This Mexican 7 Layer Dip is a crowd-pleasing appetizer built from simple components layered together for maximum flavor and texture. The base of seasoned refried beans is topped with melted cheddar, creamy guacamole, tangy sour cream, zesty salsa, sweet corn, briny black olives and fresh red onion and cilantro. It’s easy to prepare, can be chilled ahead of time, and always disappears quickly at parties.
Southwest Grilled Chicken Salad with Green Chiles
Inspired by Chuy’s Mexi-Cobb Salad, this entrée salad is loaded with roasted Hatch green chiles, grilled chicken, avocado, tomatoes, shredded cheese and finished with a spicy ranch dressing. I always crave Chuy’s Mexi-Cobb when I want a hearty, flavorful salad. With just a few roasted Hatch green chiles left in the fridge, I recreated my … Read more
What to Expect in 36 Months: A 3-Year Roadmap
Thirty-six months. 1,096 days. 13,149 hours. 3,124 diapers. 104 gallons of milk. 12 states. Hundreds of tiny plastic toys lost under the couch. Thousands of tantrums. Millions of hugs and kisses. Today Evan is three years old. This age is a wild mix of wonder and exasperation. He’s no longer a newborn who needs constant … Read more
Crispy Coconut Chicken Tenders with Lime Dipping Sauce
Coconut Chicken Tenders — a simple, family-friendly recipe you can make at home. These crispy, lightly sweet tenders can be fried, baked, or cooked in an air fryer. They’re easy to prepare, great for kids, and perfect to make in batches and freeze for quick meals. We enjoy fried foods in moderation, and these coconut … Read more
Gluten-Free Trail Mix Cookies: Vegan and Dairy-Free
Gluten Free Trail Mix Cookies (V+GF): a simple recipe for chewy, protein-packed trail mix cookies loaded with fruit, seeds and nuts. Vegan, gluten free, dairy free. Fresh air, no screens, sturdy shoes and good company — sometimes a single hike can lift your whole week. Add a nutritious snack and the day becomes perfect. These … Read more
Boilermaker Beer and Bourbon Chili Recipe
This Boilermaker chili is the ultimate tailgate chili—rich, bold, and built to serve a crowd. It combines chili beans, lean ground beef, bulk Italian sausage, diced tomatoes, and a deep spice blend, plus a splash of dark beer for added depth. Thick, hearty, and full of flavor, it’s ideal for game days, cold evenings, or … Read more
First Firefighter Friday: Meet Local Firefighters
Welcome to OWAF! I’m excited to introduce our Firefighter Friday series, where I’ll share firefighter-approved meals every Friday that are quick, affordable, and filling. These recipes are designed to feed a busy crew on a budget while still delivering hearty flavor. This post features a crowd-pleasing Mexican Lasagna that’s simple to make and easy to … Read more
Surprise Pregnancy Announcement: A New Pea in the Pod
Don’t get too excited—this little pea isn’t mine. I can already imagine my mom and mother-in-law getting a bit overenthusiastic. They’re probably not even reading this far… That pea belongs to someone very special. A group of food-blogging friends organized a virtual surprise baby shower to celebrate Maria—SURPRISE, Maria! Feel the love? For those … Read more
Pit Boss Beer Can Chicken Recipe for Juicy Results
Pit Boss beer can chicken is a backyard barbecue classic that delivers moist, flavorful poultry with minimal fuss. This rewritten guide walks you through a straightforward smoked beer can chicken method, practical tips for crisp skin, seasoning suggestions, and safe storage and reheating advice so you can serve a crowd-pleasing meal every time. Smoked beer … Read more
Moist Pumpkin Lemon Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Tired of the old pumpkin pie? Try this lemon pumpkin cake recipe! Two layers of moist, delicious pumpkin cake filled with a sweet-tart lemon cream cheese frosting make this easy pumpkin cake the perfect fall dessert. Lemon pumpkin cake I love pumpkin desserts and, while pumpkin pie will always have its place, this lemon pumpkin … Read more