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Favorite Things September 16, 2022

This a collection of things I'm loving right now. I've included recipes that are perfect for this season and some of my favorite things. Grab a cup of your favorite beverage and scroll through all the stuff I've enjoyed this week.

I took a little break for the summer from these favorite things posts. First, it's been such a busy season and I just didn't have the free time. Second, there weren't very many things I loved in stores this summer. I just felt really underwhelmed and like I was really having the search to find things to share.

I've been seeing so many fall items that I'm absolutely loving that I knew it was time to get back to these favorite things articles so I could share with all of you the things that are stopping my scroll.

Favorite Fall Home Finds at Target

I've already noticed a lot of items are selling out at Target. I love to use the notify me button so I get an email when things come back in stock that I want. Lots of these items will last past Thanksgiving to be restyled for Christmas!

Recipe Ideas For The Week

Dunkin Copycat Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew

This easy recipe for Dunkin copycat pumpkin cream cold brew is the perfect fall drink! It's simple to make this iced coffee at home. Using pumpkin puree to make the cold foam and brown sugar cinnamon syrup gives the coffee a delicious pumpkin spice flavor.

Get The Recipe

Easy Apple Slaw with Poppyseed Dressing

This easy apple slaw with poppyseed dressing is a quick side dish salad recipe! The healthy cabbage coleslaw includes sweet apples and a tangy dressing with apple cider vinegar. This is the best creamy salad to use with pork, tacos or on it's own.

Get The Recipe

Easy Gluten Free Tamale Pie

This easy gluten free tamale pie recipe is the perfect ground beef casserole for weeknight dinners! It is a one pan comfort food meal made in a cast iron skillet. The seasoned beef mixture is topped with delicious homemade cornbread.

Get The Recipe

Easy Instant Pot Apple Cider

This easy instant pot apple cider recipe is the perfect way to make homemade mulled cider. It's a non alcoholic spice apple juice that can be served hot or cold. It's so simple to make this delicious drink in your pressure pot!

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Cheesy Slow Cooker Creamed Corn

This easy recipe for cheesy slow cooker creamed corn is perfect for a side dish or a meal. Using your crockpot you add frozen corn, bacon, heavy cream and parmesan cheese for a loaded cream corn. You will never want canned cream corn again after making this homemade version!

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Stuff I Love

What I'm Reading - I'm really enjoying The Most Likely Club by Elyssa Friedland. It hits close to home since I graduated in 1997! I'm also loving Christmas at the Ranch by Anita Hughes. It's giving me all the Hallmark Christmas movie vibes.

What I'm Watching - I just finished season three of Never Have I Ever. I always enjoy this show and cast! I flew through all the episodes and can't wait for another season. I'm also really loving season two of Indian Matchmaking.

What I'm Loving - I have had a wool comforter for years and I love it. I ordered this washable wool comforter for our guest bed. I got this soft navy blue cotton duvet cover to go with it.

What I Want - This plaid crossbody purse is so classic and so very fall!

Women's Fall Picks at Target

My Favorite Finds

These gold tone metal spindle candle holders would be perfect all winter long with pillars in them. They would look great as part of a table centerpiece or on a mantle!

I love this cotton textured table runner in a neutral color. This would work all through the fall season.

This stoneware pumpkin jar is the cutest! It would be perfect for some candy or tea bags.

This tablecloth with pumpkins is so pretty! This would make such a lovely start to a Thanksgiving table.

This stoneware casserole dish is outside my normal neutral comfort zone, but it would be perfect for a cobbler this fall.

This stoneware pumpkin baker would be perfect for my gluten free cornbread stuffing!

This stoneware serving bowl looks like the really expensive versions but it's only $20! It's in my cart right now.

Simple Stovetop Tomato Pasta Sauce

This simple stovetop tomato pasta sauce recipe is the perfect way to use fresh tomatoes and basil! This homemade Italian pasta sauce has a rich flavor and is perfect with past. It's easy to make this sauce recipe from scratch in a dutch oven or pot.

a plate of spiral pasta topped with simple stovetop tomato pasta sauce next to fresh tomatoes and basil.

It's that time of year when I'm trying to figure out what to do with all of the tomatoes in the garden. This simple stovetop tomato pasta sauce is the solution! You can use it fresh or freeze it for later.

If you are looking for other tomato recipes you might also enjoy my Easy Gluten Free Tamale Pie, this Black Beans and Corn Salad, my Gluten Free Walking Taco Casserole, this Seven Layer Salad or my Gluten Free Homemade Pasta Sauce recipes.

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a plate of spiral pasta topped with simple stovetop tomato pasta sauce next to fresh tomatoes and basil.

Ingredients

Instructions

In a dutch oven or pot on the stovetop over medium heat add the tomatoes, onion, unsalted butter, carrots, basil and sea salt.

Bring to a boil stirring occasionally and then let simmer for 30 minutes uncovered. Stir occasionally to combine the ingredients to make sure everything is cooking down evenly.

Using an immersion blender in the post blend the ingredients until a smooth sauce forms. If you don't have an immersion blender you can carefully use a regular blender or food processor.

Serve immediately over pasta or let cool to room temperature and store in the refrigerator in a sealed container for up to 5 days.

Hint: This sauce freezes really well. Use freezer safe containers or freezer safe bags and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Supplies

More Recipes You Might Enjoy

I get some of my ingredients from Thrive Market. Thrive Market has been a game changer for me eating gluten free. They have so many options I can't get at my rural grocery stores! Use this link to get 25% off your first order!

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Simple Stovetop Tomato Pasta Sauce

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  • Author: Elaine VanVleck
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 10 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free
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Description

This simple stovetop tomato pasta sauce recipe is the perfect way to use fresh tomatoes and basil! This homemade Italian pasta sauce has a rich flavor and is perfect with past. It's easy to make this sauce recipe from scratch in a dutch oven or pot.

Ingredients

Scale

3 pounds Fresh Tomatoes, cut into chunks
1 large Yellow Onion, sliced
2 large Carrots, chopped
½ cup Unsalted Butter
½ cup Fresh Basil, chopped
1 ½ teaspoon Sea Salt

Instructions

In a dutch oven or large pot on the stovetop over medium heat add the tomatoes, onion, unsalted butter, carrots, basil and sea salt.

Bring to a boil stirring occasionally and then let simmer for 30 minutes uncovered. Stir occasionally to combine the ingredients to make sure everything is cooking down evenly.

Using an immersion blender in the post blend the ingredients until a smooth sauce forms. If you don't have an immersion blender you can carefully use a regular blender or food processor.

Serve immediately over pasta or let cool to room temperature and store in the refrigerator in a sealed container for up to 5 days.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Sauces
  • Method: Stove Top
  • Cuisine: Gluten Free

Storage

Store this tomato pasta sauce in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

This sauce freezes really well! Use freezer safe containers or bags. If you using bags I like to lay them flat on a baking sheet, freeze them and then stack them in my freezer to save space.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between tomato sauce and tomato pasta sauce?

Tomato sauce is typically just pureed tomatoes without any added spices. Tomato sauce is best for recipes that you are going to add seasoning. Tomato pasta sauce already has spices added and is ready to use with pasta.

How do I freeze tomato pasta sauce?

Pour the sauce into freezer safe bags. Lay the bags evenly on a baking sheet and freeze them. Once the bags of tomato pasta sauce are frozen stack them in the freezer. This is great for conserving space in your freezer!

Apple Cucumber Salad

This easy recipe for apple cucumber salad is a delicious side dish! It is really quick to make and has a tangy lime dressing. This healthy salad is made without mayonnaise and has a lot of flavor.

a white serving bowl of apple cucumber salad next to fresh apples and cucumbers.

One of my favorite ways to eat apples is in a salad! This apple cucumber salad is the perfect way to include apples and use up cucumbers from the garden.

If you are looking for other quick salad ideas you might also enjoy my Cucumber Salad with Vinegar Dressing, this Easy Apple Slaw with Poppyseed Dressing, my Black Beans and Corn Salad, my Healthy Mexican Street Corn Salad or this Seven Layer Salad recipes.

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a white serving bowl of apple cucumber salad next to fresh sweet apples.

Ingredients

Instructions

Peel and thinly slice the cucumbers, core peel and thinly slice the sweet apples and then dice the green onions. Add to a large serving bowl.

In a small bowl mix together the sesame oil, lime juice, sugar, coconut aminos and salt. Pour the dressing over the cucumbers, apples and green onion. Stir to combine.

Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and serve cold.

Hint: a mandoline slicer is really helpful to make this salad really quickly and to have evenly sliced pieces.

Substituions

  • Feta Cheese - add ½ cup feta cheese if you don't want dairy free
  • Green Apples - for a tart version replace the sweet apples with tart apples
  • Soy Sauce - the coconut aminos can be replaced with soy sauce
  • Shallots - the green onion can be replaced with finely diced shallots

Supplies

I get a lot of my ingredients from Thrive Market. Thrive Market has been a game changer for me eating gluten free. They have so many options I can't get at my rural grocery stores! Use this link to get 25% off your first order!

Storage

Store this apple cucumber salad in an air tight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

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Apple Cucumber Salad

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  • Author: Elaine VanVleck
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free
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Description

This easy recipe for apple cucumber salad is a delicious side dish! It is really quick to make and has a tangy lime dressing. This healthy salad is made without mayonnaise and has a lot of flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

4 cups Cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced
2 cups Sweet Apples, cored, peeled and thinly sliced
4 Green Onions, thinly sliced
2 tablespoon Sesame Oil
2 tablespoon Lime Juice
1 tablespoon Granulated Sugar
1 tablespoon Coconut Aminos
¼ teaspoon Sea Salt

Instructions

Peel and thinly slice the cucumbers, core peel and thinly slice the sweet apples and then dice the green onions. Add to a large serving bowl.

In a small bowl mix together the sesame oil, lime juice, sugar, coconut aminos and salt. Pour the dressing over the cucumbers, apples and green onion. Stir to combine.

Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and serve cold.

Notes

A mandoline slicer is really helpful to make this salad really quickly and to have evenly sliced pieces.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Side Dish, Salads
  • Method: Chopped
  • Cuisine: Gluten Free

FAQ

Should I peel cucumber before putting it in a salad?

If you are using a type of cucumber that has a tougher skin I always peel them. The cucumber will still have lots of crunch without the skin. I usually don't peel mini cucumbers that have a very think skin.

How do you cut cucumbers for salad?

If the cucumber has large seeds I will sometimes cut the cucumber into quarters and remove the seeds before chopping or thinly slicing for a salad. Otherwise, I will thinly cut the cucumbers into rounds.

What is the best apple to use in a salad?

For sweet apples I love to use Honey Crisp or Fuji apples. Both stay crisp and have lots of flavor. For tart apples I like to use Granny Smith green apples. They are crisp and have a really tart apple flavor.

Instant Pot Garlic Ginger Green Beans

This easy recipe for instant pot garlic ginger green beans is a quick side dish. The recipe uses fresh green beans, onions and doesn't use bacon for a vegetarian option. There is no steamer basket required to pressure cook perfectly tender green beans with lots of flavor!

a white serving bowl of instant pot garlic ginger green beans next to fresh green beans.

Whether you have an abundance of fresh green beans from your garden, your farmer's market or you're picking them up at the grocery store this is the perfect way to prepare them!

If you are looking for more vegetable side dishes you might also enjoy my Cheesy Slow Cooker Creamed Corn, this Apple Slaw with Poppyseed Dressing, my Gluten Free Zucchini Squash and Corn Casserole, these Air Fryer Pesto Baby Potatoes or my Crispy Garlic and Rosemary Smashed Potatoes recipes.

a white serving bowl of instant pot garlic ginger green beans next to fresh green beans.
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Ingredients

Instructions

Add the green beans, onion, garlic, butter, vinegar, stock, salt, ginger and pepper to your instant pot. Stir to combine.

Put the lid on your instant pot and adjust to sealed.

Using the manual setting cook for 4 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes and then manually release the rest of the pressure.

Carefully remove the lid and dish the green beans out using a slotted spoon. Serve immediately white they are hot.

Supplies

Substitutions

  • Fresh Ginger - instead of ground ginger you can use 1 tablespoon fresh ginger paste or finely grated fresh ginger
  • Apple Cider Vinegar - you can use apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar
  • Vegetarian - for a vegetarian option use vegetable stock and replace the butter with 1 tablespoon of olive oil or avocado oil

More Recipes You Might Enjoy

I get a lot of my ingredients from Thrive Market. Thrive Market has been a game changer for me eating gluten free. They have so many options I can't get at my rural grocery stores! Use this link to get 25% off your first order!

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Instant Pot Garlic Ginger Green Beans

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No reviews

  • Author: Elaine VanVleck
  • Total Time: 14 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free
Print Recipe

Description

This easy recipe for instant pot garlic ginger green beans is a quick side dish. The recipe uses fresh green beans, onions and doesn't use bacon for a vegetarian option. There is no steamer basket required to pressure cook perfectly tender green beans with lots of flavor!

Ingredients

Scale

2 pounds Fresh Green Beans, ends removed
1 small Yellow Onion, chopped
2 tablespoon Minced Garlic
2 tablespoon Unsalted Butter
1 tablespoon White Vinegar
¾ cup Chicken Stock or Vegetable Stock
1 teaspoon Sea Salt
1 teaspoon Ground Ginger
½ teaspoon Coarse Ground Black Pepper

Instructions

Add the green beans, onion, garlic, butter, vinegar, stock, salt, ginger and pepper to your instant pot. Stir to combine.

Put the lid on your instant pot and adjust to sealed.

Using the manual setting cook for 4 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes and then manually release the rest of the pressure.

Carefully remove the lid and dish the green beans out using a slotted spoon. Serve immediately white they are hot.

Notes

You can cut your green beans into bite size pieces before cooking or leave them whole. It will not affect the cooking time.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 minutes
  • Category: Side Dish, Vegetables
  • Method: Instant Pot
  • Cuisine: Gluten Free

Storage

Store the leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

This recipe freezes really well too! To freeze the instant pot garlic ginger green beans use a sealed freezer safer container and freeze for up to one month.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to cook green beans in the instant pot?

Two pounds of green beans cook for 4 minutes. Then, let the steam release naturally for 10 minutes before manually releasing the rest of the steam.

What can I add to green beans for flavor?

There are lots of options! Some of my favorites are chopped onions, minced garlic, sea salt, black pepper, ground ginger, a pinch of cayenne pepper or bacon. It also gives green beans more flavor to cook them in broth.

Easy Gluten Free Tamale Pie

This easy gluten free tamale pie recipe is the perfect ground beef casserole for weeknight dinners! It is a one pan comfort food meal made in a cast iron skillet. The seasoned beef mixture is topped with delicious homemade cornbread.

a cast iron skillet of easy gluten free tamale pie with cornbread topping.

This tamale pie recipe is a great option for anyone seeking an easy, gluten-free meal. The combination of cornbread and seasoned beef offers a taste of traditional tamales without the hassle of making individual dough packages.

You can also substitute ground beef with other proteins like turkey or chicken for variation. Whether you bake it as a casserole or prepare it in a skillet, this dish makes for a filling and satisfying dinner that the whole family will enjoy.

It's also a fantastic choice for meal prep or for serving a crowd at a potluck or gathering.

If you are looking for more cast iron meals you might also enjoy my Gluten Free Skillet Enchiladas, this Gluten Free Walking Taco Casserole, my Gluten Free Chicken Parmesan Pasta Casserole, this Gluten Free Sloppy Joe Casserole or my Gluten Free Cheesy Tater Tot Casserole recipes.

You can find all of my meal recipes here: Gluten Free Meals Recipes

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a while plate of easy gluten free tamale pie next to a cast iron skillet of the meal.

Ingredients

Instructions

In a cast iron skillet over medium heat cook the beef until very little pink remains. Add the chopped onions and minced garlic. Cook until the onions are translucent.

Add the stewed tomatoes, corn, tomato paste, olives, chili powder, cumin and salt. Stir to combine. Remove the pan from heat.

In your stand mixer beat together the unsalted butter, milk egg, cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Spread the cornbread mixture over top of the ground beef mixture.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until the cornbread topping is browned.

Hint: I love to serve this casserole with sour cream and cheese on top.

Supplies

I get a lot of my ingredients from Thrive Market. Thrive Market has been a game changer for me eating gluten free. They have so many options I can't get at my rural grocery stores! Use this link to get 40% off your first order!

Storage

Store this casserole in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat plate each serving and then top with a damp paper towel while microwaving.

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Easy Gluten Free Tamale Pie

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

  • Author: Elaine VanVleck
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free
Print Recipe

Description

This easy gluten free tamale pie recipe is the perfect ground beef casserole for weeknight dinners! It is a one pan comfort food meal made in a cast iron skillet. The seasoned beef mixture is topped with delicious homemade cornbread.

Ingredients

Scale

Cornbread Topping:

Instructions

In a cast iron skillet over medium heat cook the beef until very little pink remains. Add the chopped onions and minced garlic. Cook until the onions are translucent.

Add the stewed tomatoes, corn, tomato paste, olives, chili powder, cumin and salt. Stir to combine. Remove the pan from heat.

In your stand mixer beat together the unsalted butter, milk egg, cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Spread the cornbread mixture over top of the ground beef mixture.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until the cornbread topping is browned.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Meals
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Gluten Free

Top Tip

I love a one pan meal! This easy gluten free tamale pie is all made in one cast iron skillet. It's a quick ground beef weeknight meal that the whole family will love.

FAQ

Can I make this recipe with chicken or turkey?

Yes! Ground turkey or cubes on boneless skinless chicken breast are perfect for this recipe. Follow the same instructions and cook your meat first, then add the rest of your ingredients.

What toppings are good on tamale pie?

This easy gluten free tamale pie is delicious with sour cream and shredded cheese on top. For extra spice you can also serve it with fire roasted green peppers or salsa.