Orange Poppy Seed Pancakes

These pancakes are decadent and tender. They have so much flavor. I love that the only ingredient in them that I don't keep on hand at all times is an orange. It's orange season, so I'm always getting more.
I don't know about you, but a lot of my meals are mostly based on things I always keep on hand. I sometimes look at recipes that call for things like fresh leaks, half-and-half  and cream and think, "Well, that's not going to happen."
It has to be a really good looking recipe for me to buy lots of new ingredients just for it.
Anyway, these pancakes are amazing, and just a bit naturally sweeter than lemon poppy seed recipes.

Fajitas

Versatile fajitas can be served with just a tortilla or with beans, rice, spinach, chopped tomato, cheese, and sour cream. I've used this recipe for years and even my 2-year-old nephew would eat the chicken in a tortilla with refried beans and rice.

This recipe is great because you can have everything easily chopped and prepped before hand. I have walked in the door and been able to have a hot dinner on the table in 10 minutes.
If you're making for a bigger crowd, you can double the recipe to serve 8-10 and just heat up 2 big frying pans or woks to cook it all at once.

Stroganoff

This well-loved favorite has evolved over the years. The fact that it's a good solid main dish helps sell it both for me and for my husband. Here's how my recipe looks today.

Chicken Shawarma

In 2012 The Avengers movie came out. In it Iron Man, who has almost died saving the world from attacking aliens, brings up shawarma. "I don't know what it is, but I really want to try it." I guess even heroes reevaluate their lives when they almost die.

If you watch after the credits, you actually see a scene of them eating shawarma together in a mostly demolished building, all of them almost too exhausted and beat up to lift food to their mouths.

Well my husband recommended I learn how to make shawarma. My sister-in-law and I first made it together and it's become a favorite recipe in our house.

Wheat Pita Bread

Restaurants make great pitas, and now I can make delicious, healthy ones at home too.

Fresh pitas are actually a very easy yeast bread to make: You mix it, knead it, let it rise once for an hour, then cook it in a frying pan on the stove. I make the dough in the bread maker so it's even easier.

Peanut Butter Oatmeal and a Kiwi Orange Smoothie

These recipes are a bit of a no-brainer, but I thought I'd share because I've been eating peanut butter oatmeal since I was in college. Studying always made me starving.