5-minute, 1-bowl pumpkin bread

Though I like the outcome, I don't particularly enjoy the process of baking. I think it's the amount of bowls and utensils and the clean-up. I do love a good one-bowl recipe. You can throw this together while you're making or serving breakfast. It's a great option for a hostess gift or as something to have on hand for unexpected drop-ins at the holidays. Plus, it makes the whole house smell delicious. Just don't forget...it takes almost an hour for this baby to bake!

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5-Minute, 1-Bowl Pumpkin Bread

Very little clean-up and a perfectly pumpkin loaf totally ready in less than an hour. I eyeball the spices and add extra pumpkin pie spice to really amp up the pumpkin-y-ness! You can also add a 1/2 cup of nuts (like walnuts) if you so desire.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (if you have it!)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Generously spray a loaf pan with baking spray (9x5x3-inch pan). In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, sugar, and baking soda. (This is my trick for avoiding the step of sifting!) Add pumpkin, oil, eggs, water, and spices. Mix with a spatula or wooden spoon, but do not over-mix. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 50-60 minutes until a toothpick poked into the center comes out clean. Turn out of pan onto a rack to let cool. You can also make in a muffin tin, just bake for 20-25 minutes. This recipe doubles easily...but be sure to use an extra large bowl! Of course, you can use your electric mixer, but a free-standing bowl works just as great.

Details

Prep time: 5 mins Cook time: 50 mins Total time: 55 mins Yield: 1 loaf

The Missed Photo Op Series, Vol. 1: Joanna Gaines-inspired supper club

I've got to get in the mindset of being a hostess who can also snap photos. Until then, I give you the first installment in this series of fun food events with few photos to prove it.

--

My dear friend from high school, Allison, and I have talked about hosting a supper club for years. Since before babies and prior to our homes being separated by a one-hour-plus door-to-door commute.

So leave it to Joanna Gaines to reenergize our idea. An article in the fall issue of Magnolia Journal suggested a simple supper club--one with low expectations, a big pot of soup, and no need for an RSVP.

We set a date and just decided to go for it. We planned to make two of the autumn-esque soups featured in the magazine, as well as one of the salads highlighted. Add a cheese plate, some crusty bread, a couple of bottles of wine, and poof! We had a menu.

Initially, my list of invitees was long because I didn't want to leave anybody out. Then, I whittled it down to my mom friends. But I realized I yearned for an intimate dinner with a diverse group of women. I wanted to include my working mom friends, stay-at-home mom friends, and of course those moms I don't see too often but adore from afar. I'm always excited to be inspired from the good my friends are doing.

Looking for a tie to bind a diverse group of women for this first supper club, I thought of friends who live in my area or not too far away. That immediately left me with a very nice, small group of extraordinary women to invite.

Once we were set on a Wednesday night after bedtime, I said I had a group of gals in mind and wondered if Allison had anybody she wanted to include. A friend of hers from college just so happened to move to my area, and by huge chance and coincidence, she actually ended up living just two blocks away.

I sent out a quick email invitation and included the following very important notes:

- There are no strings attached and who knows if we will have another after this, but we thought we'd toss out the invitation and see if we could round up a great group of gals for a bite to eat this fall. 

- Please don't bring anything and don't offer to bring anything...this is meant to be very effortless!

Miraculously, almost everyone could come. We ended up with six ladies, and there really was no shortage of food or conversation. 

Allison and I split the cooking responsibilities (we've always loved sharing a kitchen, even if it was a dinky apartment stove with just two burners and a makeshift desk for counter space!), and it was fairly effortless.

The point of this post is to encourage you to set-up something similar. We all yearn for community, for good food, for a break for cooking...and in my case, I love to host and prepare an evening for others. 

I've included poor-quality photos (standard!) of the recipes from Joanna's magazines. You should be able to enlarge them so you can see the recipes: sausage, white bean, & potato soup...chicken, wild rice, & mushroom soup...and a salad with apples, feta, & walnuts. We ended up just making a large salad rather than the "stacks" the recipe called for (simplify and go!). 

Enjoy, and please share your supper club ideas in the comments.

From concrete jungle to floating home

Megan Lynn

When an active outdoor lifestyle is in your blood, but your reality is working in the overcrowded metropolis of Los Angeles, there's only so long you can take the grind...before something's got to give.

For Oregon transplant Megan Lynn, that moment came after working one too many nights in TV production, seemingly crawling her way back to her concrete apartment complex to rest her head for a short spell before doing it all over again the next day. She rarely found time for exercise or rejuvenation in nature.

As someone who believes everything happens for a reason, the cycle was frustrating for Megan. She didn't feel healthy or alive, but she was pursuing what many would consider a dream job after completing graduate school in film at University of Southern California.

"Every day I was leaving [work] looking for that connection to helping people be active," Megan said.

To rewind a bit...Megan grew up in a sports-centric family in Northern California and competed on the swim team at Carlton College in Minnesota. From there, she took an internship as a ski instructor at an adaptive ski program in Aspen, Colorado--partially to recharge after the demands of college athletics and partially to get back to her roots of nature and helping people.

While in Aspen, she started working on a documentary about one of the program participants, an extraordinarily inspiring man who happened to work for NBC Universal. This interaction sparked Megan's interest in film, which eventually led her to film school.

Megan didn't over-think the eventual lifestyle that would accompany her pursuit of a career in the TV industry, she just went for it. Maybe it's the athlete in her, but her drive to succeed propelled her into the competitive throes of the TV biz. But with each flip of the calendar year, Megan began realizing her job wasn't fulfilling. She wasn't connecting with or helping others. And she was losing her grasp on her attachment to recreation and the outdoors.

So she did something she's done her whole life as an athlete: She turned to a coach.

Megan practicing her cast.

Megan hired a job coach who helped her rediscover what was really important to her, professionally and personally. It may have seemed obvious for people who knew Megan since she was young, but sometimes when you're stuck in the day-to-day of a demanding job and lifestyle, your passions can become your blind spot.

Through that encounter, Megan decided to close the TV chapter of her life, pivot, and pursue a career in the athletic apparel and footwear industry, knowing she'd be contributing to products that would enable people to be active. Megan got serious and made a plan.

"I wanted to commit and dedicate myself to pursuing it full-time," she said.

And because many of the top companies in this industry happen to be in Portland, Oregon, Megan made a goal of moving to the Pacific Northwest--a haven for many of her outdoor interests, including fly-fishing. She thought she could do a lot of her networking and job searching from L.A., though.

"I shared my plan and my goals with family and friends and those that supported me. And from there, they encouraged me to reach out to their friends for advice and support."

A phone call to her parents' good friends in the Portland area led to a meeting with a senior director at Nike, and before she knew it, Megan was well on her way to developing solid relationships with many people in the industry.

"When you connect with people in a networking environment, but on a personal level, it goes a long way," Megan said. "I think having a relationship with people really shines through."

There was just one problem with Megan's plan: She made such great connections that meetings started popping up, jobs started opening...but Megan was still in L.A. At this point in her journey, Megan's mentor told her she really needed to be in Portland. When a job lead presented itself, Megan felt comfortable taking the leap.

"I moved to Portland with a solid opportunity that might develop further. I got there, and I didn't get the job. The day I didn't get it, I decided I was going to do something special for myself every single day. Every day, I explored one part of Portland to stay true to why I came here and to not get let down."

Megan's advice for other dream-seekers who run into closed doors and foiled plans is to do the same: realize roadblocks really are opportunities, adjust your expectations, continue to meet people...and explore.

She didn't have to wait too long before she got her first true big break, a three-day contract doing video work at Nike. Megan could now add "Nike" to her resume, and she felt like her options really opened up, and the ball just started rolling from there.

About the same time, Megan's entrepreneur boyfriend, Bryson, also took a leap and moved from his hometown of L.A., to Portland. The two had a pipe dream of living in a floating home, enjoying sunsets and nature.

"Living in L.A., we couldn't believe such a thing existed," she said. "I knew how much of an adventure it would be. We moved here to immerse ourselves in an outdoor lifestyle, and we really jumped right into it in a floating home [on the Columbia River]. Now that we've spent a year-and-a-half on the water, it's really defined us. It's strengthens our relationship."

Megan and Bryson kayaking in Oregon.

In the span of less than two years, Megan achieved her dream. After working three different temporary contract positions, a full-time job presented itself, and Megan is now a bona fide Nike employee. And her lifestyle couldn't possibly get closer to nature, as she and Bryson just purchased their first house, a floating home of their own. So what possibly could be left for the Portlander?

"Our next steps are to continue exploring Oregon. There are so many things to see and do and so many are outside, and that's really liberating for us, having been in a city for so many years. We want to camp. Fly-fish. We want to make a home in this state, and put down roots."

From simply surviving the grind in Southern California to thriving in her new environment, Megan Lynn is proof that persistence and follow-through will help you pursue your passions in ways you never thought possible.

In Her Words

Advice for dream seekers:

"Don’t be afraid to chase those dreams! Sometimes it’s so important to focus on yourself and allow yourself to do some soul searching to discover what makes you happy. As you strive to reach your goals, remember to stay patient yet focused. Things happen for a reason, and you might be surprised by the greatness of the result!"

Other females who inspire you: 

"My mom and sister who inspire me with their commitment to our family and their dedication to doing what they love."

Favorite kitchen utensil/appliance: 

"I love using my CrockPot because it’s so easy to use, the recipes are yummy, and my house always smells delish!"

Favorite style of cooking: 

"I really love making desserts and sharing them with friends!"

Can't live without ingredient:  

"Cheese, any kind of cheese!"

Go-to recipe: 

Megan's Perfectly Garlic Salad Dressing...find the recipe here!

Megan's Perfectly Garlic Salad Dressing

Megan credits her niece, Kate, for this salad recipe and uses kale by default. I tried the dressing on a bed of field greens, and it didn't disappoint. It's like a light Caesar, without the anchovy and half the effort.

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Megan's Perfectly Garlic Salad Dressing

by Megan Lynn October-26-2017

Megan calls this "Kate's Kale Salad" after her niece, but I call it a garlic lover's dream dressing. The following is an easy to toss together kale salad recipe, but you can also use any greens you like (such as mixed field greens, photoed). Optional salad toppings include: avocado chunks, dried cranberries, apple or pear slices, nuts of your choice

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon or 1 large clove minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• salt & pepper
• 1 bunch kale
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan

Instructions

Using a knife, remove stems from kale, chop, and place in a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients.Massage kale for 2-3 minutes by kneading it like bread dough.Drizzle dressing over kale and let rest in refrigerator for 1-2 hours or until tender.Serve with parmesan cheese and additional toppings, if desired.

Details

Prep time: 5 mins Cook time: Total time: 5 mins Yield: 1 large salad

10-Minute Blondies

Making blondies always makes me chuckle. They're a fan favorite but the easiest bar in the book. Making the batter takes 10 minutes, and then they bake for about 25. So if you have less than an hour before you need to be wherever you said you'd bring a treat, just whip these up instead of rushing to the store.

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10-Minute Blondies

The title is a bit misleading because you still have to bake the bars for 25 minutes. Of all the cookies in the book, these are always a hit.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 sticks (12 tablespoons) butter
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• generous teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup chocolate chips

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9x13-inch baking pan with cooking spray. In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter and the brown sugar, stirring constantly. Once fully melted, remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.Add eggs one at a time and then vanilla. Stir to combine.Add baking powder, baking soda, and flour. Stir until completely combined. Spread batter into baking pan. Sprinkle chocolate chips across batter.Bake for 25-30 minutes.

Details

Prep time: 10 mins Cook time: 25 mins Total time: 35 mins Yield: 1 9x13-inch baking dish, about 20 cookies

Practical & Pretty with Lo

Spend five minutes with Laurie McClure, and you'll feel happier and more inspired than you ever thought possible. Her smile, giggle, and overwhelming friendliness might even have you questioning if this girl is for real.

Her enthusiasm for her craft is so contagious, you may even feel compelled to rush to your nearest home decor store and buy a few new throw pillows or candles to spruce up your house.

It's not an act: Laurie really is that cheerful, warm, and downright amazing.

Her attitude and optimistic outlook on life spill into her event and home styling business, Practical & Pretty with Lo, as well as her event planning job at Anthropologie in Newport Beach.

It's easy to look at someone like Laurie and be envious of her passion-filled work that looks almost effortless, but Laurie will be the first to tell you it's taken baby steps and years of preparation to land in her current position.

For the last 10 years, Laurie has worked for several high-profile active lifestyle companies including Speedo, Asics, and Billabong, clocking incredibly long hours, commuting across Southern California, and dreaming of a day when she could spend more time at home. And for quite a while, her home was a condo, with not much space to serve as her canvas for decorating.

"It is my belief that your home is your refuge," Laurie said. "And the more you love the space you come home to every day, the more you will enjoy time in it with those you share it with."

So while the corporate grind became almost unbearable at times, Laurie continued to pour herself into her passion, starting a blog and clipping away at inspiring magazine spreads, saving for a home of her own and sowing the seeds of a budding business.

"I started making goals--big and small--for myself," Laurie said. "I know it sounds silly, but I said things like, 'I want to be featured in Better Homes & Gardens,' or 'I want to book my first wedding.'"

Laurie said because she had no formal training in interior decorating, she started her blog to establish her voice and point of view. She utilized every inch of her small space to take photos and create simple home how-to's for her growing online audience. Eventually, she and her husband purchased their first home, which offered endless fodder and a never-ending list of perfectly post-able DIY projects.

Along the way, while still working full-time, Laurie started booking weddings and clients, and slowly but surely her idea turned into a small business.

"I just kept introducing myself as a small business owner, and it felt weird in the beginning, but you really have to believe in yourself and your passion," she said. "And I keep making more goals along the way to challenge myself."

Along with these goals and challenges, Laurie took a giant leap of faith. She left her full-time job, which looked glamorous, envious, and completely Instagrammable to those on the outside. For her, the job was not fulfilling and just served as a paycheck. Trusting her heart and knowing she would find some sort of replacement, she worked even harder on Practical & Pretty.

Laurie truly believes in the power of the universe, faith, and things happening for a reason. She stumbled upon a job opening for an event planner at Anthropologie, which married perfectly with her business, and now she works on both in tandem, booking events like succulent arranging and calligraphy workshops for Anthro, while planning weddings and styling photo shoots on the side.

She's unsure exactly what's next, but she continues to set goals, make plans, and most importantly--live in the moment, as she says she's living and doing exactly what she's supposed to do right now. Laurie McClure is proving that old saying true: "Do what you love, and you'll never work a day in your life."

IN HER WORDS

Advice for dream seekers:

"First, never put off for tomorrow what you can do today, even if it's just fifteen minutes a day that you dedicate towards your goal....start, be present, go for it...all too often we stand in our own way more than anything or anyone else ever will. Look at each and every day as an opportunity to make even the smallest step towards your goals....and eventually, all those small moments of progress will add up.

"Secondly, be kind to yourself. Know that progress takes time and doesn't happen over night. Whether it be improvements to your physical self, strengthening your emotional self, challenging your professional self...know that it takes time and to be kind to yourself along the way as long as you're making steps each day towards that goal/progress."

Other females who inspire you: 

"My mom and grandmothers. My mom is my role model in life and in parenting and her mom before her shaped what an incredible woman she is, which is what I hope to do for my children someday."

Favorite kitchen utensil/appliance: 

"(Besides a wine opener...ha!) Wooden spoons. They are the most basic and fundamental cooking necessity for me. I never use mixers, rarely spatulas...a wood spoon can be used in basically every dish I cook to stir, scrape, and taste my dishes. I also love the aesthetic of a wood spoon holder on a kitchen counter--the warm wood tones just appear nice to me. 

"[I also rely on] the gas burner stove top. My favorite nights typically involve all four burners going, oven on, wine poured, music on, chatting about my day with [my hubby] Jus. Those are usually the signs of a yummy meal and a long evening ahead enjoying my home."

Favorite style of cooking:

"Anything in a cast iron skillet. One dish meals are my favorite...I love to sauté the meat and herbs and butter, etc. first and get all the juices and flavors going in the skillet, then add in my rices/pastas, etc. to really absorb all of that flavors that have been marinating in the dish. There is something so comforting about serving a warm, hearty skillet meal to loved ones, especially now that we are getting into fall!" 


Can't live without ingredient: 


Go-to recipe: 

Sea salt and herb crostini...find the recipe here.

Follow Laurie

Practical & Pretty Blog
Practical & Pretty Instagram

Laurie's Sea Salt & Herb Crostini

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Laurie's Sea Salt & Herb Crostini

Laurie's go-to recipe is an appetizer, and inclusive of prep, it can be made and enjoyed in less than 15 minutes. {Practical & Pretty tip: If your guests don't finish the crostini app, refrigerate and make into croutons. Just heat up a little olive oil in a pan, crumble up the crostini, and quickly sear them in the hot oil to make the actual crouton! -Laurie}

Ingredients

• 1 Baguette
• 4 ounces Melted butter
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
• Sea salt
• Fresh basil
• Burrata
• Balsamic vinegar

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.Slice down a baguette into small pieces.Baste each piece with melted butter.Sprinkle evenly with parmesan.Bake until the cheese starts to bubble, approximately 5 minutes.Remove from oven and add a fresh piece of basil to each toast.Top with a spread of burrata cheese and a drizzle of balsamic.Note: Just the crostini alone (without the burrata + balsamic) can be served with dried meats, different cheeses, chimichurri, etc. It's just a nice elevated bite before dinner. I also like to do the same recipe and replace the butter with truffle oil and replace the basil with pinches of rosemary.

Details

Prep time: 5 mins Cook time: 5 mins Total time: 15 mins Yield: Approximately 20 crostini

No-recipe enchiladas

The secret to extremely fast enchiladas is in a can of organic chicken. Yes. A can! Canned chicken has come a long way, and you can find high-quality canned chicken in most grocery stores. Of course, if you have chicken breasts on hand and have the time to prepare and shred, by all means, be my guest. This variation, however, is the quickest of quick.

Enchiladas are a great make-ahead meal. as well as a wonderful option to take to a friend in need. 

Preparing two pans of enchiladas took 15 minutes. Other tips include: emptying ingredients into bowls to create a speedy assembly line and not worrying about equal portions in each tortilla.

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No-Recipe Enchiladas

A pan of enchiladas is your chance to be creative. Add whatever ingredients suit your fancy. Use this recipe as a template for super-fast enchiladas. This makes 2 pans, so freeze one for later or give to a friend!

Ingredients

• 2 32-oz cans of your favorite enchilada sauce
• About 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 15-oz cans black beans (drained and rinsed)
• 2 2.5-oz cans chopped green chiles
• 2 12.5-oz cans organic chicken breast in water (drained) OR about 4 cups shredded chicken breast
• About 16 tortillas

Instructions

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees FCreate an assembly line for your enchiladas. In appropriately 3 sized bowls, empty the contents of 1) the cheese (reserving about 1 cup), 2) beans and green chiles, and 3) chicken. Open cans of enchilada sauce. Separate out two stacks of eight tortillas.Pour about half of one can enchilada sauce on the bottom of each casserole dish (using entity of one can)Begin assembling enchiladas: add small portion cheese, beans and chiles, and chicken to each tortilla (just eyeball it!); roll, and line (seam-side down) casserole dish. Each dish should fit around eight enchiladas, but feel free to add more if room allows.Cover enchiladas with remainder of enchilada sauce (another half-can each). Sprinkle remaining 1 cup cheese across top (about 1/2 cup cheese on each). Bake uncovered for about 35 minutes.Remove and let stand for at least 10 minutes. If refrigerating or freezing for later, let cool completely before covering in foil.

Details

Prep time: 15 mins Cook time: 35 mins Total time: 50 mins Yield: 2 9x13-inch rectangular casserole pans

Live at 5! . . . Karina Kling

Karina on the set of her political show, Capital Tonight, in Austin, Texas.

When you're young and fearless, and you have a big dream, you just follow it.

You don't think about the long hours, the moving from city to city, or the "how am I going to pay the rent?" that sometimes accompany pipe dreams.

But if you have passion, courage, and a whole lot of follow-through, that dream can become your livelihood.

This is the story of Karina Kling, an evening political news reporter and host in Austin, Texas. She's someone who seems so familiar, yet also is part-celebrity in her city. She is the girl next-door, though...a genuine diamond in the rough cutthroat world of journalism, a shining example of someone whose interest lead to a dream that has become her life's work.

Her desire to land in the fast-paced news business can be traced back to her high school days, when she wrote features for the yearbook. She realized storytelling came naturally, and once she headed off to college, Karina chose broadcast journalism as her major. (Yes, she's also one of the rare breed who actually finished college studying the same thing as she started.)

"Broadcast journalism was part arts, part performance...part writing and English major," the music and theater-loving, education-focused Karina said. "I was able to combine a lot of my interests."

She joined the college TV station, though being on TV never was the driving force. Telling people's stories through video really inspired her to continue pursuing the idea of television news. And since her college graduation, she's chased the dream, and has worked exclusively in the news industry.

Karina landed a job in a small news market in Nebraska before working three years in Lincoln, Neb., where she was able to do everything under the sun in the realm of news. She started spreading her wings and realized she really enjoyed political reporting.

Karina had the honor of interviewing esteemed journalist, Dan Rather.

The life a journalist is not as glamorous as it appears on the cushy couch-side of the TV screen, though. Karina encountered countless bumps in the road, surviving many mistakes and on-air flubs along the way.

"Struggling to survive on the salary is a challenge, too," Karina said. "The news business is so demanding. You're always on call. But it's a pretty cool job and worth it in the end."

Just as the news business moves quickly, so do its employees, and it was around this time in 2008 that Karina decided it might be the right moment to move away from the comforts of Nebraska.

She started sending out audition tapes to many markets, specifying her proficiency and passion in political reporting. It didn't take long before she got a call from a cable news station in Austin. [It might be important to note that most journalists work in several markets before ending up in a place like Austin--the capital of Texas--but for Karina, the third time was the charm.]

Much like the theme of her life, Austin fit very nicely with her passions and interests, as the live music capital of the world and as a fitness- and food-obsessed, diverse oasis in the big expanse of Texas. But scorchingly hot weather and extremely long hours welcomed the midwesterner, and Karina struggled to find her rhythm for the first couple of years.

"I think I wanted to figure out what I really wanted to do," she said. "There's not a lot of room [in the news] for a nightly political show."

That, however, became Karina's new challenge and dream, to host a show of her own, to do the writing and producing, and to call the shots in her area of expertise. After many years covering local and national politics, Karina succeeded, creating her current role as a political show host at the same station where she started in Austin almost 10 years ago, something she says is truly fulfilling.

On the opposite end of the microphone--when asked questions, rather than rattling them off herself--Karina forgets the laundry list of famous people she's interviewed over the years. She doesn't even think to mention any of the numerous awards she's racked up. She's as humble as they come, and to this day, she continues to say the everyday people she's met and been able to interview are the most wonderful part of her career.

Karina behind-the-scenes on Election Day 2016.

"When you're telling someone's story, you're educating others," she said.

Which leads her to her next dream...that of teaching at the college level. Something tells me this bright and beaming broadcast journalist is going to achieve that goal, too.

IN HER WORDS

Advice for dream seekers:

"Don't apologize for being a perfectionist or a procrastinator. Also...be a strong woman who knows what you want, and be able to voice it. Even if there are hardships along the way, it'll be worth it in the end."

Other females who inspired you:

"My mom!"

Favorite kitchen utensil/appliance:

"Does a coffee maker count? Otherwise...a blender."

Favorite style of cooking:

"Simple! Been doing Whole 30 recipes for about a year now, so I'm getting more creative."

Can't live without ingredient:

"Salt!"

Karina's go-to recipe:

Pecan-crusted chicken...find the recipe here.

Follow Karina here:

Karina on Twitter
Karina's political show on Spectrum News

Karina's pecan-crusted spicy chicken

Without hesitation, this is Karina's go-to main. If you get the chicken marinating before you head out the door in the morning, you can have this dish in the oven in less than 15 minutes, and on the table in another 30.

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Karina's pecan-crusted spicy chicken

Karina likes to use Frank's Red Hot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce as her marinade, but you can use any hot sauce you'd like.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken breasts
• 1 12-oz bottle hot sauce (like Frank's Red Hot)
• salt & pepper to taste
• 1 cup pecans (finely chopped)
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder

Instructions

In a large thick zip-top plastic bag or in a covered bowl or dish, marinate the chicken breasts in the entire bottle of hot sauce. Marinate for at least 30 minutes (you can leave them marinating in the refrigerator all day, also!). Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Spread the chopped pecans on a foil-lined baking sheet, and bake until browned (around 10 minutes, but be sure to check frequently to avoid burning). Sprinkle with salt and pepper and chili powder. Transfer nuts to a plate. Roll each chicken breast in pecan mixture and place back on foil-lined baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes.

Details

Prep time: 30 mins Cook time: 30 mins Total time: 1 hour Yield: 4 servings

Pork egg roll in a bowl

I love egg rolls, but that fried goodness isn't regularly on my meal plan. One day I stumbled across a Paleo recipe for an egg roll without the wrapper, and I've been hooked since. Ground pork is a nice alternative to chicken, beef, or turkey. Serve this over rice, and you've got yourself a meal. It's also incredibly quick AND a one-pan dinner, which is a win-win!

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Pork Egg Roll in a Bowl

If you love Asian flavors, quick dinners, and something different...try this on for size!

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons Sesame oil
• 3 cloves Minced garlic
• 1 small Onion, diced
• 5 Green onions, sliced (green and white parts)
• 1 lb Ground pork
• 1/2 teaspoon Ground ginger or ginger paste
• Salt & pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon Sriracha or similar
• 1 14-oz bag (or shred your own cabbage and carrots, if you prefer!) Bagged coleslaw
• 3 tablespoons Soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Rice wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons Sesame seeds

Instructions

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat sesame oil. Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.Add the garlic, onion, and white portion of the green onions, sautéing until onions are translucent and the garlic is fragrant.Add the ground pork, ginger, salt, pepper, and Sriracha and cook until pork is cooked through.Add the coleslaw mix, soy sauce, and vinegar. Sauté until the coleslaw is tender.Top with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve over rice.

Details

Prep time: 5 mins Cook time: 20 mins Total time: 25 mins Yield: 6 servings

Zucchini Noodle Lasagna

This recipe is a bit more involved, but if you've ever made a lasagna you know it's never as quick as you hope. It's perfect for using up an abundance of garden zucchini. And it for sure can be done while wrangling kiddos or multitasking. It's worth it, I promise. It shouldn't take you more than 15 focused minutes of prep, and then the additional cooking time.

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Zucchini 'Noodle' Lasagna

This is a great alternative if you love lasagna but could do without the carbs. It's adapted from a Better Homes & Gardens recipe.

Ingredients

• 2 large Zucchini
• 1 lb Ground turkey/chicken/beef
• 2 cups Chopped mushrooms
• 2 cloves Minced garlic
• 1 24-oz jar Spaghetti sauce of your choosing
• 1 8-oz can Tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon Dried basil
• 1 teaspoon Fennel seeds
• 1 Egg
• 1 15-oz container Ricotta cheese
• 2 cups Shredded mozzarella cheese
• Cooking spray

Instructions

Preheat broiler. Trim ends off zucchini, and cut lengthwise into thin slices. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray and line with zucchini slices. Spray the top of the zucchini with cooking spray, also. Broil for about 10 minutes or until lightly browned, and turn once halfway through cooking time (keep an eye on these and remove if they begin to burn, rather than toast). Repeat as needed (don't overcrowd your baking sheet). Reduce oven temp to 375 degrees F.In a large skillet cook ground meat, mushrooms, and garlic until meat is browned, breaking up meat as it cooks. Remove from heat. Drain fat. Stir spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce, basil, oregano, and fennel seeds into skillet. In a small bowl combine egg and ricotta cheese.Assemble lasagna: spread 1/3 of the sauce mixture on the bottom of a 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Top with enough of the zucchini slices to cover. Spread half of the ricotta mixture on top of the zucchini, and spread. Sprinkle 3/4 cup of the mozzarella cheese on top. Top with another 1/3 sauce mixture. Repeat layers once more, ending with sauce mixture.Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake for about 30 minutes (375 degrees F). Let stand for about 10 minutes before digging in!

Details

Prep time: 15 mins Cook time: 30 mins Total time: 55 mins Yield: 1 13x9x2-inch baking dish

Simple Sesame Chicken

Sauté a bag of frozen stir fry veggies over a couple tablespoons of sesame oil (add a can of water chestnuts or baby corn to amplify the Asian flavors!), and start a pot of brown or white rice. This sesame chicken recipe is easy and quick enough to throw together in less than 30 minutes, start to finish.

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Simple Sesame Chicken

This recipe takes just 25 minutes, inclusive of prep!

Ingredients

• 1 Egg
• 3 tablespoons Cornstarch
• Salt & pepper
• 1 lb Boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons Soy sauce
• 1/2 tablespoon Sesame oil
• 1 1/2 tablespoon Brown sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoon Rice vinegar
• Generous squirt Ginger paste
• 1 clove Garlic
• 2 tablespoons Sesame seeds
• About 3, chopped, for garnish Green onions

Instructions

In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, cornstarch, and salt & pepper. Cut chicken thighs into small pieces, discarding any excess fat. Toss chicken in egg mixture. Heat a large pan with oil over medium-high heat, and when the oil is very hot, add the chicken and any remaining egg mixture. Cook and stir occasionally until golden brown and cooked through (about 10 minutes).While the chicken is cooking, make the sauce in a small bowl. Whisk all the ingredients together. If you don't have ginger paste (available in Asian markets and Trader Joe's!), grate an inch of fresh ginger.When the chicken is cooked through, add the sauce. Stir and let it thicken up, and then remove from heat. Serve over rice and stir fry veggies, and top with chopped green onions.

Details

Prep time: Cook time: Total time: 25 mins Yield: About 4 servings