Cowboy Caviar
There aren’t many healthy dips in my repertoire, but I’m happy to report this one is a favorite of many. So, at least I have one healthy dip recipe that is a solid winner. When I make it, I don’t want to share it with anyone because it’s so good! I’ll often eat it as a meal, because why not? I’m pretty sure tortilla chips are considered an essential food group (Don’t ask my dietician mother, she probably won’t agree). The best part about this recipe is that it is so simple to whip together. You’ll need to prep a few veggies, but once the cutting is done, two stirs of the bowl and you’re ready to dip your chips! What you’ll need Corn Black Beans Avocados Tomatoes Green Onions Italian Dressing Garlic Powder Splash of lime juice on the avocado, to keep it from turning brown You can also…
Buffalo Chicken Dip
When my husband gets to pick where we eat out, I can guarantee you 9 times out of 10 he will choose Buffalo Wild Wings. Is it the wings, beer or the wall to wall TVs for viewing every sport imaginable? I’m pretty sure it’s the wings, because when I make this dip, he’s a pretty happy camper. Well, that and I make sure there’s beer in the fridge to enjoy with the dip. This dip can be made on the stove, if you plan to eat it right away, or can be completely assembled in a mixing bowl and added to a crockpot to heat up and then keep warm. The crockpot method works well for parties or pot-lucks. Are pot-lucks a midwest thing? It seems as though, we are always organizing one at work. Mostly due to our love of food and the beauty of grazing; basically snacking…
Layered Greek Dip
Do you ever find yourself counting the layers in a dip titled “7 Layer” to ensure you aren’t being cheated out of an important layer of flavor? When I made this dip the first time, it started out as 7 layers, then turned into 8 and if you get technical it could be 9. To combat my Type A personality and to not get any nasty comments about not being able to count, let’s just call this a Layered Greek Dip. This also allows you the freedom to add or subtract layers as you see fit. Stars of the show Hummus Tzatzki Sauce or Homemade Greek Yogurt Sauce Tomato Cucumber Pepperocini Kalamata Olives or Greek Olive Blend Feta Cheese Green Onions Greek Seasoning The first time I experienced this dip, it was life changing. Well, life changing might be a bit overdramatic, but it changed my view of bringing hummus…
Jalapeno Popper Dip
When you think of the epitome of appetizers, what comes to mind? I seem to reach for something creamy and spicy, wanting something to bring the heat but also cool the burn. Jalapeño poppers are a tried and true appetizer favorite, but take so much effort to make; having to clean the jalapeños, fill them with the cream cheese mixture and then bake ’em up. Who has time for that?? This dip brings all the deliciousness of jalapeño poppers minus all of the work. It is a favorite of the work pot-luck and party circuits. Also, it is delicious served hot or cold and pairs well with all sorts of dippers. First, combine softened cream cheese with mayonnaise. Don’t even think about using Miracle Whip. This is neither the time nor the place to discuss the mayo vs. Miracle Whip debate. If you use Miracle Whip, you will be sorely…
Potato leek Soup
When I woke up this morning it was -20 degrees Fahrenheit and my first thought was, “All I want is a bowl of soup!” Who doesn’t love a bowl of warm soup on a frigidly cold day? It’s always great to have a quick cooking soup option that you can whip up after work; Potato Leek Soup is just that-simple, quick & delicious! This was my first experience cooking with leeks, and after a few You-Tube videos on how to clean them, I was set to go. Let me break it down for you to save you some time and energy searching the web on how to clean leeks. There are several ways, but as long as you get the bits of dirt cleaned out it doesn’t matter how you do it. Cleaning the Leeks Slice off the dark green tops and the roots Slice the leeks into rounds (or…
Lemon Ricotta Pancakes
Who can resist the wafting aroma of pancakes on the griddle on a Saturday morning? Especially when they include the essence of lemon. Pancakes are a quintessential comfort food that takes you back to your mother’s or grandmother’s kitchen. One of my treasured memories is sitting at the kitchen counter eating pancakes with Grandpa & Grandma. What a treat! Oftentimes when it comes to making pancakes, we reach for the box mix. We forget how simple it is to make them from scratch. For this amped up version of pancakes you only need 10 ingredients. Only 10?!? How can you make delicious, restaurant worthy pancakes with only 10 ingredients? Well folks, let me tell you, this recipe is super simple! So, let’s get cooking! Start by mixing your dry ingredients; flour, baking powder & salt. Mix your eggs, buttermilk & vanilla in a separate bowl. I’ve substituted 2% milk for…
Butter Tarts
Warm, flaky and sweet; these indulgent tarts are iconic Canadian treats. Typically made of butter-lots of butter- hence the name, sugar, syrup & eggs baked in a pastry crust. There are slight variations in the recipe depending on the location and also by the baker. Some of the variations can include flavorings (or flavourings for my Canadian friends) such as maple, chocolate or bacon and add-ins such as raisins and nuts. I personally am a butter tart purist; made with maple syrup and absolutely no raisins or nuts! The best way to devour the tarts is when they are still warm from the oven and have a slightly runny center; similar to a molten lava cake. Which makes me think-maybe they should be called molten maple tarts. Over the years, I have tried many different butter tart recipes and I’ll let you in on a secret; the best recipes include…