Winstead Wandering

Prone to Wander

Homemade Chicken Strips with Horseradish Dipping Sauce

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You’ll never want the restaurant version again after trying these Homemade Chicken Strips with Horseradish Dipping Sauce. They’re tender, flavorful, and a guaranteed hit.

You'll never want the restaurant version again after trying these Homemade Chicken Strips with Horseradish Dipping Sauce. They're tender, flavorful, and a guaranteed hit.

These Homemade Chicken Strips with Horseradish Dipping Sauce are something of a legend in my family. They’re the birthday meal of choice for nearly all of my siblings and, now, for our spouses and our kids, too. My mom typically serves them alongside home fries and loaded candy bar cake, but it’s perfectly acceptable to fill up on on chicken.

In addition to being tender and perfectly seasoned, these little nuggets of magic are so special to me because they’re representative of home. They’re my family’s version of the fatted calf and, let me tell you, know one at your house will be asking, “Where’s the beef?” when these Homemade Chicken Strips with Horseradish Dipping Sauce are on the menu.

You'll never want the restaurant version again after trying these Homemade Chicken Strips with Horseradish Dipping Sauce. They're tender, flavorful, and a guaranteed hit.

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Thai Chicken Quinoa Salad with Soy Lime Dressing

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Thai Chicken Quinoa Salad with Soy Lime Dressing is full of flavor and packed with fresh veggies. It’s the perfect healthy lunch recipe!

Thai Chicken Quinoa Salad with Soy Lime Dressing is full of flavor and packed with fresh veggies. It's the perfect healthy lunch recipe!

This dish is a riff on two not-quite-as-healthy recipes I shared last summer: Quinoa Pepper Pilaf and Pasta Salad with Sweet Tea Vinaigrette. Both of those recipes have healthy components, but neither is as packed with super foods as this one. From quinoa to edamame to sweet bell peppers, Thai Chicken Quinoa Salad is basically one big bowl of stuff you should be eating all the time.

Don’t let the long list of ingredients intimidate you. The chicken and the quinoa can both be cooking within minutes, and all the vegetables can be prepared while the chicken bakes and the quinoa simmers. After, just shake up the dressing, toss everything together, and enjoy!

Thai Chicken Quinoa Salad with Soy Lime Dressing is full of flavor and packed with fresh veggies. It's the perfect healthy lunch recipe!

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Southwestern Corn Cakes with Jalapeño Lime Cream

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Southwestern Corn Cakes with Jalapeño Lime Cream offer perfect lightly-fried bites of sweet corn, cheese, and peppers topped with a slightly-spicy citrus sour cream.

Southwestern Corn Cakes with Jalapeño Lime Cream offer perfect lightly-fried bites of sweet corn, cheese, and peppers topped with a slightly-spicy citrus sour cream.

My grandfather (Gramps) brought fresh corn to a family gathering last week. Like, picked-from-the-field-that-day fresh. He and my aunt tried cooking it using that cooler and boiling water hack. I’m not sure it worked, but seriously, it didn’t matter. The room temperature corn I devoured – sans butter, salt, or pepper – was divine. So divine, in fact, that I brought a bag of leftover ears home and immediately began dreaming of what I wanted to do with it.

I have several go-to corn recipes, but only one that I had all the ingredients for: Southwestern Corn Cakes with Jalapeño Lime Cream. Just like regular corn cakes, these guys are packed with juicy kernels and cheddar cheese. To add a Southwestern twist, I toss in sweet bell peppers and jalapeños. The resulting corn cakes are on the spicy side (I use a full tablespoon of diced jalapeño), so the jalapeño lime cream is the perfect cool relief.

Southwestern Corn Cakes with Jalapeño Lime Cream offer perfect lightly-fried bites of sweet corn, cheese, and peppers topped with a slightly-spicy citrus sour cream.

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Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup

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This easy chicken tortilla soup is packed with flavor and, even though it comes together in less than half an hour, it tastes like it simmered all day long.

This easy chicken tortilla soup is packed with flavor and, even though it comes together in less than half an hour, it tastes like it simmered all day long.

It was 73 degrees on Christmas Day in here in Mississippi. As a normal human being, I was not happy about it. I know wishing for a white Christmas is unrealistic, but I don’t think sweatshirt weather is too much to ask for.

Even though we’ve had the A/C running inside for the last few days, I’ve been doing my best to pretend it feels like winter by whipping up seasonal favorites like this easy chicken tortilla soup.

I’ve been meaning to make a hearty soup like this since last winter. I browsed a few recipes, but nothing seemed quite right, so I bought some of my favorite ingredients and made the whole thing up. I’m so glad I kept track of exactly what went into this recipe because it’s definitely one to make again and again.

This easy chicken tortilla soup is packed with flavor and, even though it comes together in less than half an hour, it tastes like it simmered all day long.

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Cast Iron Pizza

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You can make crispy, melty perfectly delicious homemade cast iron pizza in less time than it takes the delivery man to show up.

You can make crispy, melty perfectly delicious homemade cast iron pizza in less time than it takes the delivery man to show up.

It’s traditional in our house to have homemade pizza every year on the day we decorate our Christmas tree. It’s one of my favorite traditions for a few reasons. Partly, it’s because the custom is one J and I started together after we got married. A big part of it, though, is because I really stinking love pizza.

You can make crispy, melty perfectly delicious homemade cast iron pizza in less time than it takes the delivery man to show up.

Don’t worry, Christmas-tree-decorating-night isn’t the only time I make this cast iron pizza. We have it a couple times a month. Surprisingly, the recipe is even on my short list of quick go-to recipes. The dough recipe is an easy no-rise version that doesn’t require hours of wait time. I’m not lying when I say you can have this pizza on the table faster than delivery will arrive.

I topped this one with pepperoni because it’s an easy classic. You could top yours with anything you have, including yummy Mexican leftovers or last night’s veggies.

You can make crispy, melty perfectly delicious homemade cast iron pizza in less time than it takes the delivery man to show up.

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Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Egg Rolls with Spicy Cranberry Dipping Sauce

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This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #HonestSimpleTurkey #CollectiveBias

Got holiday leftovers? Don’t settle for boring sandwiches or soup. Spice things up with leftover Thanksgiving turkey egg rolls with spicy cranberry dipping sauce.

Got holiday leftovers? Don't settle for boring sandwiches or soup. Spice things up with leftover Thanksgiving turkey egg rolls with spicy cranberry dipping sauce.

One of my most cherished holiday memories is of my mom’s constant quest to use every last scrap of leftover turkey. She seems to consider it her personal mission to make sure it all gets used, and not just in boring recipes like sandwiches and soup. No, my mom makes outside-the-box delights like these leftover Thanksgiving turkey egg rolls with spicy cranberry dipping sauce.

Most of my best memories center- like a lot of people’s, I’m sure- around food. I guess that’s part of why I enjoy sharing recipes, both cherished favorites and new possibilities, with the people I love. I have so many memories of my mom bustling around the kitchen on holidays. I hope to create those same special moments with my own kids.

Got holiday leftovers? Don't settle for boring sandwiches or soup. Spice things up with leftover Thanksgiving turkey egg rolls with spicy cranberry dipping sauce.

My favorite thing about these egg rolls- aside from how insanely tasty they are- is that they call for more leftovers than just turkey. You can use extra raw veggies, like carrots and celery, in the egg rolls themselves. The sauce is perfect for extra cranberry sauce- does anyone actually use the whole can?- and cream cheese leftover from pie-making.

These egg rolls are the perfect recipe for budget-conscious cooks who want to get their money’s worth out of their holiday meal, for those who can’t stand the thought of letting leftovers go to waste, or for anyone who needs an easy, mouthwatering recipe to make while enjoying the holiday weekend.

Got holiday leftovers? Don't settle for boring sandwiches or soup. Spice things up with leftover Thanksgiving turkey egg rolls with spicy cranberry dipping sauce.

This recipe is best if you start with a delicious bird. For me, a turkey-cooking novice, that means using Honeysuckle Fresh Turkey. It comes already brined, so I all had to do to get a flavorful, crispy-skinned bird was add a little chicken stock to my makeshift roasting pan, bake the turkey at 350 degrees for about 13 minutes per pound, baste it a few times, and wait for the thermometer to pop up (your turkey should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees). As intimidated as I was by the thought of cooking my own turkey, the process was super easy.

Whether you’re an old pro or an amateur like me, you can happy knowing you’re using an animal raised by an Independent Family Farmer who meets high standards. Now through November 21, Kroger has an in-store coupon that’ll save you $2.50 on a Fresh Honeysuckle White Whole Turkey. In certain areas, they also have a $2.00 off coupon running through the end of the year for the same product.

Got holiday leftovers? Don't settle for boring sandwiches or soup. Spice things up with leftover Thanksgiving turkey egg rolls with spicy cranberry dipping sauce.

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Brown Sugar Bacon-Wrapped Sausages

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These brown sugar bacon-wrapped sausages are seriously like crack. They’re sweet, savory, addictive, and perfect for any party you’re having.

These brown sugar bacon-wrapped sausages are seriously like crack. They're sweet, savory, addictive, and perfect for any party you're having.

There are some big changes afoot in the Winstead household. While I typically try to avoid vague statements (like the one I just made) without further explanation, I’m too excited about what’s happening to not say something. I’m excited, nervous, hopeful, and anxious all at once, and I’ll be sharing more details in coming weeks.

In a season of life when there are still so many unknowns, it occurs to me that I have so much to be thankful for. In addition to the obvious, like the health of my family and a beautiful home to live in, I’m so thankful for answered prayers and peace of mind amidst uncertain circumstances. During a time when so much of the future is up in the air, I’m thankful for confidence that God’s timing is perfect.

Things might be looking different around the Winstead house soon, but some things never change. One thing that will always remain the same is my love for cute little bite-size appetizers, particularly those that include bacon-wrapped anything. These brown sugar bacon sausages are a recipe my mother-in-law has made for a few years. They’re a huge hit with anyone who tries them, and with good reason.

The sausages themselves aren’t anything special. They’re the kind often served smothered with barbecue sauce at parties. The bacon is where the beauty begins. The strips are the same width as the length of the sausages, making them a perfect pairing. When the dish bakes, the brown sugar on top gets sticky and caramel-y. The result is a perfectly sweet and savory bite that’ll be a hit at any holiday or game day event.

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Baked Spaghetti and Meatballs

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An easy, crowd-pleasing meal for any night of the week, baked spaghetti and meatballs is cooked all in one dish for big flavors and little cleanup.

An easy, crowd-pleasing meal for any night of the week, baked spaghetti and meatballs is cooked all in one dish for big flavors and little cleanup.

At this point, it might seem like all we eat is pasta dishes, Mexican food, and breakfast-for-dinner. That really isn’t too far off the mark if I’m being honest.

But we like what we like and, even though I do occasionally mix things up, I’m currently liking meals that are easy prep and easy cleanup. That’s exactly why, when I came across a spaghetti and meatballs recipe that was baked, didn’t require precooking of the pasta, and could be cooked all in one dish, I knew I had to make it.

This baked spaghetti and meatballs recipe sat on my to-make list for way too long, mainly because I had to wait to get my hands on lean ground beef. My tiny local grocery store doesn’t carry it, but I knew using any other kind would leave this dish greasy and unappealing. When I finally did buy lean ground beef, I wasted no time in whipping this up.

It was definitely a hit. I prepare meatless meals a few days a week, so anything with meat is an immediate favorite for J. It doesn’t hurt that these meatballs were tender, not dry (sorry, moist), and full of flavor. The pasta was perfectly cooked and coated in sauce. The whole thing was topped off with melted cheese- the kind that’s just starting to turn golden. Mmm.

The recipe was so fast to put together. Like, the whole thing was ready to be baked in the time it took the oven to preheat. The bake time itself is slightly longer than most of my easy weeknight meals, but I don’t mind that when the time is mostly hands-off. In fact, the baking time would be the perfect window to whip up a tasty vegetable side dish or a few slices of garlic bread.

The recipe makes enough to feed three to four people, depending on appetites and side dishes.

An easy, crowd-pleasing meal for any night of the week, baked spaghetti and meatballs is cooked all in one dish for big flavors and little cleanup.

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Parmesan Roasted Carrots

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This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #FeedYourFoodie #CollectiveBias

Whether you’re making a fancy spread or a quick meal, Parmesan roasted carrots are the perfect easy and tasty side dish.

Whether you're making a fancy spread or a quick meal, Parmesan roasted carrots are the perfect easy and tasty side dish.

Just a few months ago I had two preschoolers. Now, I have two elementary school students and an infant. If I thought life was busy before, I had no idea the craziness the world of dance classes and homework and parent meetings would bring. I know life will only get busier as the kids get older, which is why it’s so important to me to establish routines while they’re young.

One of those non-negotiable routines is family dinner time. It’s important to me that we begin this tradition now; I want it to be a habit so that, when the kids are older and even more active, it’ll already be something we’re used to doing.

Whether you're making a fancy spread or a quick meal, Parmesan roasted carrots are the perfect easy and tasty side dish.

Some nights this is more easily accomplished than others. Some nights, it seems I have to choose between cooking an elaborate dinner or sitting down to eat with the family. The choice is easy: I opt for family time and grab a frozen entree to eat, like LEAN CUISINE® MARKETPLACE Cheese & Fire-Roasted Chile Tamale, LEAN CUISINE® MARKETPLACE Chicken Tikka Masala, or LEAN CUISINE® MARKETPLACE Southwest-Style Potato Bake.

Whether you're making a fancy spread or a quick meal, Parmesan roasted carrots are the perfect easy and tasty side dish.

I love these meals because they’re genuinely so good. Not good-for-a-frozen-meal good, but good. Lean Cuisine Marketplace Cheese & Fire-Roasted Chile Tamale is my favorite, but the meals are unique enough to suit any mood. They’re all protein-packed, made with organic ingredient options, and full of flavor, which is why I usually toss a few in the cart nearly every time I’m at Walmart. To round out the meal and add a homemade component (because I just can’t resist), I like to pair my Lean Cuisine Marketplace meals with a simply-prepared vegetable, like these Parmesan roasted carrots.

They’re pretty simple to prepare and they roast in the oven in the time it takes to prepare the rest of your meal and whatever the family is eating. The carrots are bathed in garlic butter, roasted until tender, sprinkled with Parmesan cheese, and then roasted a little more. They’re the perfect complement to any of the Lean Cuisine Marketplace meals.

Whether you're making a fancy spread or a quick meal, Parmesan roasted carrots are the perfect easy and tasty side dish.

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Homemade Pizza Pockets

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No cooking sleeve required: these homemade pizza pockets are nothing but fresh, seasoned dough, filled with your favorite meats, vegetables, and cheeses. And they’re freezer-friendly!

No cooking sleeve required: these homemade pizza pockets are nothing but fresh, seasoned dough, filled with your favorite meats, vegetables, and cheeses. And they're freezer-friendly!

Me and pizza. We have a deep love for one another. Actually, it’s pretty one-sided, but I have love enough for us both.

One thing I don’t love, though, is store bought pizza pockets. They were a pretty big deal when I was in junior high; twice a week my parents would give me cash to buy one, along with a can of Snapple, from the student store. The endless wait to use one of two microwaves was always worth it because of the pouch of hot, melted cheese waiting for me at the end.

Now? Now, I have a hard time remembering what I saw in them. I’ll get a craving for one a couple times a year, but each time I break down and buy a box, I always tell myself, “See? They’re not good. At all. Don’t do this again.”

With this recipe, I don’t have to. I can make my own homemade pizza pockets and I get to know exactly what goes in to them. The batch in these pictures was an afterthought, thrown together with the same quick dough I use for grilled pizza. I stuffed them with pepperoni and mozzarella and called it good- and they were, so good.

When I plan ahead, I love to fill my dough with onions, peppers, or leftover marinated chicken. They’d be divine with oven-fried chimichanga filling or even vegetables only. It doesn’t really matter what goes inside; anything wrapped in homemade dough, brushed with olive oil, and sprinkled with garlic salt is going to be a winner.

No cooking sleeve required: these homemade pizza pockets are nothing but fresh, seasoned dough, filled with your favorite meats, vegetables, and cheeses. And they're freezer-friendly!

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