We went to our daughter Andrea’s on Friday night for a vegan backyard BBQ, and it was SO good! This is more of an idea post than a recipe post. I’ll supply a link to the riblet recipe, and will share the recipe for the best vegan cornbread EVER in a later post. You get…
Entertaining Tips
pineapple cocktails
by Melissa • • 0 Comments
Here are a few refreshing, beachy pineapple cocktails to celebrate summer! Garnish with flamingo swizzle sticks, mini paper umbrellas, cute straws with puffy pineapples on them, maraschino cherries, pineapple chunks, lime wedges, orange slices… you get the idea! Have fun with it. My daughter made the drinks pictured above and they are literally just pineapple…
spicy thai noodle salad
by Melissa • • 0 Comments
This is one of those gorgeous, show-stopper salads that you make when company is coming. It’s so pretty, and the flavor combinations happening in this dish will knock your socks off. There are many “cooling” foods in this dish which make it an even more perfect summer offering. According to eastern medicine there are foods…
A Collection of 55 Saint Patrick’s Day Celebration Recipes
by Melissa • • 1 Comment
This is a collection of some of our favorite St. Patrick’s Day foods. Some are authentically Irish, and some are more Irish-inspired. Some are included just because they fall under the category “hearty pub fare.” Some are on the list because they contain corned beef, cabbage or potatoes, and some you find here simply because…
crock pot cheeseburger sloppy joes
by Melissa • • 7 Comments
Cheeseburger Sloppy Joes! If you’re looking for something a little bit different to serve on game day, this is the recipe for you! It’s so easy and yummy. Different from the hum drum, tired, Sloppy Joe recipe you’ve made time and time again. Add cheese, and… magic! We like this recipe for potlucks and kid’s…
cream cheese christmas tree appetizer
by Melissa • • 0 Comments
This is my go-to recipe when someone asks me to bring an appetizer to a Christmas party. It’s fast, easy, delicious, and calls for minimal ingredients! Everyone loves it. Last night I made one with hot pepper jelly, and another with seedless raspberry jam (for the kiddos who don’t like spicy stuff.) Once again, it…
toasty oven-baked chili cheese dogs
by Melissa • • 0 Comments
Ahhhhh, finally Friday! The sun is shining, and we’re headed to a fish fry over the border in Wisconsin. I’ve longed for days like these allllll winter, and they’re finally upon us. I made up a big batch of these toasty oven-baked chili cheese dogs for my grand girl Maddie’s birthday this past weekend. They’re…
magic dutch oven steak + gravy
by Melissa • • 5 Comments
This is one of my favorite creations yet. It’s SO good and the steak comes out tender and swimming in this awesome, creamy, mushroom gravy! I always use organic, MSG-free products in my recipes whenever possible. I absolutely adore Amy’s semi-condensed soups in place of the old standby, Campbell’s. They’re generally much lower in sodium,…
mini blt cheese puffs with lobster salad
by Melissa • • 0 Comments
This is a fun appetizer to make any time of year. Most people think BLT and they think summer, which is what makes these such a fantastic, unexpected flavor combination around the holidays. Plus, they’re red and green, so they’re perfect for Christmas! Pair these elegant little gougeres with a crisp, fruity white wine. ~…