Two things I love. I love tinkering in the kitchen and I love to use that tinkering to get me a little sumpin’ sumpin’ now and then that might not normally fit into my budget. And when that homemade version blows away the commercial product, especially when it’s a minimum of work and mess, I’m all over it. That’s the case with this Homemade Whole Milk Ricotta.

Louisiana Sensation Salad Dressing
I always have my eye out for recipes that might be just a little offbeat (hey, I’m not Betty Crocker) especially ones that can be adapted to my Minnesota kitchen. And while this is a regional specialty, Louisiana Sensation Salad Dressing is one of those recipes that’s right at home anywhere you might live!

Lemon Pepper Vegetable Saute
Sometimes you need just a drop-dead simple side, and especially this time of year (August) why not take advantage of all the summer veggies to be had at their freshest (and cheapest) and in abundance? That’s where this Lemon Pepper Vegetable Saute comes into play. I know sheet pan veggies are all the rage these days, but I chose to use a skillet- fast, easy and sometimes, you just don’t want to heat up that oven.

Simple Cast Iron Skillet Blueberry Cobbler
A while back I made a Blueberry Cobbler with a Sugar Cookie Topping. I love that cobbler. Love love love it! But I like to mix things up a bit and when I came across a Simple Cast Iron Skillet Blueberry Cobbler done up by Chef Michael Symon, I couldn’t resist.

New York Chicken Spiedies
So raise your hand if you’d like a Spiedie, maybe my New York Chicken Spiedies. If these are new to you, Spiedies are chunks of highly marinated meat, in this case, chicken, skewered and grilled to perfection, then served on a fresh, soft roll; it has to be soft, nothing too fancy. And then drizzled with the same garlicky herby vinaigrette it was marinated in, not just because that gives it a double dose of flavor, but because it also kind of melds that gorgeous, juicy grilled chicken and the bun into one cohesive sandwich.