Savory Skillet Lamb Chops and Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Savory Skillet Lamb Chops
*From Cooks.com

2 tsp. olive oil
5 lamb loin shanks
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. lemon juice
1/3 cup water

Slowly heat olive oil in skillet with a lid. Add chops and brown for 2 1/2 minutes on each side. Add the rest of the ingredients to 1/3 cup water. Mix well and pour it over the chops. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer covered for 40 minutes, or until chops are tender. Remove chops and allow to rest for 10 minutes. Increase heat to thicken the liquid to a make a gravy, which should take 2-3 minutes.

Mashed Sweet Potatoes
*From Paula Deen

3 large sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped into 1-inch cubes
1/4 cup butter
3 tbsp. honey
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. kosher salt

Add potatoes to a large pot and cover with water. Add a dash of kosher salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and boil for 8-10 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Drain and return potatoes to the pot. Add butter, salt, cinnamon, and honey. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Serve hot. Enjoy!

Spicy Feta and Roasted Red Pepper Dip

This is heavenly. No, really. It's out-of-this-world good. I've made it twice in a week and we've put it on everything. It's great on pitas, with chips or veggies, and in gyros. The whole process takes less than ten minutes as well, so it's the perfect dip for parties. Of course, if you're going to serve it to more than two people, I'd double it. Trust me, you won't be sorry!

Spicy Feta and Roasted Red Pepper Dip
*Very slightly adapted from Channeling Contessa

8 ounces feta cheese (we used reduced fat, which worked just fine)
16 ounce jar roasted red peppers, drained and patted dry
Juice of half a lemon (or 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice)
1/4-1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1/4 cup olive oil

Blend all ingredients together in a food processor until smooth, scraping down the sides once or twice, as needed. Refrigerate for one hour before serving. To serve: top with a drizzle of olive oil, a sprinkle of cayenne pepper, and parsley. Enjoy!