Homemade Ranch Dressing {Originally started out in the South being called Buttermilk Dressing}

Homemade Ranch Dressing  takes on a whole new taste that cannot be matched with the store bought kind. 

Classic Lime Sweet Pickles

Classic Lime Sweet Pickles , cucumbers made into the most heavenly crisp, sweet, tangy pickle you will ever eat.  The hardest part about making these pickles is waiting for them to be ready to eat.   This summer, we had more cucumbers than we knew what to do with due to a little, or you might say a big mistake.

Cream Cheese Biscuits

Cream Cheese Biscuits, fluffy and tender biscuits Southerners love to make.  We love them with honey, syrup, jelly, and even a piece of country ham nestled in for a quick sandwich treat.  Only three ingredients, self-rising flour, butter, and the star of the recipe–– cream cheese! Who would have thought a cookbook solely about biscuits would grab such an interest in me.  Nathalie Depree's Southern Biscuits cookbook did just that.   You can find every biscuit imaginable, from the traditional ones all the way to the outlandish ones.  She goes into great detail on all the ins and outs of making the perfect biscuit.   I have always been a big fan of her in her television days on PBS in the '80s, not to mention all of her many cookbooks.  You could say she is my all time favorite Southern cook. 

Easy and Quick BBQ Beef Pizza {And Game Day Foods}

Here are some  Fun Super Bowl Game Day Foods  that might make it to our table this year! Super Bowl Sunday is a day of indulgence not only for football fans but also for foodie fans.  We like to keep our Super Bowl Party fun and easy with delicious appetizers and finger foods. 

Hidden Valley Ranch Sausage Stars {The Perfect Appetizer}

Hidden Valley Ranch Sausage Stars  were the main attraction at our New Years' Eve Party.   I have seen these in many magazines over the years and even cut the recipe out, but I never made them. Well, I found out just how much these are amazingly quick and easy to make!  You can count on these to be on our table for our Super Bowl Party.

New Years Eve Party Food Ideas

Here are a few of my favorite finger foods to enjoy at home or take to a party.   These recipes are simple and easy to prepare and not to mention easy clean up.  Stay safe and enjoy the your night.  Wishing all my friends a Happy and Prosperous New Year! Red Pepper Flake Seasoned Crackers Lite and Fresh Veggie Wraps Ham and Cheese Pinwheels South Of The Border Bites {Homemade Mini Kolaches} Texas Style Barbecue Hot Wings BBQ Ranch Stuffed Eggs Key Lime Magic Cookie Bars Tiger Butter Corey's Treats   Party Cheesecakes Classic Chocolate Peanut Clusters Peanut Butter Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies Pink Breeze Punch H a p p y N e w Y e a r E v e r y o n e !

Red Pepper Flake Seasoned Crackers {Jennifer's Recipe}

Red Pepper Flake Seasoned Crackers  are a sure way to  wow  your guest at any gathering.  I have been making these for years with oyster crackers, but in the last years, my daughter began to make them with saltine crackers, and her husband introduced the red pepper flakes. A perfect match to an already delicious cracker! When I take them somewhere, I have people so intrigued with these crackers.  They will take a bite and then ask, "how long do you bake them, and how much butter is in them?"  You almost want to keep them a secret....giggles.

BBQ Ranch Stuffed Eggs

This recipe comes from Melissa d'Arabian the winner of season five of "The Next Food Network Stars".  I immediately wanted to make these BBQ Ranch Stuffed Eggs as soon as I saw her making them on her new show Ten Dollar Dinners.  A quick, inexpensive appetizer, and a great twist on an already family favorite. My tip for the perfect boiled eggs 1.  Always put a single layer of eggs in a saucepan and do not crowd.  If eggs are cold from the refrigerator fill the pot with cold water.  If the eggs are from the counter or at room temperature fill the pot with room temperature water. 2.  Bring water to a boil and boil for 3 minutes.  3.  Remove pot from the burner.  Put a lid on the pot and let set undisturbed for 15 minutes.   4.  Pour water off of the eggs holding the lid to keep eggs from falling out. 5.  With the eggs still in the pot gently shake them against the sides of the pan and up and down to crack the shell around the hot eggs. 6.  Pu

Lite and Fresh Veggie Wraps

Delicious and loaded with vegetables, the  Lite and Fresh Veggie Wraps !   These are as good as they look bringing great ideas for a lite lunch or dinner. Shredded carrots, crunchy cucumbers, roasted red peppers, sundried tomatoes, bean sprouts, and the list goes on...with a creamy dressing.  Enjoy! WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE LITE AND FRESH VEGGIE WRAPS Mayonnaise (or yogurt) Cumin Garlic powder Salt Black pepper Fresh parsley Spring salad mix Shredded carrots Cucumbers Roasted red peppers Sundried tomatoes (from a jar with oil) Basil leaves Sliced provolone cheese Bean sprouts Floured tortillas, burrito size (or whole wheat, spinach, sun dried tomato) HOW TO MAKE LITE AND FRESH VEGGIE WRAPS In a small bowl mix together mayonnaise, cumin, parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper; set aside. In the center of the flour tortilla from the top to the bottom, (in the order given) place a small amount of the following items down the center: Lettuce, carrots, c

Candied Jalapeno Mango Salsa

Our grill has been going non stop since the beginning of spring.  We have also been eating fresh vegetable and fruit that are so readily available at farmers markets and grocery stores this time of the year, like mangoes. 

14 Day Sun Pickles {Granny's Recipe}

14 Day Sun Pickles , homemade dill pickles tailored to suit your taste, just not the traditional canning method.  Simple pickling method that leaves you with a fantastic crunchy cucumber. Summer is here in East Texas, and cucumbers are beginning to make in the gardens. One of my favorite summer traditions at my house growing up was making 14 Day Sun Pickles with my Mother.

Tortilla Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

Tortillia Ham and Cheese Pinwheels , a flavorful appetizer easy to prepare.  These are better made the day before, refrigerated and served the next day. When I saw these Tortilla Ham and Cheese Pinwheels over at Mommy's Kitchen, I knew that these would be on the menu for our Super Bowl Party. They are the most versatile appetizers you can make.

Frijole Bites aka {Homemade Mini Kolaches}

South of the Border Bites , a pastry that holds a spoonful of shredded cheese, pinto beans, and diced jalapenos.  Wrap up the mixture in a ball and lay upside down in a dish.  Brush with butter and bake.  Perfect bitesize bite!   The recipe for these South of the Border Bites aka "Kolaches" came about when I only used half of the dough from my Heavenly Cinnamon Rolls that I made on Saturday.

Delish! Texas Style BBQ Hot Wings

Texas Style BBQ  Hot Wings  are crispy, tender, spicy hot,  sticky sweet and smothered with Baby Ray BBQ Sauce.  Delish! I prefer to bake my chicken wings in the oven until golden brown and crispy instead of frying them. Especially while the Super Bowl Game is on, so I am free to get the rest of the appetizers ready. After they have baked, I toss them with a mixture of hot sauce and barbecue sauce. Not only do they call for a few ingredients, but also they are fast and easy to make. They are the perfect bite. In the beginning, you taste the tangy sweet and end up with that wonderful hot spicy flavor in the back of your mouth. The next time you are making some hot wings, think about making, Texas Style BBQ Hot Wings, you will not be disappointed! WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO MAKE TEXAS BBQ HOT WINGS 1 1/2-2 lbs. chicken wings, frozen generous amount of salt and pepper for brining 1 12 oz. bottle Texas Pete Hot Sauce 1-1 1/2 cups Baby Ray barbecue sau

Super Bowl Eats! Ham Rolls {Granny's Recipe}

Ham Rolls are the perfect appetizer for any gathering you may have, or if you are like me, you may like to make them just for a snack. Every Thanksgiving, Christmas, or special occasion, you will probably see these on our table. The recipe came from my Mother. There are so many variations now. I have to say hands down, that the ham roll recipe that my mother handed down to me is still my favorite, and that is the one with just ham, cream cheese, and pickles.

Spicy Brown Sugar Bacon {aka Pig Candy}

Spicy Brown Sugar Bacon is a mixture of cayenne pepper, brown sugar topping sprinkled over strips of bacon in a single layer and baked. Have you every had Pig Candy? If you have not, you are missing the highlight of eating bacon. When I first heard about this recipe over at Mommy's Kitchen , I thought why ? 

White Cheddar Cheese Stuffed Celery

White Cheddar Cheese Stuffed Celery, a lovely appetizer made with simple ingredients, white cheddar cheese, cream cheese, mayonnaise, black olives, and fresh chopped chives.  Perfect to serve at baby showers, brunches, and even for an afternoon snack.   This platter of White Cheddar Cheese Stuffed Celery is another stuffed celery recipe.

Chipotle Cheddar Cheese Stuffed Celery

Chipotle Cheddar Cheese Stuffed Celery, a pimento cheese seasoned with chipotle peppers stuffed in cut celery sticks. This stuffed celery is not your classic retro pimento cheese stuffed celery. It is an easy spicy stuffed celery that is simple, and very tasty. It looks great on your salad plate or on an appetizer tray, which is how I served them at a reception along with White Cheddar Cheese Stuffed Celery and Ham Rolls.

Shrimp Stuffed Eggs

Shrimp Stuffed Eggs, finely chopped shrimp added to the perfect egg mixture in a stuffed egg.  These are always requested at family gatherings. Shrimp Stuffed Eggs are a perfect appetizer to take for any occasion. They were a step up to your normal stuffed eggs at a recent get together with my high school classmates along with this Pig Candy .

Cheddar and Gruyere Cheese Bread Ring

The recipe for my Basic Potato Bread makes four loaves of bread, but I usually make three loaves of regular bread and use the fourth to make a cheese bread ring.