I have something to admit. :::hangs head::: I like cranberries but they are not totally off the charts for me. Nope..I can take ‘em  or leave ‘em. They are good in things like cookies and such..but I would rather have a big, fat blueberry any day. And, canned cranberry sauce is just…ick. We have it because some of the kids like it…but my daughter Erin makes a rockin’ from fresh cranberry sauce so I usually just concentrate on other things…Like dessert.

When I saw this recipe for chipotle cranberry sauce in Bon Appetit I was somewhat skeptical. But I …read more

Farm Rich is a company that specializes in frozen items such as appetizers, snacks, and finger foods.  They contacted me and offered to send me some product samples and I swear about two days later the box came in the mail, or UPS, or Pony Express, or however they sent it. Point is, it got here fast.

 
The skies are gray today and a brisk wind is pulling at the siding of my house.  I am comfy in my bed, watching the fire in the bedroom fireplace and listening to the kids downstairs.  If you don’t mind I think it is a little chilly for surfing…so perhaps skating or skiing is in order?
Lots of very cool stuff from the blog-o-sphere today…

 
A few weeks ago Alex from Isle de France contacted me to see if I was interested in reviewing a sample of one of their cheeses.  How fast can a person type, “YES!”?
Pretty stinkin’ fast…..

 
I can’t believe how quickly the months go by..It seems like I live from Daring Bakers Reveal  to Daring Bakers Reveal with no time in between.  It sort of feels like the movie, Groundhog Day.
This months’ challenge was unusual in both the recipe and the freedom that we had to flavor the challenge item any way we wanted.  We made Lavash, either gluten free or not, and a vegan spread..our choice of ingredients and flavors.

 
Serious potato chips for the serious potato ho.
As usual, just like with all of the recipe roundups and challenged I am involved in,  I am getting in just under the wire…but when you taste these you will forgive me..oh yes you will.

 
Deviled Eggs. You know you have to have them. With 4th of July coming up I am whispering one word to my chickens to get them in egg laying overdrive. Cacciatore.

 
You know,  kids like parties, at least mine do.  They always want to know if we are going to have a Superbowl party, and several don’t even like football.  Here are a couple of recipes that kids can do for their own Superbowl party, so that when you are passing the Buffalo wings they won’t be staring at you with puppy eyes!
Ham & Cheese on Pretzel Sticks
Take cubes of ham  and carefully push onto small pretzel sticks. Repeat with cubes of cheese.
Fruit and Veggie Plate with Peanut Butter Dip 
Slices of Apple, Pear, and Banana,Celery, and Carrots
Mix dip:
1/2 c peanut butter
3 Tbs …read more

I love tortilla chips. I especially love homemade ones. No these are not baked..But they are a delight, and if you use them as the base for nachos they will be baked..how’s that?
These are a fun project for the whole family. The kids will have a great time painting the tortillas with food colors. If you are doing these for a Christmas party then do them in red and green. I want to do a pop culture party for New Years with the Tie Dyed Cheesecake and some retro style stuff that is …read more

These are so awesome that you will want to bite the screen. Seriously. On a regular basis I participate in the Leftover Queen’s Royal Foodie Joust   even,  if I may be so prideful, winning one.
This month’s ingredients were mushrooms, cheese, and herbs.  I had at first thought of Parmesan and mushroom palmiers, which are something that I love but I wanted something different…unique.  Unusual. Hmmm. I have been fascinated with Beggars’ Purses since I read about them a few years ago but had not taken the time to make them…hmmm..Maybe? I clicked through my mental flavor …read more