Sunday, August 9, 2026

Rose's Vinaigrette

I came across this dressing online, made it, and liked it a lot. It is a classic vinaigrette for arugula/parm salad or any sort of green tossed salad. The recipe is pretty forgiving, so swap as you see fit (lime for lemon, honey for brown sugar, etc.) 

Rose's Vinaigrette

1 small shallot, minced

1 tsp brown sugar

1 tsp Dijon mustard

1/2 tsp sea salt

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Splash of Worcestershire sauce

2 Tbsp lemon juice

2 1/2 Tbsp red wine vinegar

3/4 cup olive oil

Place all ingredients in a mason jar.  Shake to combine ingredients.  Store in the refrigerator. 



Fresh, Quick & Classic Guacamole

 You're not free salsa...you're guacamole. I love guac on my chips (and nachos and burritos and tacos, you get the idea). The key to good guac is timing.  The avocados have to be ripe, but not too ripe. If the brown stem/tip can come off easily, it's good. This is a fast, easy, classic recipe that I like. Hope you like it too.

Quick and Easy Guacamole

3 ripe avocados

1/4 cup red onion, finely diced

1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped

1 jalapeno, seeded and diced

Juice of 2 limes (approximately 1/4 cup of lime juice)

1/2 tsp sea salt (or more to taste)

1 Roma tomato seeded and diced


Cut avocados in half, remove pits, and scoop into bowl. Mash with fork until desired consistency (I like a few small chunks, but you can make as smooth as you want). Mix in the remaining ingredients until evenly distributed. Use immediately. If you plan to store it, put it in an air tight container and press Saran Wrap onto the entire surface before sealing to prevent discoloration. 


Tuesday, July 21, 2026

Yellow Hammers for a Party

 Roll Tide! My daughter graduated from the University of Alabama.  Yellow Hammers were the go-to game day cocktail.  They're sweet and strong and great for a party or tailgating.

Yellow Hammers for a Crowd (2 gallons)

2 cups water

750 ml vodka (3 cups)

750 ml white rum (3 cups)

750 ml amaretto (3 cups)

9 cups orange juice

13.5 cups pineapple juice.

Combine in a large container/punch bowl and serve over ice.


Sally's Corn Salad

 For all the Jansen corn you don't eat right away!

Sally's Corn Salad

4 cups corn

1 green bell pepper, diced

8 oz shredded Co-Jack cheese

1/3 cup finely chopped onion (or a bunch of green onion)

1 cup mayo

9 oz package Fritos Chili Cheese Corn Chips

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, except Fritos.  Let chill.  Before serving gently fold in the chips.  Serve immediately.

Note: If you don't think all of the salad will be consumed right away, garnish with the Fritos vs folding them in. 

Sunday, July 19, 2026

Make this in July: Tomato, Green Bean and Potato Salad

 From my childhood church cookbook: Edina Morningside Community Church. It’s a perfect salad for July when beans are plentiful. Tastes very European…I love it! 

Tomato, Green Bean and Potato Salad

1 3/4 lbs red potatoes cut in bite sized pieces. 

3/4 lb fresh green beans trimmed and cut in bite sized pieces

2 tsp salt

5 Tbsp balsamic vinegar 

4 Tbsp olive oil

1 Tbsp Dijon mustard

1/4 tsp salt

1/8 tsp black pepper

1/3 cup snipped fresh basil

1/2 cup sliced green onion

I pt cherry tomatoes, halved



Wash and cut green beans. Steam until crisp-tender, then place in ice water. Set aside. Cook tomatoes in water to cover with 2 tsp salt. Cook covered until tender, but firm. Drain and put in large bowl. Whisk together vinegar, oil, mustard, 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp pepper. Stir in green onion and basil. Pour over warm potatoes. Drain chilled green beans and stir into potatoes. Mix gently. Store in refrigerator. Remove from fridge 1 hour before serving. Stir in tomatoes and serve. 

Wednesday, June 17, 2026

Easy Tomato Sauce for Pasta

 Easy Tomato Sauce

2 tbsp butter

3 cloves minced garlic

2 Tbsp tomato paste

15 oz can tomato sauce

3/4 cup heavy whipping cream

1/2 tsp Italian seasoning

Salt and pepper to taste

Grated Parmesan for serving


Directions:

Melt butter in coated pan, like Le Crueset

Add minced garlic and sauté 1 minute

Add tomato paste, tomato sauce, heavy cream, Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper. 

Simmer about 5 minutes. 

Add cooked pasta of choice and top with grated Parmesan. 


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!


Cuban Style Sloppy Joes make with Ground Pork

 Ok, I may like these better than the original.  My husband and I bought a whole hog this year, so we're constantly on the lookout for pork recipes.  This one was excellent!  It takes inspiration from a Cuban sandwich and is served with Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard (I used Trader Joe's pickle mustard). Made it last night for my sister and we both agreed that it was delicious. I will definitely make again!

Cuban Style Sloppy Joes

2 tablespoons canola oil (seemed excessive, I'd cut back to 1 tablespoon)

1 1/2 pounds ground pork

2 garlic cloves minced

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 teaspoon ground allspice

2 teaspoons ground coriander

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper

2 teaspoons paprika

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 lime zested and juiced

1 cup chicken stock

1 cup tomato sauce

4 brioche buns

8 slices Swiss cheese

1/2 cup sliced pickles

Mustard (I like Trader Joe's Pickle Mustard)

Instructions:

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat then add in the pork, crumbling it up with a spatula as it cooks for 5-7 minutes.

Lower the heat to medium and add in the garlic, brown sugar, allspice, coriander, kosher salt, black pepper, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, lime juice and lime zest, stirring and cooking for 2-3 minutes. and lime zest and juice.

Add in the stock and tomato sauce stirring well then letting reduce for 5-7 minutes.

Scoop onto toasted buns, top with Swiss cheese and another spoonful of the pork mixture with pickles and mustard on top.


Game Changer: Frozen Shrimp in the Air Fryer

 So this is all over my Insta feed.  You can cook FROZEN shrimp in the air fryer in just 6 minutes!

Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp

Raw frozen shrimp (Argentinian from Trader Joe's or Costco)


Butter sauce:

4 Tbsp butter

1 Tbsp Dijon mustard

2 cloves garlic

Juice of 1 lemon

Red pepper flakes to taste


Spread FROZEN shrimp on tray of air fryer.  Cook at 375 for 6 minutes (check for doneness...don't want to overcook).


Melt together all the butter sauce recipe.  Pour over shrimp.

Monday, April 27, 2026

Korean Tuna Rice

I purchased DongWon Korean Hot Pepper Tuna after seeing numerous videos about it on TikTok about this recipe (yes, TikTok made me do it).  I order my tuna on Amazon, it's a little pricy, but to me totally worth it.  There are other flavor options, but I always get the Hot Pepper flavor.  Unlike other canned tuna, this fish comes in a sauce with diced potatoes and carrots.  DO NOT DRAIN.  Here's my go-to recipe.  I hope you like it too!

PS - If you don't already have a rice cooker, get one. I got a small (2 cup) one at Aldi that I love and use all the time. 

Korean Tuna Rice

1 cup cooked rice

1 3.5 oz can DongWon Korean hot pepper tuna 

2 tbsp Furikake rice seasoning (can buy at Trader Joe's or any Asian market)

2 tbsp Kewpie Mayo or American mayo

1 tbsp sesame oil

Directions:

Combine all ingredients together and mix well. Do not drain the liquids from the tuna- use everything in the can. Measurements provided are a good place to start, but you can adjust according to your taste.

Can also top with a cooked egg or pickled ginger, if desired. 

Thursday, April 23, 2026

Viral Costco Asian Chicken Hack

 Viral Costco Asian Chicken

1 rotisserie chicken

2 cups Jasmine rice, cooked

3 1/2 TBSP soy sauce

1 1/2 tsp Sesame oil

1 1/2 TBSP chili crisp

2 green onions, chopped

1 TBSP Furikake

2 TBSP Kewpie mayo

1 1/2 TBSP Sriracha

Seaweed snacks


Take chicken out of the bag, but don't drain the juices.  Add warm rice to the bag of juices and shake well. Debone and chop up chicken and add back to container. Add the rest of the seasonings with green onions and shake well. Top with mayo and sriracha. Serve with roasted seaweed snacks.

Wednesday, April 22, 2026

Beef Stroganoff with Steak

 So my husband and I bought a cow.  Well, actually, just half a cow.  We bought a "quarter beef" last year and went through it all, so we thought we'd go even larger this year...since we're empty nesters and all with just our two mouths to feed. Hmmm. Anyway, we're on the lookout for good beef recipes.  This is a good one.  

Beef Stroganoff

Ingredients:

1 lb top sirloin steak, thinly sliced into strips*

2 Tbsp olive oil

2 Tbsp unsalted butter

1/2 medium onion, finely chopped

1/2 lb brown mushrooms, thickly sliced

1 garlic cloves, minced

1 Tbsp all-purpose flour

1 cup beef broth

3/4 cup heavy whipping cream

1/4 cup sour cream

1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1/2 tsp dijon mustard

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

To Serve:

1 Tbsp green onion or parsley, to garnish

8-12 oz egg noodles, optional, to serve

Directions:

Place a large deep pan or dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 2 Tbsp oil and once oil is very hot, add thinly sliced beef strips in a single layer, cooking 1 minute per side without stirring. Cook until just browned and no longer red. Sear beef in 2 batches so you don't overcrowd the pan. Remove beef to a plate and cover to keep warm.

Add 2 Tbsp butter, chopped onion and sliced mushrooms. Sautee 6-8 minutes or until liquid has evaporated and onions and mushrooms are soft and lightly browned.

Add 1 minced garlic clove and sautee 1 minute until fragrant. Add 1 Tbsp flour and sautee another minute stirring constantly.

Pour in 1 cups beef broth, scraping any bits from the bottom of the pan then add 3/4 cup whipping cream and simmer another 1 to 2 minutes or until slightly thickened. 

Stir a few Tablespoons of the sauce into 1/4 cup of sour cream to temper it so the sour cream doesn’t curdle then add it to the pan while stirring constantly.

Stir in 1 Tbsp Worcestershire, 1/2 tsp dijon mustard, and season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper, or season to taste and continue simmering until sauce is creamy. Add beef with any accumulated juices back to the pan and bring just to a simmer or until beef is heated through. 

Serve over noodles and garnish.  Serve with a green leafy salad. 

Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad

 I found this recipe on TikTok. It has the Asian flavors that I love and the ingredients are all pretty accessible. Was not disappointed! I chose to slice my carrots and cukes instead of ribbon cutting them.  You will make a lot more dressing than needed for the salad.  Save for another dish.  Also, I chose to add peanuts as a topping vs adding them to the salad. 

Asian Cucumber Salad

3-4 small cucumbers (I used 2 regular size English cucumbers), thinly sliced

2 carrots, thinly sliced

1/4 cup diced onion

1 avocado, chopped

2-3 Tbsp roasted peanuts (I use unsalted)

2 Tbsp chopped cilantro

Optional: Add a protein like tofu, chicken or shrimp

Asian Dressing:

1/2 cup rice vinegar

2 Tbsp soy sauce

1 Tbsp honey

1 tsp sesame oil

1 Tbsp sesame seeds

2 Tbsp chili crisp (I use Trade Joe's chili crisp)

Directions:

Mix dressing and set aside.  Dice and chop vegetables (or make ribbons with a peeler). Dice onions. Mix all ingredients together, except peanuts.  Drizzle on the dressing and top with peanuts.




Tuesday, April 21, 2026

Jezebel Sauce

 This tangy southern sauce is great over a block of cream cheese with Wheat Thins or as a sauce on pork tenderloin or ham.

Easy Jezebel Sauce

1/2 cup pineapple jam

1/2 cup apple jelly

1 heaping TBSP prepared horseradish

1 tsp dried mustard

1/4 tsp black pepper

Pinch of red pepper flakes


Mix together and store in the refrigerator.  Let flavors meld several hours before serving.