Recipe Archives - Page 6 of 46

Busy Weeknight Dinner Ideas

September 14, 2018 by Kelly Dedeaux

This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com on behalf of RAGÚ®. All opinions are my own.

Not to say that summers aren’t also crazy, but once school’s back in session it seems like weeknights get even busier. Between picking up the kids, homework, karate or dance (or whatever activity is that evening), it can be a real challenge to get a delicious, quality meal on the table for the family. That’s why I love keeping a list of tasty, family-friendly Busy Weeknight Dinner Ideas handy – just like this cheesy chicken pasta recipe!

My favorite trick for whipping up a tasty meal that the whole family will love is using New RAGÚ® Simply Pasta Sauces, because not only is it made with 100% Olive Oil and contains no added sugar (so I can feel good about serving it to my family), but it also has an incredible flavor.

For this recipe I used the NEW RAGÚ® Simply Chunky Marinara Pasta Sauce, with plump tomatoes, onions, garlic and spices bringing great flavor to every bit – proving that simple recipes can bring tons of flavor. That means less time in the kitchen, prepping fewer items to add in to your recipes, still with a delicious taste for your family meal.

Ingredients

1 box pasta of choice
1 jar New RAGÚ® Simply Pasta Sauces
1-2 cups Shredded Cheese (I did a Mexican Style blend)
1-2 cups Tomatoes, diced
2-3 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts, cooked and diced

Directions

Cook the pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, cook the tomatoes over medium-high heat in a large skillet until softened, then add in the chicken and mix well. Put to lowest heat.
Once the pasta is done, add to the skillet and mix in the New RAGÚ® Simply Pasta Sauces until everything is covered. Add in the cheese and mix until it’s melted and gooey.
Serve with a little more cheese sprinkled on top, and enjoy!

See, it’s just that easy to serve your family an amazing meal with very little time spent in the kitchen! And with New RAGÚ® Simply Pasta Sauces, you can whip up dishes like Quinoa Penne with Savory Tomato-Basil Sauce, or even a Cauliflower Crust Mix & Match Pizza. The possibilities are nearly endless with RAGÚ pasta sauce!

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What’s YOUR favorite recipe to use RAGÚ® Sauce in?

5 Easy Snack Ideas for Toddlers

April 9, 2020 by Kelly Dedeaux

What busy mom has time to plan an elaborate or complicated snack, especially when you have a little one in tow? Fortunately, there are plenty of great snacks out there that your toddler will adore without having to go crazy. Well, being a mom may have us crazy anyway – but at least we can use these 5 Easy Snack Ideas for Toddlers to help save what little sanity we have remaining!

No, I’m not going to go into the best crackers or packaged snacks – these are just general thought starters with things you probably already have at home in the fridge or pantry. It’s funny, because you may be like ‘oh, that’s obvious’ – but many parents overlook these awesome snack ideas! As with any food, though, please do keep in mind your child’s age and ability to avoid any choking dangers.

Here are 5 easy snack ideas for toddlers:

1. Fresh fruit – Most kids love fresh fruit. You can slice strawberries, grapes, bananas, oranges, apples or kiwi. You might also chunk pineapple, watermelon, honeydew or cantaloupe. Your child might also love blueberries, raspberries or other mixed berries. With so many fruit options to choose from, your child will never get bored! Slice up your fruit ahead of time to serve your toddler when they get hungry.

2. Fresh vegetables – Sliced cucumbers, celery, carrots, and bell peppers are full of fiber and nutrients. You can serve them to your child plain or with peanut butter or vegetable dip. You can keep your fresh vegetables in containers and serve whenever your child is in the mood for a snack.

3. Yogurt – Not only is it high in protein, calcium, and Vitamin D, but most kids adore yogurt! Consider choosing plain yogurt and adding your own fresh fruit to avoid the sugar content in fruit-flavored yogurts.

4. Eggs – Hard boiled eggs can be a great snack option for your toddler. You can make them ahead of time to serve to your child over the course of a few days. Not only are eggs packed with nutrients, but they’re high in protein to help curb your child’s appetite.

5. Frozen fruit bars – These can be a real treat, especially during the hot summer months. Not only are they cold, but they also have chunks of real fruit in them. Plus, many kids believe they’re getting an awesome TREAT when you serve these, so it’s a win-win!

What are your favorite snack ideas for toddlers?

Berry Chocolate Yogurt Bark

August 3, 2018 by Kelly Dedeaux

Do your kids get bored of the same old snacks sometimes? Mine do – even though we mix it up plenty, it’s nice to switch it up sometimes. The other day we were planning on yogurt, but I thought it’d be fun to make it a litte unique. It’s been super hot here in Texas, so a frozen snack was ideal. They were so excited, and loved how this Berry Chocolate Yogurt Bark turned out! Plus, I was happy with how simple it was to make.

You can really mix this up however you’d like – use white chocolate instead of milk chocolate, pick your type of berries, or however you want to customize it to better fit your family’s tastes. This is perfect for a hot summer afternoon, or as a quick afternoon snack.

Ingredients

Chocolate Chips
Strawberry or Vanilla Yogurt (or mix plain yogurt with a little honey to sweeten a bit)
Berries of choice
Parchment paper
Baking Sheet

Note: I didn’t include measurements, because it’s really up to you how much to do for yours or how much you need. I used a 9×13 baking sheet for mine and this filled it up almost to the edges (but not quite). I used 3 cups of chocolate chips (I’d use less next time so the chocolate layer wouldn’t be as thick), about 4-5 cups of yogurt, and 1-2 cups mixed berries.

Directions

Lay parchment paper on a baking sheet, set aside.
Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl on half power, stirring often, until smooth (took mine about 4 1/2 minutes, stirring every 30-45 seconds) Spread onto the parchment paper and freeze about an hour, or until hardened.
Spread your yogurt over the chocolate, smoothing it out evenly. Sprinkle your berries over top, pressing them gently into the yogurt. Freeze about 3-4 hours, or until hardened.
Allow to thaw about 15-30 minutes, then break into chunks of ‘yogurt bark’. Enjoy immediately!

See, it’s really easy to make – the hardest part is allowing enough time for it to freeze all the way, so does require planning ahead a bit. If you have any extra yogurt bark pieces, store them in an airtight container of baggie in your freezer.

What’s your favorite type of berries?

Grilled Pork with Tinfoil Fried Rice

July 9, 2018 by Kelly Dedeaux

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #RealFlavorRealFast #CollectiveBias

Hubby is absolutely LOVING his grill from father’s day, and will use about any excuse to heat it up for cooking. When I told him I bought a delicious marinated pork loin, there was no doubt in my mind that he’d want to grill it – and I was right! For a little extra fun for our meal, we wanted to do a more unique side dish – fried rice, but on the grill. It turned out amazing, and was super easy to make. So break out your own grill and enjoy this tasty Grilled Pork with Tinfoil Fried Rice!

Several years ago I shared hubby’s favorite marinated pork loin – we all loved the incredible flavor and the ease of cooking (because we’re all about easy meals here!), so when I saw the Smithfield Roasted Garlic & Cracked Black Pepper Fresh Pork Tenderloin while I was placing my Walmart grocery pick-up order, I knew that it would be a hit. I made sure to get enough of the pork loin, then also the ingredients I’d need for the tinfoil fried rice side dish, as well. The next day, I picked up my order quickly – gotta love saving time on errands, right?! If you haven’t tried Walmart’s grocery pick-up service, I highly encourage you to give it a try and see how it works for yourself.

One of the reasons we all (especially hubby) love Smithfield Marinated Fresh Pork is because it provides real fresh, real flavor, real fast – providing real solutions for real life. It’s 100% fresh pork, so you can have a delicious, hassle-free meal in no time! It’s perfectly marinated and seasoned, making it great for any night of the week. I love the flexibility – try it grilled, roasted, sauteed or even slow-cooked. Try it YOUR way, and I’m sure you’ll love it!

Ingredients

1 1/3 cup Instant Rice
1/2 cup Water
1/2 cup Vegetable Broth
1 cup Vegetables of Choice, diced
1/4 cup Onion
Garlic Powder, to taste
Black Pepper, to taste
6 Sheets of Tinfoil (roughly 12″ squared)
Smithfield Marinated Fresh Pork

Directions

In a bowl, combine the rice, water, broth, vegetables, and onion until well-mixed. Allow to sit just a few minutes to start absorbing the liquid.
Divide the mixture (use a ladle or similar so you also scoop the liquid) between the 6 sheets of tinfoil. Season with garlic powder and pepper to taste.
Fold two sides of foil together twice, making sure it’s secure. Fold over and roll up the other two ends.
Heat grill to medium heat, about 350-400 degrees F. Remove the pork loin from the packaging. Spray or rub your grill with olive oil (to prevent burning and sticking), then place the pork onto the grill and cook carefully – turning often to avoid burning. Cook the pork, covered, about 20-30 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F.
After the pork has been cooking about 5 minutes, place the tinfoil packets on the grill and cook, covered, about 15-20 minutes, or until rice is soft.
After done, CAREFULLY open the tinfoil packets (away from grill) – the steam will be extremely hot, so use caution. Fluff with a fork and transfer to plates.
Cut the pork loin into strips or cubes (your choice!) and serve on top of the fried rice.

That’s all it takes – it’s super quick to make, and the flavor is AMAZING!

The whole family loved the grilled pork – full of flavor and very tender. The rice was super fun, because how often can you say you cooked rice on a grill? Something more unique for your summer BBQs!

Want even more fun? Be sure to check out the Hero of the Grill Contest & Sweepstakes at SmithfieldGetGrilling.com where you can share & nominate who inspired YOU to get grilling for a chance for your hero to win $5,000! Not to mention, you can enjoy great grilling content and enter for a chance to win prizes DAILY.

What would you serve Smithfield Marinated Fresh Pork with?

Printable Banana Bread Recipe Chalkboard Art

June 18, 2018 by Kelly Dedeaux

Banana bread has always been a popular favorite, and there’s so many variations out there that it’s really fun to try in new ways. If you’re a fan, you’ll want to nab this Free Printable Banana Bread Recipe Chalkboard Art! Not only is a tasty classic recipe, but it’s also a cute display to print off and use as decor in your kitchen, or even as a fun gift for any occasion.

Give it a try and see how delicious it is – plus how FUN! I’m a huge fan of the chalkboard design printables, and hope you’ll enjoy this as much as I do.

Click HERE to download and print off your printable banana bread recipe

Also check out…

15 Satisfying Chocolate Desserts

May 14, 2018 by Kelly Dedeaux

It’s absolutely no secret that I’m a huge lover of chocolate recipes. My kids even tease me sometimes like ‘uh-oh mom, there’s chocolate!’ They know I can hardly resist the deliciousness. If you’re like me, then you’ll be a fan of these 15 Satisfying Chocolate Desserts – they’re sure to help that sweet tooth craving, and be a hit at parties, family gatherings, or just for a late night dessert! Don’t worry, I won’t tattle if you don’t share 😉

Maybe you’ll start with the chocolate lasagna or no bake bars, or perhaps you’re curious about the chocolate dessert soup. I sure am! From pretzels to pudding, cake and more, there’s a great variety for any chocolate lover in your family!

1. Chocolate Lasagna – Amanda’s Cookin’

2. How to Make a Chocolate Dessert Pizza – Chocolate Covered Katie

3. Triple Chocolate Frozen Dessert – Tastes of Lizzy T

4. Mint Chocolate Dessert Soup – Love and Olive Oil

5. No Bake Chocolate Lasagna – I Heart Naptime

6. No-Bake Chocolate Eclair Dessert – The Kitchen is My Playground

7. Cherry Cheesecake Chocolate Dessert Pizza – Shaken Together Life

8. Mini Baileys Chocolate Cheesecake Trifles – Life Love and Sugar

9. Chocolate Dipped Dessert Pretzels – A Beautiful Mess

10. Chocolate Peanut Butter Dream Bars – Averie Cooks

11. No Bake Reese’s Peanut Butter Bars

12. Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate Truffles – Sugar Hero

13. Bittersweet Chocolate Budino – Love and Olive Oil

14. No-Bake Chocolate Eclair Cake – One Little Project

15. Chocolate Avocado Pudding – The Pretty Bee

What’s your favorite chocolate dessert?

Delicious Cinnamon Desserts

May 7, 2018 by Kelly Dedeaux

I wasn’t too fond of the taste of cinnamon when I was younger – not sure why, but it just wasn’t a big hit with me. I remember one day when I was in college my roommate sprinkled some on a smoothie and convinced me to give it a chance, and I totally loved it! I don’t know what changed, but now I really enjoy the flavor of cinnamon and what it adds to so many great recipes! If you’re like me and like cinnamon – here’s a list of Delicious Cinnamon Desserts to try!

Everything from cheesecakes to cinnamon rolls (of course), even truffles and muffins! There’s plenty of variety, so pick your favorite and give it a whirl – it may end up being your absolute favorite cinnamon dessert recipe yet 🙂

1. Cinnamon Apple Icebox Cake – Inside Bru Crew Life

2. Cinnamon Toast Bars – Barefeet In the Kitchen

3. Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake – Tastes of Lizzy T

4. White Chocolate Cinnamon Truffles – Lolly Jane

5. Cinnamon Sugar Doughnut Mug Cake – Bitz N Giggles

6. No Bake Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cheesecake Bites – Shared Appetite

7. Cinnamon Roll Crumb Cake – Love Bakes Good Cakes

8. Cinnabons Cinnamon Rolls – Jo Cooks

9. Cinnamon Swirl Quick Bread – I Heart Naptime

10. Cereal Milk Cinnamon Rolls – Studio DIY

11. Easy Peach Cobbler Cinnamon Coffee Cake – The Frugal Navy Wife

12. Cinnamon Roll Breakfast Cake – Kitchen Nostalgia

13. Semi-Homemade Skillet Cinnamon Rolls – A Cultivated Nest

14. Cinnamon Sugar Cheesecake Bars – Princess Pinky Girl

15. Chocolate Chip Muffins With Cinnamon and Nutmeg – Homemade Hooplah

Scone Recipes for Busy Moms

May 2, 2018 by Kelly Dedeaux

Weekends are the time when we have the ‘better’ breakfast recipes – mostly because we have more time. Whether you’re looking for something new to try for your Saturday, or an easy-yet-delicious option for a weekday morning, these Scone Recipes for Busy Moms are sure to please!

I love a good scone recipe, but use to just think of honey or jam to go with them. Now that we’ve branched out more with our search for a wider breakfast variety, I’m a HUGE fan because there’s so many to choose from! Hubby is all over the pumpkin scones (of course) while I can’t wait to try the chocolate chip cream cheese ones. I know the chocolate chunk orange scones would be a big hit with the kiddos – so there’s something for everyone in this list of great scone recipes for busy moms!

1. Raspberry Scone Cookies – Barefeet in the Kitchen

2. Pumpkin Scones with Spiced Glaze – Brown Eyed Baker

3. My Favorite Blueberry Scones – Sally’s Baking Addiction

4. Maple Glazed Gingerbread Scones – Pinch of Yum

5. Chocolate Chunk Orange Scones – Cookies and Cups

6. Clean Mocha Chocolate Chip Scones – Amy’s Healthy Baking

7. Lemon Buttermilk Scones With Lemon Glaze – Jo Cooks

8. Caramel Apple Scones – Recipe Girl

9. Ginger Persimmon Scone Muffins – Love and Olive Oil

10. Vegan Banana Nut Scones – Cookie + Kate

11. Mint Chip Scones – Crazy For Crust

12. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookie Scones – Chelsea’s Messy Apron

13. Caramel Apple Cinnamon Scones – Sally’s Baking addiction

14. Dairy Free Berry Vanilla Scones – Fashionable Foods

15. Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Scones – Cookies & Cups

One Pot Cooking: a Busy Mom’s Best Friend!

April 25, 2018 by Kelly Dedeaux

Thank you to Craftsy for sponsoring this post. All opinions are mine alone.

We all know that life’s full of to-dos, especially for us parents. Luckily, having a healthy, delicious & EASY meal for our family is possible with One Pot Cooking (it’s a busy mom’s best friend!). And if you’re not quite sure how to get started with this amazing life hack for cooking, be sure to check out Chef Ryan Scott’s 10-part series to get you all set to make one pot cooking a helpful part of your life!

It’s absolutely no secret that I completely LOVE one pot meals – whether it’s my slow cooker, pot or sheet pan – because it’s often the only way my family will get a full meal that’s tasty and healthy with my crazy schedule. As I write this, I can smell the amazing seasoned pork with potatoes I have cooking in my slow cooker right on the counter in our hotel room, and am grateful for such a great invention 🙂

Some of us have been relying on one pot cooking for years and consider ourselves pros (for the record, I’m definitely not a pro yet!), while others aren’t quite sure how to make anything really great without some guidance. If you’re in the latter group, you’ll be thrilled to hear that Craftsy and TODAY Food have launched a new digital cooking series called “One Pot Cooking” featuring Ryan Scott, an Emmy-award winning chef, as well as NBC News weather anchor Dylan Dreyer. This online class is a LIFESAVER for us busy moms!

What is this “One Pot Cooking” series, you ask?

It’s a 10-part series (online, making it super convenient) that offers a fresh perspective to making healthy and delicious one pot meals. That means ONE cooking piece – from slow cooker (my personal fav), to frying pan, to sheet pan and more. This is great, because it means you don’t get stuck with ONE style or way to do things!

Check out the trailer to see some of the tastiness in store:

Don’t you think chef Ryan Scott and Dylan are super fun?! And did you notice – it’s not JUST great dinners like lasagna or salmon, but there was also dessert (pineapple upside-down cake, anyone?) and I even saw what appears to be a french toast with fresh fruit. Yum!

I’m eager to check out “One Pot Cooking” and really take my easy meals to a whole new level! If you’re wanting to get a ‘taste’ for it, too, it’s available on Craftsy for a one-time fee of just $40 (for the whole 10-part series!).

Or if you’re a foodie who wants even more, you can sign up for Craftsy Unlimited, Craftsy’s video subscription service, and get a free trial of “One Pot Cooking” as well as unlimited PREMIUM access to thousands of hours of exclusive video tutorials and classes – and it’s just $14.99/month or $120 for an annual subscription (that comes out to just $10/month – wow!)

You can find more details on Craftsy.com and be sure to enjoy all the deliciousness and fun they have to offer!

Check out these other tips that chef Ryan Scott has for busy moms!

Q: What are your top five tips for moms on-the-go who want to make creative weeknight meals?

Have fun
Be creative!
Know how to use your kitchen staples
Utilize leftovers
Make sauces in batches that are universal and delicious

What are three kitchen must-haves for easy to make recipes?

Slow cookers are great
One pan meals are my favorite you. There are many vessels that can be used as your “one pan” from cast iron skillets, to roasting pans, to sheet pans, they all work for different uses!
A well stocked pantry is essential to making easy recipes. Use ingredients that are versatile and shelf friendly.

What can viewers expect from your “One-Pot Cooking” class on Craftsy?

My crash course on how to make the easiest MEALS. Yes full meals!

Can one-pot cooking also be healthy? If so, how?

Absolutely! I find people only consider one-pot meals as crock pots or slow cookers which is not true. A one pot meal is simply using one vessel to cook your food. Use good nutritional ingredients and don’t go crazy with unhealthy ingredients.

What’s YOUR favorite one pot recipe?

15 Must Make Macaron Recipes

April 11, 2018 by Kelly Dedeaux

I never tasted a macaron until a couple of years ago – but then I was hooked because my-oh-my are they delicious! These little cookies would be great for a party, special dessert, in a gift, or plenty of other occasions. If you’re in the mood for this tasty treat, give one of these 15 Must Make Macaron Recipes a try and see which one is your favorite!

Maybe the cotton candy one catches your eye, or you’re more of a lemon fan. I know many would love the pumpkin spice macaron recipe, and I’m eager to give the Star Wars ones a try! Whatever you choose, I’m sure it’ll be a great little snack for the everyone!

1. Lemon Macaron Recipe – Frugal Mom Eh

2. Chocolate Peanut Butter Macarons – Sally’s Baking Addiction

3. Pumpkin Spice French Macarons – Foodie Misadventures

4. Chocolate Mint Macarons – Ashlee Marie

5. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Macarons – The Domestic Rebel

6. Sea Salt Caramel Macarons – The Little Epicurean

7. Star Wars Macarons – Semi Sweet Designs

8. Fruity Pebbles Macarons – Studio DIY

9. Almond Cookie Dough Macarons – Love and Olive Oil

10. Pink Peppermint Bark Macarons – How Sweet Eats

11. White Chocolate Macadamia Nut French Macarons – Persia Lou

12. Salted Caramel Cinnamon Macarons – Sally’s Baking Addiction

13. White Chocolate Ganache Filled Gingerbread Macarons – Dessert Now Dinner Later

14. White Chocolate Peppermint Macaron – Ashlee Marie

15. Cotton Candy Macarons – The Domestic Rebel

Which macaron recipe is your favorite?

20 Light Spring Appetizer Recipes

March 31, 2021 by Kelly Dedeaux

I can’t believe it’s officially Spring time – how did that happen? I feel like we just passed New Years, yet here we are almost to East. Ugh! Well, to ‘celebrate’ the coming of this season, let’s check out this list of 20 Light Spring Appetizer Recipes. Not only are they easy to whip up, but delicious and sure to please the crowd – whether it’s just a family dinner, or a huge neighborhood party!

Wrapped Asparagus – Dessert Now Dinner Later

Veggie Spring Rolls – Revi’s Photography

Dilly Cucumber Bites – Do More for Less

Spring Pea Crostini with Feta Cheese – Well Plated

Strawberry Bruschetta – Delish

Spring Couscous Salad with Basal Vinaigrette – Little Spice Jar

Creamy Spinach Roll Ups – Passion for Savings

Homemade Fresh Summer Rolls with Easy Peanut Dipping Sauce – Sally’s Baking Addiction

Buffalo Chicken Tortilla Pinwheels – Home Cooking Memories

Fresh Shrimp Spring Rolls with Peanut Dipping Sauce – Jessica Gavin

Best Roasted Cauliflower Nachos – Apples for CJ

Nuts About Berries Salad – I Heart Naptime

Vegan, Paleo Spring Pea Dip with Almonds, Ginger and Cilantro – The Organic Dietitian

Strawberry Cheesecake Strawberry Bites – The Kitchen is My Playground

Spring Cobb Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette – Fit Foodie Finds

Balsamic Glaze Spring Salad – Making Life Blissful

Pull Apart Garlic Bread – Gather for Bread

Meatball Appetizer Cups – This Grandma Is Fun

BLT Appetizers – The Country Chic Cottage

Which Spring Appetizer Recipe would you try first?

17 Italian Slow Cooker Recipes

May 26, 2018 by Kelly Dedeaux

I absolutely LOVE Italian food – it’s one of my favorites! Being able to whip a great meal in the crockpot is also a love of mine, so this list of 17 Italian Slow Cooker Recipes is the best of all worlds! From cheesy pastas, to creamy soups and more, you’re bound to find the ideal busy weeknight meal to please your whole crew.

I can’t wait to try these, especially the beef sandwiches or the broccoli ranch chicken – they sounds super tasty! Take a look through and pick one of these easy, slow cooker recipes to whip up for your family on those nights when life’s just a little too busy (isn’t that almost EVERY night?) 🙂

1. Italian Chicken with Tomatoes
2. Baked Ziti with Italian Sausage
3. Zesty Italian Shredded Chicken
4. Italian Pork Roast
5. Zuppa Toscana
6. Chicken Stroganoff
7. Italian Turkey Stew
8. Italian Beef Sandwiches
9. Italian Chicken and Broccoli Rabe Chili
10. Italian Sausage Wedding Soup
11. Italian Beef
12. Italian Two Bean Chili Soup
13. Broccoli Ranch Chicken
14. Cheesy Crockpot Tortellini
15. Italian-Seasoned Potatoes
16. Italian Swiss Steak
17. Italian Chicken

Ingredients

Directions

What’s YOUR favorite recipe to use RAGÚ® Sauce in?

What are your favorite snack ideas for toddlers?

Ingredients

Directions

What’s your favorite type of berries?

Ingredients

Directions

What would you serve Smithfield Marinated Fresh Pork with?

Also check out…

What’s your favorite chocolate dessert?

What’s YOUR favorite one pot recipe?

Which macaron recipe is your favorite?

Which Spring Appetizer Recipe would you try first?

Which Italian slow cooker recipe do you want to try first?