Baked Parmesan Truffle Fries

These fries are something I've been craving and researching for a very long time! I first had to find the perfect truffle oil. And that was no easy task! There are so many varieties. I didn't want a low quality truffle oil, but I also didn't want to remortgage my house to buy a high grade version. Then I had to decide if I wanted white or black truffle oil. I decided on the white because it's a milder taste. Sometimes black truffle oil can taste like what burnt rubber tires smell like. Well, that's if you could taste a smell. But I guess you can taste smells because one of the ingredients in this white truffle oil is 'truffle aroma'. I wonder how they captured the aroma and put in the bottle? This oil was pretty good for the price...only $10 for 3.38 fl.oz

My next step was to find a great recipe. Again, no easy task. There are a ton of truffle fries (or is it 'fry') recipes out there. I know I wanted baked fries with parmesan cheese on top, so that narrowed it down a bit. But I also wanted a very 'easy to make' recipe. You would be so surprised at how so many cooks make this so difficult. I found this recipe **Click Here** and it seemed to be the easiest. I tried it and loved it...then I tried it a second time, but I made it even easier because I didn't soak the potato slices in water for 30-60 minutes. And since I didn't soak them, there was no need to pat them dry. So I saved 2 big steps. The fries turned out exactly the same as when I did those extra 2 steps. I also saved a cooking step because I didn't turn the fries over during baking. What a pain that is, turning each individual fry...or is it 'fries'? 
These fries were perfectly browned and crispy, as you can see in my photo above.

 Maybe the key to my success was that I used this round, black, non stick, pizza pan. And I baked them in my convection toaster oven at 425 degrees for only 35 minutes. Not 50 minutes as stated in the above recipe! They would have been totally burnt if I baked them for 50 minutes!  All I had to do was give the pan a 1/4 turn every 10 minutes so they would brown evenly.

So now I can EASILY have baked truffle fries whenever I crave them!

Which is a good thing because there aren't any restaurants near me that serve these...what's up with that, Long Island?

Easily Peel Hard Boiled Eggs!

I am so in love with this little trick! I've been making LOTS of hard boiled eggs lately because my daughter is on an egg salad sandwich binge. I was having such a hard time peeling the eggs. I even bought this contraption, that I blogged about recently, to avoid peeling eggs...**Click Here** Then I Googled 'How to easily peel hard boiled eggs' and found this video that shows a super easy method!

Smokey Tuna Casserole

My husband has been asking me to make a tuna casserole since we were newlyweds! I just didn't like the idea of eating warm, canned tuna fish with pasta...YUK! He said his mother made it all the time when he was young and it was delicious! Sorry, still not sold. I just gagged at the thought of  it!

Almond Joy Ice Cream

I love Almond Joy candy bars! I once tried a recipe called 'Almond Joy Cake Mix Cookies'...they were VERY good!

So it was only natural that I try to make Almond Joy Ice Cream! And I'm so glad I did because it was Almond Joy heaven! It tasted just like the candy bar! My family totally loved it! I took this ice cream recipe that I tried recently 'Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream' and tweaked it to make my Almond Joy ice cream.

Stovetop Hot Pepper Jelly



Hot Pepper Jelly with Cream Cheese

I was so happy to find this recipe for 'Stovetop Hot Pepper Jelly' on the 'Averie Cooks' blog. I've never tried canning and I'm a little intimidated by the whole idea of boiling food in jars. But with this recipe you don't do any of that.

Addictive Blog Award

I was recently honoured to be chosen for 'The Addictive Blog Award' by a sweet and talented blogger named Didi from the 'Dishin with Didi' blog! I'm also addicted to her blog because she is an amazing cook...and so freakin adorable! Go check out her blog and you'll see what I mean!

My reason for blogging was to be able to share all the best recipes I've found and tried from various cooking sites and blogs. When I try a new recipe and it turns out to be delicious, it's like finding a gem! And I want to share all those gems with other cooks!

Now it's my turn to show you my 10 'addictive blogs'...I actually have much more than 10, that I'm currently addicted to, but I'll stick to the rules!

1. Chat 'n Dish

2. Road Trip Eats

3. Crunchy Creamy Sweet

4. Pearls, Handcuffs & Happy Hour

5. Plain Chicken

6. Vittles and Bits

7. Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch

8. Skinny Taste

9. Rita's Recipes

10. Heather Likes Food

Thank you so much Didi! I'm so thrilled that I made your list of addictive blogs! You truly made my day! I hope you'll always be addicted to my blog.

(((HUGS)))

 

Art Smith (Oprah's Chef) Cookbook Giveaway

I love Art Smith. He's an amazing Chef and cookbook author. I also love his cooking videos. He is so down to earth and makes food that is simple and easy, but can be elegant for entertaining! Check out his videos *Here*

Creamy Easy Crock Pot Mac n' Cheese

A view of my crock pot...I love the plastic crock pot liners!

I love to try new mac n' cheese recipes because just when I think I've found the perfect one...another great one comes along! I never made mac n' cheese in a crock pot before, but it's so much easier than making it on the stovetop. No more constant hovering over the stove to make the cheese sauce. 

Fried Green Potatoes...Not Tomatoes!

The potatoes aren't green...the spinach is! This is my version of hash browns! I love the flavor of fried potatoes with bacon, onions and spinach! It's important to get a nice crust on the potatoes.

Fried Green Potatoes

Portobella Burgers with Roasted Red Pepper Paste and Smoked Mozzarella

I found this recipe on GroupRecipes.com. This is a Rachel Ray recipe. I never had a portobella burger until I tried this one. How did I live without this delicious recipe for most of my life? I've made this recipe about 20 times since then.

Watermelon Used 3 Ways

I bought a gi-gundo watermelon a few days ago! Now I needed to find LOTS of things to do with it! So my hunt began for all things watermelon! So far I decided to make the 3 recipes shown here. I loved all of them equally.

Eggies

I thought this product seemed like a good idea...until I tried it!

Spa Water

I've never had a glass of water at a Spa before. Oh wait...that's because I've never been to a Spa! But I do love the flavor of this water!

Stabilized Whipped Cream Icing

I'm not much of a baker...well, I bake occasionally but I don't know all the tricks that good bakers know! I couldn't figure out how to keep my whipped cream from melting as soon as I took it out of the fridge.

Mango/Banana Sorbet

I'm totally loving my new ice cream maker! I just made this recipe called Mango Sorbet from Allrecipes.com. This was another activity for my Allstar Ambassador Program...and it was goooood! Below is the ingredients I used to make the sorbet because I didn't have all the ingredients listed in the original recipe. This frozen dessert was so easy to prepare!

Salad Wedges

When I saw this on Pinterest I thought it was a great idea! This is much easier than cutting the head of lettuce into lots of bite sized pieces!

S'mores Pops

As one of my activities for the Allrecipes.com Brand Ambassador Program for the month of June, I was asked to make some recipes that remind me of summer. I chose the following recipe for that very reason...S'mores is just one of those food items that is made time and time again during the summer months! But these treats are delicious ANY time of year!
 This version is a simple idea taken from the traditional S'mores recipe. My family loved it! And I loved how easy it was to make and keep stored for whenever that S'mores craving hits you!

Oven Roasted Salsa

Wow...what a difference a little roasting makes! I never thought to oven roast my salsa veggies, but it really works nicely! I loved the bold flavors the roasting brings out!

Apple Pie Egg Rolls with a Caramel Drizzle

I love to find new ways to make apple desserts! I also had some leftover won ton wrappers that I need to use before they expired. So I went searching on Pinterest and found a recipe called

Man Pleasing Chicken

 In honor of Father's Day why not serve this to your favorite father! I think he would be very pleased!

 Although I think this recipe should be called 'Man and Woman Pleasing Chicken' because I was VERY pleased also!

Amazing Beef Sandwiches!

This is the easiest most delicious beef sandwich ever! I got this recipe from a food friend named Sday5. I make this recipe about twice a month! My family LOVES this one! Its smokey and garlicky and seasoned just right! And its only 3 ingredients!

A Light and Flavorful Potato Side Dish!

Now that summer is right around the corner, I want to start eating lighter meals, as in lower in fat! This potato recipe tastes very rich, but it's very low fat! I serve this instead of mashed potatoes because it's much easier and tastier! Plus this can be put together a few hours ahead of time, then baked when needed!

These are paper thin sliced potatoes in a
 creamy green onion cheese sauce.
Baked until tender. Made with low fat ingredients. This is an easy potato side dish with lots of creamy, cheesy flavor! Perfect with any meat main dish...chicken, beef, pork and even fish! 

Skinny Potatoes

Lick the Bowl Clean, Party Dips!

When ever I have a party I love to serve unique and delicious dips! I try to stay away from the same old, same old, basic dips! The two dips on this page fit the bill for me and my guests! When the dip bowls are practically licked clean, you know it was a big success...and with these two recipes, that's exactly what always happens when I serve them!

Wacky Ingredients, With Delicious Results!

I found this recipe on the Internet and its a real gem! The ingredients sound wacky but they become a delicious, dark, rich, earthy, smokey, slightly sweet but savory gravy! You'll want to lick the dish clean, like I did! The ingredients are all the things you probably have in your fridge right now!
This recipe is by a cook known as Divalicious, from Grouprecipes.com. The photo is my own.



Wacky But Amazing Pork Chops in Gravy

The Simplest Rib Sauce Ever!

The is the best and simplest rib sauce I ever tasted! It's only 3 common ingredients, but it taste so very good when barbecued with the ribs! It lets the flavor of the ribs shine through but just gives the ribs a nice sweet, savory, smokey flavor! 

 

I got this recipe from my Mom's sister, who we call Zi Zi, which is derived from the Italian word 'Zia', which means 'aunt'...so I'll call this recipe, 'Zi Zi's Rib Sauce'! Italians are not known for making barbecued ribs, but Zi Zi really has a winner with this recipe! This is the only sauce I use on barbecued ribs! And this works on any kind of ribs...baby back, country style, pork or beef! Everyone who tries this sauce, loves it!

Zi Zi's Rib Sauce

Tequila Lime Pork Tacos and Mexican Spaghetti Side Dish

I love making easy Mexican food at home! These are two of my 'go to' recipes for Mexican food! I make these a few times a month. It's the kind of recipes that you never get tired of and actually start to crave them, once you've tried them! I'm craving them just by typing about them!



This taco recipe is one that I got from a fellow foodie known as Pleclare. I'm a big fan of LOTS of her recipes, so you may have seen me post other recipes from her. I'm posting this recipe with some slight tweaks that I made.

TEQUILA LIME PORK TACOS

Egg Boats

This is a great way to make egg sandwiches for a crowd! All you have to do is carve out a wedge in each hero roll and mix the egg, cheese, bacon, green onion, light cream, salt and pepper together in a bowl. Then just pour equal amounts of the egg mixture into each boat (hero roll) and bake in the oven for 25 minutes. I've been making this often since finding this recipe! So easy and delicious!

Estonian Kringel (Cinnamon Braid Bread)

This recipe is from a Romanian food blog. Then it was translated and posted on a U.S. cooking site called 'Totally Love It'. That's where I found it.


Cinnamon Braid Bread

Just the unique look of this bread alone, made me want to try it! Then when I saw the simple ingredients I knew I had to try it! I'm not much of a baker so I wasn't sure if I could get this bread to work for me...but I did! It was very easy! I love that the dough has an egg yolk and milk in it. I never made a bread with those ingredients before!

Chicken Enchilada Pasta

Chicken Enchilada Pasta
**Click Here For Recipe**

Do you ever try a recipe and love it so much that you don't even bother to add the suggested toppings? That's why my pic shown above looks so plain. But it doesn't taste plain at all! I took a little taste ( or maybe a big taste) before I plated it for that photo and I said to myself, 'Why put anything ontop of this when it tastes so flavorful already?'...plus I couldn't stop eating it long enough to get the toppings out of the fridge! This tastes exactly like a chicken enchilada, except there's no tortilla! The pasta becomes the tortilla!

This was so easy to make...about 40 minutes from start to finish! I didn't bother to pre-cook the chicken and then shred it. I just cut the chicken cutlets into tiny bite sized pieces and sauteed it in the same skillet that I used to saute the veggies. I like to make things as easy as possible.

I love creamy cheesy pasta. And I love chicken. And I love Mexican food. So this was a win, win recipe in my eyes! So, if you want to try this creamy, cheesy and oh so delicious chicken enchilada pasta for yourself, just go to the Pearls, Handcuffs & Happy Hour Blog

Banana Split Mini Bites!

Aren't these just the CUTEST little desserts you've ever seen?

Well take it from me...don't try these unless your making them for no more than 2 people! What a huge pain in the neck these were to make! Here is a list of problems...

Caramel Covered Grapes!

These caramel covered green grapes tastes ALOT like caramel apples! I saw this on...

Red White and Blue Drink!

Yes, this is another one that I found on Pinterest...I know, I stalk that site way too much! I just love finding these kinds of fun recipes! This drink is so easy to make!

Cute Lady Bug Crackers!

I'm really loving the recipes I find on Pinterest these days! There are some very unique and fun ways to play with food on that site...which is my favorite thing to do!

Here is an example of what I'm talking about!



Cheesy Cauliflower Tater Tots!

Did you ever find a recipe that sounds really tasty but has an ingredient and recipe instructions that just doesn't appeal to you? That's what I saw with this recipe, but I didn't let it stop me because I just loved everything else about the recipe!

This recipe called for 4 egg whites...and the whipping of egg whites into stiff peaks! I do not like either of those things because I don't want to waste the egg yolks and I'm not that experienced at the stiff peaks egg white whipping thing! It also called for the use of a pasrty bag and star pastry bag tip...I don't own either of those! Plus that's just too much work for making tater tots!

So I used 1 large egg (including the yolk) and just beat it into the cauliflower mixture! Guess what? It worked perfectly! And I used a 10 oz. box of frozen cauliflower florets instead of fresh, to make it even easier! Just thaw and squeeze the heck out of the cauliflower to drain all the excess liquid!

Instead of the pastry bag I just plopped it onto a parchment lined cookie sheet using two spoons. Again, it worked perfectly!

These cauliflower tater tots were delicious! Especially if you're a fan of cauliflower like I am! They have a nice strong cauliflower flavor but are light,fluffy and cheesy! This is a low carb recipe!

Here is the link to the original recipe...'Cheesy Cauliflower Tater Tots'...and below is my photo of how mine turned out! And I included my easy version of this recipe!


Cheesy Cauliflower Tater Tots

INGREDIENTS;
1 Medium head of cauliflower - I used 10 oz. frozen thawed and squeezed dry
2 Tbls. heavy cream - I used light cream
2 Tbls. butter
1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese
4 egg whites - I used 1 large egg with yolk
salt and pepper to taste - I used 1/4 tsp. of each
garlic powder to sprinkle ontop after baked - my idea

 MY EASY DIRECTIONS;
In a microwave safe bowl add cauliflower, light cream and butter. Microwave on high for 5 minutes.
Transfer cauliflower mixture to a food processor with cheese and pulse slightly until it's the texture of oatmeal. Add salt and pepper. Place back into bowl. Then add in egg and beat until fully combined.
Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Drop cauliflower mixture by the spoonful onto parchment paper...you should get about 14 tater tots.
Bake on center rack, uncovered, for about 18 minutes or until nicely browned.
Remove from oven and sprinkle with garlic powder.
Serve warm or room temp.

                                                       

Apple Pancake Rings and Mini Pancake Stacks

This is another recipe that I found on Pinterest! I thought it looked like a great idea for a breakfast recipe! It tasted very good but it was a pain to make! I tried to make it as easy as possible by using my 'go to' pancake batter recipe. But there were other problems that I did not for see!

Problem #1

Red, White and Blue Strawberries!

I saw this idea on Pinterest and thought it was so cute for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend! This would also be perfect for the 4th of July...or Veteran's Day...or Election Day...or...well you get the idea!

I don't think I have to write the directions for this, but just in case...this is strawberries dipped in melted white chocolate then dipped in blue colored sugar. The colored sugar can be found in the cake decorating section of most grocery stores!

*~*~*~*~*~*

And this is another fun thing to do with fruit!

White chocolate chips stuffed into blackberries!

This gives the fruit a nice balance of tart and sweet!

Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

I've been loving cajun recipes lately! Probably because I discovered this easy and perfect cajun spice mix recipe...*click here* I love making my own spice mixes especially when I can't find the ones I need in the grocery store! That's what happened the day I found that recipe! I wanted to make some jambalaya and it worked so well that I decided to try other cajun recipes!

This 'Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta' was so delicious and so easy! I've always loved creamy pasta recipes, but I never tried one with a cajun flare! The leftovers even tasted great cold! Here is the blog post where I found this recipe...*click here* This recipe will be made often in my house!



Don't Believe Everything You See On Pinterest!!!

I saw this recipe for 'Strawberry Smores' on Pinterest! It was one of those recipes that was 'Re-Pinned' a lot!!! The photo looked soooo inviting and delicious! It also sounded VERY easy to make! WRONG!!!!

A Cool Way to Make Baked Potatoes!

The recipe caught my eye because of the photo! I love to find new ways to make potatoes and this definitely looked like something new! The recipe is called

Peanut Butter and Jelly Banana Burritos!

I found this recipe idea on the Internet! It was so easy and very good!

Crab and Spinach Souffle's

I love to figure out ways to use up leftover stuff that I have in my freezer! I had some leftover imitation crab meat and some leftover frozen chopped spinach that was just sitting there begging to be used!

Iced Chai Tea

I love all things Chai! I've tried many Chai flavored teas and the brand that I think has the most flavor is Good Earth...I always buy the decaf version! I love the strong spices that this tea has. Many tea brands are weak and bland. But I never let those other brands go to waste! That's where my Iced Chai Tea idea came from!

Antipasto Salad Bowl

When I have large family dinners (20-24 guests) for the holidays I always make my antipasto platter! Everyone looks forward to it! I serve this before the main dish.

Sauerkraut Balls!

Ohio is well known for their Sauerkraut Balls and now so am I because my guests loved this! This tastes like a cheese dog with sauerkraut! I served this with yellow mustard for dipping. This was a unique and very flavorful appetizer/snack! Perfect for any get-together! These can very easily be made a day ahead and then baked when needed!

Flower Power Eggs!

I saw this recipe idea posted on Pinterest! I thought it was cute! I love the creative food on that site!

I just had to try it!  I love peppers and eggs, so I knew this would taste great!