For The Love of Food and Making Great Memories
This is a dish that hits home on so many levels. I am from Louisiana and love all the different styles of food that our state has to offer. Shrimp creole is a dish that my mom and aunt used to make quite often when I was a child growing up. We grew up eating various dishes but this is for sure one of my favorite dishes. You can make this dish as spicy as you want. You can use crawfish if you want instead of shrimp or any other kind of seafood that you want to use, just be …
I enjoyed making this recipe. After tasting it, I noticed it wasn’t overly sweet, but it still had a lot of flavor which is what I prefer. It is a fun and delicious recipe to share with family and friends. I think it would make a wonderful treat for the summer months.
The idea of having garlic served with fruit may seem rather odd at first, but Joseph Carcione, aka ” The “greengrocer”, states that garlic brings out the flavors of the fruit or vegetable that it is cooked with. After roasting the garlic, the sugars come through and the harshness of the garlic dissipates and leaves a mellow flavor. This is a recipe that should not be overlooked.
Hot cocoa is something that is so comforting on cold mornings. I have always loved hot cocoa or hot chocolate. I was always taught to call it hot chocolate. I can remember as a young girl my grandmother Olene would make this for all of us on cold mornings before school. It was such a welcoming treat before heading off to catch the bus for school. I made this a different way than what my grandmother made it. I hope you enjoy this recipe.
This recipe was inspired by an article from a newsletter from a local power company in the 1970’s. I aimed to lighten and brighten the recipe as it seemed very heavy and over shadowed the spinach. I love using fresh produce when possible and this vibrant green soup was well received by the pickiest of family members. There are several ways to make substitutions to any lifestyle whether vegetarian or vegan. This savory soup may be served warm or chilled. Here’s the original from that newsletter
Let this cake wow your family and friends for a party! 5 different tastes in one cake keep one’s mouth buds guessing and surprised! Murder with chocolate, caramel, and almond! Milk or coffee will serve perfectly with a slice of delectable chocolate cake!
If you are looking for a sweet, creamy, boozy dessert sauce, look no further! This butter rum sauce is decadent and has just the right amount of kick. Trust me, you will not be disappointed!
Leftover nuts? Last minute gift? Just craving something sweet RIGHT NOW? Maple pralines are the answer. 5 ingredients and less than 20 minutes standing next to your stove will yield slightly crunchy, mouthwatering pralines that will be gone just as fast as your second batch can cook. This recipe can be altered to achieve richer flavors by selecting a higher grade of maple syrup, adding a shot of your favorite bourbon or whiskey, or selecting your favorite nut in substitution for the pecans. Clean out your pantry and reward yourself with a few candies once your done! …
I’ve never really been a fan of beef stroganoff until I played with this recipe. Making it without the use of the onion soup mix was probably the very reason I fell in love with this recipe. It is now a family favorite. You can make this in the slow cooker or a pressure cooker. Adjust time to the equipment you choose.
This recipe was a bit challenging as I am not a big fan of what the original protein (Veal) in the recipe called for. I improvised a bit with lamb, but this recipe can also be made with Veal, Chicken, or Beef. I really enjoy the uniqueness of the lamb throughout this dish as it introduces a different mouth feel in texture and taste from the veal. This dish was served with Mashed Potatoes The recipe this was based on came from a little pamphlet from Provimi Veal from a year I won’t even take a guess at 🙂
If you like taffy, this recipe is for you! It is versatile and, depending on the degree that you cook it, can be creamy chewy bits or even a delicious hard-candy treat. Give it a try today for a treat sure to satisfy any sweet tooth! CandiAnne’s Note: We were stationed at Fort Drum, NY for 4 1/2 years and maple weekend is a huge thing there. You can visit numerous producers, taste their wares, and grab some syrup or other goodies on your way out. In 2007 while visiting the various producers I picked up a bunch …
In Greek mythology, pomegranates were used to trick the goddess, Persephone, into becoming the queen of the underworld. With this dessert, you can tell the story of a sweet girl turned dark and bitter within the clouds. Though most people see the pomegranate as bad due to this story, it actually has many properties that are good! Pomegranate arils are often used for abundance, fertility, and luck. So why not give a guest, friend, or lover a taste of good intentions?
Layers of tangy lemon curd, blackberry compote, creamy and rich cheesecake, and purchased graham crackers make a refreshing treat for anytime of the year.
Chicken with a kick! This recipe is bursting with Louisiana low-country flavor. You control the heat by adding more or less of the spice blend. Be a little daring, you won’t be disappointed!
This recipe is great because you can adjust it to any dietary need. You can replace the chicken with tofu or a good hearty mushroom. You can use liquid aminos instead of soy sauce to cut back on your sodium and it doesn’t contain gluten. The lettuce cups make for a fun hands on eating experience and aesthetically look great on a plate. If lettuce cups aren’t your thing, try chopping the lettuce up and make it into a salad. This recipe is a good balance of salt and savory with a touch of sweet and crunch.
This dessert reminds me of a delicious cranberry nutty bar, but better because it makes more! And Homemade. Served with a cup of coffee is the best!
If you like pork chops and tomatoes this recipe is a must-try! It’s bursting with flavor and like most simmered, tomato-based recipe tastes even better as a leftover. The pork is falling off the bone tender. In the photo, it is served with parmesan roasted cauliflower and pearl couscous cooked with wine and smoked pork broth. Enjoy!!
Who doesn’t love a bacon-wrapped scallop? This dish was created to bring the saltiness of the bacon with the sweetness of the maple syrup to elevate the scallops. It’s a protein that pairs easily with any side dish to make a full meal and it’s rich enough to enjoy by itself. It is a balanced dish of textures and flavors that the whole family will enjoy. CandiAnne’s Note: We were stationed at Fort Drum, NY for 4 1/2 years and maple weekend is a huge thing there. You can visit numerous producers, taste their wares, and grab some …
This is pretty basic and can stand alone or be used as a base for more complex BBQ sauces if one chooses a different flavor profile. Either way, this sauce is a winner!
This recipe is so versatile, you can have it as a main course at lunch or dinner, or even as an appetizer, with some chips.
Kick back, put your sunglasses on and enjoy a taste of the islands! This recipe is what we Floridians call Floribbean flavors. It combines traditional fried pork chops with a strong island influence and hint of Asian flare. Tangy, sweet and salty with a hint of heat. It’s all there! Served here over a bed of coconut sticky rice and garnished with Thai basil and unsweetened shaved coconut.
Great side dish for any tropical protein. Also pairs well with mango and coconut cream served as a dessert.
This recipe is a twist off of a Milanese veal steak. I switched to a more classic Schnitzel using pork chops but veal steak will also work making them Wiener Schnitzel Tacos. Did you know Wiener Schnitzel has been dated all the way back to the 19th century and originates from Austria but was made famous in German cuisine. All of the best German flavors are here with the traditional roasted potatoes and lemon cream sauce with the well known red cabbage slaw to top it all off.
Chow chow is a relish made from green tomatoes, onions, cabbage, and bell peppers. It was started as a way to utilize those unripened tomatoes after frost started. Chow chow is sometimes confused with piccalilli which is another style of relish but with more of a variety of vegetables. It is suggested chow-chow originates from the French word Chou for cabbage. This relish is great on anything savory such as burgers, hot dogs, mixed into fried rice for a southern twist, or topped onto a southern corn salad.
This recipe reminds me of when I was a child. We would go to my grandpa’s house where there were plenty of fruit trees around. I remember this pear tree, in particular, we would pick pears and fill our faces that entire day. I like the addition of the wine-poached pears because it allows you to embrace those childhood memories as an adult. This dessert is perfect for impressing a small group of friends or family. You’ll love this ginger cake even better once the cake absorbs the red wine pear sauce. This dessert can also be transformed. You can …
If you have 30 minutes to spare, then you too can make delicious homemade maple syrup and the family will be thanking you for it. With its smooth and rich maple flavors, this recipe is easy to follow with only 6 ingredients. You can make a buttermilk version as well. This delicious recipe was posted by Jamielyn Nye, I Heart Naptime, on Pinterest.
This was my first time making Chicken Kenoni. When my family goes to Zaxby’s or a wing restaurant we always order “Whimpy”. So I was a little concerned with some of the hot seasonings in this recipe. To my surprise this was amazing and so delicious. My dad even took some to work to share. I will be making this more often especially for family events.
For this recipe I added a lot of carrots and potatoes because my family eats a lot of them, feel free to add more or less to suit your family’s needs. This roast is an easy one-pot meal that will feed your whole family. Growing up I ate a lot of pot roast as it was something easy for my mother to toss in the crockpot or on the stove to cook while she helped me and my sisters finish any schoolwork we had for the day. I remember the delicious smell wafting through the house as we sat doing …
When making the ham, I fried the ham and used the grease to make the gravy for the Ham En Gelee. I’m from the South and I decided to serve it with ham & rice. The dinner turned out really well. I’m not usually a fan of gravy myself, but I enjoyed it. As did the rest of my family. This recipe began as a jello mold type dish circa 1970s so I was told to make it modern and bring it into the now. This is what the jellied version looks like and the recipe it came from. The …
If you want something light, fresh, and healthy, then this soup is for you! Whether you eat it as is or use it as a base for another soup, this recipe will have you eating healthy and loving it. Though it is a chilled soup you can also eat this warm. If you are adding anything like diced vegetables or chicken, I would recommend heating it. Happy dining!
This roast is amazing for anyone who has a lot of things to get done around the house but still wants to prepare a homecooked meal. Even better than that though, is how it tastes! This tender roast in a deliciously creamy sauce will most certainly have you coming back for seconds.
I have never made Vermont Maple Cream before. It turned out great and reminded me of a mountain family vacation we took. I made toast to put the Vermont maple cream on. This would be perfect on pancakes as well. CandiAnne’s Note: We were stationed at Fort Drum, NY for 4 1/2 years and maple weekend is a huge thing there. You can visit numerous producers, taste their wares, and grab some syrup or other goodies on your way out. In 2007 while visiting the various producers I picked up a bunch of recipe pages on all sorts …
These franks are the perfect thing to serve for game day, dinner, or lunch! Easy to make and perfect to make ahead and keep warm in the sauce until it time to eat. I added cheese to mine but you can add any number of condiments and toppings to suit you and your family’s taste buds. Happy cooking, and happy eating!
Pot roast has always been a favorite dish of mine. I thought of baked cabbage and wanted to put something delicious inside of it. So I decided to put the pot roast inside of the cabbage and made rolls. Thought it would look better and taste better with a sauce to go on top. Which I thought turned out great.
This healthy, wholesome Beet Borscht is the perfect combination of sweet and sour with a slight tang!! It’s bursting with color. A bit of ginger and lemongrass boost the aromatics and makes it just as pleasing to your nose as it is to your taste buds! Enjoy as a side or meal. Make, enjoy, love!
Wow, what an appetizer!! I can eat a million of these!! The chewiness of thinly sliced ribeye with the crunchy savoy cabbage leaves is such a total taste bud twist! The small savoy leaves makes this the perfect bite size, healthy snack. Make, enjoy, love!
This recipe was so much fun to make, the flavors go amazingly together and make this dish well balanced. The malfatti has a mild enough flavor that it pairs well with the robust sauce, but still flavorful enough that it doesn’t get lost in the sauce. I hope you enjoy making (and eating) this dish as much as I did. Happy cooking!
This is a great recipe for anyone who loves a creamy rice pudding. I left out the raisins when making it because no one here is a fan of them, but I’m sure for someone who enjoys them they will be a great addition! The pudding is pretty versatile. You may serve warm or cold and this is a great recipe to change up from time to time just by adding a little something different like cinnamon or a fresh berry.
A blast of the Tropics will envelop your mouth and wake up your taste buds, with this sweet, refreshing summer treat! The familiar flavors of strawberry and peach, coupled with the tang of one of my favorite tropical fruits, the pineapple! This will look beautiful, served in glass dishes, with a pineapple reduction sauce, drizzled over the top, and with a strawberry and peach slice, to garnish! You could also easily infuse one of the two elements of this cool dessert, with white rum, as a treat for adult gatherings!
A delicate lamb with a hearty delicious soup.
This dish may not be the most visually appealing but it definitely does the job when it comes to flavor. I used chicken thighs, white sweet potatoes, and turnips! Great curry sauce with the perfect hint of sweetness from the sweet potatoes.
I’ve never made bread pudding over a double boiler before, so I was really interested to try it. It came out pretty good. This recipe calls for only three pieces of bread, when I make it again, I will add 2 additional pieces to firm up the consistency just a bit. This recipe is tasty and a must-try!
When I think of a parfait my mind goes to layered yogurt, fruit, and granola. This recipe is completely different, no yogurt, fruit, or granola at all! Plus, it’s frozen! It’s easy to make and refreshing on a hot day. If you can’t find nut brittle, use a crushed-up toffee bar to sprinkle on top.
This rich and satisfying soup hits all the comfort food notes. Hearty chicken and mushrooms help to satisfy hunger and leave your belly feeling warm and full. The addition of bacon and a splash of heavy cream add luxuriousness. This dish is a winner for the whole family.
I’m not a huge fan of dark chocolate, easily preferring milk chocolate. But my favorite? White chocolate. The sweetness always explodes on my taste buds. I love the creamy, rich flavor, as well as the fact that white chocolate is easy to color in any way I want. I tried it with a chewy caramel pecan candy recipe that I had. They are rich in flavor, creamy, and as chewy as the name implies. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I did!
This is a delicious, stick to your ribs stew that would be perfect on a cold winter night! This recipe was very simple. I wanted to jazz it up, so I added fresh ingredients. I also wanted to make sure it wasn’t too rich, so I added carrots for the contrast. Still a very easy preparation and cook. Hope you enjoy!
This dish was absolutely delicious. I am not a huge fan of many rice dishes, but this recipe is easy and definitely worth a try.
Nuts are healthy and filling. They are versatile and can be eaten as a snack, appetizer, or mixed into a main or side dish. Personally, I love nuts, I haven’t tasted one I don’t like. Here is a simple way to lightly sweeten nuts with maple sugar. The results are lightly sweetened walnuts and hazelnuts that are hard to stop eating. The leftover syrup tastes great over pancakes or can be used anywhere else you would use maple syrup.
Now, this was a different take on a very classic recipe, and the sauce for them even with its heat makes an amazing meat marinade. This dish certainly has a feeling for every taste bud you can recognize. I took it just a step farther and made a one-pot dish very easily with this super easy recipe even on the hottest of days you can cook this dish knowing the only heat you need to worry about is the spice heat in the sauce. It’s too hot in my house this time of year (late summer) I had to figure …
The candied fruit slices are sweet, but not overly sweet and the orange rinds are not bitter. These candied fruit slices are a welcome addition to any dessert! Here they are used on an Orange & Pineapple Poppy Seed Cake.
When fall gets close you start hearing of all things pumpkin spice. One of those warming spices included in pumpkin spice is ginger. Ginger is versatile and can be used in savory and sweet cuisine, it has many health benefits, including aiding digestion. Traditionally in the fall and around the holidays, gingerbread cookies are a mainstay. This maple gingerbread is a wonderful way to get your gingerbread fix. It’s simple and easy and bakes up in less than an hour. Drizzle the warmed maple hard sauce over it and you have a great finish to any meal.
Over the weekend, I had such a tremendous cooking experience in my unit’s kitchenette making Italian Pot Roast, all while trying to deal with the aftermath of Tropical Storm Henri. Yet, with much love and patience, I spent my evening prepping a delectable meal for the family and me. I have to say the pot roast was tender, paired well with multigrain rotini pasta for those like myself with dietary restrictions. I even had time to make an Arugula with lettuce salad dressed with olive oil, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. As an appetizer, I toasted Fresh Italian bread; seasoned …
Bisquick; the classic and easy baking mix with tons of versatile lunch, dinner, and baking recipes. I got this recipe from an old General Mills recipe and took it up a notch. I had such fun and nostalgic childhood memories that took me back to when I would create all these wacky baked goods for my sisters and me in our toaster oven. Forgive me, mom, for almost burning the whole building down that one time. Oops! Since the ONLY one at home that eats cabbage, especially coleslaw, I took the hamburger cabbage recipe to a whole other level by …
A poulette is a velouté sauce with added egg yolk. This particular poulette incorporates clams and their liquid. It is a lovely sauce to pour over vegetables or a buttered pasta.
I found this rice dish relatively easy to make, delicious, and can go with almost any meal. You can also make all four of Mary’s rice dishes for a family get-together, so everyone can try something new and exciting. Along with this, there is Mary’s Risotto Mary’s Cabbage & Rice Mary’s Creamy Rice Here are all 4 together
I must say that chickpeas and I are as well-suited as two peas in a pod. The idea of chickpeas in marinara sauce with chicken and mushrooms didn’t sound too appetizing. But oh gosh, was I proven wrong? It was one of the MOST comforting and fulfilling meals I have had in a while. It is one of those recipes packed with nutrients and protein and has a rich layer of flavor. It all starts with the sharp, acidic white onion, sautéed in creamy butter, along with the nutty flavor of the chickpeas, which pairs perfectively with the earthiness of …
Enjoy the beautiful infusion of fried chicken in a very delicate and flavorful sauce. The combination of herbs and spices in this dish will keep you coming back for more. You will be tickled with the subtle sweetness in the sauce while it still embodies the grounded earthy flavors of garlic, mushroom, rosemary, tarragon and sage. Enjoy the crunch of your fried chicken resting in a simply delightful sauce as if it were meant to partner together on your plate.
Mix some California green chilies, fluffy rice, gooey Monterey, and what do you get? An easy cheesy peasy rice dinner. I tweaked the recipe and turned this chili and cheese rice dish into rice cakes with an ingenious hack, baking it in a jumbo-sized cupcake pan. A comforting dish made simple for any mealtime, whether on a relaxing rainy Sunday afternoon or getting in the door late from a progressive day of work or school. This recipe is an explosion of flavors that pops with a well-elevated amount of heat on the palette, between the gooey grated Monterey cheese and …
Love the deep soul flavor of your grandma’s Creole chicken? Love fresh? Here’s grandma’s Creole Chicken with a twist of freshness? Soul with fresh, or as I state it “fresh soul” it’s the new trend for those willing to try (yes my kids roll their eyes when I told them that joke as well.) However, once you try this you can send me a thank you card!
I get a very nostalgic feeling when I think of fudge. I watched my grandmother make all kinds of fudge over the years with such ease, and every time it came out so delicious, smooth, and creamy. I have tried, and had many failed attempts over the years at making fudge, so I decided to give it a try again when given this recipe. I am completely amazed at how easy it was to make. It is absolutely every bit as delicious as the fudge my grandmother used to make. It is smooth and silky, and the toasted pecans gave …
What an amazing comfort dish to share with your family. The fragrant notes of onions and garlic partnered with the acidic tomato capture a perfect balance when paired with the sweetness of the wine and boldness of lemon and capers. Resting beautifully on your pasta of choice; this dish is sure to make an impression. Add a side salad and toasty garlic bread for the perfect finishing touch.
Imagine taking a bite of a perfectly seasoned steak with so much flavor that you never want to stop chewing. Well, now take a sauce that is so good you will mistake it for your new favorite drink. Combine both the sauce and the steak and you have a perfect dinner. Throw in some veggies and starch of choice and you can once again thank me later for this moving up the list of being one of the best dishes. It’s so good that you can impress anyone and everyone, go ahead it’s a lock-in dinner for impressing that first …
This sweet summertime dessert is cool and creamy, and wonderful on its own or all dressed up. I have made it in a souffle dish as well as in ramekins along with a variety of toppings for my guests to make each their own. It has the most amazing fresh pineapple flavor. It has that soft, fluffy, smooth taste and I have made it for many potlucks, church luncheons, baby showers, and parties for years. You will love this recipe and so will your loved ones. Some topping choices are maraschino cherries, toasted pecans, coconut, banana, chocolate syrup, whipped cream, …
The pesto!!!! Listen kats and kittens, if you don’t like pesto, then this isn’t for you. (We can still be friends, though!) I made this dish a few ways to see what worked best, and the neighbors literally just asked for more rice and pesto. You’ve been warned. Pesto is traditionally made with nuts, but after Thing 2, I developed a tree nut allergy. Pumpkin seeds work really well, though a bit more dense in consistency than what pesto tends to be. Lemon juice is a thinning option, and gives the pesto a totally different attitude, should you need that …
These maple kisses have an almost crunch texture to the candy but a smoothness thanks to the butter and are an awesome holiday gift jarred up or put into a holiday can.
This was SO much fun to make!!! *full disclosure: I’ve made candy once before this* Ok, maple popcorn. If you like caramel corn, you’re going to be super pleased with this. The original recipe calls for a quart of popcorn crumbs, but this is really up to you. First batch was by the book, and it was beautiful; perfect for shaping into a sheet for cutting, but I’m fancy! More crumbs means less viscosity, and you have maple crumble corn!!! Less popcorn means more tack, which is equally yum, so pick your poison and let’s do this!
Yes, fluff. Honestly, I haven’t a clue as to what this is supposed to look like, but I essentially made a marshmallow maple fluff. It’s hyper-sweet, thick, and would be amazing with a dark chocolate addition. The original recipe is super simple, so I left it as is. If you are familiar with this nifty concoction, please tell me what it’s supposed to look like!!! Otherwise, have fun.
Custard. Man, I wish I liked it, but you know that saying about kids either loving or hating what they had in utero? Yeahhhh…BUT, I can make a mean one!!! This one honestly was super fun to make, really easy, and smelled epic once done. Custard lovers will not be disappointed by this rather divine creation, and all it takes is a bit of patience. You ready??? Let’s do this!!!
An amazing treat, this dish. Totally transparent when I say that this took me a few tries to get it. I love making sauces, and have no issue doing so. The base for this was tricky for me, but I won in the end!!! Parfait is somewhat misleading, as this is more of an ice cream of sorts. The key to making this is to NOT mix the yolk and gelatin over active heat. Pull the pot from the heat, and return it as needed, or you’ll scramble them every single time. Be patient, and I promise it’s worth it! …
Ganache is a simple mixture of equal parts chocolate and heavy cream. What if you don’t have cream though? Easy, cream is just milk with more butter fats so add butter. Equal milk and butter to equal the chocolate.