Author: Katelyn

cajun chicken alfredo

cajun chicken alfredo

it's creamy, a little spicy, full of garlic, parmesan cheese and is DELICIOUS! this cajun chicken alfredo is such an easy weeknight meal or make it for friday night date night! you can leave the cajun seasoning out if you do not like spicy, but it makes this dish! i hope y'all enjoy!
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Servings 2

Ingredients
  

  • 2 TBSP butter
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 2 tsp minced garlic
  • 1 tsp cajun seasoning
  • 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • 1 TBSP olive oil
  • 1 pound chicken (2 breasts or 4 tenders)
  • 1/2 pound pasta

Instructions
 

  • In a saucepan with olive oil, add your chicken that has been seasoned with salt, pepper, 1/2 tsp cajun seasoning -- I also added a little of recteq heffer dust. Brown on both sides until the chicken is completely cooked and set aside. We are going to reuse this pan!
  • Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and add the pasta. Cook until al dente. Save 1/4 cup of the pasta water, drain the rest and set aside.
  • In the saucepan that you cooked the chicken, add the butter & garlic and cook on medium low heat until the butter has melted and it starts to sizzle.
  • Add the pasta water, heavy cream, 1/2 tsp cajun seasoning, salt and pepper to taste. Keep on LOW so it does not boil over.
  • After simmering for a 3-4 minutes, add the parmesan cheese and whisk until it has melted. Turn the heat off.
  • Add in the cooked pasta and chicken -- I like to slice or cut my chicken up and add it in so that it all gets mixed in with the sauce. Top with a sprinkle of cajun seasoning, freshly cracked black pepper and a little more parmesan cheese if you like!
  • Serve immediately!

Notes

**you can also use a rotisserie chicken if you would like, to make the process quicker 
 
**if reheating, be sure do reheat in a saucepan on LOW with a splash or heavy cream -- a microwave will separate this sauce

georgia peach sugar cookie ice cream sandwiches

sugar cookies

these are the best sugar cookies ever!!! they are soft, chewy and just melt in your mouth!
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Ingredients
  

  • 2 3/4 cup flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup butter
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 TBSP light brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • sparkling sugar sprinkles to roll cookies in (you can get this at michaels or hobby lobby, or you can use granulated sugar)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a sheet tray with parchment paper.
  • In a mixing bowl, or with a stand mixer, cream the bitter and sugars together for 2 minutes. It will be very light and fluffy - this is what you want!
  • Add the egg and vanilla extract -- mix until combined.
  • Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt to the mixing bowl and mix until the dough comes together.
  • Scoop the cookies out and toss in the sugar and put onto the baking sheet.
  • Bake for approximately 8 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before removing from the pan. Enjoy!

aunt ann's famous peach ice cream

this family recipe has been around for years!!! it is a favorite and i look forward to making it every summer!
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Equipment

  • ice cream churn

Ingredients
  

  • 3-4 pints heavy whipping cream
  • 2-3 cans eagle brand sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • half and half, add to the fill line of the ice cream churn
  • 5 cups peaches, sweetened with sugar and slighted blended

Instructions
 

  • Mix all ingredients well and add to ice cream churn as soon as possible so your fruit does not sink to the bottom.
  • Follow the instructions on your ice cream churn to maker.

to assemble the sandwiches, add ice cream to one side of the cookie and top with additional cookie. place in the freezer for at least 30 minutes to let the ice cream firm up. i will say that this ice cream is softer than normal, so these are best eaten with a bowl and a spoon! they are SO good! 

ENJOY!!!!

A little summer vacation…

A good road trip is just good for the soul. Driving back country roads, antique shops, good food and stopping on the side of the road just for a cute picture… All the things that make me happy!

While in Greenville we had brunch at Biscuit Head and OH MY GOODNESS, it was some of the most delicious food ever! So many options, local coffee, and a large variety of complimentary jam that they make in house.

We went to the zoo, I had my very first Trader Joe’s experience, had dinner at The Nose Dive and dessert at Insomnia Cookies… warm cookies and ice cream, YES PLEASE! Downtown Greenville is absolutely beautiful and quickly became one of my favorite cities. If you get the chance to go, there are so many beautiful things to see!

While in Asheville, we decided to take a Rooftop tour of the Biltmore House and it was so nice to see it from a different view.

The house is already so beautiful and has exquisite detail, but this took it to a whole new level. I highly recommend seeing the house if you are in Asheville.

We took a train ride on the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad and had some beautiful views. It was a hot one, but there is definitely pretty countryside to see!

We then headed to one of our favorite cities, Gatlinburg, TN to wrap it up. There was a new coffee shop, Black Rifle Coffee Company — it was some of the BEST coffee! We had delicious food, walked up Clingman’s Dome and shopped at all the farmers markets.

It was so nice to get away and have a relaxing vacation. If you haven’t booked a trip in awhile, this is your sign to BOOK THAT TRIP. Life is short and this world has so much to see!

If you have any questions about any of these places, feel free to DM me on social media or email me at sweetsassyapron@outlook.com for all the travel tips!

XOXO, Katelyn

Spicy Shrimp Summer Pasta

Spicy Shrimp Summer Pasta

There is just something about fresh shrimp, pasta filled with all the flavor and a glass of white wine on a hot summer day! Creating a beautiful and delicious meal does not have to be difficult. If you do not eat shrimp, you can absolutely substitute chicken or extra veggies! This recipe is ALWAYS a winner!!!
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Servings 2

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz pasta, cooked al dente
  • 1 dozen shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 1/2 tsp Crave Spices Magic Mardi
  • 1 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 4 TBSP butter
  • 1 tsp minced garlic
  • 1 TBSP lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup arugula or spinach
  • sriracha to taste
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese

Instructions
 

  • In a sauté pan, melt half of the butter & add the shrimp. Season with Crave Spices Magic Mardi and cook until the shrimp is no longer translucent.
  • After you remove the shrimp from the pan, add the other half of the butter, garlic and lemon juice and let cook for 1-2 minutes, add the wine and let cook for 3-4 minutes —> this is a must & what makes it so flavorful!
  • Next add the cherry tomatoes and let them cook until they start to soften. Add the heavy cream, sriracha, red pepper flakes, salt & pepper and let simmer until the sauce starts to thicken then add the pasta and arugula or spinach. Add in the shrimp and parmesan cheese and stir.
  • Top with fresh cracked black pepper, fresh herbs if you have them, and extra freshly grated parmesan cheese because there is no such thing as too much cheese! Pairs perfectly with sunshine and a crisp white wine!

SMOKED SKILLET BOURBON CHERRY COBBLER

SMOKED SKILLET BOURBON CHERRY COBBLER

There isn't much better than a fresh fruit cobbler topped with vanilla ice cream, sitting on the back porch in the middle of summertime! This dessert is a childhood favorite and I decided to jazz it up a little bit for all of the summer cookouts! I hope y'all enjoy!
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Servings 6 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 stick butter
  • 1 can cherry pie filling
  • pinch of cinnamon
  • pinch of salt
  • splash of orange juice
  • 2-3 TBSP bourbon
  • 1 10" cast iron skillet
  • 2 TBSP sugar (set aside)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your recteq to 350 degrees. While the grill is preheating, add your skillet with 1 stick of butter to let it start melting.
  • Mix flour, sugar, milk & baking powder together to create batter & pour into the skillet
  • Mix together the cherry pie filling, cinnamon, salt, orange juice and bourbon
  • Spoon the fruit mixture into the batter (do not mix)
  • Cook on your recteq for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown
  • As soon as you take the cobbler off of the grill, sprinkle with sugar
  • ENJOY!

Notes

If you do not have a recteq, you can bake this in your oven at the same temperature. You can also leave out the bourbon if you'd like. I like to use this recipe all year round and use the fruits that are in season.
substitutions : if using fresh fruit, you will want to use 2 cups of fruit tossed with 1 cup of sugar

DRINK LOCAL.

Rooted Coffeehouse, located in the heart of Evans, GA is more than a coffee shop.

Mother daughter team, Heather & Ali have been GA natives since 2016 and opened Rooted Coffeehouse in 2018. They wanted to create a space, centered around community that would welcome everyone with open arms.

At Rooted, they value quality products, services & strive to build close relationships with everyone they meet. It’s not just about coffee. It’s about the COMMUNITY that surrounds it.

Not only do they serve delicious coffee, they also serve fresh smoothies, teas, sandwiches & toasts. They also have an awesome seasonal menu that they will change throughout the year! My current favorite menu item is the Salted Caramel Cold Brew. SO GOOD! Make sure you are following along their social media pages for fun events & specials, like updates on their second location coming to Harlem, GA in Summer 2022!

This is the coziest little shop & perfect for a morning meeting or to sit for awhile with your laptop & catch up on work. Maybe you’re in a hurry? You can head to their drive thru for your morning coffee or afternoon pick me up!

Anytime I get the chance, I will always support a local coffee shop rather than a chain. You are welcomed with happiness & you know exactly where the ingredients come from. It just makes sense. Rooted Coffeehouse, we are so blessed to have your shop in our town!

sweet & salty everything cookies

sweet & salty everything cookies

They are sweet, they are salty, they are SO good! These cookies are perfect for any occasion and you can change out the M&M's to go with the colors of the holiday! I hope y'all enjoy them!
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Ingredients
  

  • 1 stick butter, softened
  • 1 1/4 cup crunchy peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 2 eggs
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1 cup oatmeal
  • 1/2 cup M&M's
  • 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

Instructions
 

  • In a mixing bowl, combine butter, peanut butter, brown sugar & granulated sugar until fluffy.
  • Next, add the vanilla & eggs and mix until combined. Add the flour, baking soda and salt and mix just until it starts to come together.
  • Then mix in the oatmeal, chocolate chips & M&M's. Chill for at least 1 hour. You can also scoop and freeze this dough!
  • Scoop on to a baking sheet & press in a few M&M’s on top of the cookie.
  • Bake at 350° for 8-10 minutes. Enjoy!

The best chicken casserole…

Poppy Seed Chicken

This recipe is hands down one of my favorites! It is so simple and can be thrown together quickly. You can even use a rotisserie chicken!! It is defiinitely a favorite of my family and friends. It pairs well with rice pilaf and any vegetable. Also reheats easily. I hope you enjoy!
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Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups cooked chicken, shredded
  • 1 can cream of chicken soup
  • 1 1/2 cups sour cream
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp poppy seeds (if you do not have these, you can leave them out)
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 1/2 sleeves Ritz Crackers, crushed
  • 1 stick butter, melted

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • In a large bowl, add the shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, garlic powder, poppyseeds, salt & pepper and mix until all combined. You can even throw all the ingredients in your Kitchen Aid if you have one!
  • Add to a 9x13 casserole dish that has been coated with nonstick spray. To make the topping, mix together the crushed crackers & melted butter. This is best done in a big ziplock bag. Add the topping to the top of the casserole.
  • Bake for approx. 25 minutes until it is warm & golden brown. Top with extra poppy seeds.
  • ENJOY!!!

Cinnamon Sugar French Toast with Fresh Berries

Cinnamon Sugar French Toast with Fresh Berries

Warm french toast cooked with a crispy cinnamon sugar crust, topped with fresh butter, maple syrup, powdered sugar and fresh local berries... My mouth is literally watering as I type this. So so good! Your kitchen will also smell DIVINE!
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Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 1 loaf of Italian bread, sliced 1 1/2” thick
  • 4 eggs
  • 3/4 cup half & half 
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp of salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 TBSP butter

Instructions
 

  • Mix together the sugar & cinnamon and then divide in half and get a skillet nice and warm with butter while you make the egg mixture.
  • In a bowl, whisk the eggs, half & half, vanilla, salt and 1/2 of the cinnamon sugar mix. 
  • Dip the bread into the egg mixture and then sprinkle some of the sugar mix on top, after you put on the hot pan.
  • Cook until golden brown on each side.
  • Serve with extra butter, a drizzle of good maple syrup, powdered sugar, fresh berries, sliced bananas, pecans, whatever you like — ENJOY!

Burrata Pasta with Roasted Tomatoes & Prosciutto

Burrata Pasta with Roasted Tomatoes & Prosciutto

The most delicious pasta, just in time for warmer weather! It's creamy, it's salty, it's tangy, it's truly PERFECT. You could pair this with a glass of white wine, have dinner on the back porch and that my friends, would be the perfect evening. I hope you enjoy this recipe!
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Servings 2 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 6 oz pasta, cooked al dente
  • 3/4 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 TBSP olive oil
  • 1-2 TBSP fresh basil, finely chopped
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 TBSP butter
  • 1 tsp minced garlic
  • 2 tsp lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine
  • pinch of red pepper flakes
  • 4 pieces of prosciutto
  • 2 balls of BelGioioso Cheese burrata

Instructions
 

To Make:

  • Preheat oven to 400° — toss cherry tomatoes in a little olive oil & salt and pepper. Roast tomatoes for 15-20 minutes, or until they start to soften..
  • In a sauté pan, warm the prosciutto for just a few minutes, until it gets crispy. Remove the prosciutto from the pan.
  • In that same pan, melt the butter & add the garlic and lemon juice and let cook for 1-2 minutes, add the wine and let simmer for 3-4 minutes.
  • Add the heavy cream, red pepper flakes, salt & pepper and let simmer until the sauce starts to thicken then add the pasta.
  • Top with prosciutto, an open piece of burrata cheese & fresh cracked black pepper.
  • This pairs perfectly with a warm baguette & a glass of Pinot Grigio!