Recipes

Smoked Sausage & Shrimp Jambalaya (made with authentic homemade seasoning)

I love, love, love this Smoked Sausage and Shrimp Jambalaya. Though I have to admit to a fondness for spicy food. So Cajun food in general is something I love. I also love the things I learn while researching recipes and ingredients. Apparently there is this a difference between Cajun and Creole….and it seems that my jambalaya is actually “Creole” jambalaya.... Read More

Perfect Traditional Homemade White Bread (& it works for sandwiches!)

I love bread. Love as in “I could devour an entire loaf with butter in a couple of hours” love. So it’s no surprise that I have a homemade white bread recipe that is delicious. I tried out a few. Then got tired of trying recipes that seemed the same…but not good enough. So then I started studying bread itself- the ingredients,... Read More

Baked Tilapia Veracruz: Healthy, Easy, Delicious

Tilapia Veracruz is one of my household’s favorite. Healthy. Delicious. I can eat the entire dish for under 1,000 calories. (Not that anyone needs to eat an entire dish.) And it’s easy. I’ve been making this for years and it still gets requested on a regular basis! I eat just the fish and veggies. Husband prefers to eat it with... Read More

Homemade Cajun Seasoning

Homemade Cajun Seasoning. You will never, ever buy store-bought again. This super-flavorful homemade spice mix is amazing. When/where to use Cajun Seasoning- while the options are limitless, here are my favorites. • Smoked Sausage & Shrimp Jambalaya • Gumbo (obviously) • Over fish (brush with oil, then add a bit of seasoning) • Spice up ground beef- burgers or (I’ve... Read More

Devil’s Food Cake Bites

In honor of celebrating National Devil’s Food Cake Day (May 19th), I decided to make some more cake bites! Back to our Devil’s Food Cake. The origin of the term “Devil’s Food Cake” is varied. And what makes a devil’s food cake a devil’s food cake (versus a simple chocolate one) is debated. Currently, general consensus- at least according to... Read More

Easy, Fall Off the Bone, Country-Style BBQ Ribs

This probably isn’t the best way to introduce a recipe…but I’m always honest with my dear readers. I prefer grilled ribs. If you’re going to scarf down on great country-style BBQ ribs, it should be grilled. If you can’t get grilled ribs, this is the second best. I’ll confess: they actually win out over grilled on the moist, fall-off-the-bone department. My… Read More

Asparagus Risotto Cakes

I confess. I used to hate asparagus. Loathed it. I would see pictures of it artfully arranged and think “doesn’t matter how you plate it, it still tastes horrible.” But as part of cooking, I make myself try new things. I don’t give up on a food. Seriously. This was the fifth way of preparing asparagus I tried. I loved it. I slowly started... Read More

Sweet & Spicy Pork Chops

What did I learn making sweet and spicy pork chops? First, don’t put a pan with caramelized brown sugar in oil (even cooled) under a stream of water….it immediately undergoes a chemical reactions and turns black and hard as stone. Apparently it took me 32 years (well, I only spent a couple of them actually cooking) to learn that. Oh,... Read More

Classic Roast Chicken with Wild Rice & Mushrooms

One of the basic skills everyone should have is how to roast a whole chicken. It’s actually not hard. But if you’re anything like me… The first time I looked at the whole chicken, I stepped back, and stared at it. “What was that thing sticking out of the end? I have to put my hand INSIDE of this?! Ick…. Read More

Old-fashioned, Homemade Cornbread

***Update: I have discovered a MUCH better recipe for cornbread. Please check out my new post "Old-fashioned, Cast Iron Skillet Cornbread". The recipe below is good...but more of a cornbread "cake". If you like the softer texture, the recipe below is great. I previously posted a cornbread muffin recipe. But because I am always seeking to find better recipes,... Read More