Showing posts with label recipe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label recipe. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Vidalia Onion Dip

Delicious warm onion dip appetizer to spread on baguette slices or crackers. 




I'm always looking for great snack ideas that can be used for lunch.  We enjoy on the weekends being able to slow down, relax over lunch and having something that is out of the realm of your typical lunch meal of soup or sandwich.

This sweet Vidalia onion dip fits the bill of the non-traditional lunch type food.  Piled up on rounds of fresh baguette or crackers, it makes a filling snack or appetizer to enjoy with perhaps a nice glass of wine.



Filled with lots of sweet Vidalia onion and wonderful gooey cheese I couldn't see that this dip wouldn't be anything but incredibly delicious.  While it was baking in the oven, the aroma was incredible! I couldn't wait for it to finish and cool down enough to dig in.  And delicious it was!! In a pinch, you could use regular onions but it is well worth the effort to search out Vidalia onions as they have a much sweeter taste.

This Vidalia onion dip is on a regular rotation in our house.  If you are looking for a stress free appetizer for game day or other gatherings, this dip fits the bill.  Preparation is quick and easy and while it bakes in the oven, slice up some nice fresh baguette or make up a plate of crackers.



Vidalia Onion Dip
by notjustgrilledcheese
Prep Time: 10 mins.
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Keywords: dips, dressings and sauces
Ingredients
  • 2 cups Vidalia onion, chopped
  • 1 cup shredded Asiago cheese
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 3/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
  • 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
Add all ingredients to a medium sized bowl. Stir well to combine.
Spray a one quart baking dish lightly with cooking spray. Pour combined mixture into baking dish.
Bake at 350 for 40 minutes. Let cool slightly. Serve with crackers or slices of fresh baguette.
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Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Teriyaki Marinade

A delicious marinade for steak and other meats





Hope everyone is staying cool!  With the hot temperatures outside, we are definitely well into the summer season.  I think my favourite part of summer is being able to fire up the barbecue for meals to keep the heat out of the kitchen and also that barbecuing eliminates all those messy pots and pans.

By far, my husband's go to on the barbecue is a good steak.  He likes to marinade it all afternoon to give the steak flavour and to improve on it's tenderness.  As I would never remember to pick up a marinade when I was shopping and we are trying to get away from store bought items, it was time to come up with a marinade of our own.

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Chocolate Chip Cookies

The ultimate soft and chewy chocolate chip cookie



The other day, before setting off for work, my husband asked if I could bake some cookies.  He specifically did request these Peanut Butter Cookies as they are his ultimate favourite, but I needed a chocolate fix, so I decided on Chocolate Chip Cookies instead.

This Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe has made regular rotations through my kitchen for over 20 years.  I think I could make these in my sleep.

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Zucchini Relish

A delicious relish to top your next burger or hot dog made with garden fresh zucchini.




This delicious zucchini relish is on my to do list every year when canning season rolls around and zucchini is in season.  For some reason (I can’t remember why exactly) I didn’t get a batch made last year and well before the barbecue season has ended we ran out.  I actually had to resort to buying some relish from the grocery store – you know that bright green, unnatural looking stuff that has very little flavour.  Once you have had this delectable tasting relish, the store bought kind just won’t do.

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Ham and Broccoli Pasta Casserole

An easy casserole using leftover ham with loads of veggies baked in a flavorful alfredo cheese sauce.


Easy casseroles that are quick to put together and use ingredients that are usually in my fridge and pantry are a favorite in our house.
When large bone-in ham goes on sale, we always stock up the freezer with a few to take advantage of the great price.  I think the last time we stocked up, an 8 pound ham was slightly more than $6.00.  After first enjoying a huge dinner of baked ham with all the fixings, I cube up the leftover meat into 2 1/2 to 3 cup portions that go into the freezer for casseroles and soups.

Friday, August 7, 2015

Cauliflower Gratin

Cauliflower baked in a creamy, rich gruyere cheese sauce.


I love this time of year when a stroll through our Saturday morning farmer’s market is on our agenda every weekend.  I try to pick up all our veggies and fruits here before heading off to the grocery store.  There is nothing better than the great flavour from locally grown produce.  The last couple of weeks, I’ve been eating tomatoes that actually taste like a tomato and haven’t tired of just a simple toasted tomato sandwich for lunch almost everyday — but on to the cauliflower.

Thursday, August 6, 2015

Molasses Cookies

Chewy molasses cookies with hints of spice and rolled in sugar.  Flavours will remind you of gingerbread.



Last week, the hottest day of the summer, I got a big craving for cookies.  Now the dilemma was – should I even turn on the oven on a sweltering day like this?  But really, when the craving hits, I can make any sacrifice to satisfy that craving!  Which meant, of course, turning on the oven.  These molasses cookies are an all time favorite around our house.  The dough is rolled in sugar to give that pretty crackling when they are baked.  They are soft and chewy, loaded with raisins and lots of flavor punch with cinnamon, cloves and ginger – a  flavor combination that you find in gingerbread.  If you enjoy gingerbread, you will love these cookies – and they are easier to make!!

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Chocolate Ice Cream

Enjoy a fast and easy rich chocolate ice cream without using an ice cream machine!!


Nothing is better on a hot summer day than a special treat of ice cream.  When we were kids, there was an ice cream truck that drove through the neighbourhood in the summer months and we all waited patiently for that special time of the day when you knew the truck was coming as it was preceded with that great carnival type music.

Monday, July 20, 2015

Blueberry Sauce

A simple and quick sweet sauce made with fresh summer blueberries that can used as a topping on
ice cream, pancakes, waffles and cheesecake.


Summer has hit us in earnest this week as Mother Nature really cranked up the old thermostat.  The temperatures this week were scorching!!

This year, I made a vow to myself to do lots of canning and preserving.  I have been planning out all the goodies I want to make and slotting them on the calendar to coincide with when the produce is at it's peak growing season.

This weekend I was fortunate to find a 2 lb container of beautiful plump blueberries for just $2.00.

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Peanut Butter Frosted Brownies

If you enjoy the flavour of chocolate and peanut butter together, then these squares are for you.  A brownie base topped with a peanut butter frosting makes a delectable treat.



When you live with someone who is basically a meat and potatoes guy, it can be difficult at times to come up with a dessert that we both will enjoy.  Typically, we have a bowl of fresh berries for dessert.  But there are times when I need something more to satisfy my sweet tooth.  Anybody else with me on this?

These bars certainly fit the bill!! The flavours will remind you of those famous peanut butter cups.

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Strawberry Scones

Light, fluffy scones speckled with fresh strawberries to enjoy with your morning coffee.


 
 
When summer weather creeps up on us, I know it's time for strawberries.  And once that calendar has flipped over to summer time mode, life seems to get so busy ( how does that happen?) which means that  the last couple of years I seemed to have missed out on the berry picking.  

Friday, June 26, 2015

Rippled Ice Cream

Creamy rippled ice cream.  A perfect cool treat on a warm summer's day and no ice cream machine required!!

Summer is upon us and what better way to cool off than with a nice dish of creamy delicious ice cream!!

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Banana Muffins

Delicious muffins for breakfast or late night snack loaded with lots of banana flavour!




I have to admit, I am not much of a breakfast person except for on the weekend when no one is feeling rushed and there is lots of time to linger over a big breakfast of bacon and eggs or perhaps pancakes.  Through the week, coffee gives me that morning jolt to get me going and later in the morning, I like to grab a muffin.  I send one every day with my husband for his grab and go breakfast after a long commute into the city.

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Loaded Nachos

As a tribute to Nacho Day - fully loaded Nachos for dinner!





Who doesn't enjoy snacking on nachos while watching a game or movie?  Whether you enjoy scooping up yummy salsa or a cream cheese dip, we all love these little dippers. At our house, we love having nachos on the weekend for a quick lunch.  Typically they are sprinkled with salsa and grated cheese, heated in the oven and served, but in honour of Nacho Day, I wanted to step up the game by loading them with lots of toppers to make them a satisfying dinner.

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Caramel Fruit Dip

A delicious caramel whipped cream perfect for dipping fresh fruit!




A wonderful decadent treat, this fruit dip is so easy to make taking some help from the store.
First, you will need a tub of caramel dip.  This is the really thick caramel dip that you generally find near the apples in the produce section.  It is wonderfully delicious on it's own when scooped up with apple slices but combine it with Cool Whip and you have an extra special treat.  I know that many of you may be adverse to using Cool Whip but I have found that made from scratch whipped cream does not stand up as well to the heavy caramel.

Simply combine equal amounts of caramel and Cool Whip in a bowl. Drizzle some of the caramel on top.  I finely crushed some Skor bits to sprinkle on top for added caramel flavour and a little crunch.

Friday, October 24, 2014

Pulled Pork

Let your slow cooker do all the work! Simply add all the ingredients in the morning, cook on low and by dinner time you have a delicious pulled pork ready to pile up on a bun!  Just add a salad or coleslaw for a complete dinner.
  

For the past month, we have been planning a big surprise party for my husband who is celebrating a milestone birthday.  I didn't want anyone to have to spend the day manning the barbecue, so decided on Pulled Pork for our main dish.  The slow cooker does all the work and you just have to take credit for the yumminess!!

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Cheddar Onion Batter Bread

A delicious, moist bread marbled with cheddar cheese and a mild onion flavour.



Last week I made a big pot of chili for dinner and was looking for something to use for dipping in the bowl.  Now normally I would buy some nice fresh kaiser rolls or maybe bake some biscuits, but this day I was looking for something different.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Butternut Squash Soup

Sweet butternut squash simmered and pureed into a delicious creamy soup.






When you browse through the farmer's market or even in the grocery store, you see a vast array of squashes at this time of year at very affordable prices.  The last vegetable of the season to get harvested.    Whether the squash is baked, steamed or mashed, it makes a great veggie side.  But it also makes a delicious soup. 

My favourite type to use in this case is a butternut squash.  It has a beautiful orange colour and delectable

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Batch Prep Work, Freezing Vegetables

With a small slot of time, do some batch prep work and have prepared and chopped veggies in the freezer just waiting to start that next pot of soup, stew or stir fry.

Judging from the drastic change in temperature from a couple of weeks ago, I think that fall is here to stay.  This is the time of year that Mother Nature really showcases her talent transforming all those leaves into bright gorgeous oranges, reds and yellows.  As much as I enjoy the fall colours, it creates a lot of work.  We live in an area with a tremendous amount of trees, so it is an ongoing job for the next 3 to 4 weeks of constant raking and cleaning of leaves.  And what better treat to warm up after a morning in these cool temps raking then to sit with a steaming bowl of homemade soup for lunch!

Sunday, October 5, 2014

Bruschetta

Market fresh ingredients make a great topping piled on slices of toasted baguette to serve as an appetizer or just for plain snacking!




Tomatoes are at their peak right now with a large variety available in abundance at farm stands and markets everywhere.  Add just a few more ingredients and you have a delicious treat.