How to Make Kettle Corn at Home

Kettle corn is a fun summer or fall treat that everyone in my family enjoys. We used to have to wait for a trip to Lancaster, Pa, in Amish country, in order to indulge. They make the best kettle corn, complete with a real kettle, and you can watch them cooking it. We would discuss which size tub we should purchase, which depended on whether or not we were also going to make a trip to the homemade ice cream stand next door. Fortunately, I discovered that this treat can also be made at home, with or without a kettle. … Continue reading →

Pro Bowl Eats

Have you seen the latest commercial for TUMS? It features a montage of shots showcasing traditional and spicy party dishes served at football viewing parties (and a few shots of guys dressed in pads and helmets), then at the very end of the cleverly edited smorgasbord shots, a tiny TUMS is displayed in the middle of the TV screen. Trust me, the recipes I’m sharing with you today won’t require purchasing a bottle TUMS to ingest post-gorge… unless you eat all of the dishes by yourself. The following party recipes make a great addition to a Pro Bowl or Super … Continue reading →

Thanksgiving Appetizers

The turkey is the star of any Thanksgiving buffet, but before you can get Tom the bird to the dinner table, you might consider offering the following appetizers to your holiday guests. The pre-dinner eats are simple to make and can be served well in advance of your Thanksgiving feast, so as to not ruin anyone’s appetite. CRAB AND SHRIMP STUFFED MUSHROOMS Ingredients: 3 tablespoons butter 1/4 cup finely diced onion 1/4 cup finely diced celery 1/4 cup finely diced red pepper 2 tablespoons chicken broth 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt 1/8 teaspoon black pepper 2 teaspoons lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon … Continue reading →

Simple Party Snacks

Whether you are celebrating a graduation, birthday or anniversary, the following simple recipes will help you get the party started without breaking the bank: FETA ARTICHOKE DIP Ingredients: 1 (14-ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained, chopped 8 ounces Feta cheese, crumbled 1 cup mayonnaise 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded 1/2 cup roasted red peppers, chopped 1 garlic clove, minced 1 chopped Roma tomato 2 chopped green onions Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix first 6 ingredients together. Place mixture in a pie pan. Bake 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from oven and top with tomatoes and green onions. Serve warm … Continue reading →

Graduation Party Snacks

Get ready for the pomp and circumstance, the caps and gowns, tassels, diplomas and cheesy grins. Students around the world are gathering to mark a major milestone this weekend—-graduation! Whether your child is graduating from kindergarten or high school, you’ll likely be commemorating the event with some type of celebration that involves food. For those of you who are leaving the hard labor to caterers or restaurant staff, consider the following simple snacks that can turn an ordinary commencement reception into an affair to remember: BLACK BEAN AND CORN SALSA Ingredients: 1 can black beans (drained and rinsed) 1 can … Continue reading →

Spring Veggie Recipes

Put a spring in your next meal by making use of the spectacular seasonal vegetables being offered at various farmer’s markets and roadside produce stands that have been popping up as the temperatures rise. The following recipes feature healthy spring vegetables in delicious dishes that your family is sure to love: SPRING SALAD Ingredients: 4 cups baby greens 1 granny smith apple, julienned 1/4 cup toasted pecans 3 tablespoons chopped bacon 2 ounces store bought Honey Mustard dressing 2 to 3 ounces goat cheese 4 grilled chicken breasts, sliced Directions: Toss the greens with Honey Mustard dressing, place in bowls … Continue reading →

Spring Break Menu—Aloha Hawaii

I’m continuing my Spring Break Menu theme today with selections from the string of pearls in the Pacific known as the Hawaiian Islands. Since I was born and raised in the Aloha State I toyed with the idea of sharing some of the authentic Hawaiian recipes I grew up eating, but then I realized how hard it was to get some of the local ingredients, so I opted to go with these quasi-Hawaiian recipes instead. These simple dishes still pack a Hawaiian punch (despite being generic in nature). In addition, they are wonderful party recipes, should you feel the desire … Continue reading →

What to do with Leftover Super Bowl Snacks

Sunday’s Super Bowl was one for the history books. It’s not every year that viewers are treated to a nail biter that’s actually worth watching, but this year’s match-up between Arizona and Pittsburgh delivered. Ironically, the action of the field kept some from devouring my friend’s Super Bowl spread. Last night she called complaining about major leftovers. My suggestion: Put the snacks to good use in recipes that can be served as part of weeknight meals. You can use up leftover chicken to make a spicy Buffalo Chicken Wing Dip and boring baked potatoes can transformed into Kicked Up Potato … Continue reading →

Sizzling Hot Super Bowl Ribs and Other Tasty Game Day Treats

The countdown to the big game is on and even if you can’t make it to Tampa in time for kick off you can still make it a Super Bowl to remember by whipping up the following mouthwatering recipes: SIZZLING HOT SUPER BOWL RIBS Ingredients: Baby back ribs Your favorite rib rub BBQ sauce Fresh lemon juice Olive oil Directions: Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Place ribs on heavy-duty foil. Drizzle with olive oil and squeeze fresh lemon juice on top of ribs. Sprinkle generously both sides of ribs with your favorite rib rub or with a mixture of salt, … Continue reading →

Kicked Up Super Bowl Recipes

Are you are hosting a Super Bowl party tomorrow? If so, then why not ditch the pizza for a something a little spicier. The following easy to prepare recipes are ideal for feeding large groups. Plus, since these dishes are such a cinch to make, you can enjoy the game with your guests instead of being stuck in the kitchen all evening. KICKED UP BAKED BEANS Ingredients: 4 cups dry navy beans 1 tablespoon salt 3 tablespoons brown sugar 2 tablespoons molasses 3 strips bacon (cut into small pieces) 1 chopped onion 2 tablespoons mustard 1/2 cup of your favorite … Continue reading →