It’s winter and I need some warm weather feelings.

Are you feeling the same way?

Then watch this delicious video on grilling amazing strip steaks. Plus, learn how to make grilled potato chips – pure awesome.

And please note:  Chef Megan Mitchell is wearing spaghetti straps and standing by a pool! Ahhhh…

Dream with me, won’t you?

The guests are coming! The guests are coming!

Overnight guests = lotsa cooking.

And it’s not just the holiday meal we have to prepare for, it’s multiple breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks, appetizers, desserts – it’s non-stop eating!

I KNOW it’s not just my family.

So I like to try to be kind to myself and get a game plan ahead of time.

My go-to dinners? Burgers (always easy and always a hit) and Bake & Serve meals like the Roast Chicken with Apple and Tart Cherry you see above.

So tasty – and you just pop them in the oven! Voila! Gourmet!

Check out other tasty Bake & Serve ideas here like Beef Wellington and Chicken Cordon Bleu.

And have a merrier holiday without all the stress!

Photo courtesy of KansasCitySteaks.com.

Turkey Bolognese! Cranberry-carrot muffins! Turkey spring rolls!

I’ve gotta admit, these are meals made from Thanksgiving leftovers I would NEVER have come up with on my own.

But what great ideas! After the obligatory turkey and ham sandwiches, I usually don’t want the traditional meal again anytime soon. But Turkey Bolognese? That’s a flavor I can get behind. And it’s not even close to tasting like Thanksgiving turkey!

And how about some cranberry-carrot muffins for breakfast the next morning? Genius!

Click to see more really smart – and tasty –  Thanksgiving leftover ideas here.

With these meals, it’ll be a happy Thanksgiving, indeed!

Photo courtesy of KansasCitySteaks.com.