Beer Girl Cooks

Cooking & Craft Beer

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Smoked Porter Beer Brownies

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Smoked Porter Beer Brownies are so fudgy and delicious! They’re super easy to make and have a hint of smokey flavor from a smoked porter beer. You can’t go wrong by finishing with a topping of a decadent amount of cream cheese frosting.

Smoked Porter Beer Brownies are so fudgy and delicious! They're super easy to make and have a hint of smokey flavor from a smoked porter beer. You can't go wrong by finishing with a topping of a decadent amount of cream cheese frosting.

I’m not messing around getting 2018 started.  I realize that January is about half over and I’m just arriving to the party.  What can I say.  I had to decide what to lead this new year with.  How do I want to represent and forecast what’s to come?

I decided for all of us that we need lots of chocolate, obscene amounts of cream cheese frosting, and beer.  So I give you Smoked Porter Beer Brownies.  Happy New Year!

Smoked Porter Beer Brownies are so fudgy and delicious! They're super easy to make and have a hint of smokey flavor from a smoked porter beer. You can't go wrong by finishing with a topping of a decadent amount of cream cheese frosting.

2017 was a crapstorm.  You guys know that.  I have confidence that this year is going to be great and I’m starting with a positive outlook.  Awesome things are going to happen for all of us.  Let’s do this together.  Hello 2018!  Bring on all things wonderful!

Smoked Porter Beer Brownies are so fudgy and delicious! They're super easy to make and have a hint of smokey flavor from a smoked porter beer. You can't go wrong by finishing with a topping of a decadent amount of cream cheese frosting.

After all – how can we lose when we’re starting out with Smoked Porter Beer Brownies?  Cheers!

Smoked Porter Beer Brownies are so fudgy and delicious! They're super easy to make and have a hint of smokey flavor from a smoked porter beer. You can't go wrong by finishing with a topping of a decadent amount of cream cheese frosting.

Smoked Porter Beer Brownies are so fudgy and delicious! They're super easy to make and have a hint of smokey flavor from a smoked porter beer. You can't go wrong by finishing with a topping of a decadent amount of cream cheese frosting.
5 from 4 votes
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Smoked Porter Beer Brownies

Smoked Porter Beer Brownies are so fudgy and delicious! They're super easy to make and have a hint of smokey flavor from a smoked porter beer. You can't go wrong by finishing with a topping of a decadent amount of cream cheese frosting.

Author rachelle

Ingredients

  • 1 cup smoked porter beer
  • 3 sticks butter divided
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 5 large eggs
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 2 tablespoon vanilla divided
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup milk chocolate chips
  • 8 ounces cream cheese
  • 4 cups confectioners sugar

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 325

    Smoked Porter Beer Brownies are so fudgy and delicious! They're super easy to make and have a hint of smokey flavor from a smoked porter beer. You can't go wrong by finishing with a topping of a decadent amount of cream cheese frosting.

  2. Pour beer into a saucepan with fairly high sides, bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer until reduced to a 1/4 cup

  3. When beer is reduced, add 2 sticks of butter and cocoa powder to the same pan and cook over low heat until butter is melted while stirring until the mixture is smooth then set aside to cool slightly

  4. In a medium bowl, whisk together sugar, flour, and salt

  5. Add eggs to chocolate butter beer mixture, whisking them in one at a time

  6. Stir vanilla into the chocolate mixture

  7. Stir the flour mixture into the chocolate butter beer mixture until just combined

  8. Line a 8 x 8 inch square pan with parchment paper or grease the pan with butter then pour in the brownie batter

  9. Sprinkle the milk chocolate chips on top of the brownie batter

  10. Bake for 35 - 35 minutes, cool completely

  11. While the brownies are baking, make the frosting.  Add remaining one stick of butter and cream cheese to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat until smooth

  12. Add vanilla 

  13. Add confectioners sugar one cup at a time and beat until smooth

  14. Top cooled brownies with cream cheese frosting 

Recipe Notes

  1. Keep an eye on the beer while it's reducing.  It can boil over - this is why you want to use a fairly deep pan.
  2. You want the beer chocolate butter mixture to cool enough so that you don't cook your eggs when you add them
  3. You will want one stick of butter and the cream cheese softened to room temperature to make it easy to beat for the frosting
  4. After frosting the brownies you can pop them in the refrigerator for an hour or so for the frosting to firm up a bit and it will make them easier to cut

 

Pineapple Ale Cherry Mini Tarts Recipe

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Pineapple Ale Cherry Mini Tarts are a delightful and delicious transition from summer to fall with some beer infused cherries, pastry and whipped cream.

Pineapple Ale Cherry Mini Tarts are a delightful and delicious transition from summer to fall with some beer infused cherries, pastry and whipped cream.

Hi y’all!  How was your weekend?  Did you have a big fun cookout?  Lay low with a cold beer by a pool or lake or ocean?  We spent 5 fantastic days in Hilton Head at the Weston Hilton Head Resort and Spa and I totally wish I was still there – although I did miss my fur babies even though they were so in good hands and no parties were thrown that we can tell.

Pineapple Ale Cherry Mini Tarts are a delightful and delicious transition from summer to fall with some beer infused cherries, pastry and whipped cream.

There isn’t any obvious evidence of shenanigans anyway.

Pineapple Ale Cherry Mini Tarts are a delightful and delicious transition from summer to fall with some beer infused cherries, pastry and whipped cream.

I figured we’d ease our way out of summer and into fall.  I know that Labor Day is kind of that unofficial transition with stupid rules about wearing white (I have zero idea who in tarnation came up with this ridiculousness because it’s still hot as all get out down here) and pools and amusement parks closing.  Those are some sad and heartbreaking days.

Pineapple Ale Cherry Mini Tarts are a delightful and delicious transition from summer to fall with some beer infused cherries, pastry and whipped cream.

I had to cheer some things up around here with some pastry cream in a tart topped with beer infused cherry compote and whipped cream, so I made you some Pineapple Ale Mini Cherry Tarts.  You’re welcome.

Pineapple Ale Cherry Mini Tarts are a delightful and delicious transition from summer to fall with some beer infused cherries, pastry and whipped cream.

I’m still fresh from the beach, so I can’t move on to fall yet.  #sorrynotsorry

Pineapple Ale Cherry Mini Tarts are a delightful and delicious transition from summer to fall with some beer infused cherries, pastry and whipped cream.

I gotta tell ya, it’s been a couple of years since we’ve been able to take a beach vacation.  With four dogs that belong on Misfit Island, it’s hard to get away.  This summer we were able to secure a fantastic pet sitter and made two trips to the beach.  There is not much more relaxing to me as laying on the beach, reading chick lit or legal mystery, and listening to the waves crash while drinking a cold beer or banana daiquiri.

Pineapple Ale Cherry Mini Tarts are a delightful and delicious transition from summer to fall with some beer infused cherries, pastry and whipped cream.

So, we’ll talk about apples next week, ‘k?

Pineapple Ale Cherry Mini Tarts Recipe
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Pineapple Ale Cherry Mini Tarts Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 prepared store bought pie crust

For the Pastry Cream

  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 9 large egg yolks
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste

For the Cherries

  • 1 pound cherries cleaned, pitted stems removed
  • 1 cup pineapple ale beer I used Ballast Point Pineapple Sculpin - peach could be substituted
  • 1 tablespoon corn starch
  • For the Whipped Cream
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1-2 tablespoons vanilla bean paste

Instructions

For the Crust

  1. Preheat oven to 400
  2. Fit crust into mini tart pans, press to form, press edge of dough over top of each pan to cut dough from pan, and prick the bottom of the dough several times with a fork - do this for each of the tart pans
  3. Bake 15 - 20 minutes or until golden brown - you want to bake it all the way because this is the only time it will be in the oven
  4. Cool on a wire rack

For the Pastry Cream

  1. Whisk together sugar, flour, and sal in a large bowl, add eggs and whisk everything together - mixture will be thick
  2. Add milk and cream to a sauce pan and heat over medium heat until steamy, but do not boil
  3. Add 1/2 cup of the hot milk to the egg mixture and whisk to prevent the eggs from scrambling
  4. Gradually add milk 1/2 cup at a time to the egg mixture while constantly whisking until almost all the milk is added to the eggs
  5. Pour all the egg/milk mixture back into the pot
  6. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until it starts to bubble, continue whisking another 1 -2 minutes until thick
  7. Remove from heat
  8. Set a fine mesh sieve over a bowl and pour the pastry cream into the sieve and strain - this will catch any of the eggs that may have scrambled
  9. Cover pastry cream with plastic wrap making sure to press the plastic to the surface of the pastry cream to prevent a skin from forming
  10. Chill completely in the refrigerator

For the Cherries

  1. Add cherries, beer, and corn starch to a sauce pan and stir to combine
  2. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and cook until thick, stirring often - careful not to let it boil over - this should take 15 minutes or so
  3. Remove from heat and cool

For the Whipped Cream

  1. Chill bowl and whisk attachment for stand mixer in freezer for 20 - 30 minutes
  2. Fit bowl and whisk to the mixer
  3. Add heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla bean paste to the bowl
  4. Turn mixer on low to avoid splashing and increase speed to medium high
  5. Beat until light peaks form - this should take 5 - 6 minutes or so - keep an eye on it so it doesn't turn to butter

For the Assembly

  1. Evenly distribute pastry cream into the prepared tart shells/pans
  2. Evenly distribute cherries to the top of the pastry cream
  3. Top each with whipped cream

Note:  All of these steps can be prepared ahead of time and assembled just before serving

Pineapple Ale Cherry Mini Tarts Recipe

Pumpkin Ale Butterscotch Donuts Recipe

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Pumpkin Ale Butterscotch Donuts Recipe

Halloween takes me back to high school.

Pumpkin Ale and Butterscotch Donuts Recipe

I’m not really sure why.  For some reason I always seem to think about my friends, Nick and Alex. They were brothers.  They drove a VW bus and had a cocker spaniel that they took everywhere. The bus was adorned with curtains covered in mushrooms, the license plate was attached wtih a ginormous safety (think diaper) pin, and there was a bumper sticker that said, “Because I’m the Mommy, that’s why.”

I’m sure you can understand why I can’t remember the dog’s name or the color of the bus.

Pumpkin Ale and Butterscotch Donuts Recipe

Where am I going with this?  Beats me.  I was just thinking about Halloween and with that my memory always goes back to a time when things were simple.  Even though at the time it all seemed complicated. Around Halloween, I always think about a fall day when Nick and Alex (and aforementioned cocker spaniel who I cannot remember the name) rolled into my driveway in their VW bus.  They wanted to ride up to the mountains and look at the foliage.  Did I want to go?  Sure!

Pumpkin Ale and Butterscotch Donuts Recipe

Who woudn’t?  We picked up a few friends, a few beverages (yes – the boozy kind even though we were in high school – sorry Mom!), and a pack or two of cigarettes – sorry about that too, Mom.  No worries – I don’t smoke anymore.  Virginia Slims 120’s lost some stock value and I was a lot cooler in 1988.

Pumpkin Ale and Butterscotch Donuts Recipe

I can still remember how colorful the trees looked in the distance.  I feel the breeze ruffle the leaves and blow my hair as I jumped into that VW bus.  I grabbed a smoke and a beer while greeting the dog and I didn’t have a single care in the world.  We were off to the mountains in the way of the young in a cloud of innocence.

Pumpkin Ale and Butterscotch Donuts Recipe

I’ll never forget it.  I’ll always miss it.

Pumpkin Ale and Butterscotch Donuts Recipe
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Pumpkin Ale Butterscotch Donuts Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups cake flour
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 2 eggs room temperature and lightly beaten
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 1/4 cup pumpkin ale beer
  • 1 cup butterscotch chips
  • 3 tablespoons heavy cream

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350
  2. Whisk together flour, brown sugar, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice
  3. In another bowl, combine buttermilk, eggs, vanilla, sour cream, and beer
  4. Add wet ingredients to the dry and stir to combine
  5. Coat 2 donut pans with cooking spray
  6. Spoon donut batter into the pans until not quite full
  7. Bake 16 - 18 minutes or until golden brown
  8. Cool in pans on wire rack for 5 - 6 minutes then turn out onto the rack to cool completely
  9. Combine butterscotch chips and heavy cream in a bowl and microwave for 30 second intervals until smooth and combined without lumps stirring in between
  10. Coat donuts with butterscotch by either dunking them in the bowl or spooning it over the tops

NOTES:

  1. Be careful not to burn your fingers when glazing the donuts as ganache will be hot
  2. You will also want to work quickly because ganache will get thick and harden when it cools, but you can reheat it in the microwave for a few seconds at a time until it warms up again
  3. If the donuts stick to the pan, just use a rubber spatula to go around the edges and they’ll release
  4. This recipe made 24 donuts
  5. This recipe contains alcohol and shouldn’t be served to minors

Pumpkin Ale and Butterscotch Donuts Recipe

Pumpkin Spice Baked Donuts with White Chocolate Ganache Recipe

by 16 Comments

Pumpkin Spice Baked Donuts with White Chocolate Ganache Recipe

Pumpkin Spiced Baked Donuts with Whit Chocolate Ganache Recipe

 

I seriously have a problem with pumpkin.  And donuts.

Pumpkin Spiced Baked Donuts with White Chocolate Ganache Recipe

I have no earthly idea when or how my love affair with pumpkin came about, but for as long as I can remember, it has been one of my absolute favorite flavors – and not just for fall.  I know we’ve talked about this, but don’t judge me.

Pumpkin Spiced Baked Donuts with White Chocolate Ganache Recipe

Moving on.  I’m relieved to say that those of us in the Charlotte area fared pretty well with Hurricane Matthew, unfortunately the eastern part of the great state of North Carolina is still having some trouble with flooding.  When it hit here Saturday, it was pretty much just a big old windy rain storm here.

Pumpkin Spiced Baked Donuts with Whit Chocolate Ganache Recipe

I’m sure you won’t judge me if I tell you I spent the day with friends and family in a bar drinking beer and watching college football.  I can 100% assure you that what I saw of the NC State game was one hot muddy mess and there was a slight delay for lightening.  I’m just glad I don’t have to do that laundry. Help me, Rhonda.

Pumpkin Spiced Baked Donuts with Whit Chocolate Ganache Recipe

I know if may come as a great shock to find out that we went to a brewery for some lunch and beer on Sunday.  All I can say is that there was much beer to be had this weekend.  The food was good too!

Pumpkin Spiced Baked Donuts with Whit Chocolate Ganache Recipe

We spent Monday watching the Panthers lose.  There was a lot of profanity up in here.  That’s all I’ve got to say about that.

Pumpkin Spiced Baked Donuts with Whit Chocolate Ganache Recipe

So let’s forget all about any of our teams that didn’t fare so well this weekend and stuff our faces with some pumpkin spiced donuts covered in white chocolate ganache.

Pumpkin Spiced Baked Donuts with Whit Chocolate Ganache Recipe

Ya dig?

Pumpkin Spiced Baked Donuts with Whit Chocolate Ganache Recipe
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Pumpkin Spice Baked Donuts with White Chocolate Ganache Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 1/4 cups cake flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 eggs at room temperature and lightly beaten
  • 3/4 cup Greek yogurt plain
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 cup pumpkin
  • 1 cup white chocolate chips
  • 3 tablespoons heavy cream

Instructions

  1. Preheat over to 350
  2. Whisk together cake flour, sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice and salt
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, yogurt, buttermilk, and pumpkin
  4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir to combine
  5. Coat 2 donut pans with cooking spray
  6. Fill the donut pans with batter almost all the way to the top
  7. Bake 15 - 17 minutes
  8. Cool in pans on wire rack 5 - 7 minutes, then turn out of pan and cool completely
  9. Combine white chocolate chips and heavy cream and microwave for 30 second intervals, stirring in between, until combined and no lumps
  10. Dunk each donut in the white chocolate ganache or use a spoon to pour over tops

NOTES:

  1. Be careful not to burn your fingers when glazing the donuts as ganache will be hot
  2. You will also want to work quickly because ganache will get thick and harden when it cools, but you can reheat it in the microwave for a few seconds at a time until it warms up again
  3. If the donuts stick to the pan, just use a rubber spatula to go around the edges and they’ll release
  4. This recipe made 24 donuts
  5. This recipe contains alcohol and shouldn’t be served to minors

Pumpkin Spice Baked Donuts with White Chocolate Ganache Recipe

30 Cookout, Grilling, and Party Recipes for Labor Day Weekend

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30 Cookout, Grilling, and Party Recipes for Labor Day Weekend

We are headed to Hilton Head this weekend for one last beach trip before summer ends – not to worry – the house won’t be vacant.  We have a pet sitter coming so the dogs won’t be running amuck and doing water ballet in our living room like in those Farmers Insurance commercials.  Hilarious if not in your own house.  I thought I’d leave you with a recipe roundup to cover all your cookout, grilling, and party needs for the long weekend.  Party on!

APPETIZERS

Stuffed Mushrooms

Stuffed Mushrooms – Beer Girl Cooks (pictured above)

Texas Caviar – The Beach House Kitchen

smokedjalapenopoppersquare

Smoked Jalapeno Poppers with Bacon, Apple, and Brie – Tasty Ever After (pictured above & photo credit)

Baba Ganoush – Cook With Manali

Fig, Goat Cheese, Bacon + Honey Crostini – Feast and West

Bacon-Wrapped-Brats3

Bacon-Wrapped Brats – Spiced Blog (pictured above & photo credit)

 

SIDES AND SALADS

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Bourbon & Brown Sugar Baked Beans with Candied Bacon – No Spoon Necessary (pictured above & photo credit)

Grilled Corn on the Cob with Spicy Lime Seasoned Salt -Ciao Chow Bambina

Peach & Chickpea Salad – Girl Heart Food

Quinoa Spinach Salad with Pesto – Family Food on the Table

Smoked Gouda Mac 'n Cheese

Smoked Gouda Mac ‘n Cheese – Beer Girl Cooks (pictured above)

Parmesan-Pea-Pasta-Salad-Pic

Parmesan and Pea Pasta Salad – Tasty Ever After (pictured above & photo credit)

Grilled-Potato-Salad-short-pin

Grilled Potato Salad with Everything Bagel Seasoning and 7  Minute Eggs – No Spoon Necessary (pictured above & photo credit)

Grilled Watermelon and Feta Salad with Mint and Balsamic Reduction

Easy Grilled Watermelon and Feta Salad with Mint and Balsamic Reduction – Beer Girl Cooks (pictured above)

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Easy 7 Layer Salad – Tasty Ever After (pictured above & photo credit)

 

MEAT DISHES

Sundried-Tomato-and-Gorgonzola-Burgers1

Sundried Tomato and Gorgonzola Burgers – Spiced Blog (pictured above & photo credit)

Grilled Country Style Pork Shoulder Ribs with Blueberry Peach Salsa – Cooking LSL

Honey Mustard Grilled Salmon – Kevin is Cooking

Roasted Vegetable Grilled Pizza with Garlic Herb Oil – Ciao Chow Bambina

Honey-Balsamic-Chicken-Skewers-with-Strawberry-Kiwi-Jalapeno-Salsa-short-pin5

Honey Balsamic Chicken Skewers with Strawberry Kiwi Salsa – No Spoon Necessary (pictured above & photo credit)

Bacon and Feta Stuffed Lamb Burger with Tzatziki

Bacon and Feta Stuffed Lamb Burgers with Tzatziki Sauce – Beer Girl Cooks (pictured above)

 

DESSERTS

Banana Pudding in a Jar Recipe

Banana Pudding in Jars – Beer Girl Cooks (pictured above)

S'mores in Mason Jars

S’mores in Jars – Beer Girl Cooks (pictured above)

Butterscotch Blondies – Just About Baked

Grilled Pound Cake with Mascarpone Cream and Blueberries – Pumpkin ‘n Spice

Marshmallow Fruity Pebble Bars – Baked by an Introvert

Gluten Free Vegan Peanut Butter Cup Brownies – Beaming Baker

Blueberry Coconut Popsicles

Blueberry Coconut Milk Popsicles – Beer Girl Cooks (pictured above)

Honeydew Kiwi Coconut Popsicles

Honeydew Kiwi Coconut Popsicles – Beer Girl Cooks (pictured above)

Strawberry Kiwi Coconut Popsicles

Strawberry Kiwi Coconut Popsicles – Beer Girl Cooks (pictured above)

Boozy Root Beer Float Popsicles

Boozy Root Beer Float Popsicles – Beer Girl Cooks (pictured above)

 

Ok.  Yes, I know that lawyers can’t do math, but I’m well aware that there are actually 31 recipes in this post of 30 recipes for Labor Day.  I just felt like the booze wasn’t well represented, so I had to add that last popsicle.

Y’all have a safe and fantastic Labor Day Weekend!  Fingers crossed that we all stay dry on the east coast and this hurricane spins back out to sea!

 

Easy Weeknight Meals Recipe Roundup

by 20 Comments

Happy Friday, friends!  I thought we would end the week with a special Easy Weeknight Meals Recipe Roundup.

 

What are we waiting for?  Let’s go!

 

Skirt Steak Skewers with Sofrito from No Spoon Necessary

Farfalle with Peas and Prosciutto from Ciao Chow Bambina

Shrimp Diane from Tasty Ever After

Garam Masala Chicken Wraps from Spiced

One Pot Chicken Enchilada Skillet from Life Made Sweeter

 

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White Wine and Garlic Shrimp from yours truly

 

Pasta e Fagioli from Hungry Healthy Happy

Mini Stuffed Turkey Meatloaves from The Beach House Kitchen

Chicken Cutlets with Mushroom Cream Sauce from Fashionable Foods

Cheesy Rice and Beans from Show Me The Yummy

 

DSC_0002

Mushroom Stroganoff from yours truly

 

Vegan Whole Wheat Pasta with Pesto Cream Sauce from Whisk and Shout

Easy and Fast Spaghetti with Vegan Bacon and Peas from Veganosity

BBQ Chicken Quesadilla from Pumpkin ‘n Spice

Roasted Butternut Squash & Beet Salad from My California Roots

Bacon and Spinach Bow Tie Pasta from Food Fashion and Fun

Almond Herb Crusted Salmon from Lou Lou Biscuit

Orange Chicken from Beyond The Chicken Coop

 

 

Easy Weeknight Meal Recipe Roundup