easy recipes

Name: Roasted Cauliflower Tacos
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: Cauliflower florets (12 ounces); Garlic, 2 cloves; Red Onion, 8 ounces; Romaine Lettuce, chopped, 16 ounces; Radish, sliced, 8 ounces; Salt & Pepper to taste; Avocado, one whole; Lime, one whole; 1 teaspoon of chili powder + 1 teaspoon of cumin; Vegetable oil, 3 ounces; Mexican cheese, 4 ounces; corn tortillas, 12

Perfectly Imperfect Hassle-free meal kits for busy moms

May 4, 2021 by Rachel 13 Comments

I used to think that babies made my life hectic. But, with the older my kids get, the more their schedules (and my own schedule) gets bogged down with commitments. Weeks will be go on where my meal-planning is spot-on; and, yet, others where our meals are in desperate need of help. Perfectly Imperfect hassle-free meal kit are the absolute saving grace — especially for busy moms.

What is Perfectly Imperfect

Perfectly Imperfect Produce boxes are a subscription-based produce boxes. Perfectly Imperfect takes produce that would otherwise be wasted (this is mostly due to superficial flaws), and make sure it isn’t. And, while these veggies may look “different,” they aren’t! Perfectly Imperfect Produce is still just as delicious and deserves to be used and enjoyed.

By eliminating food waste, we are helping to eliminate the 6 billion pounds of produce that is wasted due to ‘imperfections.’ And that’s a mission I can get behind!

Diced + Easy: Ready, Set, Cook!

As someone who has cooked her little tail off for the last 12 + months, I’m completely burned out. I’ve created and cooked dozens of new recipes. But, everyone needs a helping hand sometimes! Especially when that helping hand is delivered right to your door.

Luckily, time can now be saved with Perfectly Imperfect Produce Diced + Easy Meal Kits. Diced and easy kits can be customized to accommodate families of all sizes. Plus, these meal kits can be customized for the types of cuisine you and your family like!

This brand new meal kit is super exciting for a lot of reasons. First, everything is already sliced, diced, and ready to go. Second, all of these rescued meals are very ‘veggie forward.’ Meaning, they aren’t vegan necessarily. But, if you’re a flexitarian like me, these are perfect.

Our first box had everything prepped and ready for the week. Lunches, dinners, and healthy snacks were all ready. Nothing else required. Well, it was perfect!

Perfectly Imperfect Hassle-free meal kit recipe sneak peek

All of the food has been delicious, but the standout to me was the roasted cauliflower tacos. We make a lot of traditional tacos in our house. But veggie tacos weren’t something I had tried before.

I seriously whipped this up in 5 minutes of prep work. Everything but the avocado and lime were already diced and ready to go. And, oh my goodness, my family is obsessed with these now.

I’m sharing the recipe with you below so you can try it at home. But I encourage you to try a Diced + Easy meal kit of your own. Save on your first box by using code ITSAHERO20 .

Roasted Cauliflower Tacos

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

Cauliflower florets (12 ounces)
Garlic, 2 cloves
Red Onion, 8 ounces
Romaine Lettuce, chopped, 16 ounces
Radish, sliced, 8 ounces
Salt & Pepper to taste
Avocado, one whole
Lime, one whole
1 teaspoon of chili powder + 1 teaspoon of cumin
Vegetable oil, 3 ounces
Mexican cheese, 4 ounces
corn tortillas, 12

Instructions

INGREDIENTS -

ingredients

STEP 1 -

Preheat oven to 450 * F.

STEP 2 -

Place cauliflower, garlic, and red onion in a large bowl.

Whisk together oil and spice blend (cumin/chili powder). Drizzle over cauliflower and toss to combine. Season with salt and fresh black pepper.

STEP 3 -

Spread cauliflower out onto sheet pan and roast for 20-25 minutes.

STEP 4 -

Heat a large skillet and, in batches, heat corn tortillas until warmed through.

STEP 5 -

Top tortillas with roasted cauliflower mixture, and top with romaine, radish, avocado slices, Add lime and cheese garnish as desired.

STEP 6 -

ENJOY!

PIN FOR LATER

Instant Pot Penne Alla Vodka

May 3, 2021 by Rachel 10 Comments

This morning I looked at our family schedule for the next two weeks. And, oh my gosh, things are just getting busier and busier. Thanks to apps like google calendar and my handy paper planner, I keep us all semi-organized. But suppertime is still crunchtime around here. Between evening Zoom calls and the rush of getting the kids fed, bathed, and ready to bed, I am always looking for time-savers. And this Instant Pot Penne Alla Vodka is not only timesaving, but delicious.

Why pressure cooking pasta?

I’ve talked about this before, but pressure cooking most foods just gives them more flavor. The flavors are richer because of the fact that when the food cooks, very little moisture escapes. Keeping all of that yummy flavor where it belongs — in your food!

And pasta in the pressure cooker is no different. Think of all of those flavors in your typical pasta sauce. Imagine cooking the dry pasta with the actual sauce! The difference in flavor is unbelievable. Truly, something that needs to be experienced. And that’s why pasta is actually my favorite Instant Pot meal.

If you are still on the fence about whether or not an Instant Pot is worth it, check out this deal.

What you’ll need to make Instant Pot Penne Alla Vodka

Besides your Instant Pot, you won’t need much else! This recipe is straightforward and easy. Here are the ingredients:

5 links of mild Italian sausage, casings removed
4 tablespoons of minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 (28-oz) can crushed tomatoes
1 teaspoon of onion powder
3 cups chicken broth
½ cup vodka
1 (16-oz) box mini penne pasta
½ cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon of pepper
1 teaspoon of salt

That’s it! See? Super easy. Simple. Straightforward. And, best part? Delicious!

The full recipe

Instant Pot Penne Alla Vodka

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Additional Time 15 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

5 links of mild Italian sausage, casings removed
4 tablespoons of minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 (28-oz) can crushed tomatoes
1 teaspoon of onion powder
3 cups chicken broth
½ cup vodka
1 (16-oz) box mini penne pasta
½ cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon of pepper
1 teaspoon of salt

Instructions

INGREDIENTS -

STEP 1 -

Set instant pot to sauté and toss in the sausage. Chop sausage into bite size pieces while browning.

STEP 2 -

Once sausage is browned, toss in the garlic and cook for 3 minutes.

STEP 3 -

Add the spices, tomatoes, broth, vodka and pasta. Close the lid and pressure valve and pressure cook on high for 5 minutes.

STEP 4 -

Manually release the pressure valve, remove the lid and stir in the heavy cream.

STEP 5 -

Serve once cooled.

STEP 6 -

ENJOY!

PIN FOR LATER

Instant Pot Butter Chicken Recipe

April 21, 2021 by Rachel 14 Comments

Before meeting my now husband, I had never had Indian food before. Which is kind of strange, because I had tried most other types of foods. But he quickly insisted that we try out a pretty popular local Indian restaurant. At his suggestion, I ordered the butter chicken. And? I loved it! I was hooked! It feels only fitting that on our 9th anniversary I celebrate by making Instant Pot Butter Chicken Recipe.

What you’ll need to make Instant Pot Butter Chicken

Butter Chicken is super easy to make — especially when using an electric pressure cooker! The sauté function and pressure cooking finish make this truly a one-pot meal!

Here are the ingredients you’ll need:

2-3 chicken breast cut into 2” bites
1/2 onion, diced
1 stick of butter
5 tablespoons of minced garlic
1 15oz can of tomato sauce
2 tablespoons of tomato paste
1 tablespoon of paprika
1 tablespoon of chili powder
3 tablespoons of curry powder
1 teaspoon of cumin
1 teaspoon of salt
1/4 cup of chopped cilantro
1 cup of heavy whipping cream

Other recommended items:

This dish is definitely enjoyed best when served with warm basmati rice and garlic naan bread. If you’re looking for a good naan recipe, head here.

The Full Recipe Details

Instant Pot Butter Chicken

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes

Total Time 55 minutes

Ingredients

2-3 chicken breast cut into 2” bites
1/2 onion, diced
1 stick of butter
5 tablespoons of minced garlic
1 15oz can of tomato sauce
2 tablespoons of tomato paste
1 tablespoon of paprika
1 tablespoon of chili powder
3 tablespoons of curry powder
1 teaspoon of cumin
1 teaspoon of salt
1/4 cup of chopped cilantro
1 cup of heavy whipping cream

Instructions

INGREDIENTS -

STEP 1 -

Set the instant pot to sauté mode and melt the butter. Add the onion and sauté until onion is golden.

STEP 2 -

Toss in the garlic and sauté for 2 minutes.

STEP 3 -

Add the chicken and brown the outside. Once chicken is browned, add the spices, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and cilantro. Sauté for 1 minute.

STEP 4 -

Seal the lid and pressure valve and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Let the instant pot release pressure naturally when done.

STEP 5 -

Remove the lid and stir in the cream for 4 minutes.

STEP 6 -

Enjoy best with basmati rice and fresh garlic naan.

PIN FOR LATER

Ham and Cheese Sliders with Aioli Recipe

April 12, 2021 by Rachel 15 Comments

I know so many friends are tired of the day in and day out of cooking meals. It’s basically been over a year since our lives all changed. We’ve all been at home with our families 24/7. And it’s been demanding to keep providing new recipes to keep my family satisfied! This ham and cheese sliders with aioli recipe is perfect for feeding the family in a hurry. And? It’s delicious!

What you’ll need for this recipe

There are only a few ingredients required. But I do use an air fryer. Why do I use an air fryer? Because it crisps up quickly and evenly. Honestly, I’ll never go back to traditional baking and frying again!

If you’re in the market for an air fryer, I highly recommend this Ninja Foodi. It has two baskets so you can cook multiple items simultaneously, at different temperatures!

For this particular recipe only requires the following items:

8 Hawaiian rolls
16 slices of deli ham
8 oz of Swiss cheese, sliced
1/4 cup of mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon of paprika
1 teaspoon of dill
1 teaspoon of onion powder

That’s it! The prep time is honestly miniscule. The aioli takes the longest, with that being only a minute or two. Otherwise it’s cut, prep, air fry, and serve! Easy peasy!

How to make Ham and Cheese Sliders with Aioli

Ham and Cheese Sliders with Aioli

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

8 Hawaiian rolls
16 slices of deli ham
8 oz of Swiss cheese, sliced
1/4 cup of mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon of paprika
1 teaspoon of dill
1 teaspoon of onion powder

Instructions

INGREDIENTS -

STEP 1 -

Cut rolls in half and place 2 slices of ham folded to fit and 1 oz of cheese

STEP 2 -

In a bowl, mix the mayonnaise and spices to make the aioli. Apply 1/2 tablespoon of aioli to the top of each bun and place on the cheese.

STEP 3 -

Place sliders in the air fryer basket and air fry on 350 for 5 minutes.

STEP 4 -

ENJOY!

PIN FOR LATER

Air Fryer Cheez-Its Recipe

April 5, 2021 by Rachel 12 Comments

If your kids are anything like mine, they live off of snacks. In fact, I’m so grateful that we have stores that offer drive-up services, because I swear I’m making at least a twice-weekly trip for more snacks. Where do they even put all of this food?! I decided to try making Cheez-its (a staple in our house) on my own. This way we’re saving money; but I also know exactly what’s in their food. And this Air Fryer Cheez-Its recipe is a spot-on copycat.

What you’ll need

The ingredients are super simple. In fact, much more simple than you would find on the nutritional label of the box. Yes, you’ll need an air fryer. You can bake them; but, truthfully, they puff up much better in an air fryer. If you haven’t purchased one yet, I highly recommend this one.

Here’s exactly what you’ll need for this copycat recipe:

8 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
2 cups of flour
1/2 teaspoon of onion powder
5 tablespoons of butter
1/2 teaspoon of salt
2-3 tablespoons of water

How to make the Air Fryer Cheez-its Recipe

Air Fryer Cheez-Its

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Additional Time 1 hour 30 minutes

Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients

8 oz of shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups of flour
5 tablespoons of butter
1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon of onion powder
1/2 teaspoon of salt
2-3 tablespoons of water

Instructions

INGREDIENTS -

STEP 1 -

In a food processor, pulse-chop the cheese, butter and spices together.

STEP 2 -

Add the flour and blend slowly. Add water 1 tablespoon at a time until dough forms.

STEP 3 -

Cut the dough into 3 dough balls. Cover and place into fridge for 1-2 hours.

STEP 4 -

Remove and flatten each dough ball on a floured surface. Cut the edges to form a square and cut out 1/2 to 1” squares. Salt and place in air fryer basket. Using a toothpick, punch a hole in center of each cracker to avoid puffing up.

STEP 5 -

Air Fry on 370 for 6 minutes. Remove and let cool and dry.

STEP 6 -

ENJOY!

Notes

Store in an airtight container for up to one week.

If you’re looking for some other copycat recipes, try this one or this other recipe!

PIN FOR LATER

Copycat Taco Bell Crunchwrap Supreme

March 30, 2021 by Rachel 11 Comments

Confession: I never really had fast food growing up. And, because of that, it took me a while (read: 30 + years) to figure out what I liked and what I didn’t like. I was not the typical “Taco Bell at college” type of girl. But the truth is, I’ve developed quite a taste for a few Taco Bell items (like the bean burrito, sans onions). But I also love the crunchwrap. So I decided to perfect a Copycat Taco Bell Crunchwrap Supreme recipe.

What you’ll need

I highly recommend using an air fryer for this recipe. Sure, you can grill and press this, but it is far more delicious in an air fryer. As far as ingredients, you should have most on hand.