Better-for-You Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
Update: ย As I made a fresh batch of this tasty dressing for the big game tonight, I thought it worth linking in a few more ways I like to use this beyond the typical dressing or dip (links provided below). ย Also, my friend, Carrie, kindly figured out the nutritional information which I have included below.…
Balsamic Reduction (aka making “good” balsamic from the inexpensive stuff!)
Years ago, a friend gave me a small bottle of aged balsamic vinegar — the real stuff, from Modena, Italy. At that point, I had never experienced this mellow and thick, almost sweet, vinegar and I savored every last drop of that bottle. The terrific thing is that you really don’t need to spend twenty…
Homemade Chili Sauce
Forgot to buy chili sauce at the store? No problem, because great chili sauce is quick and easy to make at home! Chili sauce is a condiment I use occasionally, but not often. Needing some for a shrimp recipe I planned to make this weekend, I added it to my grocery list. Or, at least,…
Easy Yogurt Fruit Dip
ย A fruit tray is a delicious addition to any party menu as well as a healthy option that looks pretty and is typically a hit with kids and adults alike. ย Recently, I hosted an event and wanted a dip to serve alongside the fruit.ย I experimented with the following recipe and served it in a…
Salted Hot Fudge Sauce
This tried-and-true chocolate sauce is thick, velvety, and strikes the right salty-sweet balance. It’s quick and easy to prepare and makes a lovely gift! (Small and big batch recipe cards included.) While my family enjoys traditional pies for our Thanksgiving dessert, Christmas dinner is always capped off with vanilla ice cream drizzled with homemade hot…
So Easy Fresh Pumpkin Puree
Canned pumpkin isn’t the only game in town. It’s easy to make your own pumpkin puree, and the fresh flavor can’t be beat! As I was wrestling with this pumpkin, trying to cut through it — all the while thinking of several people who have commented that they enjoy winter squash recipes, except for…
Tex-Mex Dressing
This is a super simple dressing I created for my Tex-Mex Chopped Salad. While you can use your favorite store-bought ranch, I like this easy-to-make and healthier version. It is delicious and, combined with the salsa, offers a bit of a kick and just the right flavor to enhance a variety of southwestern dishes. Use…
Eastern North Carolina Barbecue Sauce
We are usually the tomato-based barbecue sauce type in this family. However, a very dear Southern friend shared her favorite vinegar sauce with me a while back and it was a complete hit! Her recipe has just the right amount of tang and makes for one delicious sandwich. I asked my friend, Lisa, if…
Slow Cooker Dulce de Leche
Irresistible dulce de leche is easy to make in your slow cooker. Plus you can control the consistency, making it soft set like pudding or drizzle-able for use as caramel sauce. Over the years, I read several times that simmering a can of sweetened condensed milk on the stovetop for several hours would magically transform…
Lemon Tahini Dressing
Loving big, hearty, healthy salads as I do, I often get ideas in my head about flavors I think would taste great together. Cooler weather means the arrival of all sorts of root vegetables and winter squash, not to mention a myriad of greens. I created this nutty-tasting dressing to stand up to the flavors…
Balsamic Pesto Tomato Sauce
A few special ingredients join forces with ripe tomatoes for a memorable sauce that’s deceptively easy to make. The taste of marinara sauce made with in-season tomatoes is divine. Finding the time to peel and seed the required tomatoes, however, can be enough to make you buy a jar!ย I decided to try a new…
Chocolate Mascarpone Spread
The past few weeks have been fun ones in the world of food! My friend Ann from Sumptuous Spoonfuls has been working her way through the alphabet. Logically, she began with A. Each day she chooses a food that begins with a new letter and shares all sorts of recipes from fellow foodies which include…
