Tag Archives: cheese

Affordable Finger Foods for Your Holiday Party

Despite being in a recession, many families are still planning to host loved ones during the holiday season. Whether you are gathering to celebrate Christmas or are planning to toast the New Year, your get together will likely involve food. However, just because you’ve volunteered your home to be party central doesn’t mean you have to break the bank to impress your guests. There are hundreds of easy and affordable finger foods that make for prime party grub. The power is in the presentation. The following recipes may sound like typical finger food fare, but you can kick them up … Continue reading →

Autumn Recipes: H is for Ham

Ham and bananas… they are among my preschooler’s favorite foods, regardless of the season. However, I would have never dreamed of pairing the two in a casserole. That is, until I saw Food Network chef Paula Deen do so with her usual aplomb on TV a few months ago. I swear that woman can make dirt look good enough to eat. Deen’s Cheesy Ham and Banana Casserole is a hit in my home (mainly due to the crushed potato chips that dot it) and is the prefect dish to pass at a fall potluck. It also makes for a wonderfully … Continue reading →

Pony Up to the Table for this Unique Sandwich

This is not your ordinary stick-in-your-kid’s-school-lunch-box type sandwich. The following culinary creation takes a bit of time and effort to prepare, but your taste buds will thank you for it (though your waistline might not). The “Ponyshoe” sandwich is considered the signature dish of Springfield, Illinois because it was created by two local chefs employed by the city’s Leland Hotel back in 1928. The sandwich is not for the faint of heart—-literally. It starts out with two slices of thick toasted bread. Those are topped with a monstrous piece of fried ham steak or two large hamburger patties. Add to … Continue reading →

Holiday Weekend Cookout: Hawaiian Hamburgers and Bacon in the Middle Burgers

For many families the upcoming Labor Day holiday weekend marks the last major BBQ of the summer season. If this is the case for your clan consider hosting more than just a traditional weenie roast. The following recipes are easy to prepare but pack a real punch in the flavor department. They are both kicked up versions of the traditional hamburger, but instead of the standard meat, bun, ketchup and mustard these patties are loaded with the taste of the Hawaiian Islands and bacon and Colby-Jack cheese respectively. Take a look: MINI HAWAIIAN BURGERS Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef chuck … Continue reading →

Marvelous Mascarpone

Mmmm… mascarpone cheese. The thick, creamy Italian cheese is probably best known as an ingredient in tiramisu, but it also brings a richness to a host of other sweet treats as well (it makes a tasty alternative to cream cheese for cheesecake). The downside to the delicious cheese is that it can be difficult to find if you live in a smaller town with only one market. In addition, mascarpone cheese is quite expensive. You could make your own, but doing so requires getting your hands on tartaric acid. (Tartaric acid is found in grapes). I’ve only seen it available … Continue reading →

Chicken Lovers Unite

If white meat is being served then expect my daughter to be first in line. From the age of eight months my little girl has been a chicken connoisseur. Actually, she loves any type of white meat, including turkey and pork. Given that chicken is still relatively affordable these days (which is more than I can say for other types of meats) we tend to eat “the bird” (as my daughter calls it) at least three times per week. The following recipes are ones we incorporate into our monthly menu plan on a regular basis. The first is a traditional … Continue reading →

No More Boring Burgers

Forget about the ho-hum burgers you typically throw on the grill during your summer BBQs. The following recipes provide you with simple ways you can kick up your next burger bonanza with mouthwatering versions of the summertime classic. The first burger features prepared polenta and a host of other tantalizing fresh ingredients such as basil, tomatoes and mozzarella cheese to create a hearty layer of flavors typically found in Caprese salad. The second recipe honors south of the border roots by featuring a cheese blend normally reserved for tacos and other Mexican-themed dishes. Cumin and fresh tomatoes round out the … Continue reading →

Save Money—Make Your Own Pizza

I think my jaw is still on the tile floor at my local supermarket. It hit the ground yesterday when I went to grab a frozen pizza from the freezer. My young daughter loves pizza and twice a month she is allowed to indulge in her favorite frozen classic-—thin crust pepperoni and cheese. The brand we buy typically sells for $3.33 a piece or 3 pizzas for $10. I usually grab three pies and we are set for more than a month. But yesterday when I went to replenish my supply I noticed that the neon 3 for $10 sign … Continue reading →

Pizzas with Pizzazz

Believe it or not this blog was inspired by Valorie’s recent post discussing the pros and cons of playgroups. I (or rather, my daughter) belong to two different playgroups. One in the city we currently live in and one in the city where I used to work. (They are about 30 miles apart from each other.) We typically meet about three times a month. The kids have a ball playing with each other and the moms enjoy swapping anecdotes and war stories. Oh, and did I mention food was involved. Our playgroups have evolved into mini potlucks and on special … Continue reading →

Bacon Double Cheeseburger Meatloaf

Who says you have to go to a fast food drive-thru to get a mouth-watering bacon double cheeseburger? Actually, my 3-year-old can’t stand hamburger buns, which is why this recipe is so popular in my home. As you can tell by the title this is a recipe for meatloaf, not cheeseburgers, but you could easily place a couple slices on a bun and have a burger that would rival the ones sold at Wendy’s. Besides the incredible flavor and untraditional ingredients (you don’t find many meatloaf recipes that call for bacon) this dish is also family-friendly in that it doesn’t … Continue reading →