Category Archives: Party

Chicken.  Bacon.  Ranch.  Three things that pair amazingly well together.  Combine them in sandwich form and you have one mighty fine meal.  Think tender chicken, creamy ranch (which really goes with just about anything), and crispy bacon smothered between a bun with some melted cheese for good measure.  This is what dreams are made of.  I may be getting ahead of myself, but I do sure enjoy a good Chicken Bacon Ranch Sandwich! The recipe can be found here. Start by cooking the bacon according to package instructions.  I like to move the bacon to a paper towel lined plate to absorb some of the grease and set aside until I’m ready to use. Add the cream cheese to a large saucepan or pot and heat over medium-low heat.  Stir occasionally to melt the cream cheese.  Once it’s about halfway melted, add the entire packet of ranch seasoning (Ugh, it … Continue reading

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If you are searching for the perfect appetizer or side for your next cookout, look no further!  Grilled Jalapeno Poppers are the way to go!  They are stuffed with an addictive mixture of bacon, cream cheese, and cheddar cheese.  The rich and creamy combination of the stuffing contrasts the spicy jalapeno peppers leaving you wanting more. This is a great alternative to the breaded and fried version because they are fresh, cook up nicely on the grill, and are quite addicting 🙂 You can even skip the bacon for a vegetarian option if you prefer. The recipe can be found here. We own a Jalapeno Grill Rack that we use for this recipe, which I find quite wonderful to use.  If you don’t have one, I highly recommend getting one! Start by preheating the grill to 325 degrees F.  It can be tricky to keep the grill temperature consistent once … Continue reading

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The 4th of July is right around the corner and as things seem to be returning to normal, I’m sure a lot of people are planning a gathering with friends and family to celebrate.  I know we sure are!  The weather is predicted to be beautiful and sunny, and we haven’t entertained in a while, so we are really looking forward to the holiday. I have a few new recipes to share with you today.  They are all 4th of July themed and something you can easily add to your menu – or anytime throughout summer!  I plan on making a few of these this upcoming weekend and look forward to enjoying them at our party. The first recipe is for Firecracker Hot Dogs.  Think hot dog wrapped in breadstick or crescent roll dough and baked to perfection.  They are super simple to make, will satisfy even the pickiest eater, … Continue reading

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We don’t use our air fryer often but every now and again it’s fun to try a new recipe.  This time we tried an Air Fryer Blooming Onion.  A blooming onion is essentially a large onion that is sliced to resemble a flower, battered, deep fried, and served as an appetizer.  My recipe removes the deep-frying step and has you air fry it instead. The batter creates this lovely crust that is crispy, the onion is tender, and the dipping sauce adds a nice tang to each bite. The recipe can be found here. Start by preparing the onion.  Peel the onion and slice off the stem.  Do not remove the base on the other side of the onion – only remove the stem or end of one side.  Otherwise the onion will fall apart!   Turn the onion so the cut side is down.  Cut an inch from the … Continue reading

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If you read my last blog, you know how much we love sandwiches (or sliders) at our house.  Another food we are obsessed with is chicken wings.  They are so easy to make and can be pair with tons of different sauces to create different flavor combinations.  I want to share with you 3 new chicken wing recipes that are inspired by Asian and Mexican dishes. Orange Chicken Wings Asian Zing Chicken Wings Taco Chicken Wings   All 3 recipes are pretty simply to whip up and have amazing flavor! First up is Orange Chicken Wings.  Think of the orange chicken dish you order at a Chinese restaurant – these chicken wings have a very similar flavor and are bursting with an orangey-citrus taste.  So good! The recipe can be found here. Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees F.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the … Continue reading

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Who doesn’t love a good sandwich?  I’m always looking for new sandwich recipes, or slider recipes, in this case.  They make for a great tasty little bite, work well as appetizers, or can be packed for a light lunch.  My favorite thing to do is make a 9×13 pan of sandwiches that can be portioned out, wrapped in foil, and grabbed each morning on my way to work. Today I want to share with you 4 different recipes for sliders.  These are all simple recipes and are something the whole family will enjoy.  I like to keep these recipes in my back pocket for holiday weekends (like the 4th of July) or you could make a pan to serve at a sleepover when the kids have the late-night munchies! First up is Chicken Cordon Bleu Sliders.  Think traditional Chicken Cordon Bleu but in sandwich form.  You get the savory ham, tender … Continue reading

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Are you ever hosting a party or having a few guests over for dinner but don’t know what to serve?  I always struggle with what to cook because I want my guests to enjoy the meal but also want time to socialize and not be stuck in the kitchen.  Pulled chicken or pulled pork is always a good option.  You can prepare it in the slow cooker so it’s no fuss, it feeds a crowd, and is great to serve for a build-your-own-sandwich bar.  Or you can make it for yourself to enjoy for meals through the week or to freeze for later. Today, I want to share my 2 recipes for pulled chicken.  I haven’t tried these recipes with pork, but I don’t see any reason why you couldn’t substitute the chicken for pork to make pulled pork sandwiches.  If you do try this, let me know how it … Continue reading

Posted in 4th of July, Holidays, Labor Day Weekend, Memorial Day Weekend, Party, Poultry, Super Bowl, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken

Growing up I always loved a good peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  I mean, who didn’t?  It was a staple in my daily life and it’s making a comeback.  However, instead of sandwich form I’m pairing it with another food I love.  What for it……chicken wings.  Yes, peanut butter and jelly chicken wings.  A little louder for those in the back…PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY CHICKEN WINGS! The recipe can be found here. These wings are A-M-A-Z-I-N-G and will satisfy any craving.  They are the perfect combination of sweet and spicy while being incredibly savory.  The chicken wings are coated in a delicious peanut sauce and the raspberry jelly dipping sauce brings it all together.  The combination of peanut butter, jelly, and chicken might sound weird, but I strongly suggest putting your hesitation aside and giving these wings a try! Start by preheating the oven to 425 degrees F and lining … Continue reading

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If you need a fun new dinner idea, are looking for an appetizer for a party, or simply want to have Mexican night at home, Tostadas are the way to go!  They are very versatile yet simple and easy to make.  Tostada is the Spanish word for toasted, which fits the description perfectly, because a toasted (or deep fried) tortilla is the base of the dish.  You then top the tortilla with beans, cheese, meat, lettuce, fruit, and other toppings.  Basically, you want to pile the ingredients high and dig in…. these are meant to be messy! One of my favorite Tostada recipes is for BBQ Chicken Tostadas.  These are served warm and I think that’s part of the appeal for me.  I love the combination of melted cheese, tender chicken, and tangy BBQ sauce in every bite.  They are also fairly light so you will be satisfied without feeling … Continue reading

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Sliders are one of my go-to ideas when it comes to meal prep.  I want something easy to make that will also last a few days.  Let me tell you, they are delicious!  If you’re unfamiliar with “sliders” they are basically small sandwiches that are served warm with various meats, cheeses, condiments and toppings (think finger sandwich size).  You can mix and match the sandwich ingredients to create different flavors and serve as an appetizer or entrée.  I like to make sliders for lunches.  Two of the mini sandwiches are the perfect sized lunch plus they hold up very well over the course of a few days and are perfectly tasty when reheated. I have 4 recipes to share with you today for sliders.  All are yummy in their own unique way! First up is Balsamic Dijon Ham Sliders.  All the flavor comes from the balsamic Dijon sauce.  It’s very … Continue reading

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