside playing than inside cooking.  I can't wait to share with you my unbelievably easy, healthy and full of protein chicken burrito bowls that can be made totally in your microwave!  How darn convenient is that?!

The best chocolate chip cookie recipe!

I love a good chocolate chip cookie {because they are the best kind of cookie} and since I can't keep a good thing all to myself, I thought I would share with you the best chocolate chip cookie recipe out there. It's the only recipe you will need! You will make the best chocolate chip cookies every time. Promise!

Popcorn snack mix

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Universal Pictures, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #BoxtrollsFamilyNite http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV
One of our family's favorite things to do during our long wet winter is to cuddle up on the couch and watch a movie together.  It's the only time the kids are able to eat in the living room and they take full advantage of it!
The Boxtrolls was just released so while I was out shopping at WalMart , I picked up the DVD {while supplies last!} and got some goodies to create the perfect family movie night.

20 homemade soup recipes to try today!

Soup is my favorite!  I make a pot of soup at least once a week and always love trying new recipes. Here are 20 homemade soup recipes to try this winter.

Nut free pesto recipe

My oldest son is allergic to nuts, so I'm always on the lookout for how to turn a typically nut heavy recipe into something that doesn't have nuts.

Pesto is notorious for containing pine nuts, and most processed or pre-packaged pesto's contain nuts,

but I knew there had to be a way around using nuts when I made pesto.

This summer, we grew basil in our garden so I had basil in abundance.

I decided to try making pesto without nuts with the basil we had growing in our garden.

You will need:

fresh basil
extra virgin olive oil

Parmesan cheese

fresh lemon

garlic

I started by putting the basil in my small food prep blender.

Chop

I added about 1/3 cup of Parmesan cheese to the chopped basil in my blender and mixed well.

Add about four cloves of garlic, pressed and squeeze your lemon {about 2 tsp. of lemon juice}

Combine

You can also add a dash of salt and pepper if you would like.

Gradually stir in your olive oil adding about a quarter cup to start with and working your way up to about a half a cup depending on how runny you like your pesto.

Once your pesto is the desired consistency I heat it up and add it to pasta.

It's a crowd favorite at our house.

Pesto can even be frozen! This nut free pesto made from scratch takes about five minutes. That's one quick dinner idea for an evening meal when you don't have much time.
What are your favorite fast easy dinner meal plans?

Easy blueberry scones

Happy labor day to you!

You may find yourself at home with the whole family wondering what you should do today.

Well, look no further!

I'm sharing our families favorite EASY blueberry scone recipe.

It's a sure fire way to start your day off right and get all those little people in your house thinking you are the best ever.

You will need:

2 cups flour

1 T. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

5 T. cold butter

1 cup fresh blueberries

1 cup heavy cream

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.

You will start by mixing together your flour, salt, and baking powder.

Cut your butter into small squares and add it to your dry ingredients.

Use a pastry blender to mix in the butter.

Once the butter is mixed in, fold in your blueberries.

Form a well in the center and pour in your cream.

Mix together well until you can form a ball.

Roll out your scone dough on a lightly floured surface or on a Silpat sheet until it forms a rectangle.

Cut four long lines vertically and then cut triangles to form your scones.

Place the cut scones on your baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.

I haven't met a single person who hasn't liked these scones!

They are quick easy and delicious.

Try them today!

Just so you don't forget, go ahead and pin them on your pinterest board too! Happy labor day!

Easy homemade broccoli slaw recipe

I love salads.

Any kind of salad.

It's usually my lunch or snack food during the day.

This broccoli slaw is probably my new favorite of the summer and it's so easy to whip up!

I'm usually pretty lucky and I am able to find a good size container of broccoli slaw for .99 at my local grocery store.  Actually, I found the slaw on super sale, which is why I came up with this recipe in the first place.  It's sort of how I roll.

You will also need about a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, a heaping spoonful of light mayo (about an 1/8 cup) and 1 tsp. of sugar.

Mix your sugar, mayo and vinegar together in a bowl until creamy.

Stir your dressing over your broccoli slaw and enjoy!

It literally takes about three minutes to make.

It would be perfect for a summer BBQ as a side, or to enjoy as a lunch on a hot day.
Do you love salads as much as I do?

Low calorie Cranberry Granita

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #FlavorforLess http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV”

I have a major weakness for a cold drink.

Not just any cold drink...blended or slushie drinks.

Unfortunately, they are usually full of calories.

Last year I managed to kick my blended coffee drink habit for about two months

before I started drinking it again.

I have a weakness!

I have noticed a few pounds creep on and I know I need to be more mindful of my calorie intake.

I'm going to attempt to do this by substituting my daily blended coffee with a low calorie cranberry granita.

I picked up the new 7UP Ten and a bottle of cranberry juice at my local Safeway.

{you can find a coupon for a free 2 liter of Ten products from Safeway here while supplies last}

I combined two parts 7UP Ten with one part cranberry juice.

Or to be super technical, I used 1 1/2 cups of 7UP and 3/4 cups of cranberry juice.

I put them in my ice cream maker and let it stir and freeze for about ten minutes.

I spooned my granita into a mason jar because let's be honest, 

everything is better in a mason jar.

With a fancy straw.

It was the perfect refreshing afternoon snack!

Swimsuit season is just around the corner.

Hopefully my low calorie substitution will help me kick a few pounds.

What is your food or drink weakness? Get other yummy drink ideas on twitter and facebook.

Best lunch ever! Tabouleh wheat grass salad recipe

My dear friend and old neighbor introduced this Taboule wheat salad to me a few years ago,

and lately, I haven't been able to get enough!

I make it once a week for lunch

{each box provides three days worth of meals for me}

and wanted to share one of my favorite recipes with you.

It's a great healthy meal and it's quick to throw together.

{Just so you know I'm not crazy, there are a few ways that Near East spells this product}

These are the things you will need:

Near East Tabouleh wheat salad mix

crumbled feta {about 1/4 cup}

cucumber {you will use half}

tomato 

green olives 

lemon

Follow the directions on the package for your wheat salad.

You simply add boiling water, stir, cover and refrigerate for a half an hour.

No cooking required.

 Chop your cucumber and tomato and add them to your chilled wheat salad

sprinkle your feta cheese on top and add as many olives as you would like.

I love green olives so I add a lot!

You can add a few tablespoons of olive oil, but instead, I like to add a few tablespoons of olive juice.

Cut your lemon in half and squeeze the juice over your salad.

Mix all of that goodness together and enjoy!

You can serve your tabouleh salad on top of a bed of romaine if you would like.

I think you will love it as much as I do!