Our Favorite Navajo Tacos!

Think piled high taco salad but even better! These are a Southwestern classic.

Just imagine a pillowy soft yet chewy center encased by a lightly crisp, perfectly fried golden brown exterior. Then it's generously topped with a deeply flavorful browned beef taco filling and all those vibrantly colorful toppings that have a pleasant complementary blend of textures.

People of all ages love them! They are such a simply satisfying taco to say the least.

Try them soon and you'll see why our family has craved them as long as we can remember!

What are Johnny Cakes?

Johnny cakes (hoecakes) are soft and tender cornmeal flatbread or hot cake made from a quick batter that's cooked in a skillet on the stovetop.

They are made with finely ground cornmeal and often flour, then mixed with a liquid such as buttermilk, milk or water. A fat such as oil, bacon drippings, lard or butter are also included to keep them rich and moist. And eggs are included to bind ingredients.

They were an early American, inexpensive staple food and they are popular in regions from Canada, the Unites States and down to Jamaica and other islands coming in many different variations.

To give you comparisons to foods you may likely be familiar with, they are like a cross between pancakes and cornbread. In other words they are the perfect homestyle comfort food and are absolutely delicious!

Chinese Pepper Steak

Quick stir-fries - like this beefy, extra saucy Pepper Steak are a weeknight dinner staple. A great option for dinner success when not much time is available after a long day but you're still craving a flavorful homemade dish.

Here the process is simple. We blend a few ingredients to create a savory sauce, quick sear the steak and then the veggies, toss everything in that sauce and you've got dinner in a flash.

As with any recipe, the first time may be a little slower, but once you get this process down it's a breeze.

This is a delicious, ultra-satisfying dish everyone will be excited about! And you didn't have to spend hours in the kitchen preparing it.

Serve it with brown rice or white rice to finish it off. And for a simple time saving tip - cook a big batch of rice over the weekend and keep it stashed in the freezer in portions to save the hassle when you need it on busy days.

WATCH THE PEPPER STEAK VIDEO

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This recipe proves that it's often the simplest ingredients that can yield the best end results.

What is Naan?

Naan is flat-like, yeast leavened, oven baked bread. It originates from Iran and Central Asia. It's a very popular bread in India, where you'll usually find a slightly thicker variation.

Naan can be leavened or un-leavened, the Indian versions are usually leavened. It's common to use torn pieces of naan for scooping and eating food by hand.

Traditionally Indian Naan is cooked in a tandoor oven but not many of us own one of those. So here we make it without a tandoor oven and use a heavy cast iron skillet instead to get a very similar result.

I've tried making naan several different ways using different ingredients like water, buttermilk, milk, or yogurt. I've also tried with and without egg, or with just egg yolk. Then using different fats.

Of course there's also the option to use different types of flour (bread flour, all-purpose flour, or even wheat flour). Then you'll notice some recipes include baking powder.

You’ll also find a variety of mixing methods and dough consistencies.

This recipe is my favorite blend of ingredients for it, with the ratios and method to achieve a super soft, lightly chewy, perfectly fluffy and bubbly naan. It's my idea of the best Naan!

Need a faster roll recipe? Try my 1-Hour Dinner Rolls. That's right, ready from start to finish in 1 hour!

Homemade Dinner Rolls

These are my families absolute favorite dinner rolls! I've been using this recipe for so many years and I lost count long ago of how many times I've made them.

They are a regular recipe in our rotation, especially for holidays and celebrations. After just one bite you'll see why.

You'll quickly find they are the perfect side to just about any meal and they truly are one of the ultimate comfort foods. Just classic, old fashioned, homestyle deliciousness. Just like grandma made and using the utmost basic ingredients.

I'm yet to meet someone who doesn't love these tempting rolls, and I can practically guarantee they'll become a favorite in your home too!

The stand mixer does most of the work here. And if you are new to making rolls just make these a few times and they'll be super easy breezy from then on out.

Just be warned these things are completely addictive! Leftovers (if you are lucky enough to have an) are delicious with plain old mayo, mustard and leftover turkey (or deli turkey) for lunch the next day.

Happy Holidays everyone!

Easy Zucchini Bread

I think I've already made this six times in the last few weeks. When summer is the season at hand this is the quick bread to be making!

And it's absolutely perfect when you cut a warm from the oven slice. Or two. Or three. It's actually dangerously delicious! Addictive stuff I tell you.

Who knew zucchini could somehow become absolutely irresistible? Sugar has a way of transforming many things into something so tasty, doesn't it?

I think it's safe to say this is the number one way to use up garden fresh zucchini. Even kids will love it!

And you'll love just how easy it is to make! No mixer is even required. Just the good old fashioned way of mixing by hand.

For the ultimate DIY pizza pair it with my flavorful, vibrant and easy to make homemade pizza sauce!

Homemade Pizza Dough Recipe

There's something so satisfying about making a pizza from scratch from start to finish. This homemade crust made from a simple pizza dough is a game changer! It's been my go-to recipe for years.

It calls for the most basic staple ingredients yet it makes the base to one of the best foods ever!

And really the electric mixer does most of the work. But if you don't own you can definitely go the old fashioned route and knead by hand.

A world of possibilities with this pizza dough. What would you top it with? You can check out some ideas at the end of this post (definitely try the Spinach Artichoke Pizza, so incredibly good!).

Looking for other easy bread recipes? Try my quick 1-Hour Bread or the overnight, artisan style No Knead Bread.

Easy Sandwich Style White Bread

To me making bread is a total stress reliever. Just taking a moment to set all things aside and just spending a few minutes preparing bread dough, watching it seamlessly rise then enjoying the fresh scent of the hot bread steaming through the oven vents.

As long as we can remember, bread has been at the table and homemade bread just has a way of taking us back home.

My grandparents always made the best homemade bread and I'm hoping to pass that tradition on for my kids and grandkids to enjoy.

And isn't it amazing how much better fresh bread tastes than the packaged stuff at the store (that's filled with unnecessary ingredients)?

Here we just use 6 staple ingredients (and water) and it creates a delicious loaf of bread that will disappear right before your eyes. No one can resist a slice or two!

As a side note, if you are having trouble finding yeast right now and are craving bread you can try Irish Soda Bread or Beer Bread. Or try my Buttermilk Biscuits. No yeast required!

Looking for more easy bread recipes? Try my 1-Hour Bread, or for a dessert option don't miss out on my Banana Bread recipe (another family favorite and no mixer required!).

Easy No Knead Bread Recipe

This is easily one of the best loaves of bread I have ever made and it always disappears in no time! You'll instantly fall in love after one bite!

It has a deliciously crisp crust and a soft chewy, moist interior. An artisan style bread made in the comfort of your own home from a dough that's prepped in minutes!

It's pretty miraculous really.

I can't count how many times I've made it. Not only is it unbelievably easy and basically foolproof, but it only requires 3 pantry staples (and water) .

Who doesn't love a good recipe with minimal ingredients? It's also very inexpensive.

Just one of those back pocket staple recipes that you'll quickly find yourself memorizing!

Just like the flavors in my Easy Chicken Pot Pie but in comfy and cozy, warm and sip-able soup form!

Homestyle Chicken Pot Pie Soup Recipe

Oh this soup! Could I say enough good things about it? It is the perfect comfort food.

A nostalgic favorite turned into an indulgent, good for the soul soup. And when you finish it off with biscuits it becomes a dinner nobody will forget!

It's just a homestyle recipe that people of all ages will enjoy, even the picky eaters that may not like the classic chicken pot pie.

You'll love that it's packed with fresh veggies, and the potatoes and chicken makes it amazingly hearty. So much goodness in a one perfectly satisfying bowl of soup!