I remember Martin Sheen was featured on the back pages of Bon Appetit, where they used to run a celebrity spot every month. It wasn’t until I got my copy of “Best American Recipes 2003-2004” by Molly Stevens (I loved that series of books) that I paid attention. She highlighted Martin Sheen’s Pumpkin Cheesecake in the most glowing terms. She’s not wrong!
Martin Sheen’s Pumpkin Cheesecake
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
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
Ok, so will you guys kill me if I post two mashed potatoes recipes in the same week? I probably could have done with some better timing but with Thanksgiving (and Christmas soon after) looming and mashed potatoes such an important part of the meal, I wanted to get this Make-Ahead Slow Cooker or Oven Mashed Potatoes recipe out. And not to worry, I have a teaser – a beautiful, easy and feast worthy Chocolate Tart coming up along with a couple of fun Thanksgiving-y recipes.
Make-Ahead Slow Cooker or Oven Mashed Potatoes
Cream cheese frosting is a funny thing. People like it how they like it. So even though I already have a couple of Cream Cheese Frostings on my site, on this post for The Wayfair Inn Carrot Cake and a post Cream Cheese Frosting for Topping Cakes & Cupcakes. Here’s another one. This is my Mom’s Cream Cheese Frosting. I used it today for my Easy Pumpkin Spice Sheet Cake.
I kept hoping September would be hot and I’d get to do a little more swimming in the lake, especially since I got some wild swim shoes or water shoes or whatever they’re called! I waited and waited for them and now it’s cool. There’s no denying fall is in the air, and right on time this year and I’m already thinking about pears and apples. In the meantime, though, I’m pulling out one last summer hurrah. I’m breaking out with this Strawberry Dream Cake.
Strawberry Dream Cake
Sometimes, even if you are frugal, you need an indulgence and this Creamy Mushroom Brie Bisque is one of those. When I had this for dinner the other night I was literally transported to cozy little Bistro.
Creamy Mushroom Brie Bisque
This time of year I just seem to crave lemony flavors. I think lemon is a promise of spring with it’s bright, sunny flavor. Goodness knows we need that promise this year! These bright, lemony No Bake Lemon Cheesecake Parfaits will make you forget about all that.
No Bake Lemon Cheesecake Parfaits
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
Last week, without thinking, I posted three dinner recipes in a row. Usually, I try to break things up a bit with a salad or dessert or some other post. So this weekend, I thought I’d make more “fun” things!
Mardi Gras King Cake Scones
These Cajun Stuffed Chicken Breasts might be just the thing to bring a little sunshine into your life during this cold, cold January. These are like Oh My Gosh good, with just a little spice to warm things up.
Stuffed Cajun Chicken Breasts
There’s nothing like a little Mexican food when you’re just absolutely over Christmas & Christmas leftovers & New Years and New Years leftovers. And then there were the leftovers from the leftovers. So change it up and make enchiladas!
Home-made Enchilada Sauce, quick & from the pantry.
Merry Christmas all! I just had to share my newest “discovery” today, which now I’m seeing everywhere. My daughter introduced me to Oreo Truffles. Honestly, I wouldn’t have thought to make them. Oreos? Really? Don’t make that same mistake – get yourself some Oreos and good chocolate and make them, preferably now.
Oreo Truffles
You know what’s kinda cool? When you’re putting on a fancy dinner or a feast like Thanksgiving and you can knock off a showstopper of a dessert ahead of time. Even better? When it’s an easy, no-cook, and very fun dessert like these Pumpkin Parfaits.
Make Ahead Pumpkin Parfaits. Layers of pumpkin mousse, whipped cream, crushed gingersnaps & chocolate covered almonds.
Oh, but I do love me some soup. Especially in the fall. And since I had some sausage left after making Smoked Sausage and White Bean Soup in the Instant Pot the other day, I thought I’d make more soup, but take it in another direction. I could hardly think of a better use for that sausage than Cheesy Potato Sausage Soup – Instant Pot or Stove-top.
Cheesy Potato Sausage Soup – Instant Pot or Stove-top
Ok guys, its time for true confessions, here. Do you have any fears? See, I do. I’m afraid of anything wriggly other than puppies & kitties. I have a thing about going too fast in cars, especially around drop-offs after rolling a car down a cliff. And. Most. Of. All. Wait for it: I’m afraid of cherry pie filling. Ummhmm. You heard it right. Cherry Pie Filling.
cherry cheesecake bars
Cheesecake is a sweet dessert consisting of one or more layers. The main, and thickest layer, consists of a mixture of soft, fresh cheese (typically cream cheese or ricotta), eggs, and sugar; if there is a bottom layer it often consists of a crust or base made from crushed cookies or graham crackers. It may be baked or unbaked. Cheesecake may be flavored or topped with fruit, whipped cream, nuts, cookies, fruit sauce, or chocolate syrup. Wikipedia
Doesn’t Mother’s Day just scream “brunch” to you? And every brunch has to have a centerpiece. Something kind of special. Something memorable. Maybe Pancakes that are fit for a Queen – or a Mother. Something like Strawberry Cheesecake Pancakes.
Strawberry Cheesecake Pancakes
If you’re looking for a fun & festive little appetizer, mini peppers might be just the thing. These mini peppers are slightly roasted and stuffed with a sophisticated mixture of goat cheese & herbs and then drizzled with a little balsamic honey right before serving.
Herbed Goat Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers with Honey Balsamic Glaze
I fell off the healthy wagon early this month and made Death by Chocolate Cheesecake! Hands down the most decadent cheesecake, ever. It should carry a warning, just in case the name Death by Chocolate Cheesecake isn’t enough to clue you in. It’s a serious Chocolate Cheesecake for serious chocolate lovers, only!
Death by Chocolate Cheesecake
Spicy Mexica Chorizo tamed with a touch of melty cheese all piled on to the cutest little Polenta squares. That’s my kind of appetizer. Maybe yours, too! And look, there’s red & green for Christmas…
Chorizo Polenta Bites
Thanks to my sister for finding this wonderful creamy, tangy spread that’s a bit different and perfect for the Holidays! The dried fruit makes it festive and adds a little sweetness and that flavor just bounces off the savory rosemary and garlic.
Cranberry Rosemary Cheese Spread
Another pie? Why not!? Because I already made my Fave Pumpkin Pie last week, and then a Caramel Creme Pumpkin Pie extravaganza. So for actual Thanksgiving? A Dulce de Leche Pumpkin Pie. The bottom layer is a lush cream cheese & the top, a more sedate pumpkin pie layer. The Dulce de Leche Whipped Cream? It stole the show.
Dulce de Leche 2 Layer Pumpkin Pie
You know those sun-dried tomatoes I made a couple weeks ago? These Oven Dried Sun-dried Tomatoes? I probably should have been making them 24/7 because I discovered a fantastic way to use them! Ta-Dahhh! Zippy Sun-dried Tomato Dip.
Sun-dried Tomato Dip
Raise your hand if you’ve had this happen: you pick up a lovely little Jalapeno Popper. What looks to be a perfect bit of deliciousness. And that first bite is crunchy raw jalapeno, then bacon pulls off in a chunk, and adding insult to injury, slaps you in the chin with some kind of random, greasy, molten cheesiness. Bummer. That’s not these Crab Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers.
Crab Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers
I just recently made my Aunt Mary’s Angel Food Cake to take over to a dinner party and wanted to make a Mascarpone Filling. It’s the perfect thing when whipping cream seems a little light and boring and anything else can seem too heavy.
Angel Food Cake with Strawberries and a Mock Mascarpone Filling
When an opportunity to party rolls around, I like to pull out all the stops, don’t you? I’ll be finding opportunities to make this Smoky Jalapeno Bacon Dip. It’s positively addictive, all smoky bacon flavor spiked with the hot peppers and just a touch of vinegar for a subtle tang.
Smoky Jalapeno Bacon Dip
This Steak Chimichanga with Green Chili Verde Sauce is one of my fave recipes and it came from leftover steak. Who has leftover steak, anyway? I don’t know about you, but certainly not at my house where steak is a bit of a rarity. At my folks? Yeah. Quite frequently. A love of beef (they live in ranching country) and smaller appetites often lead to a bit of steak that could easily languish in the fridge.
Steak Chimichanga with Green Chili Verde Sauce
