-
Thanksgiving Dinner-Prep like a Pro
Alright, Thanksgiving is a week away. Let’s get to it. Now, I am going to share all of my pro chef tips in this Thanksgiving dinner-prep like a pro post for you. I have cooked many Thanksgiving dinners in my day. Believe it or not, this is the first year I am actually hosting Thanksgiving at my house for my family. Now, I know what you are thinking. Umm… Chef Steph, didn’t you just say that you have cooked many Thanksgiving dinners in your day? How can this be the first year you are hosting? Yes, you read correctly. I have cooked 100’s of Thanksgiving dinners in my day, they just so happened…
-
Best Homemade Soft Pretzels
Game time is officially here and I don’t know about you, but my favorite part of a football game is the snacks! It is the perfect reason to snack a little more than usual. To eat junk food while watching TV and to have fun in the kitchen with snacks, dips and fried goodies! These are truly the Best Homemade Soft Pretzels I have ever made. I have tried a few different recipes, but this one takes the cake. I love how crisp they still are on the bottom and very top. Also, how soft and fluffy they are on the inside. These are the Best Homemade Soft Pretzels you will make and…
-
Blog Posts, Breakfast, Dinner Time Made Easy, Entertaining Tips and Tricks, Popular, Recipes, Side Dishes
The Best Homemade Cheddar Biscuits
These truly are the best homemade Cheddar biscuits I have ever made or eaten. For me that is saying a lot, because I have tried so many recipes and eaten so many in my day! I put together a collaboration of recipes I have used before to create this one. Let’s just say, ding, ding ding… we have a winner! I don’t know about you, but I am a sucker for a good biscuit. I am also a sucker for anything that has cheddar cheese in it. SO, I mean, put the two together and well… you guessed it, I am sucker for it every time! So, if you are anything like me,…
-
Gluten Free Oreo Dirt Cake
Yep, that is correct. You did not read that incorrectly. It says gluten free. In this case, you can absolutely not tell the difference between regular and gluten free. Oreo has done an incredible job with there gluten free cookies. I am not much for making things gluten free, normally. However, in this case, why not? The cookies taste exactly the same as the original and now when you bring this yummy dessert to your next gathering; everyone can enjoy it! How is this gluten free? Well, it is simple… gluten free Oreo’s. Yes, Oreo makes a gluten free variety and it is perfect. It tastes just like the original and it can…
-
The Best Potato Salad Ever
This is my Dad’s famous potato salad recipe and I do mean famous for real. It was always the craze at parties and everyone always wanted him to bring it or make it. This will quickly become your Summer go to side and all of your family and friends will be asking you to bring it their houses. You are probably like yea, yea, yea… everyone thinks that what they grew up with is the best. But truly, this is not only my opinion. When so many people say how amazing it is, that they miss this dish, that they love this dish… that is how you know it is truly special. That…
-
Caramel Pretzel Brownies
I mean really… do these even need more of an introduction after you read the title? These are the most fudgey, gooey, delicious brownies you will ever have. Not to mention simple… I use a box brownie base for these and they come out perfect every single time. The only thing that you are making here is the homemade caramel. You can use a store bought one if you can find a nice thick one that you love. Yet, this homemade caramel recipe could not be simpler and it comes out perfect every time. Check the Chef’s tips for help on the caramel, but honestly, anyone can do this. What Boxed Brownie mix…
-
No Bake Cannoli Cheesecake
I love any dessert that I can “chef bake”. We use this term in the industry when we are stating that we are a savory chef, but can still bake a little. Yet are by no means a pastry chef. This is the exact recipe that I would say is a “chef bake” kind of dessert. This is a dessert that looks and tastes amazing. Everyone will be wow’d and think it took you hours. Yet, it comes together so quickly and easily. It is simple and simply delicious. Do you need to use gelatin in a no bake cheesecake? A lot of times a no bake cheesecake will call for gelatin. This…
-
Focaccia Pugliese (focaccia with potato flakes)
Focaccia bread is one of those things that everyone loves, but not many people know where to start on how to make it. To be completely honest, I got my first focaccia bread recipe from my Italian mother in law. I went to her house and made it with her so that I could measure. Because like any good Italian Nonna, there are not measurements with the recipes. I have been working on making it my own for the past 10 years. Truly. That is how long it has taken me to get the recipe that I call my focaccia recipe. In the beginning, I made it exactly how she showed me. It…
-
Farro Salad
This salad is light, delicious and perfect as a side dish or light lunch. It accompanies heavier dishes like steaks and chops as well as a light piece of grilled chicken. You can also make this for lunch and have a satisfying and delightful day! What is Farro? Farro is actually not only one ancient grain, yet three. We mostly see it used in Italian cooking. In Italian Farro means, “ancient wheat grain”. It has been around for so many years and like so many other things are really making a comeback. People are realizing that it has a beautiful depth of flavor and can go with so many different flavor combinations. In…
-
Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes
Here are the perfect cupcakes for Summertime events! I used to own a cupcake shop, so I have a lot of cupcake recipes in my arsenal. I feel like now more than ever with having kids, we make more cupcakes than I have in a long time. They are such a great dessert to bring to cookouts, summer parties and any get together. They are also the best way to get your favorite dessert into bite sized. This past weekend we had three different parties in three days. I made these in minis and regular size, and they were an absolute hit at every event! What is Strawberry Shortcake? Traditionally, strawberry…
