Featured Partner with ZipList

Some of y'all might have noticed that nifty blue "save recipe" button on my posts ..... and you may have even noticed the "ZipList" stuff in my header. Have you ever wondered what it was all about? Today, I'm going to let you know just how awesome it is!




Love Bakes Good Cakes has partnered with ZipList to provide you an easy way to save all of your favorite Love Bakes Good Cakes recipes - and those from other popular websites all around the internet!

The best part - It's easy and FREE to create a ZipList account. You can go to the ZipList Recipe Box to set it up  ...  and once you have your account, you can save any recipe from Love Bakes Good Cakes or from any other site that uses Ziplist! They'll all be stored in one convenient place!




To save a recipe to your recipe box, click the blue "save recipe" button that is near every recipe. Remember, you will be able to find all of your saved recipes in one convenient place - whether it's a recipe from Love Bakes Good Cakes or another favorite website that uses ZipList!

You can even find grocery deals in your area! I'm in Phoenix and if I go to my navigation bar at the top and select "ZipList Grocery Deals", I can see the stores in my area and all of the local shopping deals. From this list, I can easily create my shopping list!



You can also use ZipList to create your weekly menu from the recipes you have saved! You can even send that list to your Google calendar so you can see what's for dinner every day in your daily reminder!



If you're a smartphone user, you can even take ZipList with you wherever you go! You can create custom lists, add grocery items to your lists, sync up and share those lists with family and you can even scan bar codes. 

If you're interested in finding out more about ZipList and how it works, be sure to check out their "How It Works" page. 


Don't forget to share and comment ♥Copyright © Love Bakes Good Cakes 2012-2013 All Rights Reserved

Loaded Tater Tot Casserole

Is it casserole season yet? We're heading into September and the temperatures are still warm here in Phoenix, but that doesn't stop me from enjoying a yummy casserole every now and then. Many of y'all are familiar with tater tot casserole - ya know the one with ground beef ... but this Loaded Tater Tot Casserole is full of bacon, chicken, cheese and scrumptious from-scratch chicken gravy!
I got this idea from my bloggy friend, Sheena over at Hot Eats and Cool Reads. I immediately knew my family would LOVE this. The only thing I did different to the recipe was to add the gravy - because who doesn't love gravy?! ;) If you're pressed for time, you could substitute jarred gravy if you would like - or you can even omit it completely like Sheena did. 




Loaded Tater Tot Casserole
Slightly adapted from Hot Eats and Cool Reads
Printable recipe
Yield: 8 servings

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
½ cup all-purpose flour
1 quart (32 oz. container) chicken stock (or use homemade)
⅓ cup heavy cream, half and half or milk
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 lb. bag (32 oz.) frozen tater tots
1 lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 cups leftover chicken, chopped
1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
Sour cream, for serving (optional)
Thinly-sliced green onions, for serving (optional)

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Arrange the tater tots in the bottom of a 9x13-in. baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk in the flour and allow to cook until the mixture turns a deep brown color - about 10 minutes. Gradually add the chicken stock while whisking. Allow to come to a low boil and continue to cook and stir until the mixture thickens a bit - about 5-10 minutes. Stir in the heavy cream, season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.

Top the baked tater tots with the chicken gravy. Add the bacon, chicken and cheese. Return to the oven and bake an additional 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the casserole is heated through. To serve, top individual portions with sour cream and green onions, if desired. 



Cheeseburger Casserole
Frito Pie
BBQ Chicken & Bacon Tater Tot Casserole
I hope you enjoy! Shared at thesefun parties!
Featured at Inside BruCrew Life, The Gunny Sack, The Recipe Critic, Table For Seven, White Lights on Wednesday and Love Grows Wild

Don't forget to share and comment ♥Copyright © Love Bakes Good Cakes 2012-2013 All Rights Reserved

 

Sticky Asian Glazed Meatballs

Have mercy, y'all ... this is one of those meals you really need to give it a try! I cannot say enough about how great this was and how much I really loved this! It was so good, that we had it twice in one week! My entire family enjoyed this one - a lot - and I'm already thinking about making it again .... I know what you're thinking .... and no, I don't think I could have this too many times!
We kept this meal simple with just the glazed meatballs, rice and stir-fried veggies. This meal comes together fairly quickly - so it's perfect for busy nights. Start your rice first ... get the meatballs going ... stir-fry some veggies - and then sit back and savor every delicious bite. You'll be glad you made this - and your family might just think you're a rock star mom or dad with this dish!





Sticky Asian Glazed Meatballs
Slightly adapted from Gimme Some Oven
Printable recipe
Yield: 6 servings

For the meatballs:
2 lb. ground pork
1½ tsp. sesame oil
1 cup plain, dry breadcrumbs
½ tsp. ground ginger
2 eggs, slightly beaten
2 cloves garlic, minced

For the sauce:
1 jar (7 oz.) Hoisin sauce
⅓ cup rice vinegar
2 tbsp. honey
2 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
1 tsp. sesame oil
1 tsp. ground ginger
½-1 tsp. Sriracha (aka Rooster) sauce

Additional ingredients:
Cooked white rice
thinly-sliced green onions (optional)
sesame seeds (optional)

Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray and set aside.

In a large bowl, combine all of the meatball ingredients until well mixed. Shape into 1-1½-inch balls. Place the meatball on the prepared baking sheet and cook for 18-20 minutes or until the meat is no longer pink.

Meanwhile, combine all of the sauce ingredients in a medium or large saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Allow to boil until it thickens slightly - about 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

When the meatballs have finished cooking, stir them into the sauce. Coat well with the sauce. Serve over rice. Sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds, if desired.


Orange and Broccoli Shrimp
Asian-Baked Salmon with Veggie Fried Rice
I hope you enjoy! Shared at thesefun parties!

Don't forget to share and comment ♥Copyright © Love Bakes Good Cakes 2012-2013 All Rights Reserved

 

It's Hip To Be Square with Smart Balance & Buttermilk Pancakes Recipe

I participated in this campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Smart Balance. I received product samples, and a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

Have you heard the news? Smart Balance has revolutionized (a first in the industry) and redesigned their round packaging to an innovative square tub to help save valuable space in your refrigerator and on the grocery store shelf! Although the packaging has changed, you still get the same 15 oz. quantity and the same delicious heart healthier taste of Smart Balance! Smart Balancing is proving that sometimes, it's hip to be square! :)




I absolutely love that it fits in my refrigerator door so much better than the round containers do! I love, love, love the square containers!


The newly designed, square tub is eco-friendly and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 18% - that equals 6,487 newly planted trees each year! The conversion from round to space-saving square tubs solves one of the biggest issues grocers face with dairy products today - freeing up refrigerated shelf and warehouse space! With this move, Boulder Brands (the maker of Smart Balance), expects shelf efficiency to increase by 50% and warehouse efficiency to increase by up to 60%! By switching from the round tub to a 4-inch wide square tub, grocers will be able to put 60 units of product in the same space that previously held 40 units - and at least for me, the best part of this change is that it does not affect the product price, weight, volume or ingredients! It's still everything you know and love about Smart Balance - in more efficient packaging!


Buttermilk PancakesPrintable recipeYield: approximately 10 pancakes
2 cups all-purpose flour2 tbsp. sugar2 tsp. baking powder1 tsp. baking soda½ tsp. salt2 cups buttermilk⅓ cup milk1 tsp. lemon juice2 eggs3 tbsp. melted Smart BalanceAdditional Smart Balance, for toppingMaple syrup, for topping
Preheat a lightly greased griddle. When you flick water on it and it sizzles, it's ready!
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, combine the wet ingredients. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. DO NOT OVER-STIR.
Scoop the batter by ⅓-cupfuls for each pancake onto the griddle. Cook until bubbles form and the edges begin to dry. Carefully flip and continue to cook for additional 2-3 minutes or until the pancake is cooked through. Serve with additional Smart Balance and Maple syrup.

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From spreading Smart Balance on your morning toast or pancakes (a Love Bakes Good Cakes family favorite) to incorporating it in your favorite pasta or casserole recipe to substituting it in your favorite birthday cake, Smart Balance provides an easy 1-to-1 swap for butter in your everyday meals. There is no need to try to figure out how to adjust the measurement since you can swap equal amounts of Smart Balance!

You can visit the Smart Balance website for more information about the buttery spread and while you're there, be sure to check out some of the great heart healthier recipes! You can also follow them on Facebook for all of the latest news and product information!


Cornbread Pancakes
Don't forget to share and comment ♥Copyright © Love Bakes Good Cakes 2012-2013 All Rights Reserved

 

All My Bloggy Friend #61

Welcome to All My Bloggy Friends - week #61! I'm so glad you stopped by! Feel free to link up anything family-friendly ... or just browse all the great stuff my bloggy friends share! Either way, thanks for being here! :)

 Just a reminder, all of the features will be pinned to my Pinterest board as well as shared on Facebook, Twitter and Google+!

Without further ado ... onto the features from last week! Drum roll .....

The most viewed link was:

Copycat KFC Coleslaw from Posed Perfection 

My personal favorites from last week's party:

Top to bottom - Left to right:
Monogram Wreath from My Life of Travels and Adventures
Chilli Chocolate Eclairs with Cinnamon Custard Cream from Anyonita Nibbles
Chocolate Banana Bundt Cake from The 21st Century Housewife
Grapefruit Cognac Pound Cake with Grapefruit Posset from Guai Shu Shu
First Day of School Bento from Diana Rambles
Simple Earrings from Mellywood's Mansion
Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Lasagna from What's Cooking in the Burbs

**Don't forget to stop by With A Blast to see Linda's faves as well :) 

If you're new to the party or if you were featured and you would like a button, you can find them HERE.

Be notified by email when the party goes live - Subscribe now!

Don't forget to share and comment ♥Copyright © Love Bakes Good Cakes 2012-2013 All Rights Reserved

Easy Tuna Mac n' Cheese

I don't know about y'all .... but sometimes, I need quick meals. It's really not optional. Saying that our life is busy, is an understatement. I'm sure many of y'all have a similar sort of "chaos" at your house! :) I personally don't think there's anything wrong with taking shortcuts every now and then- and this Easy Tuna Mac n' Cheese is one of those meals that I turn to when time is short.
This dinner idea gets a quick start with the blue box Mac n' Cheese - ya know the stuff that most kids love! Add some canned tuna, peas and a little extra Cheddar cheese and you've got yourself a kid-approved meal. And the best thing?! It uses things you probably already have in your pantry and fridge!


When I was a kid, I had an aunt who used to watch my brothers and I. One of the things I remember her making for us, is this dish - probably because of how easy and affordable it is - and the fact that most kids love mac n' cheese! I hope y'all enjoy, too!



Easy Tuna Mac n' Cheese
Printable recipe
Yield: 6-8 servings

2 boxes (7.25 oz. each) Mac and Cheese dinner
1 can (15 oz.) sweet peas, drained
½ cup (1 stick or 8 tbsp.) butter
½ cup milk
1 cup (4 oz.) Cheddar cheese, shredded
2-3 cans (5 oz. each) tuna in water, drained

Remove the cheese powder packets from the macaroni and set aside. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the noodles and stir. Cook the noodles for 7-9 minutes. Add the peas during the last 2 minutes that the pasta cooks. Drain. Return the pasta and peas to the pan and add the butter, milk, cheese powder, Cheddar and tuna. Stir well. Serve!


BBQ Beefy Mac
Easy Mac and Cheese
Shared at thesefun parties!
Featured at Milk and Cuddles and Seven Alive

Don't forget to share and comment ♥Copyright © Love Bakes Good Cakes 2012-2013 All Rights Reserved

 

Let's Get Social Sunday #35

Just a reminder - Lets Get Social Sunday will be on 9 different blogs every week!  That means maximum exposure for you :) 

Welcome to Let's Get Social Sunday!

This party is for bloggers who wish to make new friends and gain new followers. It is also an opportunity to link up all your social media sites to gain more followers for blogging opportunities and it increases traffic to all your sites.

Please:)

(1) Follow your hosts and co-hosts in as many ways as possible. We are the first 5-9 link-ups in each category.

Hosts:

and meet our co-hosts this week:

Cathy @ Peek into My Paradise

and

Kayla @ Chick who Cooks

Our Last But Not Least Blogger this week is:

Amy @ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

(2) Grab our button and share it on your blog

(3) Let us know if you followed in the comments, so we can return the follows!

(4) Find some new blogs to follow and let 'em know you found them from the Let's Get Social Sunday party.

 

*Just a note - If you would like to co-host, we are accepting spots in the future for co-hosts. Please, email us at letsgetsocialsunday@gmail.com and we will send you the information on scheduling. :)

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Not a requirement, but we appreciate the love - If you enjoy this party, would you mind hitting the tweet button to help spread the word? Or share on your favorite social media! Thanks y'all :)

Tweet

Blog: Facebook: Twitter: Pinterest: Google+: BlogLovin': Instagram:

Subscribe to be notified when the party goes live!

 

Don't forget to share and comment ♥

Copyright © Love Bakes Good Cakes 2012-2013 All Rights Reserved

Weekend Round-Up {8-24-13}

I've been changing things around on the blog again .... can you tell?! LOL. I just can't seem to leave it alone .... it's almost like rearranging furniture in your house or something. It's ok to leave things that way for awhile - but that itch to change things always comes back! I wanted to go with something a little more plain and simple this time - I hope y'all like it! :)

Here's a look at what happened around my little spot of the blogging world this week:

Let's Get Social Sunday #34 - Don't forget to join us tomorrow (Sunday) morning at 6 am Eastern time when the next party goes live! We are on 9 different blogs every week, so this is a super great opportunity! Be sure to stop by tomorrow and meet some other bloggers and make new friends! Don't forget we also are featuring the "Last But Not Least" blogger every week - stop by and see who it is this week!

King Ranch Chicken Soup - With Fall just around the corner, it's time to start thinking about sou recipes. This soup twist on the King Ranch Casserole is a sure winner!

All My Bloggy Friends #60 - The party is still live and closes at 11:59 pm Eastern time tonight (Saturday)! Don't forget to join us every Tuesday morning at 7 am Eastern time when the party goes live! I'd love to see you there! :)

Need a quick and easy sweet treat? Give these Nutella Biscuit Bombs a try!

Loco Moco - The classic Hawaiian dish - it's super simple and oh, so good!

I'm not sure there are enough words to tell you how much I love this Piña Colada Poke Cake! This is so full of pineapple and coconut flavor - definitely one of my favorite poke cakes!

Easy No Bake Cheesecake - the perfect, easy dessert idea!

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Some blog stats from this week:
Most popular post this week: The Ultimate Soup Recipe List Biggest referring site this week: FacebookBlog that referred the most people: Recipes From HomeMost searched phrase: goulashFacebook fans: 9,299Twitter followers: 1,197Pinterest followers: 12,840Instagram followers: 87Average visit duration: 2:59

Don't forget to share and comment ♥Copyright © Love Bakes Good Cakes 2012-2013 All Rights Reserved