A Proverbs 31 Kind of Day

When I was growing up, we called it a "meat and cheese tray."  Heck, even know, that's what it's typically called! You know, where you order a meat and cheese tray and there is a variety of meats, cheeses, and condiments, garnished with fruit? Where I live, there is a local store that does a beautiful job at making these trays. But what is growing in popularity are "Charcuterie Boards." Charcuterie; a French word, pronounced, "shar - coot - a- re"   I mean . . . sort of! What I love about a Charcuterie Board is the simplicity. I mean . . .sort of! So, if you have been to a Brazilian steakhouse, chances are you have enjoyed a very large Charcuterie Board. It's like a dissembled salad bar. Lovely cheeses. Cooked meats, served cold. Condiments. Spreads. Roasted or grilled vegetables, served cold. All the while, everything looks delightful and artisanal. After having dinner one night at this sort of steakhouse, ...

It doesn't seem like it's the holiday season until someone brings these gems to the party! I'm not really big on this appetizer. I've never really been impressed with small cocktail sized smokies in a bbq sauce. Now!  There are other ways I like these done, like wrapped in bacon, or phyllo dough, or even a crescent roll. But not swimming in a sauce that I usually don't like. So when the Mr. suggested we do a small snack break at the office, and thought these would be good, I went to searching for something different to do! Do I mix them with grape jelly, or cranberry sauce, or pineapple preserves? The options were great, but I finally decided on this recipe! Holiday Cocktail Little Smokies 28-32 oz package of little smokies 1 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup ketchup 1/4 cup honey Dijon mustard Place the little smokies in a crock pot. In a bowl, mix the brown sugar, ketchup, and honey Dijon mustard together and pour over the littl...

Poblano pepper; image taken from the internet Saturday morning cooking shows are not good for our family! Almost without fail, someone in our house sees a dish being made that seems so appealing. Then, we all want it. But we weren't really paying attention enough to know what was going on. We were only paying enough attention to know that it looked good! It happened again this past Saturday. We all saw something that looked amazing . . . but didn't know what it was called . . . or the name of the show . . . or the name of the chef . . . or really what all was put into the dish. But we knew enough to start; sort of! In the middle of cooking, my boy cherub did some internet research and found what we were looking for! Or should I say, what we were in the middle of making! This is SOOOOO  yummy! It's great stuffed into corn tortillas, or scooped up with corn chips, or tortillas filled with cooked chicken and rolled up tight, then ...

We crave Mexican food. I honestly think we could eat it every day. Tex-Mex is good, but we also love authentic Mexican food. Simple, basic; delicious! We also love mock-Mexican food. You know -- Mexican-ish! The thoughts of Mexican, but not really! That's what we had the other night for dinner. I was making good use of the grilled chicken that was in the freezer and the green chilies we roasted and froze from the Summer. I was also making a "sort-of" Spanish rice to put with the chicken. My boy cherub whipped up some salsa to go with it; Which made me think we needed chips. Kind of like an appetizer! The cherubs are out of school for Spring Break and I like the idea of us all hanging around the kitchen, snacking and cooking together. We were out of corn chips! Uh-oh! What to do! It was cold outside and I was not going to the store just for chips! Then I remembered there were won ton wrappers in the refrigerator. I cut them, ...

Over Christmas, we had brunch with my brother and his family. My sister-in-law made mixed fruit with dip. It was so yummy! I asked for the recipe and she willingly shared; as long as I gave her credit! Maybe I should call it "Jen's Orange Fruit Dip!" When I actually got around to making it again for my family, I couldn't find where I had written it down! I searched the internet and found several recipes that were similar, and many that were the very recipe she had given me!  I believe the one she used is from Kraft. I love this because it's yummy, easy, and can be used for more than fruit! Dollop it on pound cake, pancakes, French toast, and of course, fruit! Orange Fruit Dip 1 cup  plain, nonfat yogurt (I used Greek Vanilla; it's what I had) 1/4 cup sugar 1 TBSP orange zest 1/4 cup orange juice 2 cups thawed Cool Whip   Whisk the yogurt and next 3 ingredients together in a bowl. Fold in the cool whip. Ref...

While the parties may be over, football bowl games are not! Perhaps you're having a few of your favorite people over to watch your team win . . . or in our case, lose! It'll be a sad game tonight! But while the game may not be too much fun, this dip will be great to have as people arrive and stand around the kitchen! It's super easy and there's no measuring! Just mix it up until it tastes good to you and serve! I love recipes like that, don't you? Sweet Heat Apricot Dip 1- 8oz cream cheese, softened 2-4 TBSP Apricot preserves, (really it's to taste) 2-4 TBSP Sweet jalapenos, chopped (really, it's to taste again.  "Best Maid" is the brand I buy) In a bowl, with a mixer, cream the softened cream cheese until smooth.  Add the amount of apricot preserves.  Start with 2 TBSP and go from there.  Add in and mix until well incorporated.  Begin by adding in 1 TBSP of the chopped sweet jalapenos and mix well.  Add more if you'...

With the holidays in full swing, sometimes you need a fast, throw-together-appetizer for your guests . . . or dinner for your family! Sometimes, during the holiday, that's what my family gets to eat for dinner! Some quick appetizer! Hey!  Don't knock it!  At least they're getting food! You may even want to make it for your "family movie night!" It's that easy! Warm Jalapeno Popper Dip 1 package cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup mayonnaise 4-6 ounces shredded cheddar cheese 3-5 jalapenos, seeded and finely chopped (depends on your jalapeno flavor "want!") 1/2 cup crushed ritz crackers or panko crumbs 2 TBSP melted butter Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, mix the cream cheese and mayonnaise together.  Stir in the cheddar cheese and jalapenos.  If you are wanting a bit of heat, leave some of the seeds in your cheese mixture. In a small bowl, mix the cracker crumbs and butter together.  Place the cream cheese mixtur...

About a week ago, the Mr. and I headed to the Texas Hill Country for a little get away. It was a perfect weekend! We went with some friend; we shopped, we ate, we laughed, and we listened to great music each night! One of the places that we ate, served cranberry salsa and chips. It was phenomenal! I knew I wanted to make it for the holiday season . . . . and with 8 bags of cranberries in my freezer, I knew I had enough ingredients! The minute I see cranberries in the store, I start buying! There are several great recipes that I like to make during this time of year, and this is one to add to the list! The Mr. had the recipe on his phone, but when I started to make the salsa, I didn't have the recipe. But I remember reading it -- so I just started making it! I mean, how hard can it possibly be? While I didn't make it exactly like the recipe, it was pretty close, and we all devoured it! Here's the real recipe!  What I love about this ...

Image from the internet Years ago, these were called "Party Ham Sandwiches." Now, they're called "sliders!" Some people think they have the market on "new" just because they make it smaller! Not true! Regardless of what you call these, we call them "Good!" My cherubs love these sandwiches. My Mr. loves them too! Well, I'm not going to lie -- I love them! But I love them for other reasons than the rest of my family! I love them for three reasons: They're easy to make They make great lunchbox leftovers They're rarely duplicated when you take them to a party Those are reason enough to make them! If this is a recipe that you remember from long ago, treat yourself to an easy dinner! If this is new to you, you're going to be thrilled! Whether you take them to a party or serve them at dinner along with a salad, you will be glad you made them! Party Ham Sandwiches 1 package of 12 Hawaiian Sweet R...

For my cherub's 15th family birthday celebration, we did a tailgate party and watched the OU game! We did a ton of fun tailgate food that was really yummy! One of the many new recipes I tried for that day was this salsa recipe. We are salsa hounds! We love salsa! I will be making this again, for sure! I loved how easy it went together and how tasty it was! Salsa II 1 28 oz can whole tomatoes, well drained 1 ( 8oz) can of pickled jalapenos and carrots . . .and don't use the carrots (unless you want to!) 1/4 cup onion 1 tsp. garlic salt 1 tsp. salt 1 tsp. cumin 1 tsp. sugar 1 tsp. lime juice Place all ingredients together in a blender and blend until smooth. Refrigerate any unused portion . . . like that will happen!

It's another night at the ball field. Thank goodness I only have one boy cherub to lug around! I'm not sure that I could do this if I had 2 or 8 more boys! At least I have a balance of ballet and baseball! Because on game nights, it can be a little hectic, and because it would be so much easier to grab dinner and run to the field, I really try to make quick, easy, and tasty food! I call it "homemade fast food!" Isn't that ultra-creative? Truly, what you spend at the fast food stop, you can have dinner that is so much tastier, more healthy, and usually have left overs for lunch the next day. I called this "pizza roll ups," because that what it is and I'm not really creative when I name food! Homemade Pizza Rolls 1 Rhodes bread loaf, thawed Deli sliced pepperoni or Canadian Bacon, chopped Chopped onion, optional Parmesan cheese, grated Black Olives, optional Pizza sauce Thaw the frozen bread loaf.  This comes in ...

When we are with friends or family for a relaxed lunch or dinner, I like to have a little appetizer sitting out. As we gather in the kitchen to finish last minute menu items . . . or just gather there because it's a comfy place to be, we can dip, munch, chat and pass time in a fun and relaxed way. This is such an easy dip to throw together. It remindes me of the jalapeno poppers that you can order, but this is easier . . . and it's not fried! I had leftovers after the weekend and when our dear friend was here, I took the dip and warmed it in the microwave for just a smidge before we smeared it on the celery and crackers; and that was good too! All that to say, you could serve this cold or put in a small crockpot and warm it before you serve it. Because my smallest cherub doesn't like spicy things, I removed the seeds from the peppers, but if you prefer a bit of heat, you could add some of the pepper seeds for a nice surprise! Jalapeno Popper Dip ...

At the grocery store the other day, I picked up a recipe book while the Mr. pushed the cart and shopped. It was a grand time! I read through the book, making notes on what sounded good and the Mr. took our grocery list and checked it twice! I had the stuff at home to make this and take to our friend's house. I'm not sure that I love this dip; but it's not bad. It's not a typical tasting sour cream dip, which I was happy for; yet it wasn't a "stand and gobble it down" kind of dip either. It's somewhere in the middle. That's why I'm posting it -- one man's taste is another man's distaste. I think I might coin that phrase. It's kind of catchy, don't you think? Bacon Onion Dip 8 oz sour cream 1 TBSP horseradish 2 tsp. lemon juice 3 TBSP buttermilk 2 TBSP minced onions 1/2 cup bacon, crumbled salt and pepper taste Mix all of the ingredients, except for the bacon, in a bowl and refrigerate until read...

Image from the internet It's not often that the Mr. cooks at our house. The Mr.'s job in the kitchen is "helper." As in: help clean the dishes as we go help get out the things I need help put things in the oven help take things out of the oven  . . .you get the idea! It's not that the Mr. can't cook . . . it's just that most of what he cooks isn't the tastiest! In all fairness, there are four things the Mr. does very well in the kitchen breakfast coffee grilling helping When we were in college, he was proud of pasta noodles with "flaked" tuna. As in, he'd cook plain 'ol spaghetti, drain it. Open a can of tuna and drain it (see the common thread here?) Put the noodles in a bowl and "flake" the tuna onto the noodles. Toss and serve. Seriously. That's what I ate at his apartment one night. I'm not sure that he ever cooked for me again! But at the holiday time, the Mr. would ...

 We had lunch with some friends of our the other day. I love going to their house because. . .  my friend is a great cook she has pretty serving pieces from Southern Living Home she's got 3 darling boys that make me laugh she shares her recipes with me . . .even if they aren't her recipes OH!  I forgot another reason! She ALWAYS has an appetizer. As in always, never-fails, can count on her, without a doubt she'll have an appetizer. On the corner of her kitchen island, where we always gather and eat and talk and watch her finish up last minute cooking . . . while we eat the appetizer! This was the last appetizer we ate at her house. It's good! I made it the other day and my cherubs said, "This doesn't taste like Lady J's!" "Oh?"  I said.  "It's her recipe!" And they ate it! But it didn't really taste like hers!  And here's why! I didn't measure the mayo . . .I didn't wa...

Homemade Fried Avocados! Last Spring, after a baseball game, we stopped to have dinner at a new taco shop in town. My girl cherub ordered a fried avocado taco. She couldn't stop talking about it! She's asked me several times to make fried avocados. "It can't be hard, mom!"  She'd say! But, you know how things go . . . . it seemed like I never got around to it; until last night! I tried my first recipe of fried avocados and we all liked it! I think these would be great for tacos, to top grilled chicken, or on top of a salad. I need to work on the final product; my girl cherub thought they were to "batter-y."  The Mr. and my boy cherub thought they were great. I'm not sure how to improve that -- except to not pat the bread crumbs on, simply dredge through the bread crumbs! You give it a try and see what you think! Fried Avocado Avocados (I sliced each avocado into sixths) flour cornmeal salt 1 egg, beaten pank...

My mom made this for the 4th of July celebration. This recipe is from a friend of hers . . . . who got it from a friend . . . . and so the cycle goes! After I tasted this corn dip, I hopped on the computer lickety-split fast and asked permission to post. Thankfully, she said yes! You are SO lucky! We've probably all had the corn dip with the mayo and onion and fritos. It's good. But I'm thinking this one is better! I like the black beans in this one. Maybe that's the secret! I'm not sure. Maybe it's because I thought of another way to use this salad. I'll show you that next! I didn't make this recipe, but what I do know is that it makes a big bowl! I think it would be easily halved.  I would use the can of black beans and I would omit the jalapenos but use the entire 4 ounce can of green chilies. You look at the recipe and see if you agree. If not, just make it, share it, and enjoy it! Southwest Corn Dip 4 cans...

 Image from the Internet It's fresh. It's easy. And my girl cherub loves it! Pico de gallo. Eat it on a crunchy chip. Wrap it in a fresh, warm tortilla. Spoon it on grilled chicken. Slather it on a taco. Regardless of how you eat it; it's versatile and worth keeping in your fridge! What I love about this is you can adjust the ingredients to your taste!  If you want to load up with the cilantro; go ahead! If you don't want the jalapeno . . . or you want to add the seeds for a little kick; it's your perogative! The only thing I wouldn't suggest doing:  leaving out the tomatoes! Pico de Gallo 3 large tomatoes, cleaned, chopped* 1 small/medium onion, chopped* 1/4 bunch of cilantro, stems removed, leaves chopped 2 jalapeno, seeded, and chopped* 1/2 tsp. salt 1 lime Place the chopped tomatoes and next 4 ingredients in a bowl.  Squeeze the juice of the lime over the entire mixture and stir until well mixed. Refrigerate un...

Image from the Internet Long and short of the story;  I'm teaching cooking classes to 10 year old girls this Summer. I was going to enroll my cherub in a class for a week and then I realized:  "why do that, just do it yourself . . . and invite some of her friends." So that's what I did! It's a learning process and the moms have been fantastic to work with me to get it figured out! One of the things I learned:  the Mr. didn't buy me a house with a big enough kitchen to hosts 9 girls cooking! For yesterday's class I offered the same lessons, twice!  We made homemade flour tortillas, pico de gallo, fruit salsa, cinnamon chips, and quesadillas. The girls did a GREAT job and their food tasted amazing! The next several posts will the recipes for what I taught the girls! Fruit Salsa 2 apples, cored and chopped 1 orange, peeled and chopped 1 pound strawberries, washed, hulled and chopped 4 kiwi, peeled and chopped 3 TBSP apple jelly ...

OH!  I heart guacamole! Fresh guacamole! It's so fresh and simple and yummy! It's one of the easiest things to make! If you order it out -- it can cost a you a small mariachi band! But there's no need in that! The ingredients are inexpensive and the taste will make you say, "Ole!" Guacamole 2 ripe avocados 1/4 of a small onion, diced 1/2-1 lime pinch of salt cilantro, if desired Halve the avocados, remove pit and scoop the pulp into a bowl.  Squeeze the juice of 1/2-1 lime over the avocado.  Using your fork, smash the avocado to desired consistency.  Add in the diced onion, the pinch of salt, and cilantro.  Stir to incorporate all the ingredients. Stick the avocado seed in the middle of your guacamole to help prevent the prized possession from turning brown. Enjoy! **We like 1 whole lime in our guacamole.  Also, I use the cilantro in a bottle, so I put just a teensy  squirt (maybe 1/2 tsp.) in the recipe to add a smidge ...