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Fresh Fridays
2 Comments

Fresh Fridays: May 31, 2024

Kathleen

by Kathleen Pope May 31, 2024

Hello, my fabulous foodie friends!

I hope you enjoyed a nice long weekend! I finally got to my summer planting, and my hubby and I did a lot of yard cleanup as well. That’s hard work!

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This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure & privacy policy.

Lately, I’ve been struggling with the “dinner-time blues.” Can you relate? When you think about dinner do you draw a blank? Even food bloggers get stuck! I went through my own recipes and came up with a week of my favorite easy dinners! Since I made a meal plan for myself, I thought you might enjoy it too!

We are preparing for a big family vacation! HINT: Think fairy-tale castles, scenic Alpine vistas, and delicious food! I’ve been scrambling to get the blog tidied up, gardening done, packing and more! What are your favorite packing and travel tips? I’ll do the big reveal next week! But be sure to follow me on Facebook and Instagram to see what we’re up to!

Oh, and I have 2 brand new recipes to try and a recipe reboot: Our favorite copycat cake! ⬅️ ⬅️ ⬅️

Plus, all of the usual stuff: In Real Life, What Readers are Saying, Favorite Movies, Fresh Finds, and a little Encouragement for the Soul!

Use the Table of Contents below to skip to what interests you most.

  • New in the Kitchen!
    • #1 Grape Salad (Chicken Salad Chick Copycat)
    • #2 Old-Fashioned Blueberry Cobbler
    • # 3 Chocolate Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake
  • In Real Life
  • Weekly Meal Plan
    • Ziplock Baggie Holder
  • Movie Night Ideas
  • What Readers Are Saying about…
    • Chocolate Ice Cream (No Cook, No Eggs)
  • Fresh Finds: Amazon Deals + More
    • Summer Finds for Her
  • Fresh Inspiration: Unsung Hero

New in the Kitchen!

#1 Grape Salad (Chicken Salad Chick Copycat)

Grape salad? I know weird-sounding, right? Butt then, when I was back in Nashville for my blogger retreat, we ordered from Chicken Salad Chick, and I was hooked! You will be too! It’s a dessert masquerading as a salad! WIN!

Chicken salad chick grape salad in a pretty white serving bowl.
recipe, please!

#2 Old-Fashioned Blueberry Cobbler

Summer = fresh fruit cobblers! Try this easy-to-assemble Blueberry Cobbler recipe! I took it to a potluck last night and it received rave reviews! Check out this darling Pioneer Woman baking dish I made it in!

Old fashioned blueberry cobbler serving on a plate with a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting on top.
Try this recipe

# 3 Chocolate Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake

I gave this older slam-dunk copycat recipe a little refresh! Do you have a Nothing Bundt Cakes near you? We love them, but now you can bake one in your own home and save $$.

Nothing Bundt Cakes recipe with slice of chocolate chocolate chip nothing bundt cakes on plate with full cake in background.
Gimme the recipe

Rate the Recipe ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I love it when you try my recipes, rate them, and share your thoughts! It really helps others and boosts the recipe’s visibility. I so appreciate you!

In Real Life

In addition to planting my spring flowers and a few perennials along with some herbs, I helped my hubby clean up our wood pile and under our dreaded stretch of six 35+ year-old long needle pine trees! We try and do it once or twice a year – I think we got 10 bags of pine needles, for all of you in the South, free pine mulch!! 😉

I have been so uninspired with meal planning. Talking to other food bloggers, it’s common! You cook and bake so many recipes that sometimes you get DP (Dinner Paralysis)—it’s a real thing! I went through my recipe index and jotted down 7 easy weeknight meals – keep scrolling for my ideas!

Today I am thawing my Coconut Lime Chicken — I made two last week we ate one and froze the other; it’s one of our favorite ways to eat chicken!

We went for a walk with our dear friends, and I finally shot my Beginners Sourdough Recipe. I’ve been making this bread almost weekly for 4 years and thought it was high time to get it on the blog! Coming soon!

The biggest news is we are preparing for a big family vacation/trip! But be sure to follow me on Facebook and Instagram to see what we’re up to!

Our friends on our walk.
Mentors and friends too! Love them!
My husband and friend on a walk.
My hubby and our friend on a walk.
A golden and crusty loaf of sourdough bread on a cutting board.
Isn’t that a gorgeous loaf of bread!!

Weekly Meal Plan

Here is the meal plan I came up with to get me out of the “what to make for dinner blues.” I hope you find some inspiration, too!

Easy Jambalaya (Instant Pot or Stovetop)
Our family loves this chicken and sausage jambalaya — easily control the amont of spice for a dinner the whole family will love.
RECIPE HERE
Square image of bowl filled with Instant Pot Jambalaya with chicken and sausage.
Coconut Lime Chicken Marinade for Grilling
This is our favorite way to enjoy chicken in the summertime! A quick and flavorful marinade loaded with flavor and infuses moisture.
Get the Recipe
Coconut Lime Chicken on plate with coconut lime rice, broccoli and a biscuit.
Hibachi Fried Rice (Blackstone or Stovetop)
Gather all of your bits and pieces in yoru fridge and whip up this easy and delicious fried rice!
RECIPE PLEASE
Benihana copycat Hibachi fried rice recipe in large bowl with spoon and chopsticks nearby.
Crock Pot Beef Brisket
Don't heat up the kitchen or stand by the hot grill, instead make this tender and juicy crockpot beef brisket! In a savory gravy, or use your favorite BBQ sauce!
Brisket Recipe Puh-lease!!!
Cooked brisket and gravy is served with carrots on a plate.
Harvest Grain Pancakes
We love breakfast for dinner in our house! And these hearty grain and nut pancakes are so delicious! Give them a try! If you have a Blackstone Griddle, make them outside for a fun vibe!
Gimme all the pancakes please
IHOP Harvest grain pancake recipe stacked with wedge cut out, topped with almonds, walnuts and berries.
Crock pot Olive Garden Chicken and Pasta
This is literally and dump and go recipe! Another winner to not heat up the kitchen for dinner! Just 4 hours in the crockpot, boil your noodles, toss with the chicken and it's dinnertime!
RECIPE Please!
Olive Garden crockpot chicken with pasta on a plate with a green salad.
Pizza Night!
Make this easy 10 minute pizza dough and have a pizza night, we usually do this on Fridays or Saturdays, when I don't feel much like cooking! The pizza dough makes enough for 2 pizzas and freezes great!
Pizza, Pizza, Pizza!
Homemade Pizza Dough for homemade pizza.
Ziplock Baggie Holder.

Ziplock Baggie Holder

Meal Prep Like a Boss

I love these baggy holders! I use them when I am doing freeze meal prep – like in my Coconut Lime Chicken.

shop now

Movie Night Ideas

We enjoy watching a wholesome movie over the weekend, here are a few of our recent favorites!

  • A Million Miles Away – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Based on a true story, this is a truly encouraging and inspiration movie of hope, determination, resilience and the willingness to follow your dreams!
  • On A Wing and a Prayer – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Also based on a true story, a little cheesy in parts, but a great story about family, loving one another in the midst of the storms of life!
  • Miracles From Heaven – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Inspired by a true story, grab the box of tissues!

What Readers Are Saying about…

Chocolate Ice Cream (No Cook, No Eggs)

I use this recipe in my “old fashioned” ice cream maker and it turns out perfectly every time. I double it and use my electric mixer to make sure it is mixed very well. Tricks: I put my canister for my ice cream maker in the freezer before I pour in the ice cream from the mixer. I also like to add Oreos into the ice cream after it’s made, I stir it into the ice cream in a large bowl then stick in the freezer. To keep the Oreos crunchy I put them in the freezer before I stir them in.

Missy via Pinterest
homemade chocolate ice cream recipe no eggs with scoop in white container with black spoon and chocolate curls on top.
Homemade no egg ice cream
>>>> RECIPE

Fresh Finds: Amazon Deals + More

My favorite finds of the week – check them out plus previous weeks HERE!

  • These flying insect traps really work! But also check out my popular DIY fruit fly trap post for a homemade version of the same thing!
  • These Blackstone Grease Cup Liners are on sale, but I also like these reausable silicone liners too! BTW, a Blackstone Grill makes a great Father’s Day gift!
  • Hey smoothie lovers! Have you seen these Beast Mini Blenders? I love that you blend, add the straw and go! Also available (same price) on Amazon.
  • It’s iced tea season! Love these large silicone ice cubes, great to chill things quickly without watering down! Freeze with lemonade, coffee, teat, etc.
  • I love pretty glasses/mugs, how about these to make your yogurt parfaits or overnight oats a hit! Love this one too!

Summer Finds for Her

  • I love this gingham linen shirt (on sale!)
  • Large Straw Summer Handbag (love!)
  • Do you like these chunky sandals? I think I do!
  • Bought this crushable bucket hat for our upcoming trip. 10% off coupon!
  • These are my favorite comfortable, walkable flip-flops! 44% off!
  • I just got this Anker (favorite brand) mag-safe cellphone battery charger! Pretty in pink — so none of the men in my family steal it from me!
  • A selfie stick (yes, I will be that mom!), I am leaving my big camera home and this travel flat-iron (5% off coupon)!

I put a whole lot more in my weekly finds — be sure to check it out!


Fresh Inspiration: Unsung Hero

I haven’t seen the movie yet (but I so want too!!!) but I sure do love the song, Unsung Hero by King & Country about their mom (and I think their dad too!) — enjoy this music video! As we’re in the season of celebrating moms and dads, reach out to yours (or a parent figure) today and let them know how much you love them!

Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7 (NLT)

I am so happy you joined me today, be sure to come back and rate and comment on a post if you try it! Have a beautiful weekend!

Coming soon…Iced Chai Latte, Hot Chai Latte, Lemon Lime Bars

signature, Love, Kathleen


P.S. If you missed last week’s Fresh Fridays, recipes, sales, tips, ideas, and more!

Check out my favorite things and more HERE! Plus, previous week’s finds!

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Kathleen Pope

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Recipe Innovator | Food Photographer | Food Writer

Hi, Iโ€™m Kathleen Pope. Here at The Fresh Cooky you will find easy, mostly from-scratch, trusted recipes for all occasions. From speedy dinners to tasty desserts, with easy step-by-step instructions. I am here to help teach you how to make mouthwatering recipes without spending hours in the kitchen.

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  1. June Young Schiff

    Fri, May 31, 2024 at 11:04 am

    Unsung Hero and Sight are excellent movies-true stories are always the best!

    Reply
    • KathleenKathleen Pope

      Fri, May 31, 2024 at 1:55 pm

      Looking forward to seeing them both!! Thanks June!

      Reply

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Kathleen Pope

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Hey there! I'm Kathleen Pope, a proud wife, mom of two awesome college boys, and recipe nerd. Welcome to my world of easy recipes with a healthy twist! Join thousands who trust The Fresh Cooky as their go-to recipe source. Let's cook up some magic!

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