Monica’s Delish Dip

I tried this delicious dip at my grandson’s birthday party. My gorgeous daughter in love made this and I knew when I tried it, I had to share it with you. I doubled this recipe which feeds a crowd, this can very easily be cut in half for smaller crowds.

My son and his beautiful wife.

Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef

1 pound ground sausage, I used mild but hot would be great too

2 8-ounce packages of cream cheese

2 small packages of original Velveeta

2 cans of Rotel, original

1 can of corn, drained

2 cups of grated cheddar cheese, I used sharp

Add cream cheese, Velveeta, Rotel, and corn to your crockpot. Cook beef (I seasoned mine with pepper and garlic salt), drain and add to crockpot. Cook sausage, drain and add to crockpot. Cook on low for a couple of hours until everything is nice and melty. Stir in additional grated cheese. Once the grated cheese has melted, maintain the dip recipe on low. Serve with you favorite dipping chips. I used Frito Scoops but any sturdy chip works. Thank you Monica 💗💗💗 for the recipe. Enjoy!

Bagel And Egg Casserole

I first saw a version of this casserole on The Today Show. I had to change the ingredients to my liking so I have created this very versatile breakfast casserole that would be prefect for brunch, lunch or dinner paired with a salad. 
Ingredients:

4 everything bagels, (plain or onion can be used) torn into pieces

3 Tablespoons of chopped onion

1 8 ounce block of cream cheese, room temperature 

1/4 pound sliced ham, torn into pieces or 1 pound bacon cooked and crumbled 

8 eggs

2 cups milk

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 

1 teaspoon dry mustard

1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Butter for 13 x 9 pan, be generous or it will stick

Butter inside of 13 x 9 pan. Place torn bagels in bottom of buttered pan. Sprinkle chopped onion on top of bagels. Dot the top of the casserole with softened cream cheese. Tear up ham and spread over casserole. In a bowl or blender, mix eggs, milk, pepper and mustard. Pour blended egg mixture over casserole. Top with shredded cheese. Cover tightly with foil and place in refrigerator for a minimum of 2 hours or overnight. 

Take casserole out of the fridge and preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake 45 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. 

Almost Mom’s Scalloped Potatoes

You are probably asking why almost. This difference between this recipe and my Mom’s is that I used my food processor (but it’s not required) and I left the skins on my potatoes. I grew up eating these potatoes, loved it when she made them. It was usually holiday time like Christmas or Easter. 

Ingredients:

1 cup milk

1 cup heavy cream

1 Tablespoon butter, plus more for baking dish

1 teaspoon salt

1 Tablespoon corn starch or flour

5 average size potatoes, I used Russet 

1/2 cup onion, diced very fine (I used my food processor)

Pepper to taste

4 cups sharp cheddar cheese, or whatever cheddar you prefer

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare baking dish (I used a long shallow pan) by rubbing the bottom and sides with butter. This will add more flavor to the potatoes as they are baking. 
Make your white sauce by combing milk, cream, butter, salt and corn starch. Stir to blend in pot and bring to a boil over medium heat. Continue keeping it at a low boil for 5 minutes, stirring to prevent scorching. Set aside. 

I used my Kitchen Aid Food Processor which has a slicing preference to how thin or thick you slice things. I kept mine in thin, like potato chip thin. That can also be obtained by using a mandolin but if you aren’t able to slice thin, I suggest you parboil the potatoes so they will be done and not undercooked in the casserole dish. 

Working quickly, potatoes do discolor, lay a layer of potatoes in your casserole dish. Sprinkle pepper, add onions, white sauce and cheddar cheese. Repeat each layer, I made 4 layers in my pan. Tent with foil and bake for 55 – 60 minutes until hot and bubbly. I removed the foil the last five minutes of baking. Enjoy!

Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti Squash

I love spaghetti squash. You can dress it up like pasta once it’s cooked. There are many ways to prepare this squash. Bake, microwave and even in the pressure cooker. I typically microwave mine but this time I baked it. This recipe is delicious, low carb and can be served as a meal or side dish. 

Once you cut open the squash, scoop out the seeds and pulp just like you would do with a pumpkin. 
Baking 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a baking pan, spray or oil bottom of pan. Drizzle olive oil over squash. Salt and pepper prepared squash, I used garlic salt. Place cut side down in your baking dish. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until done. 

Microwave
Salt and pepper inside of prepared squash. Fill baking dish with one inch of water with squash inside. Microwave on high for 10 minutes. 

Ingredients:

Olive oil, if baking

Garlic butter, I used Shamy’s

Parmesan Cheese, grated

Salt and Pepper, I used garlic salt and fresh cracked pepper 

Once your spaghetti squash is cool enough to handle, scrape the inside of the squash. Spaghetti like strands will begin to form. Continue to scrape the inside until strands are no longer coming from the sides and bottom of your squash. Add garlic butter, salt and fresh ground pepper, and top with Parmesan or your choice of Italian cheese.  I did not add amounts for the ingredients because each squash will yield different amounts of squash depending on the size. Use what you prefer as far as butter, salt, pepper and cheese. 

I chose to eat my squash on a plate like spaghetti but you can load it back into the empty squash shell if you prefer. This is a delicious low carb meal or side dish.  Mangia mangia!  Enjoy!

BLT Ranch Pasta Salad

I love BLT sandwiches. I thought why not turn my favorite sandwich into a salad. When I told my friend I was making a BLT Pasta Salad with romaine lettuce, he thought I was nuts. I did add a few other ingredients that don’t usually appear on my sandwich like cheese and green onions.  This salad was a big hit and it was very tasty. 

Ingredients:

8 ounces of pasta, cooked and drained I used shell pasta because that what I had, feel free to use your favorite

3/4 bag of Romaine Lettuce

4 green onions, cut into small pieces, green and white parts

Cherry tomatoes or a big heirloom tomato cut into bite size pieces

6 slices of bacon, cooked crisp, I used thick cut slices, crumbled

3/4 cheddar cheese, cubed into small pieces

Cook pasta according to the directions on the box. Drain from hot water and run cold water over your pasta in the colander to cool it off.  Pasta should not be hot. While the pasta is cooking, chop and cut up the other ingredients. Put all ingredients in your salad bowl and toss. Add your favorite ranch dressing or make my recipe posted below. Add dressing a little at a time so you do not over dress your salad. It’s better to add a little at a time and toss. Enjoy!

Homemade Ranch Dressing
Ingredients:
1 cup Buttermilk
1/2 cup Sour cream
1 Tablespoon of chopped chives, fresh is best
1 Tablespoon of parsley, I used dry
1/2 teaspoon Dill, dry
1/4 teaspoon Onion powder
1/4 teaspoon Garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon Salt 
1/8 teaspoon Pepper, cracked fresh if possible
Whisk all of the above ingredients. Refrigerate. Dressing is best if made the day before. 

Southern Fried Chicken Salad

I love salads in warm weather. This salad has protein, vegetables and dairy. It’s a meal in a bowl!  This makes a very large salad. Perfect to feed a crowd, potluck or family. If you do not add the dressing, it should stay fresh for several days. You can use my homemade Parmesan Ranch dressing, or use your favorite dressing. 

  
Ingredients:

2 bags of Hearts of Romaine lettuce

2 Fried chicken breasts, cut into bite size pieces, I bought mine at the deli

3 Scallions, cut in pieces

4 Strips of Bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled

3 Hard boiled eggs, cut into wedges

1 1/2 cups Cheddar cheese

1 cup Celery, diced

Pralines, optional

  
Put lettuce in a large salad bowl. Add the remaining ingredients.  Toss with the dressing below or use your favorite dressing. Enjoy!
Homemade Parmesan Ranch Dressing

Ingredients:

1 cup Buttermilk

1/2 cup Sour cream

1 Tablespoon of chopped chives, fresh is best

1 Tablespoon of parsley, I used dry

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, the kind you shake 

1/2 teaspoon Dill, dry

1/4 teaspoon Onion powder

1/4 teaspoon Garlic powder

1/8 teaspoon Salt, taste after adding Parmesan cheese, you may not want any or you may want more

1/8 teaspoon Pepper, cracked fresh if possible

  

  
In a small bowl, combine all ingredients and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The dressing can be made ahead of time and it’s better the next day. 

Not Your Mama’s Cornbread Biscuits

  
I am not a true Souherner but my Mom was and I have lived in the South since 1978. I do love cornbread. I have created a biscuit recipe that is not your typical biscuit. It has corneal, bacon, cheese, chives and jalapeños. It was love at first bite. My Mom never made anything like this and my Grandma didn’t either but I know they would haved loved this recipe. 

  
Ingredients:
2 cups all purpose flour

1 cup cornmeal

1 teaspoon salt

1 Tablespoon baking powder

1/4 cup sugar

1 stick of butter, cubed into 1/2 inch pieces

1 egg

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup buttermilk

2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated

1 cup crispy bacon, crumbled, I used thick sliced

1/4 cup chopped pickled jalapeños, or more for more heat

1/4 heaping cup of chopped chives

  
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick spray.
In a bowl, whisk together flour, cornmeal, salt, baking powder and sugar. Add butter and cut it in with 2 knives or pastry blender, working the butter into the dry mixture and the dry mixture crumbs are pea shape or smaller. Add cheddar cheese, bacon, chopped jalapeños and chives to the dry ingredients and set aside.
In a small bowl, whisk egg, heavy cream and buttermilk. Add to dry mixture and stir to form dough. Turn dough out on to floured surface and pat into a 1 inch round. Cut into biscuits, using a 2 inch biscuit cutter. Rework scraps to make additional biscuits. Recipes makes 12 – 16 biscuits.  I got more than a dozen because I don’t measure cheese or bacon. One can never have enough cheese or bacon!  Enjoy!

  

Peppadew Pepper Poppers

I first enjoyed this appetizer several years ago at Macaroni Grill. It’s very easy and simple to make and so yummy.  

  
Ingredients:

I jar of peppadew peppers, drained (I purchased mine at an Italian supermarket but if you can’t find them, sweet cherry peppers can be substituted)

4 ounces garlic herb goat cheese, purchased in the gourmet cheese section of the grocery store

1/4 cup Italian bread crumbs

Balsamic glaze (can be found in the vinegar section of the grocery store)

  
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Drain peppers on paper towels until dry. Stuff open cavity with the goat cheese.  Dip the top of the pepper coating the cheese with the bread crumbs. Place on baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is warn warm.   Drizzle with balsamic glaze and enjoy. 

   

 
This recipe was inspired by an appetizer I enjoyed several years ago at Macaroni Grill. 

Winging It Queso

  

Recently I bought a wedge Buffalo Chicken Cheese. When I bought it, I imagined I would make macaroni and cheese or a pasta salad with it. Then I thought….hmmmm, I bet queso would be delicious.  

  

Ingredients:

1 cup heavy cream

1 package (7.6 ounces) grated buffalo cheese, I used Yancey’s Fancy Hot Stuff Buffalo Wing Original Hot Sauce New York Cheddar Cheese*

1/4 teaspoon pepper, black or white

1/4 teaspoon dry mustard

Chips for dipping

Assorted vegetables for dipping if desired

Assorted veggies like carrots and celery, if desired
On low heat, melt grated cheese in heavy cream and spices. Stirring constantly as it melts so it does not scorch. Serve immediately with chips and/or assorted veggies. This queso can be reheated in the microwave. If it becomes to thick, add a little more cream or water.  Enjoy!

*I purchased my cheese at an Italian Market but similiar cheese can be purchased at Costco or other fine cheese markets. 

  

For The Love Of Libby Grilled Cheese Sandwich

My friend Libby Elder from Lemony Thyme is the Queen of Grilled Cheese sandwiches. When I created my sandwich, I thought of her. So in honor of Queen Libby, I created a cheesy grilled cheese sandwich that has 5 cheeses!  Grated Parmesan is on the outside of the bread and 4 mildly creamy cheeses on the inside.  

Ingredients:

Thick slices of your favorite bread

Butter, softened So you can easily spread it on your bread

Parmesan cheese, grated (not the powdered kind)

2-3 slices of Monterey Jack cheese

2-3 slices Sharp Cheddar

2-3 slices Swiss Cheese

Sliced Fresh Mozzarella 

  
Butter your bread and pile on the Parmesan. 

  
Load the inside of your sandwich with cheese. 

Butter the outside of the bread and liberally cover it with grated Parmesan cheese. Place it down on your griddle or pan.  Quickly lay slices of cheese on the inside of the bread.  Prepare the the top of the bread with butter and Parmesan cheese. My bread was sliced thick and it was long so I used 3 slices of each cheese to completely cover the bread.  Grill to golden brown and cheese has melted inside of your sandwich.  I think this is a sandwich the Queen would love and give her stamp of approval. Enjoy!