Pickle Dip

Yup. Pickle Dip. We had an "appetizer party" the other night and I asked each of my kids what appetizer they would like me to make. My 15 year old son didn't skip a beat and answered Pickle Dip.

This is a recipe that Tyler brings over to our house - so I had to call him for the recipe. It's so simple - but seriously good!

Pickle Dip
8 oz. Cream cheese
1 c diced dill pickles
2 Tbsp pickle juice
1/4 c diced sweet onion (I used minced shallots as an easy swap)
1 tsp dill
Salt and pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients except pickles in mixer - then fold in the diced pickles to keep those nice chunky pieces. Refrigerate 1 hour before serving.

Bleu Cheese and Tomato Balsamic Dip

I've had this recipe FOREVER - I actually posted it on this blog over 10 years ago - but I recently made it when we had an "appetizer party" the other night. I forgot just how gosh darn good it is!!

This recipe I got from my friend JenO - she made it for every baby shower or bridal shower for years - always by request - always a winner.

Bleu Cheese and Tomato Balsamic Dip
1 can petite diced tomatoes
1 small container crumbled blue cheese or gorgonzola
1/3 c Balsamic vinegar
1/3 c EVOO
Crush as much garlic as you think you can stand


Mix all ingredients and serve at room temperature. I try to refrigerate this for at least an hour before serving - just to give the flavors time to marry.

Right before serving, throw a couple of teaspoons of sugar to cut the acidity. Serve with bread chunks or crackers.

5-Ingred Lemon & Cheese Peas

I saw this on the Food Network's show The Kitchen. This is Sunny Anderson's recipe.

I'm getting antsy for Spring. It has been snowing for the last 2 days and I'm OVER IT! So - I'm going to will Spring up in this house!!! How am I going to do that? Two words. SPRING. PEAS. Because as I said - it's snowing here - I'm going to use frozen peas. They are frozen at the peak of freshness and are a great substitute when you don't have fresh. THE VERDICT: Mr V - out of town, Me - 100 loved it - strong flavors but liked it. Mr. 15 - meh - he's not a fan of cheese (seriously?!), Ms. 14 - YES! Ms. 11 and her friend - YES and YES. Ms. 7 had a "no thank you bite" and said "no thank you." I have to say - I'm not a fan of peas - but I try them every spring for good measure - and to encourage my kids to love their seasonal veg. This is my most favorite way to eat peas. In a pan on medium-low heat, add evoo (or butter), garlic and lemon zest. Cook, stirring, so the garlic and zest can steep without browning, about 5 minutes. Add the lemon juice, thyme, pinch of salt and a little more pepper than you usually would. Stir a few times until thyme is darker and the pan is fragrant - about 5 minutes.

Add the peas and toss to warm and coat, about 4 minutes. Pour into a serving dish and top with cheese.

8 Tbsp evoo (extra virgin olive oil) or salted butter

2 cloves garlic, minced

Zest and juice of 1 lemon

4 Tbsp fresh thyme leaves, gently chopped

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

4 cups fresh spring, English or snow peas

8 to 12 ounces shaved or grated Pecorino-Romano cheese

Pics and rating to come tomorrow!!!

Thai Meatballs and Sweet Rice

An awesome "fast food - home cooked" meal.

I thought I was busy when I had 4 little kids. Now that I have 2 teenagers, a very mature pre-teen and a 7 year old - we are FREAKIN' BUSY!

Our oldest is involved year round in HS sports with swim team and track, the next 2 in line are in soccer year round and finally Ms. P is involved w soccer and dance. So - I have no control over my life whatsoever. I am SOOOOO looking forward to our oldest getting his license - but he isn't so motivated...

This is relevant bc I am always looking for short cuts and quick meals.

We make it a priority to have a sit down dinner every night as a family. More often than not - it happens and I'm so grateful for that. We have some of our most memorable talks, inside jokes and bonding around our dinner table.

There are definitely nights that we can't all sit down - but I work hard to provide a home made meal for everyone to enjoy when they are home and ready for dinner.

Here's my CHEAT!!!

I got these at my local Costco. My husband and I don't like Thai food - but the entire family - including my husband and I approved of these. 12 minutes in the oven and done.

I served these on top of a Family Fave Sweet Jasmine Rice smiles all around. 

Chicken Cordon Bleu

This is another dish I've made forever - but it's so simple it doesn't feel like a "recipe" to me. But my family loves it so much - I thought I'd share.

We're back to school and sports around here - which means our week nights are insane. To save money and tummies - I like to have the 6 of us eat ANYTHING but fast food. It's a challenge - but one I feel I've done a good job at.

I made this last night and it was gone in a flash. I think next time I'll double the recipe by stacking the ingredients - if I do I'll give you an update.

Fastest Chicken Cordon Bleu in the West
1 cup Heavy Cream
1 can Cream of chicken soup
S & P
6 slices Swiss Cheese
12 slices deli ham
6 breaded chicken patties*

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Combine heavy cream and cream of chicken soup, salt and pepper to taste. Microwave mixture for about 60 seconds to make it easier to incorporate.

Drizzle about 1/4 of the cream sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 casserole dish - spread it around with a spatula. This just helps anything from sticking.

Place the chicken patties in the casserole dish. Top with 2 slices of ham and 1 slice of swiss cheese each. Pour the remaining cream sauce over the entire dish.

Bake for 30 minutes. DELISH!

*I use Foster Farms frozen chicken patties - you don't even have to thaw them!

UPDATE: I made this again - but this time I made it in my crockpot bc crazy week nights... So I doubled the liquid - put half in the bottom of the crockpot, added 8 chicken patties, a package of diced ham and 8 slices of cheese then added the rest of the liquid on top - set on low for 2 - 3 hours - or high for 1 hour. Everyone gets a nice warm dinner when they have time!

Baked Ham and Cheese Sliders

So this recipe has been all over the internet and with leftover ham and swiss cheese - this recipe fit the bill!! These were so much better than I even imagined. Definitely making these again.

Baked Ham and Cheese Sliders
For the sauce:
3/4 c melted butter
2 T dijon mustard
1-2 t worcestershire
1-2 t poppy seeds
1-2 t onion powder
salt and pepper to taste

For the sammy:
12 rolls
ham
swiss cheese

Preheat the oven to 350. Cut the rolls in half and set in a 9x13 greased casserole dish. Put the bottom half of the rolls in the pan. Top with ham and cheese and then the top of the buns.

Add all the sauce ingredients together and pour over sandwiches. Bake for 20 minutes.

Asian Crunch Salad

There are many variations of this salad - the common factor is ramen noodles and cabbage. I like all the variations I've ever tried for as long as I can remember. Tonight, I was craving it but didn't have what I needed to make my old stand by - and boy howdy I'm so glad!!

I'll be sticking with this version! The only addition I would make is add grilled chicken next time. I made this in-between my "bus driver" duties for the kids - so I didn't have time to defrost and grill the chicken.

Asian Crunch Salad
Dressing:
1/2 c evoo (I love Kirkland's Mediterranean blend oil)
1/2 c sugar
1/3 c rice vinegar
1 - 2 T Ponzu (citrus seasoned soy sauce)
salt and pepper to taste

Salad:
16 oz bag shredded coleslaw (or 1 head napa cabbage, shredded)
2 bags Top Ramen, crumbled (any variety)
Mandarin oranges (as many as you like - I like a lot)

Topping:
NUTS! Cashew pieces were awesome but slivered almonds, peanuts or sunflower seeds would also be good

Combine all ingredients for dressing, incorporate well and pour over the salad ingredients. Toss and refrigerate for at least an hour.

Top with nuts and thank yourself for this delicious bit of heaven!