Starters

Well…. 2020 is about to come to an end, THANK GOD! I know I am not the only one that is ready to put this year behind me. Yes, I know when the clock strikes midnight all our problems will not disappear, but at least we can start fresh with 2021!

With a lot of people staying home and not entertaining this year it makes for a very strange New Year’s Eve, but we still need to celebrate. Celebrate that we made it through 2020, celebrate that we are here to see another year, celebrate life! So try and make it a special night even if you are staying at home. Break out the champagne flutes, the good champagne and toast to a healthy and happy new year ahead.

One way to make the evening seem “fancy” is to make a few fun appetizers to munch on while you watch the ball drop. This one, Caviar Potato Chips is EASY, EASY and will […]

Oh the sausage ball! A Southern staple at any party, kinda like Pimento Cheese. They are just good even after all these years. I guess they have stuck around so long because they are super easy to make and use pretty basic ingredients.  Remember Bisquick when your mom would make pancakes or waffles? Well, it makes a come back in this recipe and its is so good! Another ingredient in this recipe is good ole’ pork breakfast sausage. I like to use regular breakfast sausage, like Jimmy Dean and add red pepper flakes to up the heat because I feel like the hot sausage is too spicy for everyone, but if you like it spicy then by all means use the Hot Breakfast Sausage.

One good thing about this recipe is you can make these in advance and freeze them.  Then just pull them out when you are ready to party and bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes or until warmed through.  You can serve them at fancy parties or at a football tailgate […]

The other day I started flipping through all the hundreds of cookbooks I have, yes I have a lot, looking for inspiration! And I found some old cookbooks that my mom passed down to me.  Most were neighborhood or school cookbooks-which I think are the best.  They are typically tried and true recipes that have either been handed down or been used a million times at cocktail parties, family gatherings or neighborhood parties. However, in the 80s (when I was a kid and era these cookbooks are from) the gourmet food scene was just coming about and the recipes were still a bit “hearty”.  Lots of canned soups, MSG, shortening, canned crab…. So, I have gone through and picked a few (that I have tweaked a bit) that bring back great memories that I am going to post.  Here is the first one-Sun City Specials.  Our very dear neighbor and my best friend’s mom used to make these all the time and I loved them!  They are perfect for football watching parties, neighborhood block […]

I feel like in the Fall it is one event after another. It is a cocktail party, happy hour, tailgate, parents weekend, pot luck…. I am NOT complaining! I feel very lucky and blessed to be included in so many gatherings and hope I am always invited so don’t forget about me!!! But, it does it get hard to think of things to bring that is not a bottle of wine or a candle.  Yes every host loves a bottle of wine, but when you say I am bringing a home made appetizer to a football watching party that is not chips and dip they are over the moon happy.  I promise! These Taco Cups are so delicious and filling and your host, guests, family will love them. They are, of course, easy and quick-like 25 minutes from start to finish??  Hell they are tacos in party form.. how hard can that be??

I used beef because I have been getting the Butcher Box and it has ground beef in the box, but you can […]

Its football season! I am of two minds of this season… one, I love it because I really do love college football and I love getting to spend time with my boys watching the games, but two, I hate pro football and my husband is from the East coast and that is all they watch and that season lasts FOREVER and the games are filled with truck, insurance and phone commercials, ugh! But, I live in a house full of boys so we watch football and I make a lot of snacks to watch all those games.

One dip I make that they all like is Cheesy Corn Dip.  It is so easy and is perfect to take with you to a football watching party or to a tailgate. This is recipe is spicy, but you can cut that down easily! Omit the diced jalapenos or only use half the can.

Hope you enjoy and Go Team!

It is July and it is HOT in Texas!  When I think of summer I think of pools, fresh cut grass and walking barefoot. But, the heat brings juicy, sweet Texas watermelon! Yes its hot, but the heat does not stop us from having outdoor get togethers and nothing says summer like a pool party! My kids are too old now and too cool to hang around the pool with the parents, but when they were little (and when I was little) the families would all gather at the house with the pool and let the kids swim and the parents would eat, drink, talk, laugh… so much fun! So if you are in that stage enjoy every minute of it.  It passes quickly! Now we just sit around and eat, drink, talk and laugh but we don’t have to watch little ones-still fun!

If you are headed to one of these summer get togethers or you are hosting one bring/serve these fabulous little adult treats-Margarita Watermelon Slices.  This is the time of the year […]

So on Sunday a massive shitstorm hit Dallas and we have all been without power for 3 days.  And let me tell you not having power with 3 teenage boys that love Wi-fi it was a struggle. And not having AC for this mamma was a struggle! We are back up and running, but I did have to empty out my ENTIRE fridge and freezer-you have no idea how heartbreaking that was especially after I had just gone to the grocery to stock up for out of town guests.

Last night as we were sitting in the living room enjoying the cool air one of the boys stated he was hungry, shocking! I had NOTHING! We were going out to dinner, but they wanted a snack so I threw together this dip with items I had in my pantry. This dip has a lot of memories associated with it.  Our very good friend and my childhood neighbor, Jan, used to make this dip all the time and serve it by the pool. We would swim all day […]

I don’t drink a lot, but when I do I always go for the same ole, same ole-dirty martini, old fashioned or wine. And I am kinda tired of those drinks so I have tried to come up with a few new summer cocktails that are EASY and do not require you to go buy the entire liquor store.  I mean what am I going to do with a whole bottle of blue curaçao? So this Blackberry and Basil Fizz Cocktail is simple, delicious and uses all the bounties of summer-basil and blackberries!  I made it with both Gin and Whiskey and they both are fabulous!

The only tools you really need are a cocktail shaker and muddler and if you are an adult and have a bar you should have those tools! They are cheap and you will use them all the time!

Enjoy!

Its Summer!!!  I have been MIA for a couple weeks, but I am back! Getting kids home from school, finishing finals, which by the way I feel like I took 7th grade finals-good lord, it has just been a busy couple of weeks.  But I am going to get back at it and my first post for you guys is a summery and REALLY refreshing Watermelon Martini.  This thing is DELICIOUS and DANGEROUS!

It is SO easy to make and even easier if you can find pre-made watermelon juice like I can at Central Market. I bet you could find it at Wegmans (East Coast), Draegers (West Coast) or any high end grocery store.  But if you can’t find watermelon juice you can make it very easily. All you do it take 5-6 cups of cut up seedless watermelon and put in a blender and puree.  Then strain through a fine mesh strainer and voila you have watermelon juice.

Another ingredient you need is Simple Syrup.  And as the name suggests it is very simple.  You can […]

Bring an appetizer! I know you hear that all the time when you are invited to a party or get together, but, what can you bring that is fun, different and healthy? Well, not kale healthy, but semi healthy? Make these Oven Fried Pickles, they are DELICIOUS!  They are easy and your guests or family will devour them.  I made these this weekend while the boys, and I, were watching the National Lacrosse semi-finals and they ate the whole batch in 5 minutes. Yes, lax is a HUGE sport in our family! My husband and his 3 brothers all played in college and my 3 boys have played since they were in 1st grade and I love watching it! A quick shout out to my friend Megan‘s son, Cade who plays for UVA and who made it to the final four!! (BTW she has an AWESOME lifestyle blog, Truly Megan-check it out! ) My husband was super bummed that his alma mater, Penn, lost but we will root for the other […]

A couple weeks ago I asked you guys what you wanted to see more of on the blog and the overwhelming response was APPETIZERS! I get it appetizers are hard! You want to serve something special and delicious but you do not want to spend all day in the kitchen making individual mini tacos-that for the caterers!  And you are also tired of serving a bowl of salsa and chips. So I have come up with several easy-to-make appetizers for parties or just happy hour get togethers. This one, Balsamic Roasted Grapes on Blue Cheese Crostini is very easy, even though it is individual pieces. It takes about 30 minutes from start to finish and that is the oven time included. I have to admit that I did not create this amazing little bites-I got the recipe from Southern Living, but I have no idea what issue I pulled it out of. I do that, I tear recipes out of magazines then they sit only desk for years. You should see my desk!!!

Ok, back […]

It’s that time of year when the sun starts to come out, the weather is warmer and the mosquitos are not in full rage mode, so that means patio parties, happy hours, spring outdoor birthday parties and that means APPETIZERS! I hear all the time when invited to a party, “just bring an app”.  What does that mean? Chips and salsa? Yes, but let’s be a bit more creative-you host or guests will appreciate it.  Over the next few weeks I am going to be posting delicious appetizers. I have collected these recipes over the years from God knows where, but I have a ton. And you know I like easy so they are going to be easy, delicious and perfect for spring and summer get togethers.

The first one is a Whipped Avocado Dip-creamy, cool, spicy, delicious!  This is inspired by a local restaurant’s avocado dip and it is no doubt the first thing people order when they sit down at a table at this restaurant. They serve it with house-made potato chips or […]

Here is another great dip to serve or take to a Super Bowl Party.  French Onion Dip is a take on the classic onion dip you get at the grocery store that comes in the tub.  But like my husband said, “this tastes fresher and less salty”. It so good and everyone will love it.  The only downside about this recipe is it really needs to sit for a few hours in the fridge before you serve it so the flavors meld.  But, if you don’t have time it is still delicious.

Now, if you have ever caramelized onions you know how intoxicating the smell is.  It makes the whole house smell amazing and I can promise you that anyone that is in the house is going to come running to the kitchen asking what you are making.  Tell them to wait because I promise this dip is worth the wait!

A couple notes on caramelizing onions-

1-Slice your onions about 1/8″-1/4″ thick.  Too thin and they will burn

2-Keep your heat at medium low. You are not sautéing the onions […]

It’s SUPER BOWL time!  Thank GOD! I am so tired of football. With three boys we have a game on ALL weekend, every weekend from September to February.  And since my husband is an Eagles fan it has been an even longer 2 years. So, I am excited for Sunday to get here:) I’m not excited for the game, is anyone, but I am excited for the food and for football to be over so we can watch basketball or golf, ugh.

Now we all know that people throw Super Bowl parties so that everyone can cheat on their new year diet, right? The food is always so fabulous and so not diet! Here is a dip that I have served or taken to a party for the past few years-Beef Enchilada Dip! It is SO delicious and one of those dips that you can’t stop eating even though you know you need to:)

And if you have any left over (which you won’t) you can warm up a tortilla and scoop some of this dip into it and […]

Roasting garlic is one of those things in life that you just need to know how to do! It is so easy and makes such a difference in recipes. Oh and it will make your house smell amazing!

I tend to roast a head of garlic if I have my oven on for another recipe.  Just wrap a head of garlic in foil and place in the oven along side whatever you are already making and in 40 minutes you have the most amazing caramelized, sweet, savory goodness. Spread it on a crusty baguette or add it to a vinaigrette or mash it into homemade hummus or stir it in to mashed potatoes….there are a million uses for this delicious treat.  Last night I was making an oven roasted steak and when I pulled the steak out of the oven and put it on a plate to rest I added the roasted garlic to the roasting pan with some butter and then drizzled it over the steak, uh yum!!!!

You can make this on a weekend […]

“What can I bring?” is what I find myself asking all throughout the holidays. And the response is “Anything is fine”, ugh what does that mean? You know the host will have a cheese tray and a charcuterie board so what can you bring that is quick, easy, homemade and delicious? These cheese straws are ALWAYS a hit.  They are typically a southern nibble, but no matter where you live people will love these. They just go so good with a glass of bubbly, wine, beer, coke, water, milk…:) honestly anything.

These take about 15 minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to cook and have 6 ingredients that I am sure you have lying around your pantry and fridge. And I am almost positive you have a fork and pizza cutter.  The only thing you might not have is a rolling pin and if you don’t have one of those then use a drinking glass to roll out the dough-problem solved!

Another note-this recipe only calls for 1/4 teaspoon cayenne to just give it a hint of spice, but […]

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas…. just kidding its only the first of November, but there is already Christmas music on the radio and every store is decked out!  Its still 80 degrees here in Texas so it makes it hard to think of Santa right now not to mention that Thanksgiving hasn’t even happened!!!  I  don’t know about you, but it kinda pisses me off that we just skip over Thanksgiving, grrr.  Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday-the food, the friends, the family and the lack of gift shopping.  Its just such a relaxed holiday and I just love it! I guess I should get started on  my menu:)

Ok off my soap box…. since it is the beginning of the holiday season we are all crazy busy and there seems to be a party or get together every other night and everyone says to bring something- “Just bring something small”.  What are you supposed to bring??? Well, stock up on mid priced wine to take and make a huge batch of these Rosemary Nuts to […]

Its football season! Lord help me!!  When football season starts that means it is on EVERYDAY of the week-seriously I have no idea how they can play that many games, but they do. I really enjoy watching college ball, but I HATE pro-football-too many politics and too many rules, but, since I married a guy from the north-east that means college ball gets put on the back burner and pro takes over. And, my husband has done a great job of indoctrinating my three boys to love the Eagles and living in Dallas that is not all that popular:), especially since my Dad is a Cowboy fan!

Anyway, what makes watching so fun?  Its the food, drink and friends that rotates around the big screen. I made this delicious Artichoke and Green Chili Dip the other day and it lasted about 7 minutes when I put it out on the table. Its cheesy, salty, tangy, spicy-all things you want in a dip! Its the traditional artichoke dip but adds a nice Texas flare with the green chilies. It […]

Well, its that time of year!  The Kentucky Derby is this weekend and it is a sporting event unlike any other, drawing a crowd of 150,000 spectators since 1875.  It is bucket list event that you want to attend at some point. The hats, clothes, food, drinks, horses are a sight to be seen. And the traditional drink served at the Derby is the classic Bourbon Mint Julep.

The Mint Julep is a Southern cocktail that is served in a silver or metal cup to keep the drink ice cold during the hot months in the deep South. It has been a staple at the Kentucky Derby for over a century. Every year there are over 120,000 mint juleps served at Churchill Downs over a two day period! That requires 10,000 bottles of the ready to serve cocktail, 1,000 pounds of fresh mint and 60,000 pounds of ice. Needless to say the Mint Julep is a very well loved cocktail.

So if you are not attending the big weekend in Kentucky  you can still break out your big hat […]

This is one of my most requested recipes for dinner parties or holidays.  But, it is just as delicious and comforting on a cold winters day.  It is supposed to get really cold and yucky weekend for most of the country so stock up on these ingredients and make this drink and I promise you will not regret it.  It does have alcohol in it, but you can easily leave it out for the kiddos.  My kids love this drink (non alcoholic of course unless I need them to sleep, just kidding) and request that I make it on hunting weekends for them to take in thermoses to keep warm while sitting around for hours in the wet and cold-doesn’t that sound fun? Yeah thats why I stay back at the house while they go “bring home the literal bacon”.

We are in the home stretch of this 2017 year and I can’t believe how fast it has gone.  I feel like it was just Halloween and I was scrambling to find candy to pass out and now we are planning New Years Eve? It goes by in a blink doesn’t it?

Eggnog is one of those things you either love or hate.  I  love it and my husband hates it which is kinda funny because I really don’t like nutmeg. Have you ever heard a chef say “just grate a little bit of nutmeg on a green vegetable to give it a unique flavor?” Ick! I think that flavor is awful!:) But I love nutmeg in sweet things and eggnog is the most classic of all nutmeg sweets.