Homemade Buttermilk Garlic Ranch Dressing

Awhile back I posted a recipe for Spicy Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing. It's my favorite go-to dressing to whip up and toss over salads or use as a dip for bread. 

Like most dressings, it only takes minutes to assemble, plus is much cheaper and healthier than store bought brands. 

Unfortunately, most bottles you find at the grocery store or in restaurants (they often use commercial products) are full of processed ingredients and high fructose corn syrup. High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) or corn syrup is often the first or second ingredient listed, which means the dressing is mostly processed sugar!

Black Beans Sauteed with Onion, Garlic & Bacon Grease

I realize this isn't the most appetizing picture of black beans, but trust me...they tasted fabulous! I attribute this to the seasoning. When you fix beans from scratch with aromatics and spices instead of plain water, it makes a huge difference in flavor. 

But when you're using canned beans and have no control over what they were cooked in...well, you had better season them properly! Beans aren't going to taste like a million bucks straight out of a can. But bacon grease will sure make 'em taste that way! 

If you happen to find yourself in the unfortunate situation of having no bacon or bacon grease on hand (or you're a vegetarian...that part is not unfortunate), I recommend substituting virgin coconut oil or organic grass-fed butter instead. It won't have quite the same flavor, but will still taste delicious. 

How to Cook the Perfect Steak in a Cast-Iron Skillet (VIDEO)

Want to know how to cook the perfect steak in a cast iron skillet? Here's the best technique for achieving a perfectly cooked (crusty on the outside and juicy on the inside) and flavorful steak every time using only a skillet and your oven.

Tired of overcooking steaks on the stovetop? If you're using a regular ol' pan the whole time, you'll likely end up with a tasteless black crust by the time the middle reaches the right temperature. Oftentimes, the interior will end up overcooked. Not anymore! 

How to Make Homemade Pizza with Whole Foods Pizza Dough

Yesterday I made homemade pizza using Whole Foods' fresh pizza dough. It was my third time using their product. 

Sure, it wasn't from scratch, but until I get the hang of making my own pizza dough or learn how to make my own mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce (it looks really easy), this is pretty dang close.

Plus, it's way healthier for you than most frozen pizzas, which are full of artificial preservatives and over-processed ingredients. 

This is no joke. 

The next time you go to the grocery store, flip over the box of your favorite frozen brand and read the loooong ingredients list. 

It's gross.

Creamy Banana, Cacao & Chia Seed Smoothie

In the past week I've made a smoothie almost every night for dessert. I had a hankering for sweets, but didn't want refined sugar, so I opted for fruit, since it's a more natural treat. 

At any given time I generally have a bundle of bananas ripening on my counter, so I used those as a base for my smoothies and switched it up every night with different ingredients. Out of the four variations I tried, this is my favorite. 

Crunchy Grass-Fed Beef Tacos with Avocado Cream Sauce & Homemade Black Beans

If you've been reading my blog for awhile, you'll know that I love tacos. I fix them weekly, most often in the form of breakfast tacos. Since my boyfriend moved to Texas almost five years ago, I've developed a soft spot for street-style tacos with corn tortillas. I eat those (and variations of them) for breakfast or dinner quite frequently. However, I grew up with a penchant for the crunchy variety. I adored the texture, even though I was noshing on crappy store-bought brands. Ewww. Those are as far from fresh and wholesome as I can imagine. But I know better now.