At first glance, the title Easiest Baked Chicken Breast might not scream: “super exciting recipe!”, but here’s what IS exciting: It works. My method for baking chicken breasts works every single time. It’s a recipe you can count on. It’s versatile. Serve as is with a couple of sides, or chop the baked chicken and use it in dozens of other ways (including the Korean-inspired chicken and rice bowl I cannot stop eating — more on that below…) It’s family friendly. My husband and three kids have never not cleaned their plates of this 3 ingredient, 30 minute meal. Such a gem! It’s hands ..read more

My family is heading out west for summer vacation next month and my brother, who lives in Colorado, has already reminded me several times to not forget his delivery of local Iowa sweet corn. I told him only if he has a bushel of Colorado peaches waiting for us to devour. ;) Iowa summers are synonymous with sweet corn season. We’re the largest producer of corn in the US, and you won’t find corn that’s sweeter, snappier, nor more delicious anywhere else on the planet. From raw salads to brothy soups, scrumptious side dishes and luscious entrees — if there’s a way to work fresh summer sweet ..read more

Typically when I create desserts to share here on Iowa Girl Eats, they’re gluten free of course, but have egg or dairy in them so I then bake a vegan version for my daughter who is allergic to both. To say that we were ALL thrilled to be able to dive into a pan of warm and cozy Gluten Free Blueberry Crisp together — no modifications required — is an understatement! A juicy blueberry filling topped with crispy-crunchy golden brown topping is heaven in a bowl. Made with a handful of everyday ingredients, this easy blueberry crisp recipe is a MUST TRY summer dessert! Gluten Free Blueberry Crisp ..read more

Someone recently asked me what my favorite liquor was and I literally could not bring myself to name one. (“Name ’em. Name ’em!” #namethatTVshow) Personally, I much prefer the variety and nuances of wine over liquor. My husband though? He’s a gin martini guy through and through, and it’s with him in mind that I created the recipe for this epic Dirty Martini Dip — no liquor required! Dirty Martini meets thick and creamy dip with an irresistible twist in this cocktail-inspired recipe that will keep you coming back for more and more. It’s truly an addicting and interesting recipe to devour. Grab ..read more

Recently a reader emailed to share they weren’t much of a griller and asked if I had any stovetop steak recipes. I did the finger interlace thing where you flip your hands around and crack your knuckles then wiggled my fingers before I began my reply. That is to say, YES, I do have several pan-seared and pan-roasted steak recipes, and my Steak Salad with Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette is one of the very best. This restaurant-quality, hearty steak salad is loaded with dried cherries, crispy shallots, candied pecans, and goat cheese. It’s a luxurious feast that’s exploding with flavor! Stovetop St ..read more

Hello, lover! Ahem, I mean sweet and sticky, completely irresistible, ooey-gooey Gluten Free S’mores Bars! Think toasty marshmallow and sweet chocolate filling sitting atop a buttery, gluten free graham cracker cookie crust. These summery dessert bars are as outrageously delicious and satisfying as a real s’more — yet completely gluten free, and perfect for sharing. Gluten Free S’more Bars I remember the first summer after going gluten free when I realized that traditional s’mores were a thing of the past. Understanding that the risk for cross contamination is extremely high if everyone’s no ..read more

Have you ever cut into a beef enchilada at your go-to Mexican spot, dug into a taco salad from your favorite diner, or bit into a loose-meat sandwich from Maid Rite (tell me you’re from the Midwest without telling me) and thought to yourself: “How do they get the beef so soft and finely-textured?” Because when I brown ground beef in a skillet at home the result is fine, but the beef isn’t extremely tender nor does it have a super fine, almost creamy texture. Anyway, I figured out how to cook ground beef so it turns out like a restaurant’s — boil it!  Browned then Boiled Ground Beef Alth ..read more

We’re knocking on the door to summer and I for one can’t wait for warm nights spent outdoors with friends and family while fireflies show off to a choir of cicadas (ask me how excited I am for this year’s rare cicada season — screaming!) In addition to whipping up batches of Best Ever Pasta Salad and Judy’s Baked Beans anytime we entertain in the warmer months, I love to have a big fresh fruit salad on hand to round out the meal. A serving bowl of sweet and snappy fruit salad for a crowd is refreshing, light, and healthy. It’s the perfect dish to have on hand for cookouts, parties, baby or br ..read more

I made you Gluten Free Blueberry Pie Bars to celebrate the arrival of spring and summer’s fresh fruit and berry season, though as I sat down to write this post it began to snow. Iowa keeping us HUMBLE! At any rate, at some point, this wretched snow will melt and then we can confidently dig into these gorgeous, juicy dessert bars that taste like blueberry pie made gluten free — and EASY! Easy Gluten Free Blueberry Pie Bars Whoever has compared something simple or pleasurable to making pie has never made gluten free pie crust. Honestly, I found making pie crust PCD (pre Celiac Diseas ..read more

I took the kids to a movie last weekend and had to choose between chocolate or sweet & sour candies in the kids popcorn combo I ordered each of us. #foreveryoung It only took me a moment to confidently answer “sweet and sour“. I’m a chocolate lover through and through, but when given the choice I’m going puckery-sweet, every time. It should come as no surprise then, that one of my very favorite desserts is homemade Lemon Curd. This 5 ingredient lemon dessert recipe as bright, creamy, sweet, tart, and smooth as it looks. I call it “sunshine on a spoon” for obvious reasons! What is Lemon C ..read more