Tag Archives: cheese

Pasta Salads with Punch

When I need to whip together a quick party dish or I’m in a hurry to get dinner on the table I often turn to my clutch recipe—-pasta salad. Luckily for my family I have a variety of pasta salad recipes. Of course, that’s the beauty of the dish. Not only is it versatile, but you can also dress it up or down depending on the ingredients you have on hand. The following are pasta salad recipes that I make at least once a month. The first includes fruit, which catches most people off-guard. However, after the first bite most … Continue reading →

Super Stuffed Mushrooms

What does bacon, goat cheese, crab and black olives have in common? They make tasty additions to stuffed mushroom recipes. (Just ask Aimee.) I wouldn’t use all of them in the same recipe, but I have successfully combined two or three of them to make delicious mushroom appetizers. The first stuffed mushroom recipe I’m sharing comes from a friend of mine who had a version of it at a local restaurant and tried to recreate it in her own kitchen. She served her Pancetta, Pine Nut and Goat Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms at a party she had over the Christmas holidays … Continue reading →

End of Loaf Meat and Cheese Deals

You can pay an enormous amount for cold cuts these days. Because of this, I’ve been opting to cook whole turkeys and chickens and use that meat for sandwiches. It is a lot cheaper and much tastier, I think. But because I don’t have a food slicer, I tend to steer away from using a whole or half ham for sandwiches. And there is no way to cook a cheese, let alone slice it without a good slicer. But, here is a way to save on deli selections that while cost you half or less than the regular price of … Continue reading →

Ask a Food Blogger: Less Processed Cheese?

Question: My kids love american cheese. They enjoy in between flour tortillas and heated in the manner of a grilled cheese sandwich. Is there an alternative cheese you could suggest that isn’t quite so processed? It is always disconcerting to me to feed my family processed ‘anything’ food. Processed cheese food, processed meat food, processed. . .well you get the idea. The fact that they can’t call it real cheese (because in fact it’s not) has always been problematic for me. When I first read this question, my initial reaction was to just used shredded cheddar. Then I got to … Continue reading →

Ethnic Pizzas

My 3-year-old daughter used to be a picky eater, but in the last year or so she has really learned to embrace new foods. Each day I am pleasantly surprised by her bold menu choices. Okay, maybe they aren’t that bold—-she still sticks to her core favorites and it is up to me to find new ways to turn those ingredients into new dishes, but I am fine with that. In fact, it helps me to grow as a cook, and there’s nothing more gratifying than having someone devour your latest culinary creations. The following recipes are specifically designed for … Continue reading →

More Delicious Party Dips: Fiesta Dip and Cheesy Gorgonzola Dip

If you are struggling to find the perfect dish to take to an office party, potluck or family get together you’re in luck. For the past week I have been scouring my recipe boxes in search of the perfect contributions to the huge bash my friends are hosting on Sunday in honor of the Green Bay Packers making it to the NFC Championship game. In two days the Green and Gold will slaughter the New York Giants while we gorge on Spicy Sloppy Joes, Crunchy Cole Slaw, Crab Dip, and dozens of other tasty dishes. When the party is over … Continue reading →

Three-Cheese Cheese Puffs and Cranberry Cracker Spread

Potlucks provide the perfect opportunity to try foods you wouldn’t ordinarily make for your own family. And if you have children a potluck is the perfect place for you to discover new ways to incorporate your kids’ favorite ingredients into daily dishes. In a previous blog I wrote about a football potluck I attended over the weekend. My daughter didn’t come, but she devoured the goodies I brought home for her. Her favorite was a simple cheesy biscuit. I make plain biscuits at home all the time and she eats them without complaint, but I have never seen her inhale … Continue reading →

Easy Holiday Party Dishes—Baked Beans and Cheesy Wedges

Doesn’t sound too appetizing does it? Hang in there… you might be surprised. The following recipes are ideal for busy cooks who need a dish to pass at a New Year’s get together. The first dish is a hearty version of the classic baked beans. (What’s a holiday gathering without beans, right?) I’m not sure if it’s a Midwestern-thing or if people around the nation have a hankering for beans around the holidays, but whenever there are baked beans on a buffet table at the parties in Wisconsin they disappear fast. This specific baked bean recipe is great for office … Continue reading →

Make Your Own Food, Even Cheese!

Sure we have all heard about growing your own food to save money. And of course, we have heard about preparing your own meals will save money. Home cooked meals save plenty (See this earlier article that tell you how to calculate that savings). But did you know that you can actually make some of the ingredients to your meals? There are other standard staples that you probably purchase, taking it for granted that they can’t be made at home. But many of them probably can. I have to confess that this post was inspired by the Food Blog, one … Continue reading →

Fondue Kits

When is the last time you and your family had fondue for dinner? I know fondue was a big thing of the past, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t still enjoy fondue today. Fondue can make a very relaxing meal. Your family can sit around the dining table, cooking their own meats and veggies, then later dip luscious fruits into melted chocolate. Doesn’t that just make you want to get out your grocery shopping list and start writing down ingredients for making fondue? Well, don’t! You can buy already-assembled fondue kits. At least you can at Whole Foods Market. … Continue reading →