In the Kitchen: Favorites from the Past Few Weeks

Our minds and hearts can be pulled in so many directions these days , and often stress can creep in, as well, with all that is going on ... but isn't it amazing what a good meal can do? Taking time to cook and prepare beautiful and delicious meals for those we love is so important. Here are some of the things that have been happening in my kitchen these past few weeks ...

We really love this Pesto Chicken Caprese Flatbread recipe! I make it about once a week, using a variety of different meat toppings, whatever I have on hand. Most of the time I use shredded or cubed chicken ... sometimes use diced or shredded ham, and also have used leftover grilled pork chops, shredded with a fork. It's delicious and easy, no matter the topping. I've learned to always keep a supply of Naan bread on hand, stored in the freezer until ready to use.

The Twice-Baked Potatoes (pictured above) is a new recipe I've tried recently, shared by one of my daughters (thanks, Carrie!). It is absolutely amazing ... we really love it! It requires a bit of prep work, but I like that it can be prepared in advance. I have stored it in the refrigerator (before baking the second step) for up to five days, and also have found that it freezes well. Just prepare the baked potatoes, fill the potato shells, and freeze before baking the second step. (Thaw in frig overnight, add some extra cheese, and bake as usual.)

It was fun to prepare Grilled Chicken Salad again recently, after not making it for awhile. I've tried to fit in a few more grilled recipes in these past few weeks, before the warmer days leave us. The recipe makes quite a lot, and I cut it in half for the two of us, and that was still enough for several meals.

My favorite recipe for grilling salmon ... Grilled Spiced Salmon. Maybe not a traditional menu for Labor Day, but it was our choice on Sept. 6 this year! And along with this delicious main dish, we all did the following ...

We enjoyed delicious Grilled Potatoes along with the grilled salmon. Though not pictured here, I also added some sliced sweet potatoes to this recipe. The  combination of grilled potato slices along with grilled sweet potato slices was extra good, and we'll have to try that again in the future.

Photo from Tastes Better from Scratch

I never tire of trying new recipes. It adds more fun to the daily cooking routine. This Chicken Cordon Bleu recipe from the Tastes Better from Scratch site was a new one I tried during the past few weeks. A little bit of prep work, but so very good. Besides enjoying it the day I made it, there is also another meal in the freezer for another day. One of the things that I like about the Tastes Better from Scratch food blog is that Lauren always includes make ahead tips, including recommendations and details if the dish can be prepared and frozen for future use.

Well, that is it for now! We're moving into the wonderful autumn season, where the colors are vibrant, and there are so many joys waiting for us "In the Kitchen"!