Feta Spaghetti Squash

Feta Spaghetti Squash Recipe by Yumna Jawad from Feel Good Foodie.

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 45 minutes

Servings: 2 servings

Ingredients

1 large spaghetti squash split in half, seeds removed
1 8-ounce block feta cheese (substitute vegan feta)
1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
2 cloves garlic minced
Salt and pepper to taste
4 tablespoons olive oil
¼ cup chopped basil

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Directions

Preheat oven to 400°F degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Cut spaghetti squash in half lengthwise, scoop out the seeds and discard. Place cut side up on the prepared baking sheet.
Break the feta block in half and place each half in the middle of each squash half. Add the cherry tomatoes on top, along with the garlic and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
Bake until the feta cheese looks melty and golden brown on the edges and the spaghetti squash is fork tender, about 45-50 minutes.
Use a fork to pull the inside of the squash apart, which will come out in strands that look like spaghetti. Stir it all together and scatter it with fresh basil. Enjoy immediately.

roasted spaghetti squash with garlic herb butter - feta spaghetti squash stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images — Photo by Getty Images

Soft Pretzel Bites

Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe by Carrie Barnard from Eating on a Dime.

Prep time: 1 hr 15 minutes

Cooking time: 15 minutes

Servings: 12 servings

Ingredients

2 Tbsp Light Brown Sugar
1 packet of Active Dry Yeast
3 Tbsp Butter (melted)
1 1/2 cups warm water
3 tsp Kosher Salt
4 1/2 cups All Purpose Flour
Canola Oil
3 quarts water
1/2 cup Baking Soda
1 Egg (beaten)
1/4 cup coarse sea salt

pretzel bites in the making - pretzel bite dough stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images — Photo by Getty Images

Directions

Mix brown sugar, yeast, melted butter, and warm water together in a stand mixer with a dough hook.
Add in salt and flour and mix with the dough hook on low until well combined. Mix for another 3-4 minutes or until the dough starts pulling away from the sides of the bowl. If the dough is too sticky, add flour, 1 tablespoon at a time.
Oil a glass bowl. Pull the dough out of the mixer bowl and form into a ball. Place dough inside the oiled bowl. Cover tightly with plastic wrap. Let stand for about an hour (or until doubled in size).
Preheat oven to 425 F.
Bring 3 quarts of water to boil in a stock pot, then add baking soda. Break off pieces of dough, roll them into a “snake”, then chop into bite-size pieces. Add the cut pieces to boiling water. Remove the pieces after about 30 seconds (the pieces will initially sink, but then start to float when they are ready).
Place on a well-greased cookie sheet, making sure pieces are not touching. Repeat until all of the dough is gone. I filled up 2 big cookie sheets.
Brush egg wash over the pretzel bites, then sprinkle with coarse sea salt. Bake at 425 for about 15 minutes (or until a nice pretzel-y color).
Remove to a wire rack to cool. Enjoy.

soft pretzel bites on a baking tray - soft pretzel bite stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images — Photo by Getty Images

Sausage Cheddar Biscuits

cheddar cheese biscuits fresh from the oven - cheddar biscuits stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images — Photo by Getty Images

Sausage Cheddar Biscuits Recipe by Trisha Yearwood from Food Network.

Prep time: 30 minutes

Cooking time: 25 minutes

Servings: 16 to 18 biscuits

Ingredients

8 ounces fresh pork sausage with sage, casings removed
2 sticks (16 tablespoons) butter, softened
1 cup sour cream
2 cups self-rising flour
5 ounces shredded extra-sharp cheddar

making christmas coockies at home - cheddar biscuit dough stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images — Photo by Getty Images

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a medium skillet over medium heat, cook the sausage until well-browned, breaking it up into small pieces. Let cool completely, either on the counter or in the freezer.
Mix the butter and sour cream in a stand mixer. Mix in the flour, 1 cup at a time, mixing until fully combined. Add the sausage and cheddar, and mix until well incorporated.
Drop heaping spoonfuls of the dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake until lightly browned, 20 to 25 minutes.

If you can’t find self-rising flour, you can substitute it with a mixture of 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 3 teaspoons baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.

cheese scones viewed from the side - cheddar biscuits stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images — Photo by Getty Images

Cowboy Caviar

Cowboy Caviar Recipe by Erin Merher from The Pioneer Woman.

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: N/A

Servings: Yields 6 cups

Ingredients

1 15-oz. can of black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
1 15-oz. can of black beans, drained and rinsed
1 1/2 cup diced Roma tomatoes
1 jalapeño pepper, chopped
1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup red onion, chopped
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
3 Tbsp. olive oil
2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce (Or vegan Worcestershire)
1/2 tsp. seasoned salt
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
Tortilla chips, to serve

Directions

In a large mixing bowl, combine the black-eyed peas, black beans, tomato, bell pepper, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, olive oil, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, cumin, and black pepper.
Mix well to combine. Serve with tortilla chips and enjoy!

homemade organic cowboy caviar dip - texas caviar stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images — Photo by Getty Images

Top 10 Biggest North Carolina State Parks

10. William B. Umstead State Park (5,599 acres)

umstead state park in raleigh, north carolina - umstead state park stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images — Photo by Getty Images

First on our list of North Carolina state parks Is Umstead State Park. Located in Wake County, William B. Umstead State Park has everything you need for a weekend away with the family. The grounds include camping, activities, trails, and facilities. Trails range from a 0.4-mile loop called Inspiration Trail to the Sycamore Trail, a 7.2-mile loop. Spanning a large 5,599 acres, there is plenty to do at Umstead State Park.

9. Morrow Mountain State Park (5,702)

view from atop morrow mountain nc on a foggy morning - morrow mountain nc stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images — Photo by Getty Images

Morrow Mountain State Park in Stanly County spans 5,702 acres. At Morrow Mountain, there are hiking trails, bridle trails, boat rentals, museums, Kron House, and boat rentals. You can “glamp” in a vacation cabin or connect with nature in the tent sites while enjoying beautiful scenery and fun activities.

8. Pettigrew State Park (5,951)

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Pettigrew State Park spans a large 5,951 acres across Terrell and Washington Counties. 75 miles northeast of Greenville, you can find a rich habitat and fun activities. There are five trails, ranging from 1.3 miles one way to 4.2 miles one way.

7. Gorges State Park (7,709)

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Gorges State Park is located in Transylvania County, where North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia meet. 56 miles of hiking, 17 miles of biking, and 12 miles of hiking span across 7,709 acres. Not the hiking kind? No worries! There is fishing, picnicking, and camping on site.

6. Chimney Rock State Park (8,014)

chimney rock - chimney rock state park stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images — Photo by Getty Images

25 miles southwest of Asheville in Rutherford County, you can find Chimney Rock State Park. The 8,014 acres feature hiking, fishing, rock climbing, restaurants, an amphitheater, and more. You can take a hike (or an elevator) to the top of the 315-foot freestanding rock spire. While there is no camping on site, camping can be found at Lake James State Park.

5. Hanging Rock State Park (9,011)

hanging rock state park , north carolina , usa - hanging rock state park stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images — Photo by Getty Images

In Stokes County, 30 miles north of Winston Salem, you’ll find 9,011 acres of Hanging Rock State Park. There is everything from hiking and rock climbing to swimming and lounging at the lake. There are a whopping 31 trails ranging from 0.1 miles to 7.4 miles (one way).

4. Lumber River State Park (13,695)

scenic view of river flowing through rocks in forest,asheville,north carolina,united states,usa - lumber river nc stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images — Photo by Getty Images

Lumber River State Park runs 13,695 acres across Scotland, Hoke, Robeson, and Columbus counties. 60 miles south of Fayetteville, a 115-mile river means possibilities are endless. There is a boat ramp and opportunities to paddle and fish. There are two accesses located in Princess Ann and Chalk Banks.

3. Stone Mountain State Park (14,353)

stone mountain in north carolina - stone mountain state park stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images — Photo by Getty Images

Stone Mountain State Park is the perfect getaway for rock climbers and hikers alike. There are 10 miles for horseback riding, 20 miles for hiking, and fishing, and plenty of room for rock climbing. There is camping on-site, both tent sites and RV sites. Stone Mountain State Park is 14,353 acres across Alleghany and Wilkes County. Stone Mountain is known for its 600-foot granite dome and beautiful waterfalls.

2. Dismal Swamp State Park (14,432)

reflection on pond - dismal swamp state park stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images — Photo by Getty Images

Dismal Swamp State Park has 14,432 acres of abundant plant and wildlife. Located in Camden County, you can find 21.5 miles of hiking trails and 21.5 miles of biking trails. There are no camping spots at the State Park but sites can be found at Merchants Millpond State Park.

1. South Mountain State Park (20,949)

blue ridge parkway in north carolina, one of the most beautiful scenic roads in the usa, especially in autumn - south mountain nc stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images — Photo by Getty Images

The Largest of North Carolina’s state parks is South Mountains State Park. South Mountains State Park features beautiful scenery, waterfalls, and trails. Elevations reach up to 3,000 feet with nearly 50 miles of trails for hiking, horseback riding, and bikers. Located 55 miles east of Asheville in Burke County, South Mountains State Park boasts a whopping 20,949 acres.

More Fun Events/Places

Pumpkin Pie Twists

Pumpkin Pie Twists Recipe by Jennifer from Deliciously Sprinkled.

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 10 minutes

Servings: 12 twists

Ingredients

Pumpkin Pie Twists:

1 can 8 oz crescent rolls
½ cup pure pumpkin puree
3 Tablespoons butter, melted
3 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

Cream Cheese Icing:

¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
¼ cup cream cheese softened
1 cup powdered sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

top view of mixing bowl of pumpkin batter - pumpkin pie batter stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images — Photo by Getty Images

Directions

Preheat oven to 375°F. Line the baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicon baking mat. Set aside.
Unroll the crescent dough and lay it down as 4 rectangles on the prepared baking sheet.
Spread pumpkin onto 2 of the rectangles.
Place the other 2 rectangles on top of the pumpkin. Press edges together.
Brush melted butter on top of the rectangles. Sprinkle with pumpkin pie spice.
Using a pizza cutter, cut both rectangles into 6 strips.
Twist each strip a few times and sprinkle with the remaining pumpkin pie spice. Bake for 8-10 minutes.
In a large bowl, mix the butter and cream cheese with an electric mixer. With the mixer on low speed, add the powdered sugar until smooth and creamy. Beat in the vanilla extract.
Fill a zip-lock bag with cream cheese icing, zip it shut, and snip off a corner of the bag. Ice tops of each pumpkin pie twist and enjoy. Simply throw the bag away when finished.

mixer beating yellow cake icing - cream cheese icing stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images — Photo by Getty Images

Pizza Lunchable

Pizza Lunchable Recipe by Yumna Jawad from Feel Good Foodie.

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: N/A

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

4-round mini naans
½ cup pizza sauce
½ cup mozzarella cheese shredded
¼ cup sliced cherry tomatoes
¼ cup sliced olives
¼ cup sliced green peppers

fresh naan flatbreads - naan pizza stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images — Photo by Getty Images

Directions

Divide the naan (or use naan dippers), pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, cherry tomatoes, olives, and green peppers between the meal prep containers.

Cranberry Gelatin

Prep time: 15 minutes

Chilling time: 3 hours

Serving size: 12 servings

Ingredients

2 cups boiling water
2 (0.3 ounce) packages of sugar-free cherry-flavored gelatin mix
1 (16-ounce) can of jellied cranberry sauce
1 (20-ounce) can of mandarin oranges, drained
½ cup chopped walnuts

Chopped walnuts for the cranberry gelatin.

Directions

In a saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil.
In a large mixing bowl, stir together the sugar-free cherry–flavored gelatin mix and the boiling water until the gelatin is completely dissolved.
Mix in drained mandarin oranges and chopped walnuts.
Chill the gelatin mixture in the refrigerator for 3-4 hours, or until set.
Serve the cranberry gelatin with whipped cream (optional) and enjoy!

View More Recipes

Citrus Apple Cider

Citrus Apple Cider Recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 30 minutes

Serving Size: 12 servings

Ingredients

8 cups apple juice
1 orange, sliced
1 apple, cored and sliced
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
2 cinnamon sticks
1 teaspoon cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Apples for citrus apple cider. — Photo by Getty Images

Directions

In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, cloves, and ground nutmeg to make a spice mixture.
In a large pot, combine the apple juice, sliced apple, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, and the prepared spice mixture.
Simmer the mixture on low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Remove from heat and strain.
Serve warm and enjoy!

This Citrus Apple Cider recipe pairs well with fall flavors, comfort foods, and desserts.

Citrus apple cider cooking on the stove. — Photo by Getty Images

View More Recipes

Creamy Tomato Cottage Cheese Pasta

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Creamy Tomato Cottage Cheese Pasta Recipe by Yumna Jawad from Feel Good Foodie.

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cooking time: 10 minutes

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients

16 ounces fusilli pasta or pasta of choice
1 cup marinara sauce
1 cup whole-milk cottage cheese
½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons butter melted
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Chopped parsley for serving

cottage cheese or curd cheese - cottage cheese stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images — Photo by Getty Images

Directions

Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, drain and return the pasta to the pot, covered.
Put the marinara sauce, cottage cheese, parmesan cheese, melted butter, crushed red pepper, and pasta water in a high-speed blender and blend until smooth and creamy, 1-2 minutes.
Transfer the sauce on top of the cooked pasta and toss until combined and heated through.
Serve immediately with more red pepper flakes and chopped parsley, if desired.

Feta Spaghetti Squash

Ingredients

Directions

Soft Pretzel Bites

Ingredients

Directions

Sausage Cheddar Biscuits

Ingredients

Directions

Cowboy Caviar

Ingredients

Directions

Top 10 Biggest North Carolina State Parks

10. William B. Umstead State Park (5,599 acres)

9. Morrow Mountain State Park (5,702)

8. Pettigrew State Park (5,951)

7. Gorges State Park (7,709)

6. Chimney Rock State Park (8,014)

5. Hanging Rock State Park (9,011)

4. Lumber River State Park (13,695)

3. Stone Mountain State Park (14,353)

2. Dismal Swamp State Park (14,432)

1. South Mountain State Park (20,949)

Pumpkin Pie Twists

Ingredients

Directions

Pizza Lunchable

Ingredients

Directions

Cranberry Gelatin

Ingredients

Directions

Citrus Apple Cider Recipe

Ingredients

Directions

Creamy Tomato Cottage Cheese Pasta

Ingredients

Directions

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