Coastal Oaks

The season of "Game Days" are upon us and if you are looking for a yummy addition to your game day snacks here is your answer! Yum yum 😋 I stole this recipe from another food blogger and put my own spin on it as I love the Hawaiian sweet rolls! They put a sweet touch on the salty meat and cheese. When I went to the store to pickup the roast beef I never realized how expensive it was. I requested a pound and a half cause I like to bulk up on the meat in my sandwiches and found myself pulling out a Jackson ($20)! Well let me tell you if you find your self doing the same thing I assure it’s worth it! When you sink your teeth into these you’ll forget all your worries! Ingredients: 1 1/2 pound roast beef, thinly sliced 12 slices Havarti cheese mayonnaise mustard 12 Hawaiian sweet rolls peach preserves walnuts, finely chopped and toasted Directions: Melted yummy Havarti cheese! My assembly line laid out! Split your rolls.   Mustard and mayonnaise squirts on eac

On a cold wet day I love a good hot bowl of steaming soup! Warms my tummy and my heart! Chicken Taco Soup is my easy go-to that I throw in my croc pot and let cook till dinner time. This recipe makes it nice when you don't have the time right before dinner for all the preparation and cooking. The croc pot takes care of all the hard work and you just sit back and enjoy it! Ingredients: 3 frozen boneless, skinless chicken breasts 1 cup frozen corn 1 can black beans 1 can pinto beans 1 can petite diced tomatoes 1 package dry ranch seasoning 1 package dry taco seasoning 1 carton chicken broth shredded cheese, avocado, Fritos for topping Directions: Throw all the ingredients in your croc pot and cook on High for 3 hours. Take out chicken breasts and cut up or shred with a fork. Put back into Croc pot. Cook on low for another few hours or until dinner time. Serve topped with shredded cheese, avocado and/or Fritos! Shred it up! Throw it back in! And Walla!

Got to experience some amazing-ness while traveling for work! I’m in Las Vegas for a few days of work meetings and I’m on the hunt for amazing restaurants! Gordon Ramsay’s Burger was in my hotel so I suffered the wrath of a line through the casino to take a one seater at the bar! The wait was spent FaceTiming my kids to see the casino behind me! Tomorrow they’ll get to see the fountains at Ceasers! So I had the blue cheese burger with all kinds of goodness packed into it! The bartender shared that Gordon does come by for time to time to make an appearance, sign autographs and give the kitchen staff hell! He said they usually prep them and ask can you handle the stress?!  So I had to wait a bit longer than what I thought was normal but....totally mouth watering and worth it! See for yourself!  So here’s to a productive set of meetings! May we all have the patience, wisdom and perseverance to make it through! Tomorrow is Carmines at Ceasers! 

January is a busy time of year in our house! We start with Anna’s birthday right after the new year and then flow right into Dereks! There are a few othe events here and there but those are the two most imprtnant events to plan! I love planning their parties.... figuring out something they are into and making it super special for them!  First birthdays are always small and from there I let them be the guide! Anna’s donut party was perfect- simple, just close family and a few friends and yummy food! Her favorite right now is Chick Fila nuggets so that is exactly what we had along with a colorful array of glazed and cake donuts!  I convinced myself for years I didn’t like donuts! Trying to watch your waistline with a donut in the vicinity is just insanity. However I’ve learned to have some restraint and balance in my diet. While a was pregnant at I was introduced to the most amazing donut in my life.... blueberry... muffin... donuts! Let that sink in for a minute!!!  That year sure w

I've noticed that the first time I make a recipe I follow it to a tee. Then the next time I make it I cook by taste...which means usually a little more garlic and a little more cheese! Ricotta is such a versatile cheese that is compliments most any flavor. Plus when you are feeding a variety of mouth types such a just two teeth it's helpful in knowing everyone can eat this. The first time you give your baby pasta or spaghetti is a pretty momentous occasion. Unfortunately Derek never cared for pasta, still doesn't. But Anna loves it... actually maybe this is a gender thing? As a girl... I love carbs! Bad, I know but they are so good! So here are my version of Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Pasta Shells... little bit of ricotta, minced garlic, parmesan, mozzarella, salt and pepper. I added in spinach but you could also easily add in some Italian sausage.   Anyone's mouth watering yet?   Speaking of mouth watering, we just had a Donut Party f

Happy New Year! Since I’m a resolution-making kind of girl one of mine this year is to get back into blogging! Surprisingly I had a few people ask me why I didn’t keep posting and I really didn’t have an answer... I love blogging and I love food! It’s also a great way to show folks what’s going on in life too!! So to get us started off right here was the bounty I prepared my little family for our New Years Eve celebration! Filet mignon (from Omaha steaks) with a balsamic reduction, parsley and  parmesan cheese tortellini, steamed mix veggies, and sun dried tomato baked Brie! There are a few things I need to work on to make my posts better I’ve realized. One is lighting for my pictures! Sometime the pictures do not do the meal justice. I wish there was a “smell app” too where you could capture the smell and pump it through your phone. Give it time, I’m sure some genius will think of a way to do it. My little family has grown since I’ve last blogged! We now have a baby girl Ann