Category: Quick recipes


May
2016

Jalapeño Cilantro Hummus – Takes only seconds to make this healthy, nutritious treat!

categories: Appetizers, Quick recipes, Snacks

Was there life before hummus?

I don’t know about you, but I barely remember life before hummus.  I’m not even sure when this delicious, nutritious food came on the scene but I’m glad it did.  It is so popular it shows up on restaurant offerings as well as almost every potluck and party.  It comes in a variety of flavors and is very versatile.  In addition to being served as a dip with pita chips or veggies, it can be used as a spread on wraps and sandwiches too!

So what exactly is thing called “Hummus”?  It is made from garbanzo beans.  Yep, garbanzo beans blended with some seasonings.  That’s it.  It is that simple.  So why would anyone want to make their own hummus when you can just buy it already made in almost any grocery store?  That is a great question and my answer is…because it is so easy and you can whip it up on a moments notice using ingredients you have on hand (providing, of course, you have them on hand).  Another reason is that you can control what you put in it and adjust the seasonings to your preference.  And…not to mention…it is fun and impressive to say you made it yourself.  Right?  Sometimes it is just fun to say you made something yourself.

I hope you will give this recipe a try.  The recipe is more of a guideline than anything.  Feel free to add more jalapeños if you like it hotter.  You may want to add some lemon or lime juice and a sprinkle of oregano would taste great too.  Have fun with it and make it your own.  Oh, and please let me know how it works out for you.  I love to hear from you!

[zrdn-recipe id=”10″]


May
2016

Stuffed Baked Artichokes – Omg…this is heaven

categories: Appetizers, Recipes

 

This is heaven…

I loooove all things artichokes!  I use artichoke hearts in salads and dips and pasta dishes. There is just mysterious and wonderful about this thing called an artichoke.  They are a bit like life…hard to read from the outside and yet once you’ve unsolved their mystery they are yours to do with as you wish.  You just have to get to know them at a deeper level than meets the eye.  Okay…perhaps I’m getting a little carried away and dramatic…all to drive the point of my passion for these wild creatures.

In truth, (more…)


Apr
2016

Suzi’s – make it in seconds…tastes like you slaved all day…Secret Salsa Hack!

categories: Quick recipes, Recipes, Salsas and Sauces, Snacks

I’m not kidding when I say this is the easiest and best salsa ever!  It’s almost embarrassing to share the recipe but share I must.  I just can’t keep things like this to myself. AND I want you to get all the credit when you serve it!  It’s your recipe now…

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:8]

  • Comments Off on Suzi’s – make it in seconds…tastes like you slaved all day…Secret Salsa Hack!

Apr
2016

Cranberry Bleu Pecan Cheese Ball – faux pas and all!

categories: Appetizers, Quick recipes, Recipes, Snacks

 

 

Soooooo Easy…only 4 ingredients and it is awesome!

One night this flavor combination just popped in my head so I quickly wrote it down…a few weeks later I had the opportunity to try it out and serve it at a luncheon.  It was a hit!  I originally served it as a spread with crackers and also with celery sticks for a gluten-free option.  I’ve made it several times since and it is always well received.  I hope you’ll give try it out and taste for yourself.  Enjoy!

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:6]

 


Mar
2016

It’s Finally Here! “Nana’s Family” Cookbook available in digital format! Buy today!

categories: Cookbooks, Quick recipes, Recipes

 

Buy Now

Nana's Family Cookbook - New eBook format! Buy now

$12.00

“Nana’s Family” Cookbook was originally created in 2004…

I created this special cookbook as a way of honoring my beloved grandmother, “Nana”.  “Nana” was mother to 5 children, grandmother to 17 grandchildren and great-grandmother to more than I can count.  “Nana” always had room at her table to feed whoever came to her door. “Nana’s Family” extends far beyond her natural born offspring. “Nana” taught us that there is no stranger and everyone was welcome to be a part of her family.   This cookbook is a collection of recipes collected from “Nana’s Family” they are sure to wow and delight your family!  Only 250 copies were ever printed…..it has never been available to the public until now!

I know you will enjoy the recipes and stories that await inside to delight you and your family!

“Nana’s Family” Cookbook contains more than 200 Beloved Family Recipes including “Nana’s” Southern Chicken and Dumplings and “Nana’s” Sunday Roast Dinner  And can be delivered to your inbox today for only $12.00  

 Buy NowNana's Family Cookbook - New eBook format! Buy now

Also, if you haven’t already joined me on my blog journey, I hope you will sign up today. Each week I will be sending out recipes as well as fun instructional videos straight to your inbox. I will be sharing my cooking and creative ideas with you and encouraging you to try them out for yourself.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to be a part of your life’s journey!  I’m delighted we have crossed paths!

Yours in cooking and creativity,

Suzi

 

 

 

 

  • Comments Off on It’s Finally Here! “Nana’s Family” Cookbook available in digital format! Buy today!

Nov
2014

Do you stress over what to take to a potluck? Learn how you can save time and energy with a “signature dish”

categories: Christmas, Quick recipes, Recipes

What's your -Signature Dish--Tis the season for potlucks and parties….

The truth is …..as much as I enjoy cooking and entertaining ….. thinking about what to make and take for picnics, BBQ’s, and potlucks used to stress me out.  Now I don’t have to think about it or stress about it because I take the same things over and over.  Yep….it’s true!  That doesn’t mean that I never switch it up…..it means if I am in the mood to switch it up I do, and if I feel stress coming on over it I rely on my tried and true dishes that I can make quickly and easily and that still have the “wow factor”.  I even have a couple of recipes saved on my computer to print and give out to guests upon request.

In the beginning I felt a bit guilty about rotating the same recipes….

Then….. one day…… I realized this HUGE TRUTH…… musicians, magicians, comedians and motivational speakers do this very same thing!!!!!! They play the same songs, do the same tricks, and tell the same jokes and stories over and over again.  That’s how they get good at it and that’s how this idea saves time and energy!   They play to different audiences so their content is fresh to each new audience.  And yes there might be a bit of overlap from time to time but even that has its place.  Just like they don’t have to learn new songs, tricks, jokes and stories for every new gig…..you don’t have to learn a new recipe every time!!!!!  Repetition is now my friend and I am guilt free!

So….what is a signature dish?

 Wikipedia’s  definition of a signature dish is a recipe that identifies an individual chef. Ideally it should be unique and allow an informed gastronome to name the chef in a blind tasting. It can be thought of as the culinary equivalent of an artist finding their own style, or an author finding their own voice. In practice a chef’s signature dish often changes with time or they may claim several signature dishes.

Suzi’s definition of a signature dish is…any dish that you enjoy making and taking often.  It can be one that people look forward to you bringing because it’s not one of their signature dishes.  Or, it can also be one that you take to new or different groups.    As far as I’m concerned, it doesn’t have to be one that you created on your own, though of course it can be. For me it is dishes that have received rave reviews when I’ve taken them and I love rave reviews 🙂

May your Holidays be stress free days!

Here are a two of my signature dishes…..feel free to adopt them as your own.  They are yours now 🙂

 

Tropical Cole Slaw for a Crowd RecipeApple Oatmeal Crunch