Asakencot Podcast

Well hello! I’ve got a coffee in my hand and a smile on my face and it’s time to chat like real people! These days I’m drinking regular coffee with cream, maple syrup, and a pinch of salt in my little Keep Cup thing (affiliate link) , which is my go-to in the fall. Or if it’s evening and I’m sitting in front of the TV, I’ve definitely got my hands wrapped around a mug of Good Earth sweet and spicy tea. But please note that I’m also averaging at least 2 if not 3 Starbucks pumpkin spice lattes per week at this point in time, and the budget committee would like to have a word with me about that. If you’re not a PSL person, try my PSL order: medium, decaf (anxious person problems), oat milk, 3 pumps instead of 4, hold the whip. It’s decadent but in a rich coffee-decadent way. And it has to be from Starbucks. Caribou has its time and place, and I know everywhere else has their own knockoff, but I’m a big believer in sticking with the OG on this one. It’s also approximately $15, hence

This soup is the perfect ode to fall! Chicken meets orzo in an almost tomato soup form plus lots of bread dips, of course. Let’s go! This recipe is sponsored by DeLallo Chicken and orzo literally never fail. It can do no wrong. And make that chicken and orzo in an almost tomato soup form and you have a foolproof, everybody-likes-it dinner that is practically SOS-level easy. This soup is a pantry essential with just a few ingredients coming straight out of the cupboards: tomato paste, garlic, broth, and orzo. And this is one of those cases where simplicity just wins. The Flavor Of This Soup This chicken orzo tomato soup can be a little bit of a chameleon – you can give it the flavors that you like. You build the base by caramelizing tomato paste and garlic (idea coming from a recipe in a Milkstreet cookbook!) and you can spice to your heart’s delight. I like to stay in the mainstream flavor zone for this one with Italian seasoning (almost has a pizza-like flavor to it with t

Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Bars! Perfectly chewy, crispy, caramelly, buttery, soft, and exactly as over-the-top as you need them to be. This is a classic case of “it doesn’t have to be fancy to be amazing.” In This Post: Everything You Need For Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Bars The Rice Krispie Bar Love Story I REALLY ADORE these Rice Krispie Bars. I’ve been making them for a long time, ever since my cousin’s wife Erica brought them to us years ago and I fell absolutely in love with them. I bothered her for the recipe, as one does, and she sent me this recipe from All Recipes. The adjustments I’ve made over the years have mostly to do with convenience: standard-size boxes and bags rather than the hard-to-find ones, light brown sugar instead of dark, and ditching the corn syrup, since you already have the sticky caramel to hold it all together. And also because I’m known to be a fan of short ingredient lists. If you’re the kind of person who likes an understated dessert, y

Bacon wrapped dates are the perfect combination of sweet and salty and will be the most talked about appetizer at your next party. Sweet tender dates wrapped in bacon and drizzled with honey and you won’t believe how amazing these are! I love an easy appetizer that is simple to prepare and tastes incredible. These bacon-wrapped dates are my go-to appetizer because the flavors are so unique. Any appetizer that has bacon in it is always a hit! Try the most amazing 5-minute dip, classic jalapeño poppers with bacon, or these bacon pinwheels. What Are Bacon Wrapped Dates? The combination of bacon and dates may raise some eyebrows, but I am telling you they are a MUST try recipe. Crispy salty bacon on the outside with a soft plump date on the inside. They are creative, unexpected, and the flavors are out of this world. One bite and you will be hooked! I love the flavor combinations of sweet and savory! The sweetness added to a savory dish is so delicious becuase it adds so much depth! You ha

Corn Casserole all zazzed up! Bursty bites of cream-style corn and sweet corn plus garlic, bacon, and cheese throughout – so you know it’s really, really good! Clear a spot on the Thanksgiving table this year for this deliciously savory, unstoppably scoopable corn casserole with its hint of sweet, its confetti of bacon, and pulls of sharp cheddar cheese. There is a new side dish in town and it is not messing around. This post is sponsored by ButcherBox. Corn Casserole and Holiday Turkey: A Match Made In Heaven This corn recipe has been a holiday favorite with my family over the years (hence the name “everybody’s favorite”)! We make it every year. This year, we get to re-share this favorite recipe in partnership with ButcherBox and I get to tell you about how you can get a FREE TURKEY to be serving alongside your corn casserole at the Thanksgiving or holiday meal. How it works: if you’re a new member, click here to get a 10-14 pound turkey totally free in your first box!

These House Favorite Brussels Sprouts are the best side veg and are speckled with bright bursts of cranberries and nutty walnuts. The perfect addition to any meal! Let’s talk about these roasty, sweet, nutty brussels sprouts that combine those tender-crisp, whole-brussel bites with the ultra thin and crispy leaves, all coated with a lil’ mustard-maple drench and speckled with juicy bites of dried cranberry. Oh my gosh. WHY ARE THEY SO GOOD. To be honest, I have very few “house favorites” in our house because I always change it up. Always trying new recipes, always moving on to the next thing. We hardly stay on any one recipe for more than just a few repeats because new! exciting! rah rah rah. But this recipe has been made WEEKLY for… um, the last five months? It has solidly earned its House Favorite status. We make these brussels sprouts all. the. time. Dad loves them, toddler loves them, Mom loves them AND loves that everyone loves them. Also: guests love them, although usuall

Every get-together needs a nutritious veggie charcuterie board full of colorful vegetables beautifully displayed all together. Perfect as an appetizer or side dish, this healthy board of fresh veggies is a hit served with a side of hummus and ranch dressing. I love serving this show-stopping veggie charcuterie board for the holidays. It’s great because it’s a light snack before a delicious meal. Healthy appetizers are always a crowd-pleaser! Try some more of my favorite healthy appetizers like lettuce wraps, these cute Caprese skewers, or whipped feta dip. I know you’ll love them all! Veggie Charcuterie Board The beauty of a veggie board is the vibrant colors of the many different vegetables. Fresh veggies dipped in ranch or hummus seem to always be a favorite at my house. This board will satisfy the eyes and the stomach before any meal. Watch your guests gather around this veggie board because it’s gorgeous AND delicious! Charcuterie boards are the BEST way to display food and gather