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Real Balanced — Sara Nelson

Enjoy easy & balanced recipes — ranging from 30-minute weeknight dinners to holiday appetizers and everything in between. My goal is to make sure you can cook a successful and memorable dish every single time.

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Warm German potato salad with sliced potatoes, crispy bacon, and fresh chopped parsley in a tangy vinegar dressing.
Featured Post

Your summer cookout shortlist (and a tiny favor)

Hi, friend! It's officially cookout and potluck season! I pulled together a few of my recipes that are perfect for it right now — some easy sides, a really good cheesy dip, and a couple of mains for the grill: 🥔 German Potato Salad — warm, tangy, and bacon-y, a nice change from the usual mayo bowl. The one people always ask me about. 🧀 Queso Fundido — the melty, cheesy dip that disappears first at every party. One pan, 30 minutes. 🍜 Tuna Macaroni Salad — creamy, cold, and made for a crowd....

4 months ago • 1 min read

Hi! Tonight is Chipotle Chicken Skewers. Go ahead and get your chicken thighs into the marinade now — it'll make a difference by dinner. Print the recipe (one page, PDF)The full ingredient list with check boxes, every step, and the times, ready for the counter. Sara

2 days ago • 1 min read

Hi! Tonight is Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad Cucumber Boats. It takes about 30 minutes start to finish, so nothing to do until you're ready to make it. Print the recipe (one page, PDF)The full ingredient list with check boxes, every step, and the times, ready for the counter. Sara

3 days ago • 1 min read

Hi! Tonight is Biscuits and Gravy Casserole. Pull the pork breakfast sausage from the freezer now so it has time to thaw before you start cooking. Print the recipe (one page, PDF)The full ingredient list with check boxes, every step, and the times, ready for the counter. Sara

4 days ago • 1 min read

Hi! Tonight is Baked Tortellini with Meat Sauce. Pull the ground beef from the freezer now so it has time to thaw before you start cooking. Print the recipe (one page, PDF)The full ingredient list with check boxes, every step, and the times, ready for the counter. Sara

6 days ago • 1 min read

Hi! I just posted Boom Boom Shrimp on the site. It's large shrimp in a light, crispy batter, tossed in a creamy sweet and spicy sauce made with sweet chili sauce, peanut butter, and sriracha. Pile it on a platter for game day, or serve it over rice for dinner. Sara

8 days ago • 1 min read

Hi! I just posted Stuffed Acorn Squash on the site. The roasted squash halves are filled with Italian sausage, apple, mushrooms, kale, dried cranberries, and pecans, with Parmesan melted on top. One half is dinner with a salad, or cut them into quarters and it's a side for 8 at Thanksgiving. Sara

9 days ago • 1 min read

Hi! Tonight is Chicken Vegetable Soup. Pull your cooked shredded chicken from the freezer now so it's thawed and ready when you start cooking. Print the recipe (one page, PDF)The full ingredient list with check boxes, every step, and the times, ready for the counter. Sara

10 days ago • 1 min read

11 days ago • 1 min read

Hi! Tonight is White Bean Soup. It takes about 40 minutes start to finish, so nothing to do until you're home. Print the recipe (one page, PDF)The full ingredient list with check boxes, every step, and the times, ready for the counter. Sara

12 days ago • 1 min read

Hi! Tonight is Creamy Italian Sausage Soup. Take the cream cheese out of the fridge now so it softens before you start cooking. Print the recipe (one page, PDF)The full ingredient list with check boxes, every step, and the times, ready for the counter. Sara

13 days ago • 1 min read