Flavor Infused Water

June 4, 2013January 8, 2014 Shae | Hello Homebody

I love keeping limes and lemons around to add to my ice water in the summer. Adding a little flavor to your water is a great way to encourage water intake! Here are a few natural ingredient ideas that will flavor your water without adding sugar or artificial sweetener. Strawberry Basil // I know that basil may sound like a strange thing to add to drinking water, but it really adds a fresh flavor that goes perfectly with strawberries! Blueberry Kiwi // Adding frozen blueberries to your water is a great way to keep it cold and refreshing! Kiwi also adds … Continue reading Flavor Infused Water

Recipes, Savory6 Comments

Chicken Bacon Macaroni and Cheese

June 3, 2013February 2, 2014 Shae | Hello Homebody

I’ve wanted to make homemade macaroni and cheese for quite a while, it’s one of my favorite things to try at restaurants. This creamy homemade macaroni and cheese recipe is made with only fresh ingredients, no processed cheese! I’m not going to lie, macaroni with velveeta cheese is still one of my favorites, but fancy macaroni and cheese is a great treat. I really wanted to use white cheddar for this recipe, but couldn’t find any at the store that I went to. I used mild cheddar instead and it gave this dish a good, rich flavor. This recipe is … Continue reading Chicken Bacon Macaroni and Cheese

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Salted Caramel Shortbread Cookies

May 31, 2013May 17, 2014 Shae | Hello Homebody

I’ve made quite a few iced caramel macchiatos with the caramel that I made earlier this week. So good! But I did reserve some of the caramel for these sandwich cookies. These salted caramel shortbread cookies are a new creation that I’d never tried before, I love the way they turned out! The caramel in these cookies gives the crispy shortbread a delicious flaky texture. You can find my easy homemade caramel recipe here. Salted Caramel Shortbread Cookies Needed: makes 16-20 sandwich cookies 2 … Continue reading Salted Caramel Shortbread Cookies

Recipes, Sweet12 Comments

Salted Caramel Shortbread Cookies

May 31, 2013January 8, 2014 Shae | Hello Homebody

Recipes, Sweet5 Comments

Homemade Caramel Sauce

May 29, 2013January 8, 2014 Shae | Hello Homebody

This caramel would make a great dip for apples, topping for ice cream, or stir a little of this caramel into your coffee (caramel macchiato anyone?)! My mom used to make caramel this way for homemade turtles at Christmastime. Yum! The only ingredient you need to make this caramel is one can of sweetened condensed milk. It couldn’t be simpler! Place an unopened can of sweetened condensed milk into a large pot filled with water (can could explode if not completely submerged). Leave to simmer for 2 and 1/2 hours (or longer if you want a thicker caramel). Make sure to keep … Continue reading Homemade Caramel Sauce

Recipes, Savory2 Comments

Corn and Black Bean Salsa

May 28, 2013January 8, 2014 Shae | Hello Homebody

This salsa has such a fresh and flavorful taste, it’s perfect for summer! All of the ingredients in this simple recipe are easily kept on hand, great for a last minute appetizer or side dish. Corn and Black Bean Salsa 1 cup rotel 1 cup corn 1 cup black beans 1/4 cup onion (chopped) fresh cilantro corn chips 1 lime Stir together rotel, corn, beans, and onion. Add lime juice to taste. Top with chopped cilantro. This salsa is best if chilled before serving. Serve with corn chips. Enjoy this salsa with a tasty Mexican meal or at your next … Continue reading Corn and Black Bean Salsa

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Vanilla Coffee Syrup

May 24, 2013January 8, 2014 Shae | Hello Homebody

I love all things vanilla! How could you not like vanilla? It’s the flavor that I choose most often when it comes to making scones, cake, cookies, pudding, and coffee! If you frequently use vanilla beans for baking, save the empty pods for this easy coffee syrup recipe! Vanilla Coffee Syrup Needed: 2 cups water 2 cups sugar 1/4 cup brown sugar 1 vanilla bean pod (or 1 tsp vanilla extract) glass dispenser bottle To sterilize your dispenser bottle, wash it with soap and hot water. In a saucepan, add water, sugar, and the vanilla bean pod (if you’re using vanilla extract, … Continue reading Vanilla Coffee Syrup

Recipes, Sweet4 Comments

Fancy Grilled Cheese // Blueberry Cream Cheese

May 23, 2013January 8, 2014 Shae | Hello Homebody

I love savory grilled cheese sandwiches, but I decided to try to come up with a sweet variety this time! I figured that cream cheese was a perfect option, what isn’t cream cheese good with?!? I used blueberries that I already had on hand, but you can be creative with the fruit that you use (strawberries would be great with the cream cheese filling!). Serve up this sweet grilled cheese sandwich for breakfast or as a snack! Needed: bread (sliced) blueberries 2 oz cream cheese 1/8 cup powdered sugar 1/2 tsp vanilla butter Pop the cream cheese into the microwave … Continue reading Fancy Grilled Cheese // Blueberry Cream Cheese

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Fresh Pineapple Limeade

May 17, 2013January 8, 2014 Shae | Hello Homebody

Limeade is one of my very favorite summer drinks! It’s so easy to make at home, half the price of buying it already made, and it’s much more fresh! I used pineapple to give this limeade recipe a nice tropical flavor. Pineapple Limeade 4-6 servings 1 cup lime juice (5-7 limes) 1 cup pineapple chunks 1 cup of sugar 5-6 cups of water Juice limes. Before slicing limes, microwave for 20 seconds for easier juicing. If you don’t have a citrus juicer // stick a … Continue reading Fresh Pineapple Limeade

Recipes, Savory5 Comments

Herb Tips // Favorites

May 13, 2013January 8, 2014 Shae | Hello Homebody

I love cooking with fresh herbs, but they can be expensive and don’t have a very long shelf life. Here are a couple of quick tips to extend the life of your herbs! If you’ve purchased way too many fresh herbs, or if your garden is full of them, chop herbs and place into an ice cube tray. Pour olive oil over the herbs and freeze. I’ve used this trick with cilantro and basil, two of my favorites! I pull the cubes out of the freezer and toss them into a skillet when cooking meat, beans, or sauces! Cilantro is … Continue reading Herb Tips // Favorites

Recipes, Savory2 Comments

Cheese Stuffed Crust Pizza

May 7, 2013January 8, 2014 Shae | Hello Homebody

We love pizza around here (we may or may not have had pizza three times last week). We’re also big fans of cheese! You’ll find both in this cheese stuffed crust recipe! It’s definitely worth taking the time to make your own pizza dough (I love that fresh dough smell!). You can find my recipe for crusty pizza dough here. Choose whatever toppings you’d like for your pizza, I chose turkey pepperoni (which tastes just as good as “regular” pepperoni!) and grilled onions, two of our favorites. Needed: pizza dough 8oz marinara sauce 6 mozzarella sticks 8oz mozzarella cheese pizza … Continue reading Cheese Stuffed Crust Pizza

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Chicken Stir Fry // Spicy Honey Sauce

May 6, 2013January 8, 2014 Shae | Hello Homebody

This Asian inspired Chicken Stir Fry is an easy and healthy dinner that you can put together in 20 minutes. It’s a meal that I always fall back on when trying to use up a mix of fresh veggies. Choose any variety of vegetables and this recipe will never get old! The spicy honey sauce reminds me of sweet and spicy Asian food, and I love how simple it is! Chicken Stir Fry Needed: veggies of your choice (carrots, bell pepper, onion, brocoli, snow peas) pineapple chunks breaded chicken nuggets (homemade or frozen) rice olive oil 1/4 tsp garlic powder … Continue reading Chicken Stir Fry // Spicy Honey Sauce

Recipes, Savory3 Comments

Crusty Pizza Dough // Chicken Alfredo Pizza

May 2, 2013January 8, 2014 Shae | Hello Homebody

This was my first attempt at making pizza dough from scratch, I chose this recipe because it’s a thick crust that doesn’t need to rise for hours (or days!). The pizza crust came out perfectly, soft without getting soggy from the sauce, with a nice crispy bottom layer. This pizza crust recipe is adapted from a recipe found in the Kitchenaid mixer recipe book. Crusty Pizza Dough makes 1 pizza 1 package active dry yeast 1 cup warm water 1/2 tsp salt 2 tsp olive oil 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 cups flour Dissolve yeast in warm water in warmed … Continue reading Crusty Pizza Dough // Chicken Alfredo Pizza

Recipes, Sip4 Comments

Blueberry Lemonade

May 1, 2013January 8, 2014 Shae | Hello Homebody

This refreshing lemonade is the perfect drink to enjoy at your next picnic or barbecue! If blueberries aren’t your thing, try adding raspberries, strawberries, or blackberries. Blueberry Lemonade 4- 6 servings 1 cup sugar 1 cup lemon juice (6-8 lemons) 5-6 cups water 2/3 cup blueberries Juice lemons. If you don’t have a citrus juicer // stick a fork into the flesh of a halved lemon and twist as you squeeze the lemon. Pour lemon juice (with some pulp, no seeds) into a blender. … Continue reading Blueberry Lemonade

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Mocha Frappuccino

April 30, 2013January 8, 2014 Shae | Hello Homebody

I love coffee year round, but I especially enjoy lattes in the first cool days of Fall and icy coffee when Summery weather arrives. It’s already heating up here in Texas, bring on the frappuccinos! I’ve blended together different combinations of sweetened coffee with cream and ice before, but I’m always disappointed by the flavor… until now! The homemade mocha syrup in this recipe gives this frappuccino such a rich, creamy, chocolate-y taste. Plus, it’s frugal knock-off that you don’t even have to leave the house to enjoy! Mocha Frappuccino … Continue reading Mocha Frappuccino