Spring has finally started to spring here! I have a shoot from a daylily coming up. And of course, raking and clean up (with some snow still in the yard) is happening, thanks to my son. We’re hoping to get some of the leaves up before the spring rains hit – a horrible job since I couldn’t rake last fall. But with spring comes renewed life & renewed hope – and this Fresh Pea Pesto.
Fresh Pea Pesto over pasta
I always think of Wings, Sports Bars, and Football together. Like they’re connected in my mind, and in my head, you can’t have any them without the other. But Wings are great anytime you want to have a sporty get together and with March Madness upon us (the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournaments if you’re not in the know) why not have your wings on the couch, in front of the TV? You can knock out some pretty great Instant Pot BBQ Wings at home, pretty darned fast!
Alabama White BBQ Dipping Sauce with Instant Pot BBQ Wings
It was a friend who first gave me the recipe for this Hot Reuben Dip years ago, and I remember we went a little gaga over it for a while. Then at some point, I just kinda forgot about it. Maybe spring came and Hot Reuben Dip is def a super creamy, super cheesy kind of a winter comfort kind of thing. So last night when I wanted Reuben Sandwiches and had forgotten to get the bread and didn’t want to go out for it (#HatingWinterWhenWillItGoAway) I remembered this quick and easy dip. And oh my gosh I had forgotten how insanely good it is!!
Hot Reuben Dip
Have you had those marvelous pickled veggies in restaurants that are sometimes a garnish on Mexican or food from other Latin American countries? And of course, as I’m saying this, I’m assuming that you’re probably not in Latin America and don’t already make Escabeche, Mexican Pickled Vegetables! Although I do get visitors from all over the place and so far today, according to the WordPress wizards, I’ve had seven visitors from Mexico! Hola!
Escabeche – Mexican Pickled Vegetables
Yanno, Valentine’s Day is almost here – a day celebrated for sweethearts, but also by everyone, young and old, and those of us that just celebrate friendship. I’ve done a few popcorn mixes for different holidays, but never for Valentine’s Day. Today, I change all that! Here is my Valentines White Chocolate Popcorn.
Valentines White Chocolate Popcorn
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
When the holidays roll around and you’re asked to a party, do you usually say, “What can I bring?” And what if you don’t usually cook, or can’t cook. And maybe your budget is overextended as it is. That’s when you might think Party Tray. And if you know how to assemble a Cheap Holiday Party Tray, all your problems are solved. At least the what to bring option is. I apologize that this tray isn’t decked out in Christmas trappings. Between my bad shoulder and hand, I’m a bit limited and obviously made this Cheap Holiday Party Tray right around Thanksgiving. If you follow me, you might even recognize a few of these items. I’ll link to them, too.
Cheap Holiday Party Tray
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
I made this beautiful guacamole recipe from Ina Garten some time ago; I never did post it. I thought it would be nice this time of year when we’re all looking for a little sumpin’ sumpin’ to make and bring to Christmas parties or game day get-togethers, so here is Ina Garten’s Guacamole.
Ina Garten’s Guacamole Salmon Sandwich
One thing I do love around the holidays is these salty, sweet nuts with just a bit of a kick to them. They’re a little sugary, a little salty, slightly spicy, crunchy and just divine. And Sweet Spicy Slow Cooker Nuts are pretty much addictive.
Sweet Spicy Slow Cooker Nuts
Are you a fan of Boursin Cheese? If you’re not familiar, Boursin Cheese is a rich, creamy, herby blend of Gournay Cheese developed in Normandy, France. And while I’m a fan of Boursin Cheese, what I’m not a fan of is the price…so for the upcoming Holidays, I thought I’d make a knock-off. So here’s an Easy Homemade Boursin Cheese that’s going to be perfect for snacking with crackers, as an appetizer or maybe an addition to your cheese board.
Easy Homemade Boursin Cheese
I think these Cider & Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms are going to be my new signature app. There’re scrumptious little bites that are going to be a hit as an hors-d’oeuvre at a cocktail party, a starter for a family feast (especially Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Years) or snack on game day.
Cider & Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
Gosh, do I love me some Brussels Sprouts. They’ve always been a fave, and especially my Bacon Brussels Sprouts. I mean c’mon! But man or woman cannot live on just Bacon Brussels Sprouts, sometimes you need to shake things up a bit, and so here’s a sweet little recipe for Restaurant Style Brussels with Lemon Caper Butter Sauce.
Restaurant Style Brussels with Lemon Caper Butter Sauce
Believe me, I sympathize with parents on Halloween. It’s gotta be one of the most fun holidays, but man can it be hectic, especially if the celebration isn’t on a weekend. And it’s just not enough anymore to toss a sheet on your kid and send them out in the world with a pillowcase! Heck, Halloween hardly seems the time to make anything, let alone the Best Roasted Pumpkin Seeds!
The Best Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
As far as a frugal snack, there’s not much that beats out popcorn. That is if you’re ditching the boxes of the microwave stuff and sticking with a bag or a jar of kernels and making your own Freshly Popped Homemade Popcorn. Yanno, microwave popcorn packets are the biggest rip-off since instant oatmeal packets. Hey, it HAD to be said! I mean really, what’s going to be next? Bottled water, lol?!
Freshly Popped Homemade Popcorn
Goodness knows I’m not a huge sports fan. I just don’t have the attention span to sit and follow most things on TV. Unless maybe it’s food related, lol! But yanno what I can get behind on game day? The food! There’s just something about the fun party food that shows up around every football party, and these Chicken Cordon Bleu Sliders are the perfect example of fun food.
Chicken Cordon Bleu Sliders
You might think I’ve been living under a rock. I didn’t know about Oven Baked Apple Chips. Please tell me I’m not the only one? I thought that they were like the leathery, dehydrated apples and were just renamed as a gimmick. I thought, “What’s the big deal?”
Oven Baked Apple Chips
I had a couple zucchini in my fridge. I know I bought them for something specific, but who knows what that was! I usually have a menu for what I plan to eat & make, but in typical fashion, lost the list. Oh, the joys of getting old! But that all might have been for the best because instead, I made Crispy Zucchini Fritters.
Crispy Zucchini Fritters
Have you tried Shishito Peppers yet? Have you heard of them? I hadn’t until my Step Sister Pam visited a while back and raved about them. I was determined to try them as soon as I was back in the Twin Cities but completely forgot until I saw them at Aldi, of all places. So I brought them home and made Shishito Peppers with Sriracha Mayo Dipping Sauce.
Shishito Peppers with Sriracha Mayo Dipping Sauce
Are you a lover of French’s Onion Rings? Or are you like me and only use them once a year in that Thanksgiving Green Bean Casserole that nobody admits they like but everybody eats? I guess I’m just not that big of a fan French’s Onion Rings – or at least I wasn’t until I made these Copycat French’s Crispy Onion Rings.
Bourbon Barbecue Pot Roast Sandwich
What is that sauce you get served with Pita sandwiches of all sorts and specifically with Chicken Shawarma? No, not the white one, we all know the cucumber yogurt sauce, Cacik or Tzatziki Sauce, right? The other one? It’s Tahini Sauce, and specifically for the Home Style Chicken Shawarma, I made the other day, a Lemon Garlic Tahini Sauce.
Lemon Garlic Tahini Sauce
I have a new favorite “Salsa”, Roasted Sweet Corn Salsa. This salsa is like everything good in the world all combined into one beautiful, corny, creamy, cheesy, spicy dip.
Roasted Sweet Corn Salsa
I wasn’t sure whether to call these Old Fashioned Marinated Carrots or Classic Marinated Carrots, but either way they’re delicious, especially in the Summer. They’re cool and refreshing. The Marinade is almost like a tangy Catalina (or “French” dressing, if you’re as old as I am) and they’re the perfect thing for a summer picnic or potluck.
Classic Marinated Carrots
Sometimes I get a little carried away at the store with my favorite veggies. I buy a big bag of them, and before I know it, I realized they need to be cooked A.S.A.P. Hello Brussels, I’m talking about you! And that’s how my Zesty Pickled Brussels Sprouts were born.
Zesty Pickled Brussels Sprouts
Now that summer is just about here…we hope…it’s time to think about those snacks we’d like to have out on the deck on a balmy evening. Chips and Salsa, I’m thinking. And one of my favorite summer recipes is a Salsa Fresca, a classic Pico de Gallo. Particularly Chipotles Classic Pico de Gallo Salsa. Maybe even with a cold, slushy Margarita. But that will have to be another post.
Chipotles Classic Pico de Gallo Salsa
I can’t explain how I’ve fallen in love with these fun popcorn mixtures. They’re just kind of magical & I just keep creating them. I think this Peeps Oreo White Chocolate Pretzel Bunny Bait Popcorn is the best so far.
Peeps Oreo White Chocolate Pretzel Bunny Bait Popcorn
Happy St. Paddy’s Day!! I’ve actually been cooking Irish recipes all week, but the standout is these potato nachos, in the style of McMullen’s Pub, located in Las Vegas, Nevada. So there’s the name: McMullan’s Irish Nachos. These are crispy, crunchy homemade potato chips loaded with cheese, crisped corned beef or other protein of choice, and pickled jalapenos. And sour cream, if you don’t forget to add it like I did before I took pics!
McMullan’s Irish Nachos, loaded with 2 cheeses and corned beef, topped with pickled jalapenos & sour cream
The lowly potato chip. It’s available everywhere. But if you haven’t ever had a home-made potato chip, you just haven’t lived. These Best Homemade Potato Chips are warm, crispy crunchy deliciousness. They’re unbelievable delish! They’re like gobsmacking good!
The Best Homemade Potato Chips – Brined & Double Fried