Toasted Cheese Appetizers

Let’s get ready for the holiday season by making some simple appetizers based on some earlier recipes. I am going to make a toasted cheese appetizer with two types of cheeses and 3 types of toppings. The mild goat and Madrigal cheeses I am using are left over from the Macaroni and Cheese experiment, and the toppings are the pepper jelly, fig jam, and honey. Appetizer plates are easily extended and augmented with nuts and fruit – pecans, walnuts, almonds, pears, apples, grapes and olives. I kept my plate simple for this blog post…

Bourbon Baked Beans

Here is a throwback recipe I created as a challenge after a ‘Best of the Worst’ Bourbon tasting party I coordinated last year. With several slightly unpalatable bourbons left over, I accepted the challenge of creating recipes to use the leftovers in new recipes as an incentive for attendees to take the leftovers home with them!  Here is the first recipe I created – a simple and flavorful bourbon baked beans. Save Print Bourbon Baked Beans   Ingredients ½ cup brown sugar ½ cup bourbon ½ onion, diced 1 clove of garlic, minced 1…

Salisbury Steak

This recipe was triggered by watching ‘That ’70’s Show’ late the other night. In the episode, Midge has left Bob and Bob, heartbroken and lacking culinary skills, is at the supermarket buying a stack of Salisbury Steak TV dinners. A woman, Joann, approaches and makes fun of the hapless Bob and the Salisbury Steak dinners. Now I thought… “Hey, don’t disrespect the delicious Salisbury Steak! Make fun of TV dinners all you want, but let’s enjoy the tasty dinner Salisbury Steak can be!”. So…

German Honey Cookies

How about another cookie recipe to help you bring holiday cheer to your friends and family?  As a child, I remember my mom making a honey cookie that required a month of rest, but the recipe was lost long ago. So I spent some time searching and found a recipe close to what I remembered my mom making (but doesn’t require the month long slumber!) so today I am giving it a try (with my usual adjustments!) and sharing the results with you. Save Print German Honey Cookies Prep time:  1 hour Cook…

Balsamic Fig Jam

This gem of a sous vide jam recipe comes from the Anova community. Of course I twisted it slightly… but everyone should come to expect that by now! This jam is wonderful with a cheese tray, crackers, or sliced baguette. I bet this jam would make awesome homemade Fig Newtons too! (hint, hint) Save Print Balsamic Fig Jam Prep time:  10 mins Cook time:  2 hours 15 mins Total time:  2 hours 25 mins   Ingredients 12 oz black mission figs, stems removed 1 cup white sugar 1 cup water ¼ cup…

Classic Champagne Cocktail

Here we are, Friday again, and I have another cocktail recipe to share. This cocktail is a wonderful holiday party drink that differs from the typical bar served ‘Champagne cocktail’.  Try this one and I think you will agree this drink is far superior to the standard one you have been served in the past!  Just remember, never shake a cocktail with champagne in it! Save Print Classic Champagne Cocktail   Ingredients 1 sugar cube 15 drops of Angostura bitters 1 oz brandy or cognac champagne orange peel cherries Instructions Chill a martini or…

Chocolate Banana Walnut Muffins

Here is a treat to indulge yourself and your friends. These muffins have a light sweetness, solid chocolate flavor and subtle banana influence. Easy to make and bake, you are sure to make new friends anywhere you share these tasty treats! Save Print Chocolate Banana Walnut Muffins Prep time:  10 mins Cook time:  25 mins Total time:  35 mins Serves: 12   Ingredients 1½ cups flour ½ cup cacao powder 2½ tsp baking soda ¼ tsp salt ⅓ cup coconut sugar 3 ripe bananas ¾ cup almond milk 2 tbsp…