Author: lucanracz

Between hosting family, traveling and just everyday life this summer was incredibly busy and just seemed to fly by. Anytime life gets busy my website takes a bit of a back seat but it always feels so good to come back here when the dust settles. Creating recipes and connecting with you truly brings me so much joy. These oatmeal bars came about on a week where the farmers market was plentiful in strawberries and bananas and I needed quick healthy snacks for myself, and my toddler. They come together so quickly, are family friendly and come out so soft and chewy but still hold their shape. The bananas are mashed in for natural sweetness and texture and the strawberries are warmed with butter and drizzled over the top before baking. The flavor combo stands the test of time and works so well with these bars for the perfect healthy bite!

I’ve been making risottos for about ten years now and this one is a new favorite. Risotto used to really intimidate me but once I realized how easy it is to make it became a staple in my house. I love experimenting with different flavor combinations and this one is absolutely divine. Leek, parsley, garlic and parmesan provide a fabulous but simple flavor to the risotto which allows our pan fried coppa to really shine and bring in texture and a savory punch. It’s just so good. While risotto is an easy dish it is time consuming. It takes about an hour from beginning to end (including the quick prep work) but it’s a pretty low maintenance dish as it spends a lot of time simmering. You need to check in on it and be around to stir, but you can also take a few minutes away in the simmering stage and it will be okay.

One pot. Creamy. Packed with flavor. Easy. We love the combination of all of this and really love this pasta! I’ve been on a bit of a goat cheese kick lately as my baby just absolutely loves it. This pasta is such a great way to incorporate goat cheese flavor without it being overpowering and a wonderful switch up to your typical tomato or tomato cream sauces. The sauce incorporates garlic, onion, pepper and tomato which provides fabulous flavor and then the pasta is cooked in the sauce along with stock for added flavor. Goat cheese comes in at the end and brings it all together in a fabulous creamy and comforting pasta.

Do not let the look of these fool you, the added spinach doesn’t make these the most beautiful meatballs but the flavor is so good. I made these on a whim for my baby just trying to make something fast and nutritious and when I taste tested them I just wanted to keep eating them. They ended up being a part of my dinner as well, and going up on the blog same night so that I’d make sure to remember them for next time. Packed with nutrients, ready in under thirty minutes, and not just tolerated, but loved by the whole family…. we call this a win.

You guys. This is SO GOOD. If you like sun dried tomatoes and goat cheese you need to run not walk to get the ingredients for this. Okay, maybe drive but you get the picture. Risotto is one of those dishes I could eat over and over and probably never get sick of. It’s comforting and delicious and not nearly as high calorie or difficult to make as you might think. The goat cheese makes this recipe the perfect level of creamy and packed with flavor without being too rich and pairs with the flavors of the sun dried tomatoes and basil leaves so well.