Football – Game Day Parties

Jalapeno Pepper Patty Melt for National Grilled Cheese Month

When the folks at Tillamook approached me several weeks ago to participate with them and other blogs in celebrating National Grilled Cheese Month in Grilled Cheese Recipepalooza of course I said yes; who doesn’t love that combo of butter toasted bread with some gooey cheese melted inside. I hoped that they would love my take on [...]

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Toffee Apple Bars with Caramel Frosting

A friend I’ve met on Twitter asked if I would do a guest post for her blog after the birth of her second child. How could I refuse? I met Kate and her blog Food Babbles when we both started participating in Abby Dodge’s #baketogether, an initiative by the lovely Abby that allows a group [...]

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Smoked Baby Back Ribs with Espresso Barbecue Sauce and a #Giveaway

I know. I grill a lot. If given the option, I will do almost anything on the grill in lieu of turning on my oven or even the stove. I have grilled in a winter jacket and boots during a driving snow storm. Beyond the requisite beef, pork, chicken and fish, I’ve done turkey, casseroles, [...]

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Hot Slaw, Bacon and Cheese Sandwich for #Recipe Swap

I was afraid tonight I was going to have to change my name completely. I have long had intentions of changing my last name but I’ve kept my ex-husband’s name to make it easier for our kids. OK, enough is enough, right? Lauren just turned 28 and is on her own (there might be a [...]

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Grapefruit, Ginger and Honey Flank Steak

I love flank steak. There I’ve said it. Again. Maybe for some it wouldn’t seem a match for that magnificent rib eye I recently had but I just love how the ‘need’ to marinate it also means that the flavor can be so manipulated (in a good way) by the cook depending on your tastes. [...]

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French Silk Pie with Graham Cracker Crust, Espresso and Kahlua

If pies were wishes then I would wish this French Silk Pie for everyone! Hands down my most favortist (damn you spell check that so is a word; MY word!) pie ever. While I’ve seen several versions of this pie over the years, they’ve always been made with a regular pie crust or a regular [...]

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Salted Chocolate Toffee Squares

If there is one thing I’ve been in love with forever, it’s toffee. I think a Heath Bar resulted in my first need to have a cavity filled when I was a girl and nothing has changed. I love a brand of toffee made locally called Enstrom’s (though miss the days before they become so [...]

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Beef Bourguignon, My Birthday with Julia Child and @ManPans Giveaway

A classic dish that is in no way trendy but just perfect for today; so soul satisfying and delicious…but trust me, this is not your mother’s beef stew! I’ve always loved Julia Child. Watching her on PBS was my first ‘Julia’ experience, cooking from ‘Mastering the Art of French Cooking’ brought us closer together and [...]

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Slaw with Warm Bacon Dressing

My daughter called me on her way to my house to get her dog after work the other day and wanted to know if I had a good slaw recipe. Something different she said; she was heading to a barbecue that night and slaw was a request from the hostess. It’s not like I’m the [...]

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Tomatillo Salsa Verde

I’ve been making a lot of food recently that is inspired by foods from our neighbor down south, Mexico. Maybe it’s because I love an icy cold margarita on warm evenings that has me making dishes to serve with them; I do have my priorities on straight! I love this tomatillo salsa, a wonderful grilled [...]

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Grilled Corn Salsa with Poblano Chiles, Cilantro and Honey

For some reason I’ve never been inclined towards corn salsa before. I guess I’ve always liked a tomatillo or tomato based variety and it just either sounded bland or I wasn’t crazy about using red peppers that I always saw in them (though that has gotten better). But that has all changed. Was it the [...]

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Cilantro Serrano Mexican Rice

I first made this dish to take to a friends Mexican themed barbeque. It is unbelievably good…and the perfect party dish because it’s served at room temperature. I don’t quite remember a dish that I’ve had as many requests for; it’s that good! I had a barbecue last night and I did my own ribs [...]

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Baked Fudge – The Best not a Brownie Ever!

I know this is a post for what I call Baked Fudge but I have to tell you, I’ve been in the mood for cookies lately…well at least I was. I spend enough time each day seeing food bloggers talk about cookies and some sound soooo good that I want to make them and so [...]

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Bacon Wrapped Dates

I love Happy Hour at Yia Yia’s, a local restaurant near me. Friendly staff, nice wines and great prices for appetizers. I have been meeting friends there for Happy Hour on Fridays for as long as I can remember. I can’t pass up the mussels, ever, but this is a new addition to the appetizer [...]

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Sweet and Savory Candied Nuts

I love candied nuts but this one has a hint of savory and is beyond fabulous! Although the spices are typical of Thanksgiving…but this was a huge hit at a spring event! Sweet and Savory Candied Nuts Print Prep time: 5 mins Cook time: 18 mins Total time: 23 mins Ingredients 4 cups nuts (I [...]

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