Classic Macaroni Salad

A true summer staple, Macaroni Salad is a throw-back to so many of our childhoods and a side dish that never quite goes out of style. With simple ingredients and easy prep, it's a recipe that I come back to time and time again. It's perfect alongside baked beans, corn on the cob and watermelon wedges at cook-outs. Our grandmothers and moms knew a thing or two about easy, delicious recipes. And, Macaroni Salad is just one of those recipes that truly stands the test of time.

Grab some elbow noodles, make a creamy {and quick} dressing, dice up a few vegetables, toss in some chopped boiled eggs and give the whole thing a stir. It's a great make-ahead option for picnics and warm-weather gatherings. And, it always disappears quickly.

Yields 6 - 8 servings.

No-Fail Oven-Roasted Eye of Round Roast

I have struggled with preparing eye of round roasts for years. It has always been hit or miss - mostly miss. The beef was either incredibly tough and overcooked {think jerky or shoe leather} or completely raw in the middle. I have strived to find a recipe that would not fail me ... one that was simple and uncomplicated, but would yield perfect results every time. I wanted a predictable outcome ... not results that I had to cross my fingers over and pray to the gods that the meat would be edible. Well, I have found the perfect recipe and method. Eye of Round Nirvana. Heavens opening. Angels singing. Perfection.

I did quite a bit of research recently online to try to unlock the secret to preparing this particular cut of beef. One thing I discovered was that I was cooking my roast at too low of a temperature, cooking it for too long and not allowing a long enough resting period. I, also, realized a few other key tips like, it is best to roast the meat with the fat side up and that there is no need to add any liquid {or even oil} of any sort to the pan.

This is seriously such an uncomplicated, simple method to follow. Know, however, that there is a bit of time involved. You'll actually be leaving the roast in the oven - after some initial high-temp cooking time for like, two hours with the oven off. Seriously. Do not open the door. No peeking. No poking. Just let it sit in there. Please - trust me. And, I definitely encourage you to use a meat thermometer for this recipe. You need to make sure that your beef is cooked precisely to your liking.

Regarding the seasoning, I have chosen to use a basic steakhouse seasoning blend that includes salt, pepper, garlic and a few dried herbs. But, simple salt and pepper can be used. {Whatever your fancy on beef.}

Yields 4 - 6 servings.

Grilled Asparagus with Maple Walnuts and Savory Yogurt

Lightly grilled asparagus comes together with a super simple Greek yogurt sauce and some quickly-glazed maple walnuts for an incredibly easy and healthful side dish. This is a recipe that takes mere minutes to prepare, but is one that truly celebrates the freshness and beauty of asparagus - especially during the spring.

I have been testing a good deal of asparagus recipes over the past week or so. I made a farro salad with chopped grilled asparagus and tomatoes. I tried a Parmesan-crusted baked asparagus recipe, but still can't quite manage to keep the crust to stay fully on the asparagus. {I may keep working on that one because it was very tasty.}

After testing this particular recipe for this post, I came to the conclusion, however, that I really prefer keeping things pretty simple and uncomplicated when it comes to asparagus. This recipe really highlights asparagus. Just a few other ingredients amp up the dish. Greek yogurt is mixed with lemon juice, salt, pepper, honey and a little za'atar {a Middle Eastern Spice Blend}, then drizzled on top of the grilled asparagus. Maple walnuts top it all off for come crunch and sweetness. It's a beautiful, quick side dish that I'm sure asparagus lovers are sure to savor and enjoy.

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Yields 2 - 3 servings.

Cheesy BBQ Flatbread with Grilled Vegetables

I seriously cannot express to you nearly enough just how awesome this recipe is. I know this flatbread may not look super knock-your-socks-off impressive. And, I can attest that this certainly isn't a complicated or sophisticated dish. But, it's just one of those things that once you start making your way through this at the dinner {or lunch or snack or anytime} table, you'll come to understand just what I am talking about. If you're a lover of barbeque sauce, cheese, and/or grilled veggies, this is right up your alley. I know it is mine. {So much so that I've made this three times in the past week.}

Using store-bought naan bread {found in the bread or bakery section in most supermarkets these days} makes this a super simple recipe to whip up. {Soft pita bread could, also, be used.} A bounty of freshness from the sweet corn, onions, peppers and fresh thyme makes this flatbread a real winner. Some zip and sweetness comes from the inclusion of bbq sauce. And, a little cheddar cheese makes the whole thing truly sing.

Regarding the bread, you want something that isn't too thin and is rather soft. This dish turns out best when the flatbread just kinda warms through during a few, quick minutes in the oven. It should still remain tender and soft for service. Nothing super thin, crispy or crunchy.

One last thing I'd like to mention ... we experimented with a few different kinds of barbeque sauce for this. We have our favorites for certain types of grilled meats and the like. For this? It has to be Kraft Original. I mean, go with what you like. But, we found old-school Kraft to be our choice.

NOTE: Grilled or breaded chicken {already cooked} that has been cut into small dice can be added for those desiring more than just vegetables on their flatbread. {I did use some chicken during one of the times that I recipe tested this flatbread - as shown in the photo below.}

Joyously Domestic is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. You can read my full disclosure statement here. This post contains affiliate links to amazon.com.

Yields 4 flatbreads / Serves 4.

Simple Potato and Corn Soup

I have shared several potato soup recipes here on the blog since its start in 2012. Some were slow cooker ones. Some called for summer sweet corn off of the cob. A couple were spicy versions. Bacon and lots of cheese were the highlights of a couple. But, for this particular recipe, I've broken it down to the basics. A simple, straight-forward soup. Simple, no-fuss ingredients. Very simple, easy prep. On the table in around thirty minutes from start to finish.

The result is a creamy soup that is loaded with chunks of potato and pops of corn kernels. This is the type of soup that you want to hunker down with on the couch on a chilly evening - a blanket atop your lap and remote in hand - and just savor each comforting, homey bite.

It's an ideal soup to make for weeknight dinners due to the ease and simplicity of the recipe. And, if you'd like to make dinnertime even easier, you can have the potatoes prepped the night before or morning of, too. Just keep the chunks submerged in cold water in a lidded bowl in the fridge, then drain before utilizing them in this recipe.