I have good news today. See, some of you know I’ve been having some troubles with my joints; typing, while still slow and has to be done just a little at a time is easier and I’m trying to use the voice options on my computer. And cooking has been challenging, but I’m really trying to focus on fun & easy (and lightweight) food. And the best news? I made Old English Potted Cheese and it’s a super easy cheese spread and just to die for.
Old English Potted Cheese
Guys, I gotta tell you I haven’t been this excited about Fudge for a long time. My wonderful neighbor and friend (thank you “S”) dropped off some Fireball Whiskey Fudge the other day. I fell in love at first taste. And the funniest thing about that is that I’m not a huge fudge person and I don’t care much for Whiskey.
Fireball Whiskey Fudge
I used to be kinda opposed to Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip, just on principle…and here’s the deal: Back in the ’80s, it was all about the creamy Spinach Dip and it was served warm or cold in a bread bowl. I loved that stuff! And I remember how fancy we all thought it was, too. Then in the ’90s it was all about the Hot Artichoke Dip. It seemed that just about every restaurant had a version. It was everywhere! And I loved that stuff, too! Of course, I’ve always had a thing for artichokes, and guess who else in the house does? Homer, my cat. She goes nuts over them. She can smell even the canned artichokes in the grocery bag and immediately comes running!
Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip
When I was young and living in the Colorado Rockies, in the tiny little village of Georgetown, I had “Spiced” or Mulled Wine for the first time. I can’t think of any recipe that says “Holiday” more than warm spiced wine on a wintery day. It doesn’t matter if it’s a holiday with family and/or friends in the cabin or on a ski or snowmobile trip, or a home-based gathering like Thanksgiving or Christmas, Spiced Mulled Wine makes the party!
Spiced Mulled Wine
Well, as you can see, I’m still in Halloween Party mode and as Halloween gets closer & closer, my treats are getting easier, faster and more doable! But they’re still every bit as delish and fun! Take these very fun Caramel Apple Pie Jello Shots, for instance…
Caramel Apple Pie Jello Shots
It wasn’t until I made my Chicken Cordon Bleu Sliders the other day that I remembered how much I really do love the flavors of Chicken Cordon Bleu. And one of the things I love about Chicken Cordon Bleu is the sauce that’s traditionally served with it. It’s known as a Supreme Sauce, and it’s rich chickeny creamy deliciousness. I promised I’d post a recipe for you to go with those sliders, so here’s the Easiest Supreme Sauce.
Easiest Supreme Sauce
I really am not ready for summer to end – but I was a little consoled with this dish, Creamy Apple & Cider Pork Chops. Ya gotta love a recipe that tastes divine, looks great and is perfect for company but quick & easy enough to pull off on any old weeknight for family dinner! And it’s even better when it’s a dinner that’s so good you’ll want to lick your plate clean!
Apple & Cider Pork Chops with Perfect Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes & Simply Steamed Broccoli
So have you guys ever heard of German Rumtopf? This post is all about How to Make German Rumtopf. The name means Rum Pot and it’s basically a fruity alcoholic dessert made in a crock. Successive fruits are layered in with sugar and rum, starting in the spring with strawberries.
My Rumtopf Pot
As the summer progresses and each fruit comes into season, it’s added to the pot, and the contents just get better and better. Once fall comes, and summer is over, the pot is closed up and left to mature until the Christmas season where it is traditionally first sampled for the first time in December on the first evening of Advent. We’ve been getting such good fruit this year that I don’t think there’d be an issue with starting a Rumtopf, now, even if it is a bit late in the summer.
“Life is better than death, I believe, if only because it is less boring, and because it has fresh peaches in it.” Alice Walker. I think she might very well be right, and I think this Bourbon Brown Sugar Peach Crostata will prove her so.
Bourbon Brown Sugar Peach Crostata
I’m not sure if anyone ever told me how to make St Louis Pork Steaks. When you grow up in Iowa (I know I just blew my St. Louis Pork Steak street cred – Missouri is one state south and Iowa is a huge pork producer) or the Midwest, there are certain dishes you just know how to make.
St Louis Barbecue Pork Steaks
I have really fond memories of this recipe, Chicken Bordeaux from the New York Times Cookbook. At least Chicken Bordeaux was in a New York Times Cookbook in the early ’80’s. In Craig Claiborne’s day, I think. This harks back to when I was young, and if the pictures are correct, wearing a bikini!
Chicken Bordeaux from the New York Times Cookbook
Hi guys! Hope you all had a great St. Patrick’s day on Saturday. I wish I would have posted these Really Bailey’s Cream Cheese Brownies before, so you all could have them for the celebration. You might want to pin them or save them or just make them anyway. With or without the hooch, they’re insanely good!
Really Bailey’s Cream Cheese Brownies
So hey, here I am a Minnesota blogger and I have no Wild Rice Soup on my blog. Uff da. Well, I do have a Wild Rice and Smoked Turkey Chowder (amazingly good and healthy!) but it’s just not the same as a Classic Wild Rice Soup in the Instant Pot, now is it? (As a quick aside, I will be posting recipes that aren’t Instant Pot and aren’t soup, it’s just been a crazy Holiday week, so if you don’t have an “IP” please bear with me!)
Classic Wild Rice Soup in the Instant Pot
Merry Christmas, everyone! Here it is, Christmas Eve Day, and I thought I’d show you one of my favorite Christmas Eve dinners, this time done in the Instant Pot. It’s Chili. The Best Instant Pot Chili, to be exact. I know, it’s strange to some people to have Chili as a Christmas Eve dinner.
The Best Instant Pot Chili
If you’re looking for a showstopper of a ham recipe for a fall or winter holiday, look no further. Simple to make but absolutely stunning, The Biltmore House’s Tawny Baked Ham has it all: Great looks and great taste, even though moy pics don’t do it justice!
The Biltmore House’s Tawny Baked Ham
It seems I’ve hardly gotten past Halloween and now Thanksgiving is looming upon us! And the days go faster every year. Tell me I’m not alone in this! I did want to get a little jump, though, on a couple of recipes that are going to find a place at my table this season.
Cranberry Sauce with Apple and Port
Fall comes, the leaves turn and at that first temperature drop, I seem to crave comfort food. I actually have a list of comfort food. Well, not a formal one, but one in my head, and Beef & Barley Soup ranks high on that list. What ranks even higher on my list is this Instant Pot Beef & Barley Soup.
Instant Pot Beef & Barley Soup
Well, some of you may have noticed I’ve been a little awol over the past few weeks. After my fave octogenarians, the folks, moved into a gorgeous assisted living center, their house was settled and I came back to the Twin Cities – along with Homer & Chance, of course.
Pumpkin Bundt Cake With Maple Bourbon Brown-Butter Glaze
Swiss Steak with Mushroom Gravy Instant Pot Version. So it all started when I asked the folks what they wanted for dinner. That’s like usually like pulling teeth, but there we were in August: temperature 96 degrees. My Dad immediately said “Swiss Steak.”
Swiss Steak with Mushroom Gravy
I wanted to throw out this delicious quick little creamy sauce – I use this same basic recipe in all kinds of ways.
Creamy Mushroom Sauce with Wine
I love me some Risotto – how ’bout you? It amazes me how you can take a simple ingredient like rice, add a glug of wine & a few gratings of cheese (plus a bit of this and that) and turn it into a gourmet meal – no make that a gourmet experience – because you get to drink the rest of the wine! Plus plus! This is a marvelous recipe for Risotto – Ham & Parmesan Risotto Instant Pot or Stove Top Version.
Ham & Parmesan Risotto Instant Pot or Stove Top Version.
I don’t know if I’ve mentioned Not Your Father’s Root Beer on my blog before – see my Dad and I are pretty wild about it and split one every now and then. So when Dad said he’d like a ham, I immediately (and selflessly, I might add) sacrificed a bottle. Of his, of course, lol! And so was born Not Your Father’s Root Beer & Bourbon Glazed Ham.
Not Your Fathers Root Beer & Bourbon Glazed Ham
I make the same Corned Beef & Cabbage every year. Year after year. It’s that good. But every now and then, I’m up for a bit of a change and this year was it. I made the Whiskey & Marmalade Glazed Corned Beef, adapted from the Silver Palate Book.
Whiskey & Marmalade Glazed Corned Beef
If you’re watching your budget, chances are you’re not eating a lot of seafood, but when a holiday like Valentine’s comes around, you’re probably going to want something a little special. Maybe something like this Roasted Red Pepper & Shrimp Risotto.
Roasted Red Pepper & Shrimp Risotto
Hey guys! I’ve been super psyched over my very retro Home-Made Onion Soup Mix. While you can’t say this about everything, it’s been like a little trip to the past that’s actually turned out better than I remembered! One thing I’ve been using it for is this Campbell’s Ultimate Slow Cooker or Instant Pot Roast.
Campbell’s Ultimate Slow Cooker or Instant Pot Roast
I kind of fell in love with the idea of the Coquito – A Coconut Rum Cocktail, before I ever had my first sip of this cocktail concoction. Thinking back, I’m not even sure where I first heard about the creamy, frothy, coconut deliciousness laced with Rum and touched with cinnamon that is the Coquito. Def not when I was growing up in Iowa, lol! The Midwest weather, especially in Minnesota, where I live now isn’t traditionally considered to be too hospitable to people used to warmer climes – or even to us born here. The Coquito will make me forget all that, even though it’s January, now!
Coquito, a creamy, frothy coconut & rum cocktail
I had some red lentils (which are really orange, so that’s bizarre, isn’t it?) calling to me the other night. Calling at 2:00 a.m. Seriously. I was like “shut up, go to bed.” But that’s the kind of thing that happens when you look at Pinterest before falling asleep. And Red Lentil Dip with a Spanish Flair is what comes of it.
Red Lentil Dip with a Spanish Flair
One of my summer/fall favorites is this marvelous Sour Cherry Compote. It’s a little sweet, a little tart and goes so well with so many things. I often make up a batch and can or freeze so I have it to pull out in the winter, too.
Sour Cherry Compote
