Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Roasting fresh pumpkin seeds in the oven is so easy and tastes better than any pumpkin seeds you can buy in the store! You can customize the seasoning to suit your own taste.

Mexican Posole with Chicken and Pork

This is a hearty and authentic Mexican style soup made with hominy, green chilies, onions, garlic, enchilada sauce, oregano, cumin, cilantro, and cubed chicken and pork. All these delicious ingredients are prepared in the slow cooker then topped with refried beans, cheddar cheese, sour cream and chives!

Halloween Food!

 

Now that Halloween is almost here I wanted to show you some of the food I've made throughout the years! My kids are in their twenties now, but they still get a kick out of these recipes! You're never too old to have fun on Halloween!

I hope you enjoy these recipes as much as we do!

Chick in a Biscuit

Credit for this recipe goes to my hubby! He totally came up with the idea of baking a hard boiled egg into a savory breakfast biscuit! What my hubby didn't know was that a handful of other cooks came up with the same idea! But it was a very small handful! This was absolutely delicious no matter who invented it first! The biscuit has the perfect texture of moist and crumbly but not too much of each! And the flavor of the biscuit is also perfect...savory with a slight hint of cheddar cheese, green onion and bacon. The hard boiled egg inside is such a nice surprise to anyone who doesn't know that it's in there!

Pasta with Creamy Truffle Sauce

Did I ever tell you that I have a soft spot for creamy pasta recipes! I actually have a soft spot for any creamy recipes, whether it's pasta, chicken, pork...well, you get the idea! What caught my eye about this next recipe was not only the luscious photo of the pasta bathed in all that creamy mouthwatering sauce, but also the word 'Truffle'. You see, I also have a soft spot for all things that contain truffles! I can't afford to spend thousands of dollars on whole truffles, so I just use truffle oil instead.

Grilled Asian Burgers

If you're a regular reader of my blog you know that I love recipes that have an Asian flair! I have a very long list of 'tried and true' Asian style recipes that I've tested since being an Internet recipe stalker! This next recipe is on the list of 'The Best Asian Recipes I've Ever Tried'!
Well, I don't actually have a list, but if I did this would be at the top!

New Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole

That's right! There's a new recipe in town, so say good-bye to that tired old recipe! Was that statement too cheesy? Well, so is this hash brown casserole.

Worms on a Bun

Looks gross but tastes so very good! This is a hot dog cut into thin strips then boiled in a pot of water. Then I top the hot dog strips with my hot dog onions and serve on a burger bun. Perfect Halloween food!

Crunchy Chocolate Monsters

This treat is not only delicious but it's kind of healthy too because it's made with fiber cereal, semi sweet chocolate and a touch of peanut butter. These cute little chocolate monsters are very easy to make. If you can melt chocolate you can make this snack!  My kids loved these! Perfect for Halloween!

3 Ingredient Soft Pretzel Bites



 

I never knew that you could make soft pretzels just by taking some Pillsbury refrigerated French bread dough, cut into small pieces and dipped into boiling water with some baking soda. Then all you have to do is sprinkle the tops with coarse salt and bake until very brown! These were perfect! What a cool recipe! So much quicker and easier than making the dough from scratch!

Vertically Roasted Chicken with Vegetables

I have always wanted to try baking my chicken vertically! It seems the best way to do it because then you have more room in your oven for other things like side dishes!

San Francisco Pork Chops

I'm not sure why this recipe is called 'San Francisco Pork Chops', but one thing I know is how totally delicious they are! The slow and low cooking creates such tender pork chops!  You won't even need a knife! And the sauce becomes a lusciously rich tangy/sweet gravy that goes well with so many side dishes. I chose buttered orzo with parmesan cheese and sweet peas. A green veggie such as broccoli or green beans would be perfect also! You could even just pour the gravy over mashed potatoes...yum! Okay, I'm hungry for these pork chops again!

3 Cheese Noodle Pudding

Sometimes I just get tired of the same old vegetable side dishes. I usually always serve peas, green beans or potatoes as a side to meat or fish. But that just gets so boring! So that's when I go looking for something that I can serve with meat but that does not contain veggies. This next recipe was just what I needed! This could also easily be served as a main dish! And I love the fact that this side dish tastes just as good cold as it does warm!

Almond Joy Cake Bars!

This is an absolutely heavenly treat! And it's made so simply by using an un-prepared box of chocolate cake mix! Easier is always better, right?

Mexican Pork Chops

Just when I think I've seen every possible way of cooking pork chops, another unique recipe catches my eye! I loved how simple this recipe was, not only in ingredients, but also in the preparation! This is my favorite kind of recipe...minimal ingredients with big flavors!

G.H. Cretors Popped Corn

The first commercial popcorn machine invented by Cretors in 1885

Photo from G.H. Cretors website



The interesting fact about this popcorn is not only that it's all natural and completely free of GMO's, artificial coloring, flavoring and preservatives, but also that it's made by the ancestor of the inventor of the first commercial popcorn machine! Great Grandpa Cretors of Chicago invented the popcorn machine in 1885 and now his great granddaughter Claire is starting her own legacy by making high quality popping corn.

I've eaten lots of average popcorn in my time. You know the kind that is small and dense and not fully popped, with lots of hard kernels and no real corn flavor. That's why I really appreciate this popcorn from G.H. Cretors! I love great popcorn and that's exactly what this is! The cheese popcorn is not too salty, like most cheese popcorn, because it's made with real cheddar cheese melted onto popped corn! It's not a powdered imitation cheese mixture! And you won't find any unpopped kernels! G.H. Cretors popcorn is so addictively delicious because their popcorn tastes like is was popped just before you opened the bag!

My favorite G.H. Cretors variety is the 'Chicago Mix' because it's a blend of their caramel corn and cheese corn in the same bag! It is pure sweet & savory perfection in every handful! Check out their website for more interesting facts and find where G.H. Cretors popped corn is sold near you, by using their store locator. You can also order their popcorn online.

 In This Photo  Chicago Mix

And take a look at their Facebook page...they have a fun photo contest going on! Join and you could win some G.H. Cretors popcorn for yourself! G.H. Cretors can also be found on Twitter and Pinterest They even have an Instagram page with lots of photos from other happy customers just like me!

I'm thinking about making Popcorn Cookies using their caramel popcorn! I think that would be a very cool cookie! Or maybe I can create a savory/sweet cookie using their cheese popcorn...yum! Stay tuned for those results!

So next time you're in the grocery store look for G.H. Cretors Popped Corn. Or maybe order some for yourself online! You won't be disappointed!

Disclosure: I was not paid for this blog post about G.H. Cretors  popped corn. I was given samples of their product and after tasting their product I wanted to share those results with my readers.

Vampire Cookies!

A very cool Halloween cookie that will get the kids attention! This is a butter cookie filled with your choice of any red jam. My kids loved these!

Inside-Out Omelets

 

If you're a regular reader of my blog you know that I love to try unique and interesting recipes that I find on the Internet! Well, this next recipe is just my speed!

BBQ Bison Phyllo Bites

Did you know that you can purchase bison in so many different forms such as hot dogs, bacon, pepperoni, short ribs and ground meat, along with the other usual cuts such as steaks and roasts? And did you know that bison has half the calories of beef? Bison is also lower in fat and cholesterol than beef! Bison also beats chicken in those areas! I didn't know all of that until this month when Allrecipes.com and their brand ambassadors teamed up with The Bison Council to bring awareness of the benefits of eating bison.  Go to their website and read all about bison. And while you're there check out all the delicious recipes for bison such as, bison goulash, bison meatballs, bison ribs, bison Asian noodle bowl and so much more! You can also find where to purchase bison, near you, by entering your zip code on their website.

4 Ingredient Snickers Cookies

One of my favorite candy bars is Snickers! I just can't resist chocolate covered peanuts with caramel! I also love to make easy candy recipes at home! Sometimes I get a craving for a candy bar but I don't feel like going to the store to buy one. And why buy candy bars when I have all the ingredients to make a copycat version?

Portobello Stuffed with Creamy Scrambled Eggs

I love it when I can make breakfast that feeds 6 people, all at the same time! Then everyone gets to eat a hot breakfast all together, including me! This is also a 'make ahead' meal that comes together quickly once the mushrooms are cooked!

One Bowl Chocolate Cake

This is one of the best chocolate cakes I ever tasted! I found the recipe on Allrecipes.com. It is a very popular recipe with great reviews! What was unique to me about this recipe wasn't the fact that it's made in 'one bowl' because aren't all cakes made in one bowl? What I found to be different about this recipe is that hot water is added to the batter before it is baked! I'm not sure what purpose the hot water serves, but I always make it that way because the taste and texture are so perfect! Why mess with a good thing?

Singapore Noodles with Shrimp

I love Asian noodle recipes! I've tried many in my blogging days! This one is a little different because it's a fusion of Chinese and Indian flavors! The curry powder gives it some heat. Most Singapore Noodle recipes are on the bland side, in my opinion!

Grilled Potatoes

Potatoes on the grill are so easy and so very good! I love the smoky flavor and it's so much quicker than baking them in the oven! Plus, who wants to turn on the oven for an hour and heat up the kitchen on hot summer days!

Cinnamon Rolls Grilled in Orange Peels!

 Sounds crazy, right? Well, that's just my kind of recipe! If you're a regular reader of my blog you know this is a recipe I just had to try! Within days of spotting this on the Internet it was on my plate...and it was soooo VERY yummy!

Cream Cheese Plum Crumble - From Boxed Cake Mix

You know, I never realized how very versatile boxed cake mix can be! I always thought that the only way to use boxed cake mix was to prepare it according to the directions on the box! I was pleasantly surprised to see that there are so many ways to use it straight from the box, without preparing it! So much easier that way!

Adobo Roast Pork Loin

 

I have many pork 'chop' recipes but not many pork 'roast' recipes! I don't think I'll ever need to look for another pork roast recipe after trying this one because it was the best pork roast I've ever tasted! And I love how easy it was to make! Only 6 ingredients in this perfectly delicious recipe! Just mix together the simple spice ingredients, then rub it all over the pork loin and bake for 40-45 minutes.

Jerk Chicken with Coconut Rice & Beans...Plus a Giveaway!

This was such a delicious meal! The perfect blend of spices really gives this dish it's authentic flavor! And I love that I don't need to go looking for each spice in the store or in my spice cabinet! No measuring either! Every ingredient comes in it's own separate plastic pouch!

Thai Satay Udon Noodles!

My blogger friend Judith from The Midnight Baker food blog, gave me a few packages of Udon noodles. Judith is always making such delicious Asian recipes! She makes me crave this stuff! I decided to go looking for a recipe that I know my hubby will love! He's a Thai food junkie so I figured that's a great place to start.

Sweet and Spicy Green Bean Bundles!

I'm always on the lookout for new and interesting veggie side dishes! This one caught my eye because of the presentation! But the original recipe kind of scared me because it contained a pound of bacon and a cup of butter! There was no way I was making the recipe that way!

Tikka Masala Oven Fries!

 coated and ready for the oven

I just LOVE Chicken Tikka Masala! So why not make an Oven Fries version! I'm always looking for new and unique potato recipes, so this was a no brainer!

Homemade Tamales!

I have always wanted to make my own tamales at home, but I didn't know where to begin! There are certain ingredients that are not easy to find in my area such as
assorted dried chili peppers and dried corn husks! Then one day I got a message saying I had a new follower on Twitter called Global Grub. As soon as I saw what that page was about I was intrigued! They make cooking kits for some really cool recipes like Jerk Chicken with Coconut Rice and Beans, Tangine with Couscous, Sushi Rolls and Red Chili Tamales.

Portuguese Pot Roast!

This is my first time making Portuguese food, but if all Portuguese recipes are as delicious as this one then I'll be making MANY more!

Egg in a Hole!

This is such a fun way to serve eggs and toast! And I love the fact that the eggs and toast are made at the same time in the same frying pan! So much easier that way! My family got a kick out of this egg dish! I've made it often. I like to make this when we're having breakfast for dinner!

Homemade Taco Seasoning!

Whenever I make chili or any kind of Mexican dish, I always make sure to have this taco spice blend mixed and ready to add! No need to buy packets of taco seasoning when you probably already have all the ingredients needed to make your own!

Plum Peachy Seared Pork Chops!

Summertime is the best time to experiment with fruit recipes! I'm finding lots of fresh peaches and plums in every food store and farm stand! Lately I've been craving fruit with pork, so I figured now is the time to get creative!

Scalloped Eggplant Casserole!

This is a recipe I had saved in a folder for about 3 years. I found the recipe on the GroupRecipes.com cooking site. It was posted by one of my favorite cooks from that site known as Dugger. I have tried a few of his recipes and was never disappointed!

Simple Banana Split Pie!

I was given this recipe by a Facebook follower named Richard Allen Jernigan. This is what he said...
"I have a recipe for you. It is very easy, and you may even find other simple variations in addition to the ones I have listed. It actually tastes as if it has more calories than it has, and it is very good for the hot summer since it is so light. I got this from a fundraiser cookbook a group in my hometown in WV did back in 1978. It has always been a hit!"

Easy Skillet Apple Pie!

I never thought to make an apple pie in a skillet, but it is truly a great idea because it's so quick and easy! I found this recipe here on a food blog called Lemon Sugar!

Easy Skillet Chicken Parmesan

I know that chicken parmesan has been around for ages! There are so many recipes out there that it's mind boggling!

Skinny Chocolate Banana Souffle

I love it when I come across a chocolate dessert recipe that is not only easy, but low fat and low calorie! It's a dream come true! This dessert is so light, airy and creamy with just the right amount of chocolate/banana flavor!

Fried Pasta Stix

I came up with this recipe as a way of using up some leftover cooked lasagna noodles. I love the crunchy baked ends of lasagna! That is exactly what this tastes like when dipped into your favorite pasta sauce!

Spicy Beer Bread

 I have been looking for the perfect Beer Bread recipe for a long time! I definitely found it with this next recipe! I love how easy this is to make with just a few simple ingredients! This bread is nice and hearty with a slightly sweet and slightly spicy touch! The beer flavor comes through perfectly!

S'mores Kiss Cups!

I love S'mores and have tried many different variations of this classic recipe! So why not try one more?

Easy Oven Luau Ribs!

This is one of those rare recipes that makes you do a happy dance after you taste it! I was shown this recipe by a foodie friend named Michelle Conner!
She found this recipe in an old 1979 cookbook put out by the American Martyrs Catholic church in Manhattan Beach, Ca....called 'Recipes and Remembrances'.