Cherokee Street Pizza

2013 has been the year of trying new foods. I've tried quinoa, risotto, eggplant, and quite a few other new things. I just recently tried feta cheese - a food I said I would never try because it looked/sounded gross. And now I love it! I had it in a recipe that I haven't posted before I tried it on this pizza in a large capacity. It was perfect with all the toppings on the pizza. In fact, this may be my new favorite pizza.

What is a new food you tried this year that you love?

Southern Fried Chicken

When my husband gets any time off from his unit, we head straight down south to his mom's house to stay for a 2 week vacation. I've lived with her a few times in between trainings and moves and during the first deployment. She makes the most amazing food and one of my favorites is her fried chicken.

When I made this recipe, I didn't expect to have found something that is so closed to what my mom-in-law makes and that made it that much better. The ingredients are simple, but the flavors are amazing!

Lemon Berry Twist Pancakes

When I was younger, I had a real aversion to lemons. It continued until Nick's return from his second deployment when he was obsessed with lemon on everything. Because I am an awesome wife (tooting my own horn here) I started to gather up lemony recipes to make for him. Then his magical "making-me-like-foods-I-don't-like" powers took over and I am loving lemony recipes! It's fun to get a whole new slew of things to eat because of my new found love of lemon :)

These pancakes are really simple to make and really refreshing!

Mom's No-Bake Stuffed Peppers

This recipe is slightly different than my tried and true stuffed pepper recipe - in that, you cook them in a skillet instead of in the oven. In fact, because I skip the boiling part of the preparation (I like my peppers with a little crunch leftover) this recipe dirties a skillet and a bowl. THIS is a major selling point for me because I hate dirty dishes.

I enjoyed using yellow bell peppers, which have a little bit sweeter taste than the other colors. This would also be fabulous with ground turkey instead of beef.

Andes Mint Cupcakes

I made these cupcakes as part of our one month down in the deployment cake a few months ago. Mint and chocolate is one of my favorite flavor combinations. And much like my 6 year old, I will choose chocolate cake over any other type of cake when given the choice.

What is great about these cupcakes is that not only is it a rich devil's food moist cupcake, but it also is filled with a mint chocolate ganache and topped with a mint buttercream frosting. Could you think of anything more delicious?!