I’ve become a pretty big fan of Simon Pearce’s Restaurant and an even bigger fan of the Simon Pearce Vermont Cheddar Soup. And the weird thing is, I’ve never been to the Mill at Simon Pearce, the restaurant in Quechee, Vermont. And never had their Simon Pearce Vermont Cheddar Soup there, either. But no matter, I can have it right here in Minnesota (you betcha) where it seems just as at home on a snowy March night.
Simon Pearce Vermont Cheddar Soup
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
What if you could have hot chocolate whenever you wanted? And not just any old hot chocolate but a premium hot chocolate at the drop of a hat? Yep, you can if you make a batch of Refrigerator Hot Chocolate Mix ahead of time. And keep it in the fridge, obs!
Refrigerator Hot Chocolate Mix
If you follow me, you might know I’m all about leftovers and transforming them into marvelous new dishes, so I wasn’t daunted at all by the five pounds of mashed potatoes I had when I made my Slow Cooker or Oven Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes. I had a few ideas, but after seeing Gail’s post for her Duchess Mashed Potatoes on her site, Snap Shots in Cursive, I couldn’t get them out of my mind. Out the window flew any thoughts of gnocchi and pierogies, and inspired, I decided to make this Duchess Potatoes Casserole (From Leftover Mashed Potatoes).
Duchess Potatoes Casserole (From Leftover Mashed Potatoes)
Every once in a while you’ll come across a dessert recipe that’s so delicious. so rich and so fancy looking but is so easy it will make you look like a genius. That’s this recipe. I swear you’re gonna be a hero when you lay this Chocolate Glazed Tart out on the table.
Chocolate Glazed Tart
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
For everyday old dinners, I usually make my plain old mashed potatoes, I call them Simple Rustic Mashed Potatoes. They’re super easy, pretty lean and I don’t even peel them. Sometimes I make my Perfect Instant Pot Potatoes, too. They’re a great mashed potato. But when Company comes or a Holiday rolls around, I pull out all the stops and make my best ones: Best Company Mashed Potatoes.
Best Company Mashed Potatoes
I don’t know about you, but eating at steakhouses isn’t my wheelhouse. So when I go to one, I read every inch of the menu and agonize over just the right choice of steak and sides to maximize my experience! (And then I hate it if someone else orders something that looks better than what I have, lol!) And while I enjoy the steak, what makes it for me is the au gratin potatoes. My daughter takes after me because she was out for a special dinner with her sweetie, and what Jess raved about the next day wasn’t the steak, it was Ruth’s Chris Potatoes au Gratin.
Ruth’s Chris Potatoes au Gratin Copycat make individual or one large casserole.
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 don’t think it would come as a surprise to any of you guys that I love food! And I love sharing food in real life and on my site, here. And I get excited about it. And I’m really excited about this Epic Pear Almond Granola French Toast. I know I’ve been talking about it with the recipes leading up to this French Toast. The Autumn Almond Pear Granola and the Pear Brown Sugar Caramel Syrup. And I don’t normally post twice in the same day, but the Pear Brown Sugar Caramel Syrup is kind of a sister recipe to this one and I couldn’t wait to share this French Toast.
Epic Pear Almond Granola French Toast
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 how many of you have a “Deserted Island” food? I almost said, “dessert island” that would be even better, huh? So a Deserted Island food is a food you would pick if you had to live on a deserted island but the catch is It can be only one food. Mine is potatoes. Specifically mashed potatoes and if I could bring my Instant Pot along, it would be these Perfect Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes.
Perfect Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
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
Do you love broccoli? It’s always been a fave at our house and 90 percent of the time, I make Simply Steamed Broccoli or sometimes I make what I call Almost Alton’s Oven Roasted Broccoli. Both are super simple, super fresh. But sometimes you just gotta go the extra mile and make something really special. That, for me, is Easy Cheesy Broccoli Skillet.
Easy Cheesy Broccoli Skillet
“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
If there is ever a show stopper of a dessert that’s really just a big, easy “cheat” it’s got to be Pavlova. And this White Balsamic Strawberry Pavlova is a perfect ending for a summer party.
White Balsamic Strawberry Pavlova
Every once in a while I crave Tomato Soup and this Simple Tomato Soup Instant Pot or Stovetop is a great one to whip up at the drop of a hat.
Simple Tomato Soup Instant Pot or Stovetop
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
It took me awhile to “crack” the code on sheet pan eggs, but here they are: The Best Creamy Sheet Pan Eggs. They are perfect for a no-fuss morning, great for make-ahead meal prep and marvelous in a breakfast sandwich.
Best Creamy Sheet Pan Eggs
Finally, it’s here. The Cafe Lattes Tres Leches Cake. If you follow me (please do!) you might remember a blogging fail when I dropped the Cafe Lattes Tres Leches Cake in February, The Cake of Broken Dreams.
Caffe Latte’s Tres Leches Cake,
So last week I posted Philly Cheesesteak Sliders (in honor of the Philadelphia Eagles – that’s before I knew how badly our Vikings were going to be trounced!) This week, I thought what the heck. New England Clam Chowder was in order to represent the New England Patriots. For the Superbowl, eh? You betcha. We’re hosting it in Minneapolis this year, so that’s exciting. And whether the Eagles or the Patriots win, you’ll have a win if you serve this New England Clam Chowder.
New England Clam Chowder – make this as thick or as thin as you’d like, very easily!
I love me a good Broccoli Cheese Soup. I love it even more when it’s start to finish, 15 minute Instant Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup, piping hot and on the table in no time at all. And I love it even better, when it’s made with real Cheddar for that flavor punch.
Creamy dreamy Broccoli Cheese soup – 15 minute Instant Pot recipe.
Tis the season – for hot chocolate. A double chocolate hot chocolate! Deep. Rich. Dark. Chocolate. Real Chocolate. And Cocoa. With Frozen Whipped Cream. Yeah, you heard me right. Frozen Whipped Cream.
The Best Hot Chocolate – Double Chocolate with Frozen Whipped Cream
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
Awhile back, I made the most marvelous Strawberry Cheesecake Pancakes for Mother’s day. They were awesome. They were fabulous. But they set off some kind of deep seated craving for more brunch! More and more brunch! I want brunch all the time, now! Do you ever get like that – just go on a kick like a runaway train?
Swedish Pancakes with Blueberry Compote
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 have a little secret. I’ve been holding out on you. See, I’ve been making these Hasselback Scalloped Potatoes for months now and never posted them. They’re amazing, they’re gorgeous and they’re amazing. Oh, I said that already. Well, I can’t say it enough.
Hasselback au Gratin Potatoes
