Wednesday, May 27, 2026

I'll take an roasted tomato pie with bacon goodness in a Parmesan crust, thank you very much.

 Saw this recipe from Southern Living on my Instagram feed, and it checks all the marks.  I always make a tomato pie (or two) when my 'maters become ripe. Especially September when I seem to have a ton of them. Will be making this pie for sure!  

https://www.southernliving.com/recipes/heirloom-tomato-pie

Southern Living Tomato Pie

Tomato Pie Filling:

3 lbs. assorted medium to large heirloom tomatoes


1 tsp. kosher salt, divided


6 thick-cut bacon slices, diced


2 large shallots, chopped


2 garlic cloves, finely chopped (2 tsp.)


6 oz. aged extra-sharp white Cheddar cheese, grated (about 1 1/2 cups)


1/2 cup mayonnaise


1/2 cup chopped fresh basil


1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh chives


1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard


1 large egg


Fresh basil leaves


Minced fresh chives


Parmesan-Buttermilk Pie Crust:


2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour


3 oz. Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, finely shredded (about 1 packed cup)


1/2 tsp. kosher salt


1/4 tsp. black pepper


3/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed


1/4 cup cold solid vegetable shortening, cubed


6 Tbsp. buttermilk


Directions

1.Prepare tomato slices:

Preheat oven to 400°F. Cut tomatoes into ½-inch-thick slices. Place about 7 or 8 slices (enough to cover top of pie) on a baking sheet lined with paper towels, and sprinkle with ¼ teaspoon of the salt. Cover with additional paper towels, and reserve.

2.Roast remaining tomatoes:

Arrange remaining tomatoes in a single layer on a lightly greased wire rack set on a large baking sheet. Sprinkle with ½ teaspoon of the salt. Bake in preheated oven until wilted and slightly dried out, 40 to 45 minutes. Cool completely, about 1 hour.

3.Meanwhile, make Parmesan-Buttermilk Pie Crust:

Pulse flour, cheese, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in food processor until combined. Add butter and shortening. Pulse until butter and shortening are pea size pieces, about 5 times. Drizzle in buttermilk, processing until dough begins to just come together.

4.Gather and lightly knead dough into a ball on a large piece of plastic wrap; flatten into disk and wrap tightly. Chill at least 2 hours or up to 2 days.

5.Fit dough to pie plate:

6.Preheat oven to 400°F. Roll dough on a floured surface into a 15- to 16-inch circle about 1/3 inch thick. Transfer to a 9-inch deep dish pie plate.

7.Trim edges leaving a 1-inch overhang. Fold edges under and crimp. Freeze dough at least 20 minutes.

8.Parbake crust:

Line piecrust with parchment paper, and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake at 400°F 20 minutes. Remove parchment and weights and bake until edges are golden and bottom of crust is set, about 8 more minutes. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

9.Cook bacon:

While pie crust cools, cook bacon in a skillet over medium-high until fat is beginning to render, 4 to 5 minutes. Add chopped shallots, and cook until bacon is crisp and shallots are caramelized, 6 to 7 more minutes. Stir in garlic; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon mixture to a plate lined with paper towels to drain. Cool 20 minutes.

10.Make filling:

Stir together cheese, mayonnaise, basil, chives, Dijon, and egg until combined. Sprinkle with pepper and remaining ¼ teaspoon salt. Fold in bacon mixture.

11.Assemble pie:

Gently spread a third of cheese mixture onto cooled Parmesan-Buttermilk Crust; layer with half of the roasted tomato slices in slightly overlapping pattern.

12.Spread another third of cheese mixture on top of tomato slices. Repeat with remaining roasted tomato slices and cheese mixture. Top with reserved sliced fresh tomatoes, pressing filling gently into crust. Shield edges of pie with aluminum foil.

13.Bake the pie:

Bake in preheated oven until filling is set, 40 to 45 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack, and let stand 1 hour before serving. Sprinkle with basil and chives.


High Protein 2 minute Brownie for One

This high protein brownie is delicious and takes just a minute to prepare. I add about a tablespoon of milk chocolate chips and top with a little powdered sugar when it comes out of the microwave.  

High Protein Brownie for One

Ingredients

1 egg

1/3 cup Greek yogurt

1 tbsp sweetener of choice

3 tbsp cocoa powder (or cacao)

1 tbsp chocolate protein powder

chocolate chips (add as many as you like!)

Instructions

Mix all ingredients except for chocolate chips until smooth. Then add chocolate chips and mix again.

Lightly grease a small microwave safe dish. Pour the batter into the dish.

Microwave for 90 seconds for a lava cake consistency or up to 2 minutes for a firmer brownie.


Corn and Doritos Salad

Corn and Doritos Salad

Salad Ingredients

1 3/4 cups fresh sweet corn or 1 can of corn, drained

1 cup diced cherry tomatoes

3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 cup diced peppers

3 Tbsp chopped cilantro

2 Tbsp minced onin

3/4 cup crushed nacho cheese Doritos 

Dressing:

1/4 cup mayo

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1 Tbsp lime juice


Mix dressing and set aside.  Toss together all the salad ingredients. Mix salad and dressing. Top with crushed Doritos and serve. 

Tuesday, May 26, 2026

Lemon Dressing for the best Arugula Parmeasan Salad

 Arugula with a lemon vinaigrette and parmesan cheese ranks right up on my favorite salads list. Because of the simplicity of the salad ingredients (arugula and cheese only), the dressing is really important. Over the years, I've found that a lemon vinaigrette vs only olive oil and lemon juice tastes best.  Here's dressing that I prefer: Note: This is a fabulous dressing that could be used on any green salad.

Lemon Vinaigrette for Arugula Salad

Vinaigrette

Juice of 1 lemon

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1-2 cloves of garlic, minced

1 tsp Dijon mustard

1 tsp honey

1/2 tsp kosher salt

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Salad

5 oz arugula

1/3 cup Parmesan (shaved is traditional, but any will do)

Directions:

Place all vinaigrette ingredients in a small jar.  Cover and shake 30 seconds or until well combined.

Wash arugula and place in bowl.  Pour on 2 Tbsp of the dressing to start and toss (you don't want it over dressed). Then add the Parm and toss again.  Serve immediately.


Sunday, May 24, 2026

DIY Brownie Mix

 I love a good ole boxed browie mix.  Aldi does a fine job with theirs.  You can make your own brownie mix to keep on hand. It's super easy!  This would make a good gift for kids to make for teachers.

DIY Brownie Mix

1 cup granulated sugar

⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted

½ cup all-purpose flour

¼ teaspoon kosher salt

¼ teaspoon baking powder


Mix together and store in a container until ready to use.

When ready, add "wet ingredients"

½ cup (1 stick) melted butter, cooled

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray an 8×8-inch pan with non-stick spray.
Sift (or whisk) together granulated sugar, cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder in a large bowl.

Melt butter and set aside to cool.
In a medium bowl, beat two eggs and vanilla extract with a hand-held mixer.
Add the egg mixture and melted butter to the dry ingredients. Stir until just incorporated.
Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 20-22 minutes.

 
HOW TO GIFT BROWNIE MIX
Sift together all dry ingredients. Place into a jar or airtight container.
On a gift tag or label write the wet ingredients and quantities and then directions. “Melt butter and set aside to cool slightly. In a medium bowl, beat two eggs with the vanilla. Add in and gently stir dry ingredients. Pour the melted butter into brownie mixture and mix until just incorporated. Spread batter in a prepared 8-inch square pan and bake for 20-22 minutes at 350 degrees.”






Moose Farts

 I'm from Minnesota. Of course, I have a recipe for Moose Farts. These are nobake and super rich. Enjoy!


Moose Farts

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1/4 cup (half stick) melted butter

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups dried coconut flakes

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

1 1/2 cups mini chocolate chips

Additional graham cracker crumbs for rolling balls.


Directions:

Melt the butter and and combine it with the sweetened condensed milk & vanilla extract until well blended.

Add the graham crumbs, coconut and chocolate chips. Mix to combine well.

Refrigerate for an hour or so before rolling the mixture into 1 1/4 inch balls. You want to make these on the smallish side as they are quite rich.

Roll the balls in additional graham crumbs and once again chill until firm.

Refrigerate in a sealed container to store.

Cris' Favorite Salad Dressing

 My college bestie Cris makes the best salad dressing. It's light, flavorful, and comes together quickly. 

Cris' Favorite Salad Dressing

1/2 cup olive oil

1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar

2/4 tsp lemon pepper

1/2-3/4 tsp dried basic

1 tsp Dijon (country if you have it)

Dash of garlic powder

1 Tbsp honey

salt and pepper to taste


Add all ingredients to a jar and shake.  Yum!